When designing a space, often the most important piece is left out…the area rug! We are going to walk you through why an area rug is important as well as how to select the right one for your space.
The Importance of an Area Rug
No matter the room, an area rug makes a big difference. Whether it be in the entryway, living room, dining room, office, or patio, area rugs are an important piece of the overall design.
Area rugs not only help define each space, but also set the tone for the room, as well as add warmth and comfort. They also help to visually anchor the room, tying the space together and helping the pieces in the room to feel gathered and connected.
By adding a rug to your space, it adds an extra layer of texture, and helps complete the space.
Five Considerations for Selecting the Best Area Rug:
1. Consider your environment
Is your rug going indoors or outdoors? When working with a rug for an indoor environment, your options are limitless, but be careful when choosing an outdoor rug. Avoid natural fibers such as wool, jute, or cotton, as these can retain moisture and cause mold or mildew. Great options for outdoor rugs include: PET (an eco-friendly option, as these are made from recycled plastic), Polyester, or Polypropylene. Any combination of these is great as well.
2. Lifespan
Depending on the materials used to create a rug, there is a range in lifespan. Synthetic fibers such as Polypropylene or Polyester have the shortest lifespan, with Polypropylene averaging 3-5 years, and Polyester between 5-10. Natural fibers such as Jute or Sisal can last between 5-15 years depending on use. Wool rugs are among the longest lasting rugs, lasting anywhere from 25-50 years or longer.
3. Ease of maintenance
Considering how the rug will be used and where it will be placed will determine your best suited rug.
- Sunlight: If there is a lot of natural sunlight, consider a synthetic or synthetic blend over a natural fiber such as wool. Natural fibers will fade in direct sunlight, especially more saturated colors such as deep blue, purple, and red.
- If there is a lot of traffic, consider a rug with a lower pile and one with less shedding. Wool rugs are beautiful statement pieces, but will shed somewhat often, so these may need to be vacuumed more than a synthetic rug.
- Cleaning: Consider whether the rug will be placed in a living room, dining room, or play area. Natural fiber rugs such as jute are hearty, but depending on the pile height, can be hard to clean when food or debris sinks into the crevices. Either wool or synthetic can be easy to clean no matter the room, but synthetic rugs can stand for a harsher cleaning solution, while wool rugs should only use a solution of water and mild detergent or white vinegar. (And remember, never use water on a viscose rug.)
- Pets: depending if claws are involved, you will need to consider which material is best for you. While a thick jute rug is a great natural option, little claws can get stuck in the fibers and pull the rug, creating loose ends. Consider a cut pile over a loop pile, to avoid any pulling.
4. Price
Synthetic rugs are usually more cost effective than natural fiber rugs such as jute, cotton, or wool rugs. You will also need to consider not only the material, but the construction of the rug itself. Many synthetic rugs are machine woven, while wool/natural blend rugs tend to be handwoven or hand knotted. Each hand crafted piece is unique and requires much more time to create than a synthetic, machine woven rug. You can also look at the density of the fibers to get an idea of the quality and time it takes to produce the rug. The more woven pieces you see, the higher the density, and therefore the greater durability, time to produce, and cost.
5. Comfort
Depending on the use of the rug, a different level of comfort may be desired. Synthetics such as polypropylene or polyester, and natural fibers such as wool and viscose, tend to be soft to the touch, whereas jute and sisal are often more firm and rigid. You can also look at the pile height itself to determine how much cushion you prefer. A low pile height can often be soft, but may not give you the overall feel you desire compared to a high pile rug.
Importance of a Rug Pad
The last, but very important suggestion, is to never forget a rug pad! It is incredibly important to use a rug pad under every rug to:
- Extend the life of the rug
- Preserve and protect the flooring underneath
- Prevent the rug from sliding
- Add cushion and comfort
- Allow the rug to breathe/provide air circulation (This is especially important for outdoor rugs, so as not to trap moisture.)
Whether deciding on the look, feel, or use, we love helping our customers select the best rug for their home! We have dozens of rug samples in our store to explore, allowing you to see different styles and construction, and ultimately choose the best option for your home and your style.
For additional questions regarding style, care, and sizing of rugs, please stop in the shop or reach out to us and allow us to assist you! We can be contacted by phone at 717.723.9639 or email us at hello@villeandrue.com.
