Area rugs have been in existence since 3000 B.C. when the Nomads began knotting camel and sheep hair together to keep their floors warm. Area rugs are even mentioned in the Greek classic Agamemnon, the first in a trilogy written by Aeschylus in 500 B.C. In the 7th Century rug making was used to relay the story of Islam’s religion and culture. Thanks to the Crusades, by the 15th Century, they were introduced to Europe, where owning a large area rug became a status symbol of wealth and privilege. It was in British controlled India during the 17th Century that rug designs were changed and within 100 years rugs were manufactured and workers were no longer paid by the rug, but by the hour. By the 20th Century, thanks largely to the mass production of rugs; they became available to all demographics and were no longer a depiction of wealth or sociological status.
Today, you can choose from many types of area rugs. Wool rugs are still favored among most rug connoisseurs, but synthetic rugs are sold in high numbers as well. Before buying expensive wool area rugs or cheap area rugs manufactured in a factory, educate yourself on the different styles and types.
Flokati rugs have been around since the 5th Century and are a trademark of Greek rugs. They are made only from New Zealand wool and are bathed in the waterfalls of the Pindus Mountains for 40 hours. This process shrinks the backing and, rather than the rough surface one would expect with wool, a soft silkiness is created due to the pressure of the constant falls. Flokati area rugs are delicate and should only be used in low traffic areas of your home.
On the flip side, natural fiber rugs are made with materials that include cotton, bamboo, sea grass, and other plants. These flat woven rugs are reversible and used in a variety of casual settings. These cheap area rugs are versatile and make up a good portion of your 9×12 area rugs that are sold to cover and protect hardwood flooring. These large area rugs can handle a lot of foot traffic, including that from household pets and smaller children. However, they have a shorter life than wool and synthetic area rugs.
Machine made rugs are made by power looms and are usually imported from Europe or Belgium. These large area rugs are made from both wool and synthetic fibers. Because they are inexpensive and mass produced, you won’t find one that is one-of-a-kind. What you will find is a cheap alternative to handmade rugs that is just as aesthetically pleasing and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Hand hooked rugs are often referred to as Oriental rugs since they are made almost exclusively in China. The tedious art of petite point is used in many of these hand hooked area rugs to give it the look of embroidered art. Because of the small needles used in this form of needle point, the colors are more vibrant, the details richer. This is reflected in the higher price asked for one of these special area rugs, especially if you want a large area rug. The backing on hand hooked rugs is made of latex since there are no knots and therefore nothing to which the pile can anchor. Hand hooked rugs are appreciated for their intricate design and are often hung for display as well as used in low traffic areas.
One of a kind large area rugs are usually made by a skilled artisan who hand knots the rugs. Hand knotted rugs require a high level of skill, patience and time. A 9×12 rug can take as long as a year to complete, using this method. The finest rugs have as many as 400 knots per square inch, a mind boggling number. More commonly, you will find around 150 knots per square inch. Hand knotted area rugs are the most expensive of all rugs sold due to the quality, precision and time taken to create these masterpieces.
A combination of wool, silk and cotton are used to complete hand knotted rugs. Cotton is most often used in the foundation of these large area rugs, but never seen in the actual pile. What you do see in the rug is the wool pile, often accented with silk knots and designs. The silk is too expensive to be used in the entire rug, but adds beauty and sheen to the already exquisite designs. Hand knotted area rugs are the most durable and can be used for decades, making them perfect to pass down through the generations as heirloom rugs.
While round area rugs can be made using any of the methods listed above, they are often made using the braiding technique. Braided and cotton rugs were made by early Americans to provide warmth in the winter and color year round. It is a practice that is finding new popularity in modern homes as an outlet for creativity and as a way to spend quality time with family, away from technological interruptions and distractions. The advantage to making or purchasing a braided rug is that they are versatile enough to use on porches or in the kitchen. You can use several in play rooms or use a single large area rug in a family room.
Always remember to protect the floor beneath the rug by using a rug pad. It is also a good safety feature in that it prevents slipping. Sweep your rug once a week and vacuum it just as often to remove lint and fuzz and to keep it looking fresh. Discourage bare feet from walking on either your ornate large area rugs or even smaller, cheaper ones. Oils from the skin transfer onto the material and damage color and fibers. Beat the rug once every couple of months to remove excess dirt. Wash your rug by hand using minimal amounts of gentle detergents and air dry once a year.
Large Area Rugs
Area rugs have been in existence since 3000 B.C. when the Nomads began knotting camel and sheep hair together to keep their floors warm. Area rugs are even mentioned in the Greek classic Agamemnon, the first in a trilogy written by Aeschylus in 500 B.C. In the 7th Century rug making was used to relay the story of Islam’s religion and culture. Thanks to the Crusades, by the 15th Century, they were introduced to Europe, where owning a large area rug became a status symbol of wealth and privilege. It was in British controlled India during the 17th Century that rug designs were changed and within 100 years rugs were manufactured and workers were no longer paid by the rug, but by the hour. By the 20th Century, thanks largely to the mass production of rugs; they became available to all demographics and were no longer a depiction of wealth or sociological status.
Today, you can choose from many types of area rugs. Wool rugs are still favored among most rug connoisseurs, but synthetic rugs are sold in high numbers as well. Before buying expensive wool area rugs or cheap area rugs manufactured in a factory, educate yourself on the different styles and types.
Flokati rugs have been around since the 5th Century and are a trademark of Greek rugs. They are made only from New Zealand wool and are bathed in the waterfalls of the Pindus Mountains for 40 hours. This process shrinks the backing and, rather than the rough surface one would expect with wool, a soft silkiness is created due to the pressure of the constant falls. Flokati area rugs are delicate and should only be used in low traffic areas of your home.
On the flip side, natural fiber rugs are made with materials that include cotton, bamboo, sea grass, and other plants. These flat woven rugs are reversible and used in a variety of casual settings. These cheap area rugs are versatile and make up a good portion of your 9×12 area rugs that are sold to cover and protect hardwood flooring. These large area rugs can handle a lot of foot traffic, including that from household pets and smaller children. However, they have a shorter life than wool and synthetic area rugs.
Machine made rugs are made by power looms and are usually imported from Europe or Belgium. These large area rugs are made from both wool and synthetic fibers. Because they are inexpensive and mass produced, you won’t find one that is one-of-a-kind. What you will find is a cheap alternative to handmade rugs that is just as aesthetically pleasing and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Hand hooked rugs are often referred to as Oriental rugs since they are made almost exclusively in China. The tedious art of petite point is used in many of these hand hooked area rugs to give it the look of embroidered art. Because of the small needles used in this form of needle point, the colors are more vibrant, the details richer. This is reflected in the higher price asked for one of these special area rugs, especially if you want a large area rug. The backing on hand hooked rugs is made of latex since there are no knots and therefore nothing to which the pile can anchor. Hand hooked rugs are appreciated for their intricate design and are often hung for display as well as used in low traffic areas.
One of a kind large area rugs are usually made by a skilled artisan who hand knots the rugs. Hand knotted rugs require a high level of skill, patience and time. A 9×12 rug can take as long as a year to complete, using this method. The finest rugs have as many as 400 knots per square inch, a mind boggling number. More commonly, you will find around 150 knots per square inch. Hand knotted area rugs are the most expensive of all rugs sold due to the quality, precision and time taken to create these masterpieces.
A combination of wool, silk and cotton are used to complete hand knotted rugs. Cotton is most often used in the foundation of these large area rugs, but never seen in the actual pile. What you do see in the rug is the wool pile, often accented with silk knots and designs. The silk is too expensive to be used in the entire rug, but adds beauty and sheen to the already exquisite designs. Hand knotted area rugs are the most durable and can be used for decades, making them perfect to pass down through the generations as heirloom rugs.
While round area rugs can be made using any of the methods listed above, they are often made using the braiding technique. Braided and cotton rugs were made by early Americans to provide warmth in the winter and color year round. It is a practice that is finding new popularity in modern homes as an outlet for creativity and as a way to spend quality time with family, away from technological interruptions and distractions. The advantage to making or purchasing a braided rug is that they are versatile enough to use on porches or in the kitchen. You can use several in play rooms or use a single large area rug in a family room.
Always remember to protect the floor beneath the rug by using a rug pad. It is also a good safety feature in that it prevents slipping. Sweep your rug once a week and vacuum it just as often to remove lint and fuzz and to keep it looking fresh. Discourage bare feet from walking on either your ornate large area rugs or even smaller, cheaper ones. Oils from the skin transfer onto the material and damage color and fibers. Beat the rug once every couple of months to remove excess dirt. Wash your rug by hand using minimal amounts of gentle detergents and air dry once a year.