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Area
rugs have a dramatic influence on décor and are a
great way to personalize your space. The difference in a room between a
subtle neutral tone area rug and a richly patterned Oriental rug is
remarkable. Area rugs add style, warmth, perhaps a burst of color, and
pull together areas of furniture into defined groupings. They can
highlight and protect the beauty of hard wood floors, stylishly cover
up flaws in flooring or stained wall-to-wall carpeting, add comfort,
and decrease noise.
Whether you view your rug purchase as a long-term investment in a
valuable heirloom (the case with handmade
Persian-style rugs) or as a fun way to update your
décor without too much effort or expense (easily done with
machine-made synthetic or cotton
rugs) or somewhere in between, you will find a rug, or perhaps several
rugs, that suit your taste and make your home that much homier to you.
THE
QUICK SCOOP
Buying
an area rug should be based to some degree on your gut instinct when
you see one. They often are truly beautiful, akin to artwork for your
floors. Like a framed painting or other accent, you should find a rug
attractive, appealing, and feel drawn to it.
This may be your place to be bold especially if you've chosen fairly
neutral furniture. With furniture, simple is often the safest bet.
However, in buying area rugs, it is actually more practical to go with
a colorful and intricate pattern, since it will camouflage stains
better than a solid one. Whatever rug you choose, it will have a great
influence on your living environment. There are many specific style
considerations outlined in a following section.
In addition to your taste and style, there are some practical issues to
consider as well. Rug size should be chosen carefully to work with your
room size and furniture. Material and workmanship should be considered
since they influence the longevity of the rug. You should always have
an appropriate rug pad to protect both your flooring and your new rug.
These details are discussed below.
MATERIAL
OPTIONS
Material
is an important decision since it plays a major role in the
rug’s longevity, stain resistance, look, and feel. There are
popular natural fibers, including wool, sisal, and cotton, as well as
synthetic options. Your decision will be based on appearance, texture,
quality, rug location (in particular, low traffic vs. high traffic,)
and budget.
Natural Fibers
There are many natural fiber choices. Some of the most popular options
are outlined below. Overall, wool is widely regarded as the best pick
for quality and longevity, with most natural fibers being more
desirable than synthetic options.
Wool
Wool sets the standard for top of the line rugs. High quality wool is
durable, long lasting, pleasingly soft to the touch, and beautiful. It
is easy to clean and ideal for high traffic areas. It holds dye well,
which for the consumer means brighter, richer, and more fade-resistant
colors. It is also naturally resistant to dust mites, making it a great
choice for people with allergies. In addition, it holds its value
unlike any other choice. Antique rugs are usually made of wool,
demonstrating the quality inherent in the material. Of course, in line
with its quality, the price of wool rugs, especially handmade ones,
will be higher than other options. Wool is used in the best Oriental
and Persian-style rugs, as well as in other high-end styles. |
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Silk
Silk is another high quality natural fiber. It is a beautiful and
upscale choice. However, silk is delicate and must be treated with
care, so it isn't ideal for high traffic areas. Silk is often included
in handmade Oriental rugs to add luster and shine. |
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Cotton
Like wool, cotton is a soft fiber
choice, but it is less durable and doesn't wear as well. It is used in
a variety of styles, shapes, sizes, textures, colors, and patterns. It
is much less expensive than wool, making it a sound choice if you are
buying a rug more for immediate look and style than as a lasting part
of your décor. Cotton can be a good choice for a
children’s room or anywhere else where you might want an
updated rug within a few years. Care is simple; you can often throw
smaller cotton rugs in a washing machine. Wool/cotton blends are also
available and are a good choice, since you'll get some of the benefits
of wool’s durability with a lower price tag. |
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Sisal
and Seagrass
These are durable and firm natural fibers that are well-suited for
heavy traffic areas. They generally provide a more casual, subtle, and
earthy look than other options. They often have a latex backing to
prevent slipping. Fabric borders are also common. Rugs made of sisal
and seagrass are significantly less costly than wool and are an
attractive natural textile choice. |
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Jute
Jute rugs are soft and come in
interesting textures, at lower prices than wool rugs. Though less
durable than wool, jute is more resilient than cotton, making it a nice
option for a soft and fairly long lasting natural carpet. |
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Synthetic Fibers
There are numerous synthetic fiber choices. They do not meet the
standard set by wool, but they have a proportionately and significantly
lower price tag. Keep in mind that they also do not hold their value
like a wool rug. In general, though you may get the style that you want
in a synthetic fiber rug, you won't get the quality or softness
available with wool and other top natural fibers.
Nylon
Nylon is the most popular synthetic
fiber choice. It is durable, stain resistant, easy to clean, and
requires little maintenance, making it a top choice for high traffic
areas. It is available in numerous styles and can mimic the look of
wool pile. If you can't afford wool but want its look, nylon or a nylon
blend is probably the way to go. |
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Acrylic
and Polypropylene
Both of these synthetic materials are
very resistant to sunlight, stains, and mildew, making them sound
choices for areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms or mud rooms, as
well as for indoor/outdoor use. These materials are also used for
typical indoor decorative purposes. |
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CHOOSING A RUG STYLE
There
are many styles of area rugs available. The best bet is to choose one
that reflects your taste. Also take into consideration your furniture
style, the room the rug will be in, the rug’s purpose, and
your budget. A rug can act as a beautiful and striking centerpiece to a
room, a subtle and comfortable addition, or an interesting accent.
Are you drawn to a particular style, such as country, traditional, or
contemporary? A richly colored and patterned Oriental
rug is a great, long lasting traditional choice, with an
antique one the most formal and precious of all. A muted solid color
rug is a tasteful contemporary statement. A colorful braided
rug provides a casual, country, and homey look. Jute or sisal
rugs reflect an earthy sentiment and style. Cotton throw rugs are a
versatile, go anywhere choice. Of course, only you can decide what
style rug complements the rest of your decor--eclectic styling (mixing
various design elements) is another great way to go.
Consider the room for which you are buying a rug. Is it a heavy traffic
area? Will it experience spills and stains, such as in a dining room,
children’s room, entry way, or mud room? These answers will
influence your rug choice. Heavy traffic areas require durable
materials, such as wool or synthetic fibers, and stain prone areas do
best with a pattern for masking them. Formal low-use living rooms may
be an ideal showplace for a delicate Oriental rug made with silk.
Also review the decorating purpose of the rug. Are you trying to
brighten a room with color, create a focal point, or provide an
interesting accent? Do you want more than one area rug to define
distinct furniture groupings? Colorful and bold rug patterns make a
statement and sometimes work best with more neutral furniture.
Different patterns and colors of rugs and furniture can mix well, but
try to have one color or other unifying element tie them together. If
the rug will be a focal point, a pattern
with a center medallion can be a good choice. If the center
of the rug will be under furniture, such as a coffee table, a uniform
pattern is a better pick. To pull together various furniture groupings,
rugs of different sizes and textures add interest. For small accent
rugs, cotton throws can be a fun and interchangeable choice.
Don't forget the practical reasons for rugs. They provide warmth on
otherwise cold wood or tile floors, hide imperfections and stains on
old flooring and wall-to-wall carpeting, and reduce noise. And
especially under a dining table, they protect your hard wood floors
from the inevitable scratches from dining chairs. For floor warmth,
pile rugs, in wool, cotton, jute, and some synthetic fibers, are cozy
and soft options. For use under a dining table, a patterned rug will
hide food and drink stains best. Sizing is a key consideration for
dining room use and is covered in its own section.
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word on patterns: florals, geometric designs, stripes, and a vast array
of other choices, in just about every hue and color combination
imaginable, abound. There are some prevalent pattern elements. Rugs
often have a decorative design forming a border along the edges of the
rug. A center
medallion (a round or oval design in the center of the rug)
is another popular feature. Enjoy exploring your options, and pick
something you love. You might even end up with more rugs than you
planned to buy. |
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Below are some style and rug type overviews. Rugs are truly an art
form, and many defy classification.
Oriental
and Persian
Rugs
Oriental rugs, which are made in
Asia, are primarily made of wool and sometimes silk. They are
hand-knotted or flat-woven and have colorful and varied patterns.
Authentic Persian rugs are hand-knotted and traditionally made in Iran.
However, Persian-style rugs are now made in other countries throughout
Asia and the term refers more relevantly to the design of the rug, not
the country of origin. Persian-style rugs feature bright, rich colors
and elaborate designs, with or without center medallions. The more
intricate the design, the higher the concentration of knots per inch
will be. |
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Handmade
Oriental rugs are true heirlooms, and priced accordingly.
Antique Oriental rugs are especially precious and expensive. It is
important to buy these rugs from a reputable and experienced dealer in
order to ensure that you are getting the quality you expect.
There are also machine-made rugs in the Oriental and Persian-style.
These are a cost-effective way of achieving the traditional and
beautiful look of these rugs, and they meet the expectations of many
buyers. If a machine-made rug is 100% wool, it should still be a high
quality choice.
In addition to their beauty, Oriental rugs are a practical choice. The
patterns hide dirt well, and high quality wool rugs are strong, long
lasting, and hold their value well. These rugs are meant to be used as
well as treasured.
Braided
Rugs
A colonial tradition, flat braids
weave the rug’s outermost strands over and under inner
strands, creating the homey look of a braided rug. Wool will provide
the longest lasting quality, though braided rugs of cotton and
synthetic fibers are popular as well. They are usually reversible, a
desirable trait if one side becomes heavily soiled. You will find
bright colors, earth tones, pastels, and choices with high or low
contrast. These rugs fit in well with a country or rustic style. |
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Shag
Rugs
Once a 70s era staple, shag rugs are back in style. Soft and lush with
a thick pile, a shag rug can create a fun look with a cozy feel. The
highest quality shag rugs are 100% wool, but a mix of wool and
synthetic fibers will lower the cost significantly without a drastic
decrease in quality or softness. |
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Natural/Earthy
Rugs
As discussed in the Materials section, jute, sisal, and seagrass are
earthy, casual choices with interesting textures. These are often sold
in their natural color with no added dyes, since their inherent
imperfections and color variations are part of their appeal and
character. |
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Contemporary
Rugs
Contemporary rugs span a variety of styles and materials and are
difficult to classify. As with other rugs, the best will be made of
wool. They can feature muted or bright solid colors, geometric designs,
interesting textures, and unique shapes. |
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RUG
SIZE
Rug
size is an important and relatively straightforward decision. As a
general rule, at least a foot of flooring should be exposed around an
area rug to highlight the rug, furniture, and flooring. If a rug is
under a coffee table, all of the legs should fit on it. However, it is
acceptable for other furniture to have front legs on the rug and back
legs off, as long as the pieces are still balanced. For use under a
dining room table, measure the table and add up to four feet to each
dimension to ensure that chairs can be pushed back from the table
without edging off the rug. Room and rug sizes vary greatly, but there
are some common choices. 6’ by 9’ is a popular size
for a rug that is under a coffee table and being used to bring together
a seating area. Under a dining table, an 8’ wide rug is
usually required. Accent rugs can be as small as 2’ by
3’.
WORKMANSHIP
As
with any quality product, workmanship will influence the value and
longevity of a rug. Handmade (including hand-hooked, hand-knotted, and
hand-loomed) rugs are always higher quality and more valuable than
machine-made. In handmade rugs, higher knots per inch indicate higher
craftsmanship and will exhibit more refined details. Top quality
Oriental rugs can have up to 1,000 knots per inch, with 100 to 300
knots per inch sufficient for defining most designs. In all cases,
designs should appear distinct and well-formed. Rugs should be woven
tightly and evenly, and have clean finished edges. Any fabric trims,
common in sisal rugs, should be attached firmly and smoothly. If the
rug has a fringe, it should be even. Dyes should be high quality and
colorfast. Materials such as wool, cotton, and jute should feel soft to
the touch, while materials such as sisal should feel firm and dense.
Rug quality is often difficult for a consumer to judge. Because of
this, if you are buying an expensive, investment-quality rug, such as a
hand-knotted Persian one, it is important to buy from a reputable and
established rug seller, as well as seek out well-known brand names.
Always avoid going out of business sales, since they are usually an
outlet for getting rid of inferior quality products. A Certificate of
Authenticity may be available when buying a Persian rug and is a good
document to have, particularly for insurance purposes.
| A
high quality rug pad is essential for the protection of your rug and
your floor. It will increase the life of your rug, protect your floor
from scratching as well as staining if the rug is not entirely
dye-fast, provide pleasant cushioning, and increase sound control. It
will also prevent slipping and wrinkling of the rug and make it easier
to vacuum. Rug pads come in a variety of sizes and shapes. A rug
retailer will often also sell rug pads and guide you to one that is
most appropriate for your rug. |
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PRICE
RANGE
Rugs
span a large price range, from under $100 well into the thousands.
Prices depend on style, material, workmanship, and size. Handmade wool
rugs are most expensive and generally cost thousands of dollars.
Machine-made synthetic rugs are among the lowest price options. The
larger the rug, the more costly it will be.
TOP
MANUFACTURERS
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