Rugs have become so much more than something on which to wipe your feet. They have truly become recognized as works of art and ways to express yourself in your home. A rug design can be as simple or complex as you want and can really tie a room together. Choose different types of rugs based on your style of room or home. If your style is eclectic, you may go with a fun design like zebra or leopard. If you are more of a traditionalist, you might prefer floral patterned rugs for country-inspired rooms. High-tech? A man-made shag rug would look ultra-cool in your modern space!
Whatever your style, there is no mistaking there are hundreds of different types of rugs from which to choose. It can be overwhelming, but try following these tips to ease the stress:
Questions to consider: What size are you wanting? How big is your room? Where would you like to place the piece? Would you like it to be the center of attention in your room or an accessory to other furnishings? The possibilities are endless!
Protection
There are many elements that can cause damage to your rug. By protecting your rug from these elements, you can help keep it looking newer longer.
The first harmful element is the sun. Sun damage can appear in the form of fading or discoloration of your rug. To protect your rug against sun damage, you may place it in an area that doesn’t get as much sunlight or use a window treatment to block some of the direct sun. Whatever method you choose, remember how important it is to turn your rug once a year. This will ensure equal amounts of sun exposure over the life of your rug.
The second factor you should keep in mind is protecting your rug from water damage. There is one simple thing you can do to protect from water damage: Do not place potted plants directly on your rug. If you do, water can leak out of the pot and onto the rug. Moisture could potentially build there for weeks and ultimately weaken the foundation of your rug.
Lastly, you will want to protect your rug from your lovable pets. That’s right, cats and dogs can cause serious damage to rugs. Often times, dogs will use them as chew toys and cats will use them as claw-sharpening devices. Employ proper obedience methods in order to protect your rug from pet antics.
Process & Materials
The quality of a rug is often determined by two factors: process and materials. It can be said that handmade, natural material rugs may be more expensive than machine-made synthetic ones since hand weaving is such a time-intensive process. You should expect to pay more for a handmade rug from Iran than you would for a European machine-made rug.
You can also think of handmade rugs as unique investments for your home. They can serve as conversation pieces, while adding a unique flair and making your house a home.
While a hand-woven rug is considered quite luxurious, the machine-made rug process has been diligently perfected over the years. This is a good option to get the handmade look without the handmade price!
Materials used in rugs can also make a big impact on cost and quality. Wool is used in many countries, as it is a durable substance and seen as the most traditional material. Although this is the component of choice, less expensive synthetic materials are also common in the man-made marketplace today. The type of material used often varies by the country of origin. For example, Persian rugs usually incorporate soft wool, while silk is the material of choice for Chinese rugs.
Rug Producers
Asia is at the forefront of the rug industry. China, Turkey, India and Pakistan are all major exporters. It is difficult to say when rug-making began in these countries, but it can be traced back as far as the 13th Century. China produces rugs mainly for the purpose of exportation, which is why they are one of the largest handmade exporters in the industry. India and Pakistan began producing rugs in the 16th Century and still hold an important place in the market today. Iran, however, accounts for nearly 75% of all handmade rugs today. This country is known for producing very diverse pieces and Iranians are themselves passionate purchasers of the rugs made in their country.