Just like a frame gives that finishing touch to a painting, a rug completes the decor. Without one, it can seem like the house is missing something.
But, when it comes to the rug materials (which are many), which one is the best? That’s exactly what we look at in this post:
The Importance Of Rugs
Rugs are easily one of the most luxurious-looking decor items you can invest in. The best part is there are rugs of different styles, sizes, and textures. That means no matter your aesthetics; there’s something for everyone.
- Rugs are the quickest way to turn even a mundane-looking space into a luxe one. It is great at hiding all kinds of imperfections while also elevating the beauty of the space.
- Whether you want to create a fun, eclectic space or a more conservative/traditional one – rugs can help you create any kind of ambiance your heart desires.
- By creating a smooth, unified space – rugs also add character to the space where there’s not enough lighting to highlight the space.
- Rugs work out well with all kinds of spaces whether you’re talking about a bedroom, living room rugs, office space, kitchen, or even bathrooms.
- If the rest of your decor is rather monotonous, you can use finer rugs to spruce up the space.
- Feng Shui believes that if you use orient rugs or a hallway runner in red or brown colors on top of hard floors, it enhances the flow of good energy aka chi.
- Hall runner rugs create a beautiful visual pathway while also connecting the space.
Where To Place Your Rug?
The number of options in terms of where to place the rug is plentiful. You can choose to place it in the entryway creating a visual pathway. Or, you can also place it in the living room corner.
Rugs also work beautifully as artwork on the wall. Before you decide the placement, think about how much foot traffic the rug is going to bear. Also, think about the fabric type.
It doesn’t make sense to place wool, silk, sheepskin, or something very luxe and expensive in the main area that attracts a lot of foot traffic. Harder materials tend to do well in such areas; though they are not the softest to the touch.
With that said, here are a few other interesting placements for rugs you might want to contemplate:
- In the dining room
- In kitchen
- On the bed
- In the bath
- On a settee
- On the wall
- On a daybed
Deciding On The Rug Quality
Before investing in a rug, you must decide on the quality of the rug you’re aiming for. Other than personal taste, it will also depend on your budget because some materials are more expensive than others.
Also, think about the longevity of the rug. Do you want it to last a long time? If yes, then something high-quality like silk or wool will be better for you.
If you’re not very particular about the quality and can settle with something average, then you get an endless variety of options. For example, jute, cotton, and other natural fibers. You also get synthetic fibers like polypropylene, acrylic, and nylon.
Which Rug Material Is Best Suited For Your Home?
Wool
Some of the earliest carpets ever were made of wool. Wool happens to be one of the softest varieties of materials ever.
They were traditionally hand-loomed, hand-woven, hand-tufted, and hand-knotted. That’s why wool rugs are exquisite, unique, but also expensive.
They do require some maintenance. And, if you take care of them, they can easily last several years. They are extremely durable and tend to do well in high-traffic places such as the bedroom and the living room. They are also super comfortable, cozy, and soft to the touch.
The upside to wool is that it has a natural crimp, elasticity, and robustness. It’s also highly durable. On the downside though, they can be rather expensive, prone to fuzing, and also sensitive to staining. So, if you’re on a budget, it may not be the best choice for you.
Silk
Silk is another of the luxe materials. They are highly soft and plush. You can either go with 100% silk or a blend of wool. Most silk rugs are hand-knotted. They are usually soft to touch. They are also rather expensive.
Because of its fine fiber, silk rugs can be rather delicate and you must use them in low-traffic areas.
The good thing about silk rugs is that they retain their shape year after year. They render a very artistic and luxurious look. Also, they come in rather intricate patterns.
On the downside, silk is one of the most expensive materials. They also demand a lot of care and maintenance.
Synthetics
Anything made from man-made fiber is synthetic. Common examples include polyester, viscose, polypropylene, and nylon.
Because of their versatility and because synthetics are woven on the machine, you can go for a custom design in terms of pattern, colors, and shapes.
One of the best things about synthetic rugs is that they are extremely inexpensive, robust, and perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways, lobbies, and family rooms.
If the craftsmanship that went into their making is good, you can make them look expensive just like wool or silk. It’s almost impossible to tell the difference.
The only downside is that they are not very environmental-friendly. They can also often have an artificial look to them.
Sisal, Jute, & SeaGrass
All of these materials are made from natural grasses. They are highly durable and have an earthy quality to them. You can find them in myriad rich textures and palettes. The possibilities of designs are endless.
They are environment-friendly, renewable, strong, and mostly free from chemicals. So, if you care about the environment, go for any of these materials.
The downside is that some of them can be rather coarse. The maintenance can also be a little tough.
They are great for sunny and high traffic areas.
Animal Skins
Animal skins are available as tanned leather, stitched panels, and complete hides. The material is quite durable and soft.
Animal skin is also super easy to take care of. However, they are not good for humid and damp areas. They are, however, great for offices, dens, and bedrooms; anywhere with low traffic.
Bottom Line
Rugs are one of the most versatile pieces of decor ever. It’s one of those items that you can never go wrong with; no matter if you’re a beginner or an expert in decor.
