Area Rugs Basics

Rugs have been used in homes for thousands of years. While ancient rugs were all hand-made, today’s rugs are most often manufactured by machine. Though some are still handmade. Machine-manufactured rugs tend to be the less expensive of the two types, and are often created on large, machine-driven looms. Handmade rugs are made with one of two techniques: knotting or weaving. Knotted rugs are made when a person ties each piece of yarn individually, creating a unique, one-of a kind rug. When you hear people refer Persian, Senneh or Turkish rugs, they may be referring to knotted rugs. Each of these types of rugs originated from regions of the world with unique knotting styles. Woven rugs can also be created by hand, and are equally as labor-intensive. For this reason, handmade rugs are often more expensive than machine made rugs, but they are also unique pieces, considered an investment.

Like carpet, area rugs are made out of either synthetic or natural materials. The most common natural material is wool, though other natural materials are used, including silk, cotton and bamboo. Synthetic rug materials include polypropylene and nylon. As with carpet, rugs made from natural materials are generally of greater value than those made of synthetic fibers.

Today’s area rugs serve a wide variety of purposes in the overall theme of home décor. They  can be fashionable, functional, and versatile. Area rugs can be used to tie the look of a room together. Additionally, they can help define separate spaces within a larger room or add a touch of warmth and color to a hardwood or tile floor as well as serve as a link between rooms.

Selection Process

The selection process when shopping for an Area Rug is based primarily on your own personal taste and sense of style. Here are few general guidelines:

Design Guidelines

• Try using different patterns that use some common colors in the same room for a coordinated look that is also fresh.
• Don’t get boxed in by traditional rectangular or square rugs. Consider oval and round shapes as a way to inject new life in a room.

Size Guidelines

• Room size area rugs should leave a border of 18″ to 24″ on all sides.
• Dining room area rugs should measure at least 4′ longer and wider than the dining room table, so chairs will not fall off the rug when pushed back from the table.
• Hallway rugs should leave be approximately 2″ to 4″ narrower and 18″ to 24″ shorter than the hallway.
• Other area rugs will vary in size according to need.

Wear Guidelines

• When choosing area rugs, please consider traffic patterns, exposure to spills, and other wear factors.