Area rugs offer the best protection, and a attractive way of showcasing, carefully preserved hardwood, marble, or tile floors. These rugs will last for many years, and are sold in many different sizes and shapes. Determine the shape and size that will work best in the desired space.
While many people prefer rectangular or square area rugs, other shapes are also available. For example, a round or oval area rug may be ideal for covering the floor underneath a dining table. The choice is primarily a personal one, but try to avoid using multiple rugs with varying shapes in the same room.
Size is also an important consideration. Will the furniture set entirely on the rug, or entirely off the rug? On-rug decorating is usually most helpful for decorators whose goal is to cover the entire floor space in a room. In comparison, off-rug decorating is often used to cover an empty space surrounded by furniture. Measure carefully to make sure that the rug purchased is the right size for the room.
Choose from a wide array of styles to accent a room or purchase interior décor that complements that new area rug. Select a Persian area rug with bright colors and intricate geometric, floral, or pictorial designs, or consider an Oriental area rug instead. These rugs often contain up to 1,000 knots with each square inch. Genuine Oriental rugs are manufactured in Asia, and certain manufacturing standards are mandated. These rugs are made from yarn woven on a loom. Threads are then knotted into complex patterns, and the extra thread is then snipped off.
Another popular rug of Asian design is the Tibetan area rug. Typically, a Tibetan area rug displays square-shaped "tiger" patterns, but some contemporary varieties feature color geometric patterns instead. Flokati rugs, originally manufactured in Greece, also offer an exotic touch of class to any room. Flokati wool area rugs are soft, durable, and easily cleaned. They are even washable in heavy-duty washing machines!
For those who favor more conventional designs, braided area rugs accent a country-style or country craft decor. These braided rugs are composed of between four and twelve strands wrapped in an intricate pattern. Contemporary area rugs also feature basic patterns and easily coordinated design schemes. Some are quite unusual and contain unique patterns that resemble a modern art design.
Recently, retro designs, such as shag area rugs, have started to make a comeback. These area rugs, popular during the 1970s, feature a heavy pile design with long rug fibers. Shag area rugs provide good insulation for flooring, and the quality of recently manufactured versions is much higher than in years past.
Fabric Materials for Area Rugs
Decide on the type of area rug material that will best fit the room's needs and design style. The vast majority of rugs are manufactured from wool, nylon, cotton, or silk. Each of these materials offers both advantages and disadvantages, so weigh the options carefully in the decision-making process.
Wool area rugs are popular and very durable. They repel dust and minimize allergen collection. They are more expensive and less comfortable than cotton area rugs. Cotton area rugs often contain some percentage of wool fibers, which extends the lifetime of the rug somewhat. These rugs, however, usually wear more rapidly than wool area rugs.
In contrast, nylon area rugs tend to be more stain resistant than cotton, and are less expensive than cotton or wool area rugs. Although they tend to be quite durable, they do not maintain monetary value in the same way that wool or silk area rugs do. Examples of area rugs that use silk include Persian area rugs or Oriental area rugs. The silk adds color depth and shine to the product, but these rugs must be carefully protected and cleaned only by specialty rug cleaners.
Essential Accessories for Area Rugs
A few basic accessories and tools will help to maintain the rug in good quality for many years to come. First, choose an area rug pad that is sized to fit the rug. This will help to keep the rug from slipping, and will offer wood flooring protection from scratching. These also add extra cushioning to the area rug, so that it will be more comfortable.
Vacuum the rug regularly to remove dirt and debris. This will keep dirt from being ground into the rug's fibers and damaging the material. Rugs in high-traffic areas will need to be vacuumed more frequently than those in rooms that are used infrequently.
Invest in a spot cleaner. Choose powder or liquid spot treatments that will help to remove accidental stains. Test the cleaner by using a small amount on the back side of the rug to make sure that it does not stain or bleach the color with use.
Remember, different rugs require different care. Decide how much maintenance is too much. Purchase an area rug that will decorate a room for a life time, but requires careful cleaning. Or, purchase an inexpensive rug that will last a shorter time but meet the needs of a high traffic area.