When you’re designing your home, you choose everything according to your taste and style. You will always try to sweep your guests off of their feet with every style you add. Area rugs will give you the chance to make that first impression that will leave your guests in awe. But what should you consider before you choose one? Before we get into the nitty-gritty of choosing an area rug, let’s take a look into what area rugs are.
What are area rugs?
Area rugs are pieces of textiles that are used as a floor covering around a space. They anchor the furniture around the house and are used to unite the colors around a room. These rugs add texture and accent to a place while making an area more comfortable for sitting. They are friendly with the hard surfaces and act as a companion of the floor. To buy an area rug for indoors, or even outdoors, you need to have complete knowledge of them. This blog is written to cover each and every aspect of area rugs.
1. Choose the right size
When you are shopping for area rugs, you have to keep the size of your place in mind. Be it a living room or a dining room, these rugs are available in every suitable size. While choosing one for your home, you will have to keep certain size guidelines in mind. An oversized bedroom needs an oversized rug that is covering the bed as well as the nightstands. For a bigger room, an 8- by 10-foot rug is the perfect size to accommodate a king- or queen-size bed and end tables. But covering the whole floor isn't ideal for every situation. You might have beautiful flooring and you just need the rug to provide cushioning for the furniture. In that case, buy a small rug that fits under the bed and the nightstands. This will save your floor from the scratches of the furniture.
Living Room
When choosing the rug for your living room, you have to keep the size in mind. A big room requires a big rug. It has to be proportionate in every case. Always measure the space you want it to be placed at. Measure the size of the seating area minus the furniture. This is where your rug will be most prominent. We try to tell our clients that the rug in your room should cover the seating area as well as have legs of the furniture on it. An ideal size considered is at least 6 inches bigger than the furniture from both sides. You don't just have to place the rug in the center but have to find a suitable area for it. If you’re working with larger furniture, like a sectional or furniture that's not placed against a wall, orient the rug with the form of the space to assist create visual flow and make space appear larger. To measure the size of the rug you need to consider the shape as well. Round rugs are measured using the diameter, ovals are measured by the longest and widest points and rectangles are of, course using the measuring scale on the sides. Your area rug should be centered with the table in the room. This will make the room for conversation. The seating of this room is made differently. You can either keep all the furniture off of it or all of it on it. The front 2 legs on the rug for the sofa and it should be the same for the armchair, too. The table is always completely on it. One or two more feet of floor coverage can mean the difference between an area that acts as a mess created in a room or a complete, compiled room with a thoughtful interior.
Bedroom
A bedroom is always a safe place for everyone in their homes. This place is where you relax and sometimes it is your library, living room, or even the playroom (It shouldn't be like this though). The room is designed in many different ways and hence the area rug can be styled in different ways here too.
Dining Room
No matter what, choose a rug that’s larger than the scale of your table. To give a base to the chairs, your area rug should be this much big that it should account for the chairs when they move. To put it simply, it should be able to give the same attractive look when the chairs are dragged for sitting down or standing up. Add at least 3 feet to the length of the table when choosing the right size. the 3 feet should be added to the diameter of the rug for the same purpose. A dining room rug should have a minimum of this additional room on all sides to avoid tripping over the rug.
2. How to choose the right shape
The shape of the space can help determine the rug shape you decide on. If you’re working with a square room for example, then a square rug will emphasize its shape and enhance the design of your room, no matter the form of your table. Square dining tables are commonly paired with rectangular or square rugs to give hype to the general silhouette of the table and room. However, pairing a square table with an oversized round rug for a bold look can give a playful design to your dining area. Similar to square tables, round dining tables will be complemented by both square and round area rugs. A round rug works with the form of your table to form a cohesive visual statement. If you wish to make a glance that’s unexpected, choose a square rug. a good wider border is right. To take care you're getting the right size rug, measure your board, add 24 inches or more on all sides and mark the realm directly on the ground with painter’s tape. While sizing up, consider every furniture in the room.
When choosing a color and pattern for your dining room rug, think of it as the part of a bigger picture i-e your space. You'd have to ask yourself what color are your dining chairs and table, lighting fixtures, flooring, and wall color? Which rug can fit your style? All these factors combined give a new style that is your style.
3. How to place them
A budget-friendly as well as a comfortable-to-have rug is a runner rug that can go to either side of the bed. The runner rugs and smaller rugs will let you have a soft feel under your feet and will give your furniture the same thing as well. These rugs come with only a fraction of the large-sized area rugs. If you've got wall-to-wall carpeting, then you most likely aren’t trying to find a rug to supply comfort – but you'll be able to still get the design and style of a similar rug, by placing it just below the foot of the bed. This method can offer you space between the bed and the seating arrangement with accent chairs or a bench, adding more functionality to your room. Search for a 5- by 8-foot rug to attain this contemporary look. To attain a comfortable, cozy, and smooth landing for your feet every morning, go for the rugs that go outside the boundaries of the bed. You have to determine the lengths and widths from the bed to the outer side of the nightstand. Before you select a rug, you have to account for all the furniture around the bed.
Laying down a rug protects your flooring while adding style to this warm addition to your dining area. These tips will help you choose the proper size rug for your dining room. First, it’s important to keep your rug extended from the chairs around the dining. When you are not sure which size will suit your dining area, just think of this pointer that it has to be larger. Not only size, but the shape is also a key factor when buying the correct area rug for your dining room. To scale up your room, keep the dining table's style in your mind. Rectangular dining tables suit best over rectangular rugs. As with the bed, if there's any additional furniture with the dining, the rug should cover the grounds to either be completely under them or completely free of them.
4. Choose a suitable weaving style
Before we discuss the types of weaving, let's discuss the weaving terms.
Weft: It is the horizontal thread that passes through the rug, making the base of the rug.
Warp: It is the vertical thread that passes through the rug. Combined with the weft, warp makes up the foundation of the rug.
Pile: It is the thickness of a rug depending upon the fiber density.
When weaved differently, new style and design is achieved. Let's discuss different types of weaving and which one will suit your requirement.
Hand-tufted rugs
The Hofmann Handtufting (Hand Tufting) gun is being used since the 1980s. A mix of feeding system with air and cutting styles makes up a tufted rug. The hand tufting gun by Hoffman has been continuously improved to create the new version of this gun. This new version is very reliable, easy to use, and versatile. It provides the flexibility to modify from cut pile to loop pile or change the peak of the pile very quickly. This ability of the machine makes this the most popular technique today. This gun gives you the flexibility to modify from an excellent sided cut pile to a “J” tuft.
Method of hand-tufting
A hand-tufted rug is not made by tying knots into the design. It is created by pushing wool or acrylic yarn through a primary base, creating a “tuft”. Latex glue is then applied to keep the tufts in place. A second layer is added to make the foundation and then the third layer to secure the flooring. Then comes the final step. The tops of the tufts are sheared to make the pile. The pile's height is determined by the amount of fiber that is added and the length to which the initial layer is sheared.
Advantages
This rug-making process might take a shorter time than the other hand knitting techniques but still, a lot of time and hard work is required to produce most beautiful designs. They are still cost-effective and less time-consuming than the other hand-knotted rugs. The design is created by putting the design on the first layer and then tufting it on the rug. This tufting method creates a highly durable and beautifully accurate handmade rug which will also bear all the traffic of your busy area. If traffic could be a concern of yours, this might be your weave of choice.Helpful note: Tufted rugs often show shedding. Vacuuming regularly will make these rugs shed less. But there are certain factors as well that affect that shedding proportion. The place where you put these rugs and the amount of traffic it endures gives a different amount of shedding.
Hand-knotting
Hand-tufted rug and hand-knotted rugs are not the same. While they will initially look and feel very similar, they're made with very different techniques and interruption differently over time. Hand-knotted rugs are made by meticulously tying every single knot during a rug. Traditionally, a specially designed loom is used to make hand-knotted rugs.
Method of hand-knotting
Vertical threads are tied onto the loom and eventually become the base of the rug. Horizontal threads intertwine to make a layer. The fringe of a hand-knotted rug is essential to the development of the rug. The wool yarn is hand-knotted onto the perimeter and therefore the pieces at the top are left for adornment. But, the perimeter is vital to hold the rug together. If the perimeter isn't there, the rug will unravel and you may don't have anything but a pile of yarn.
Origin of hand-knotting
The art of hand-knotting rugs probably originates from pre-Christian nomadic people. within the chilly steppes of Central Asia, they produced – besides sheepskins for warming garments – carpets for their tents, to safeguard them from intruding cold. Therefore, they wove wool of their own goats or sheep to flat fabrics which they attached on the floors and walls of their tents. Thus, already at that point, knotted rugs didn't only function as insulation but, as today, they were also an ornamental element.
Advantages of hand-knotting
The handcrafting of carpets is extremely labor-intensive and requires a high degree of accuracy. Hand-knotting a medium-sized rug can take up to 2000 days. This explains the high price of hand-knotted rugs. In addition to the knotting frame, a carpet knotter needs further tools like a pair of scissors, a wooden and a metal comb, and also a cutter.
Materials for hand-knotting
Traditionally, before having the ability to knot, the lisle that's used for knotting had to be produced. For that purpose, sheep's wool (goat's wool as well) was spun, dyed, and dried. The overwhelming majority of hand-knotted rugs aren't made with synthetic materials like polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, or polyester. Most hand-knotted rugs are in fact made with natural fibers like silk or wool. Hand-knotted rugs from silk are typically costlier and highly in demand due to their luxurious texture, but the most common material utilized in hand-knotted rugs in wool. Wool is hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, and a renewable source of fabric. Most hand-knotted rugs are made with sheep’s wool but varieties may be found with wool from goats or alpacas. Hand-knotted rugs are commonly made with multiple types of material. A mix of wool and silk is incredibly popular in hand-knotted rugs. A rug made out of those two materials is predominately woven with wool while the silk is woven in periodically to feature an expensive touch to the ultimate product.
Flat-weave
A flatweave rug is any rug that's constructed without including any knots in the rug. Instead, the parallel running fibers that comprise the length of the rug (warp) and fibers that line the width (weft) form up the full surface of the rug. A number of the foremost popular and stylish rug styles in modern design are being weaved using this unique and rapid technique. Since a flatweave rug is formed without knots, it isn't that complicated to make. These rugs are made up of verticle and horizontal fibers that are woven together to form one piece.
Kinds of flatweave
While flatweave rugs are incredibly popular today, they're still rooted within the historical tradition of rug making. Different kinds of flatweave were used back in the day like Chainstich rugs, Needlepoint rugs, Aubusson Weaves, and Hooked Rugs. But the most popular flatweave styles today include Dhurries, Soumaks, and Kilims. Flatweave rugs are thin rugs that have a no-pile construction. They're lightweight rugs that are easy to select up and move around. They appear great on hardwood floors and look especially stylish when layered over other rugs like a wool rug. Many flatweave rugs give a boho style as they include tassels on the end. If you want natural-looking rugs in your home, this can be your ideal choice. These rugs are made from mostly wool, cotton, or jute.5. Choose from the popular rugs today
Area rugs have become part of the major interior design trends today. Various styles and designs that define beautiful origins are being laid down in every room of homes today. Some of these trends have been here for centuries and some are more modern. But all of these area rugs are still used to define a statement. Let's discuss all those trends and see which one suits your style.
Shag rugs
Shag rugs are one among those comfy rugs that may slot in anywhere. These rugs were a trend within the 60s and 70s but they're happening within the industry again.
These area rugs are a well-liked option when searching for a uniqueness for your room. They'll infuse your room with a style that'll make it go retro. These rugs are weaved with denser and longer fibers.
Types of Shag Rugs
The distinctive look is achieved by cutting the fiber from half an inch to at least one inch long. This makes a deep plush pile which makes these area rugs have a royal look to them. The design of fiber also defines the sort of rug. One type of these rugs is a sheepdog rug includes a more fluffy and dense look to them that (as is seen by the name) gives a sheepdog texture. Another kind is the noodle carpeting that has fibers like the shape of noodles and is thick. A shaggy rug is additionally a form of shag rugs that has thinner thread but is weaved with the next density.
Shag rug material
Shag rugs are often thought to be made of wool only but this isn’t the truth. These area rugs are achieved using various materials. Wool does have the standard of creating the rugs smoother and softer but it's not the sole material to try and do so. Silk shag rugs are the shiniest piece among all the rugs. The pieces of silk ribbons are weaved together to create these vibrant and luminous rugs. When handwoven, these rugs add beauty to any room and are durable in nature.
Moroccan Rugs
Moroccan rugs are coming in trend for some time now. These area rugs are used for enriching your room. The right shades, the right color combination, and also the perfect weaving makes them a perfect choice for each home decor. Their character and texture add a fresh look to each room.
Persian Rugs
Persian and oriental rugs are often used interchangeably. It's safe to mention that Persian rugs are a sort of oriental rugs as Oriental rugs may be a more generic term for area rugs like these. These Persian rugs are known for their beauty and are utilized in every room of the house to allow a royal feel. These rugs, in their pure quality, are hard to seek out but are an ideal addition to any home. The most effective artisans within the world combine organic and thoughtful colors and patterns to make these beautiful artifacts.
How are they made
Persian Rugs are made through a really gentle process. A range of knotting and weaving styles are accustomed to creating these designs. The method of weaving starts from the picking of the foremost common material used for weaving these rugs- Wool. Sheep’s wool is that the most ordinarily used material for the Persian rugs. When choosing a Persian rug, there are certain belongings you need to detain mind. The surface of this rug is somewhat flawed when hand sewn. this can be because of the toil involved within the weaving. When the Persian rug is ready industrially, it's fringes sewn at the tip of it. When choosing a Persian rug seller, ensure it's known for its quality and reliability.
Characteristics
These rugs are known for their vibrant colors. They contain transitioning of the colors and textures. Persian rugs mainly contain a trio of colors that's red, blue, and beige. The color trio is sometimes also called a “Royal trio” and is employed to make rugs of Qum- a royal decorating style manufactured within the city of Qum. This trio is that the basic coloring palette of those rugs but the Persian rug range includes a very rich and diverse collection of the colors.
Jute rugs
Jute rugs are the foremost natural and eco-friendly rugs found today. These rugs offer beauty to each space by their organic touch. These area rugs are made of plant fibers called hessian. It's a durable fiber that is spun and weaved to make coarse strands. Dried plants are utilized in the making of these area rugs which are left in their original tan. Sometimes the dried plants are colored to grant a more vibrant touch to the rugs.
Other plants are added to the spinning of these fibers. Rather than synthetic carpeting made in industries with loads and a lot of money, these carpets are more natural and cost-effective. These rugs do not require any petroleum or fossil fuels in their development but are renewable and biodegradable.
Characteristics
The western world is drawn to these simple yet beautiful rugs for his or her homes. More recently, it became a trend and therefore the hype was real. They're inherently beautiful and add natural beauty to your house. they're considered low maintenance as they are doing not require any vacuum or special measures for his or her cleaning. A number of the maintenance issues that jute rugs face make them unsuitable areas for our homes. The feel of jute is misunderstood to be hard but that's not true. This area rug, even with the dried leaf origin, is soft and comfy to run on. This might be why jute is named the “Golden fiber”. This area rug is soothing to the feet and becomes serene with the addition of siding material, mostly cotton. The jute rug could be a beautiful classy and stylish choice added with the cost-efficient benefits. Your kids can play on this rug and you wouldn’t even have to worry about them getting hurt even as if they were playing on the cotton weaved rug.
Kilim Rugs
They are pile-less rugs that are generally flat in characteristic. Kilims are less expensive and readily available as they're technically easier to form. These days, there has been a misconception that every oriental rug is a Kilim rug. This might be due to the fact that their design looks identical to oriental at first. While most oriental rugs originate from the identical regions where Kilims are usually woven, these two have their differences. Oriental rugs are a broad classification of rugs that are produced from the Balkan and Asian regions. Kilim rugs are one of the many types of oriental rugs. Kilims represent decades of workmanship and culture. Some kilims are used as decorations while some are used for religious purposes like prayer mats. Kilims are available different motifs and each has its own meaning and purpose. The price and availability of Kilim are attributed to the categories of cloth used in making these area rugs.
Characteristics
The materials used in the weaving of these area rugs include cotton, silk, wool, and animal hair. Some are made with just one material, and a few also are made with a mixture of various fabric types. There are huge collections of Kilims available online, and plenty of rug outlets also offer these rugs. However, because of their high demand, handmade Kilims of the very best quality are usually high-priced. These area rugs are a good start line for rug collectors. They prize Kilims most because they are available in several colors and designs that may blend well with various design themes.
Bokhara Rugs
These rugs are simply breathtaking. Their vivid, traditional red colors and complicated oval or diamond-shaped motif patterns raise their beauty. These area rugs are handcrafted individually therefore each one of these rugs have their own individuality. Whether it is a medallion or a different hexagon style, they can be used as indoor or outdoor rugs. A master rug maker can take around five to 6 months to finish this rug. This is because each thread is handwoven.
Patterns
An authentic Bokhara rug has flowers and geometric patterns woven on Pakistani or New Zealand wool. they're supported cotton. These rugs have a double-pile and have a feel of lushness to them. this is often the signature of the rugs crafted in Pakistan and proves that they're authentic. Even prime quality, handcrafted Bokhara rugs are affordable.
Types of Bokhara rugs
These rugs will be placed in every corner of your home. They're available in numerous colors including beige, green, gold, black, blue, grey, and rose. Bokhara rugs are available in many various shapes, sizes, styles, and kinds so you'll match them to your home’s indoor/outdoor. There are many reasons to like these rugs, but our favorite reason is how silky smooth these rugs are. You may be wondering how Bokharas are different from the other wool rug. They are actually made with a double-pile, which means that the rug features a larger density of fibers. These area rugs need a thicker pile than most wool rugs out there.
Characteristics
If you have ever wanted an oriental wool rug with the softness of a carpet, then a Bokhara oriental rug will surely be an excellent choice for you. The pile height of these rugs is around half an inch and sometimes more. They're traditionally designed with tones of rich colors like blue, red, green, etc. Soft rugs are the most loved among many area rugs but the density of the pile still affects the rugs. These rugs are durable because they're made from wool, but they are not as durable as their low-pile counterparts.
Pak Persian Rugs
Oriental rugs from Turkey have their culture embedded in them. Persian rugs are the sort of oriental rugs that show the Persian culture in it. Pak-Persian rugs are a mixture of both Persian and Pakistani cultures joined together to form beautiful rug styles. These ancient area rug designs are getting harder to find day by day. Either they're turning into a cheaper and low-quality version of these area rugs or aren't preferred due to the machining processes that are easily available. Persian rugs combined with Pakistani rugs are an ideal combination that's becoming very rare. This is because new artists mostly don't have the talent to form these art pieces. It's either that or they do not learn it. This can be due to the fact that they're detailed and takes longer when handwoven. Pak Persian rugs are suitable to use at the entryway. They are also used to give the royal look just because they also look like them. If you want to add a more elegant touch to your room, we'd suggest adding these rugs in the home decor. Add this printed, textured rug with a plain bold rug, and form a layer. For a touch of royalty, add these multicolor rugs to your living areas. These area rugs are mostly found in deep hues. They can be used in high traffic areas as well due to their durability and sustainability.
6. Choose the right material
Before you choose the right style of area rugs for your home decor, you'd have to choose the material that you need for your home. There are certain things that you have to keep in mind before you do that. Answer these questions and then choose the right material.- Where to use these area rugs? (indoor/outdoor rug/entryway/room)
- The amount of traffic that area experiences. (low/high traffic areas)
- Do you have kids or pets in your home?
- Do you need a cost-effective rug or comfort and plush is your priority?
To answer all of these questions, we have gathered info for all the materials.
Wool
A sturdy fiber, wool rugs are generally a more bold option. This is often because wool rugs last for many years, are highly durable, and sustain their color and pattern over time. Area rug made of wool always has more comfort than synthetic materials. Wool has always been the priority for offices and homes for it gives a more natural look. Since wool is obtained from sheep therefore it is a known fact that the area rugs made from wool are completely natural. Most of the people prefer wool for the comfort it provides. Wool is the most common fiber for the area rugs. It’s durable, affordable, and naturally stain-resistant. When hand-tufted, these area rugs can shed and might require regular vacuuming. If you don't want the weekly sessions of vacuuming you can always consider getting looped fiber rug.
Cotton
Cotton rugs are typically braided or flatweave, and are a softer alternative to jute or sisal rugs. They're durable and can also be washed by machines. Cotton rugs are more cost-effective than wool rugs and give a more casual look. Its affordability makes it the choice for many home decors. The yarn of cotton rug is stronger and less stretchy than that of wool. Cotton is used as the foundation of area rugs. It can provide even proportion to the rugs. It is used by many experts as it provides good quality. Cotton has always been the first choice for area rug weavers.
Silk
Silk is used in the making of area rugs as it provides a luxurious feel. Silk has been the expensive and elite choice of many. It gives a soft and heavenly feel when your feet touch it. When silk rugs are in their most pure form, they're highly expensive. Even when mixed with wool or cotton, they are often expensive. Area rugs of silk are made all over the world including China, Turkey, and even Central Iran. The most high-quality silk area rugs are found in Pakistan. These rugs are hand-woven and are found in the purest forms.
Natural fibers
Different natural fibers are used in the making of area rugs. These rugs are created from materials like jute, sisal, bamboo and seagrass. These fibers are mostly used for flatweave or braided area rugs. Natural fibers are eco-friendly and are very affordable for rug construction. The area rugs made from jute and sisal can give a harsh feel underfoot, while seagrass and bamboo are smoother. Natural fiber rugs work best in dry rooms where there's no chance of staining them. But if they are used in damp environments, they are very tough to maintain.
Synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers are used to make area rugs as they are easily machinable. Most area rugs that are made using advanced techniques, use synthetic fibers in the making. Polypropylene and other synthetic fibers are often used to make indoor/outdoor rugs. Synthetic fibers provide many advantages. They can block the stains, are low-maintenance, do not fade easily, and much more. These advantages make them an even more perfect choice for high traffic areas like entryways, hallways, or patios. Polypropylene as well as polyester is used to make these area rugs have a longer life. They are cleaned easily and are easy to move as well. When buying an area rug, you'll have to consider another very important aspect- maintenance of area rugs. Some area rugs require more cleaning and maintenance than the others. If you can take good care of your rug, only then opt for an expensive, light-colored plush area rug. To maintain your area rug, keep these points in mind:- Vacuum your area rug after short intervals
- Change the direction of the rug constantly.
- Keep them away from damp areas.
- Try to put a softer and more sensitive area rug in fewer traffic areas.
Experts at RugKnots are highly professional and can guide you towards the perfect area rug for your home. We have a wide variety of area rugs made by the most experienced rug makers. Contact us today. We will be more than happy to help you.
