There is little in the world of decorating that has the power to transform a room like an area rug. Regardless of your budget or taste, there is a rug that will work for you. When considering an area rug purchase, there is information you need to arm yourself with in order to make the best decision for your home and lifestyle.
The first thing you need to assess is your budget. This is important before you look at area rugs for your home because the prices can vary considerably. Due to the speed at which machine made rugs are turned out, they tend to be less expensive than hand knotted rugs. Hand knotted area rugs can take as many as three years to complete, a laborious art that is well worth the money, but definitely not within reach for every buyer. There is a middle ground for those who want more personal detail. Many flat weave rugs are made by two to three workers in a master workshop and are produced in roughly half the time of a knotted rug.
Secondly, you need to consider the amount of foot traffic that will be received by your rug. A hand knotted, woven or machine made rug made of wool can handle considerably more traffic than one that is made of silk. Even so, if the wool rug you purchase is an antique, one that is made before 1950, you may want to place it in a low traffic area.
Learn to tell the difference between machine made and handmade rugs. Handmade rugs have fringe that are sewn in and actually become an extension of the piece. Machine made rugs, on the other hand, will have fringe that has been sewn over the rug. Another way to decipher the difference between man and machine made rugs is to inspect the back side. You will notice that the backs of handmade rugs lack binding in most cases. The weaves or knots on the back will also show irregularities, whereas machine made rugs will contain perfectly spaced rows.
A final note about handmade versus machine made: Handmade dyes are all natural. The colors from these natural dyes can last hundreds of years. Chrome dyes are used to bind color to wool and cotton used in machine made area rugs. While this chemical process is superb, it in no way compares to the longevity of natural dyes.
Now that you have a working knowledge of area rugs, it is time to decide on the size, shape and color. If your goal is entirely based on aesthetics, you may choose a round area rug. A round rug can be used to spice up a room in your home in need of color and interesting patterns without overwhelming the space. Cheap area rugs in this circular shape are perfect in your kitchen or foyer, as they can handle the busy, day to day activities common in these spaces. If you are searching for a way to reduce noise without entirely covering your prized hardwoods or slate, more than one round area rug can be used in the same room, such as a parlor or library.
Another consideration when buying your area rug is furniture placement. Are you using the rug to define a section of a room? Since the trend in modern architecture is geared toward open concepts, it can be a challenge to separate dining and casual entertaining in a manner that flows easily. Area rugs can distinguish conversation spaces from formal seating for a fraction of the cost of erecting new walls. It also prevents the risk of poorly placed furniture, a problem many run into when trying to use a cumbersome sofa or table to separate two or more areas within a single room.
A 9×12 area rug can be used to anchor a living room or dining room. When using a large rug, be sure that your furniture sits on it completely. The last thing you want is for your guests to pull up to the dining table, only to have the back half of their chairs unevenly placed on the floor, while the front two are slightly raised on the rug. Choose area rugs that are large enough to accommodate both your dining table and all of the chairs. In the family room the sofa and recliners should also have all legs positioned directly on the rug.
Don’t think that just because you already have wall to wall carpeting in your home, that you can’t enjoy the beauty of an area rug. It is perfectly acceptable to adorn your underlying carpet with smaller wool area rugs. It is a great way to break up the monotony of a bland space without cluttering your room.
The purchase of an area rug is an investment. Protect this investment by taking proper care of your rug. Vacuum it once a week to keep the pile fresh and to prevent matting. Use an underlay beneath the rug to give it every chance at longevity possible. Not only will this protect the rug from being scratched by the hard floor beneath it, it will also prevent slipping and falling by family and guests. Another thing to note is that bare feet are not always best on area rugs. Everyone’s feet contain oils that can eventually damage the fibers and colors on rugs. Insist that children keep socks or slippers on feet when playing or walking on your area rug.
If you are looking for an area rug that will never entertain the pitter patter of feet, then a Kelim may fit the bill. This type of area rug, often made in Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey or Kazakhstan, are made without knots. They are woven with intricate tapestries and are perfect for adorning the walls of your home. Kashmir rugs, made in India, are usually made from silk. The ornate patterns are fashioned with Persian knots that are sewn right into the woven fibers.
Your Exclusive Guide to Area Rugs
There is little in the world of decorating that has the power to transform a room like an area rug. Regardless of your budget or taste, there is a rug that will work for you. When considering an area rug purchase, there is information you need to arm yourself with in order to make the best decision for your home and lifestyle.
The first thing you need to assess is your budget. This is important before you look at area rugs for your home because the prices can vary considerably. Due to the speed at which machine made rugs are turned out, they tend to be less expensive than hand knotted rugs. Hand knotted area rugs can take as many as three years to complete, a laborious art that is well worth the money, but definitely not within reach for every buyer. There is a middle ground for those who want more personal detail. Many flat weave rugs are made by two to three workers in a master workshop and are produced in roughly half the time of a knotted rug.
Secondly, you need to consider the amount of foot traffic that will be received by your rug. A hand knotted, woven or machine made rug made of wool can handle considerably more traffic than one that is made of silk. Even so, if the wool rug you purchase is an antique, one that is made before 1950, you may want to place it in a low traffic area.
Learn to tell the difference between machine made and handmade rugs. Handmade rugs have fringe that are sewn in and actually become an extension of the piece. Machine made rugs, on the other hand, will have fringe that has been sewn over the rug. Another way to decipher the difference between man and machine made rugs is to inspect the back side. You will notice that the backs of handmade rugs lack binding in most cases. The weaves or knots on the back will also show irregularities, whereas machine made rugs will contain perfectly spaced rows.
A final note about handmade versus machine made: Handmade dyes are all natural. The colors from these natural dyes can last hundreds of years. Chrome dyes are used to bind color to wool and cotton used in machine made area rugs. While this chemical process is superb, it in no way compares to the longevity of natural dyes.
Now that you have a working knowledge of area rugs, it is time to decide on the size, shape and color. If your goal is entirely based on aesthetics, you may choose a round area rug. A round rug can be used to spice up a room in your home in need of color and interesting patterns without overwhelming the space. Cheap area rugs in this circular shape are perfect in your kitchen or foyer, as they can handle the busy, day to day activities common in these spaces. If you are searching for a way to reduce noise without entirely covering your prized hardwoods or slate, more than one round area rug can be used in the same room, such as a parlor or library.
Another consideration when buying your area rug is furniture placement. Are you using the rug to define a section of a room? Since the trend in modern architecture is geared toward open concepts, it can be a challenge to separate dining and casual entertaining in a manner that flows easily. Area rugs can distinguish conversation spaces from formal seating for a fraction of the cost of erecting new walls. It also prevents the risk of poorly placed furniture, a problem many run into when trying to use a cumbersome sofa or table to separate two or more areas within a single room.
A 9×12 area rug can be used to anchor a living room or dining room. When using a large rug, be sure that your furniture sits on it completely. The last thing you want is for your guests to pull up to the dining table, only to have the back half of their chairs unevenly placed on the floor, while the front two are slightly raised on the rug. Choose area rugs that are large enough to accommodate both your dining table and all of the chairs. In the family room the sofa and recliners should also have all legs positioned directly on the rug.
Don’t think that just because you already have wall to wall carpeting in your home, that you can’t enjoy the beauty of an area rug. It is perfectly acceptable to adorn your underlying carpet with smaller wool area rugs. It is a great way to break up the monotony of a bland space without cluttering your room.
The purchase of an area rug is an investment. Protect this investment by taking proper care of your rug. Vacuum it once a week to keep the pile fresh and to prevent matting. Use an underlay beneath the rug to give it every chance at longevity possible. Not only will this protect the rug from being scratched by the hard floor beneath it, it will also prevent slipping and falling by family and guests. Another thing to note is that bare feet are not always best on area rugs. Everyone’s feet contain oils that can eventually damage the fibers and colors on rugs. Insist that children keep socks or slippers on feet when playing or walking on your area rug.
If you are looking for an area rug that will never entertain the pitter patter of feet, then a Kelim may fit the bill. This type of area rug, often made in Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey or Kazakhstan, are made without knots. They are woven with intricate tapestries and are perfect for adorning the walls of your home. Kashmir rugs, made in India, are usually made from silk. The ornate patterns are fashioned with Persian knots that are sewn right into the woven fibers.