What material is best for your space?
Deciding what material is best for your space is one of the first things to think about when shopping for rugs. A dining room rug is a different animal than a living-room or bedroom rug. Typically, I choose synthetic fibers for rugs that are going under a table or in a high traffic area like a hallway or entry. Most synthetic rugs are going to be “power-loomed,f” which means machine made and keeps the cost of the rug low. A favorite feature about synthetics is that they are easy to clean. These are not typically forever rugs so if you like to change up the look in your home frequently, synthetics are right for you. The smaller price tag allows you to change your style as much as you change your mind. Synthetics are sturdy, dependable and cost effective.
Silk and Viscose (A.K.A wannabe silk that’s made synthetically) are generally going to be the most expensive. Silk/Viscose are best for LOW traffic areas due to its more delicate nature. These rugs have a luxuriously soft feel and a beautiful sheen. Many times silk and viscose is blended with a sturdier material like cotton or wool which makes them more durable. Be careful with the beater bar of your vacuum on silk/viscose rugs. It can tear at the fibers, take away the sheen, and leave your rug dull and shaggy. These rugs would go best in a bedroom. Delicate, beautiful, but a little finicky.
Wool is the king of rugs. Been around forever and due to its natural stain resistance and durability, it will continue to be king. Wool rugs are soft and cushy on the toes and are great for highly used areas of your home. New hand-tufted rugs will shed at 1st, but after 6 months you should see the shedding diminish significantly. They will always shed. It’s the nature of the beast, even the high quality rugs. If you hate vacuuming, pass up those natural wool rugs. Hand-knotted (which takes about 240 days to make!) will shed less, but you will pay a pretty penny for it. Wool rugs are best for living rooms, dining rooms, hallways and any other frequent pass through in your home. Prices range from quite low to “OH MY GOSH” high, depending on the construction.
Natural fiber or plant-based fiber rugs ground spaces with organic and versatile texture. Jute, sisal, hemp, and seagrass rugs are durable and strong which make them perfect for layering with other textiles. and they are sourced from renewable materials. While many natural fibers are coarse and sometimes rough to the touch, jute is the softest plant-based fiber and often is naturally soft. These rugs are a great accent in mid to high-traffic areas but should not be placed in spaces with a high-moisture content. Perfect for sunrooms, covered porches and laundry rooms.
From the window, to the wall..
It is always better to go too big, rather than too small. When deciding on a rug size, MEASURE THE ROOM NOT THE “SPACE”. If you come to us in the store and tell us you measured the living room, we are expecting wall to wall measurements. Please don’t just measure the spot your furniture is in. This way we are able to create your floor plan and show you what rug fits best. Trust us. We got you. Please look at this informative graphic.
Until next time,
-A
