Everything You Need to Know about Rugs

Rugs can be one of the biggest decisions including investments you make when designing a room.  They not only provide color, texture, and pattern, but can really bring a room to life. A well-made rug can cost more than what clients expect so here’s a breakdown of rug construction and material so you know what you are getting when selecting your next area rug for your design project.

Construction:

Hand-Knotted- One of the most labor intense of the looming techniques, hand knotted rugs are made by individually tying knots on a vertical loom one row at a time. Skilled artisans are required for this construction technique. While a hand-knotted rug carries a hefty price tag, they are made to last generations as they are the most durable.

Hand-Tufted- Hand-tufted rugs are made when yard is punched through a pre-woven fabric. Rugs made in this way are typically more plush, and constructed of wool, viscose, or a blend. A backing is added to the rug to keep the tufting in place.

Flat-Weave- Flat weaves are just as the name suggest. They are woven with wool and don’t have any pile or thickness of a hand-tufted rug. They are incredibly durable and easy to clean!

Power-Loomed- Power-loomed, or man made rugs, are made by machines and are typically made of a lesser material such as polypropylene or polyester. They have a shorter construction time than other methods and are known as a more “easy care” option due to the material used. They do have a different look than a traditionally woven rug but are great for lower price points.

Materials:

Wool: Wool is what most area rugs are made of. It is a thick, durable material and naturally resistant to stains. They are perfect in any high traffic area of the home and provide a plush underfoot.

Silk/Viscose: This material provides such a soft, luxurious feel and adds a subtle shimmer to your area rug.  Due to its delicate nature, they are much better suited to low traffic areas. When woven with wool, they become a little more sturdier but should still be kept out of high traffic areas.

Natural Fibers: Hemp, jute, sisal are typically used for rugs made with natural fibers. Rugs made with these materials provide a beautiful amount of texture to a space. They work great for layering with other rugs and are ideal in mid to high traffic areas but shouldn’t be placed in a location where there’s high moisture content.