RUGS - Everything you need to know
SIZE & SHAPE
When it comes to rug size, large rugs work beautifully to anchor the furniture and help define your space.
Don’t forget to measure your room and furniture placement before buying to ensure you select the correct rug length and width for your room. Also, consider which shape will suit your home best and measure accordingly: Round rugs are measured by their diameter, which is the length of the rug from end to end through the centre, while for rectangular rugs, you’ll need to know the length and width measurements.
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ROOM & PLACEMENT
Rugs help to define a zone, add personality, manage acoustics and soften your space. To accent a room, living room rugs should have at least 30cm of floor space between the walls and the edge of the rug for classic styling. One popular living room layout is to place the front two legs of each sofa or chair on the rug, with your coffee table forming the room's centrepiece. Of course, if the room is big enough, you might like to choose a rug that can accommodate all four legs of your furniture – the choice is yours! Generally speaking, the larger a rug, the larger the room will look.
When it comes to dining room rugs, the rules are a little different. Here, you want something big enough that all four chair legs will sit on the rug, even when the chairs are pulled out from the dining table. Leaving 30cm of room between the back of the chairs and the edge of the rug should give you all the room you need. (Don’t forget to accommodate for tables that extend.)
In the bedroom, rugs provide a sense of comfort, giving you something cosy to step onto as you climb in and out of bed. Bedroom rugs can be any size or shape you like – you may choose something big enough to comfortably fit the legs of both your bed and bedside tables all on the rug, or go for a ‘half-and-half’ look, placing a smaller rug lengthways around one-third of the way down the bed, so only the end feet rest on it.
You might also like to read - The Ultimate Rug Placement Guide
DESIGN
From wool to jute, manmade fibres and even leather hides, rugs not only come in different shapes and sizes but also a wide range of materials. Not surprisingly, when choosing a rug, this will play a big part in your decision.
When it comes to rug design, the sky really is the limit! While colour is important, don’t forget about texture. Selecting a solid-colour rug that closely matches the tone of your floor can have a calming effect and gives a space subtle definition, while a vibrant contrasting rug can really liven up a room – but can also make the space seem smaller. If you love to play with texture, why not try layering a couple of contrasting rugs? Placing a smaller wool accent rug over a larger natural fibre rug makes an eye-catching statement.
@Halirugs
MATERIAL
From wool to jute, manmade fibres and even leather hides, rugs come in different shapes and sizes and a wide range of materials. Natural rugs have been popular in Australian homes for decades, from hypoallergenic construction to their versatile range of uses. While adding a natural rug to your home can have many benefits, it’s essential to fully explore natural fibre rugs' features before purchasing.
Natural Fibres
Natural rugs aren’t just durable and eco-friendly — they’re also affordable. Synthetic rugs are known for their attractive price point. Still, a natural jute or sisal rug is one of the most affordable options and often carries a similar price tag to a similarly sized synthetic one. There are also several benefits of natural rugs that make them more desirable for modern homes.
Natural fibre rugs are any rug made from naturally occurring plant or animal-derived materials, including:
Jute rugs
Sisal rugs
Hemp rugs
Leather & Cowhide rugs
Cotton rugs
Wool rugs
Silk rugs
Which natural rug material is best?
Because of their eco-friendly nature and relatively low cost, jute, hemp, and sisal rugs are the most popular natural fibre rugs on the market. Their warm, earthy colours and textures give them a natural style that creates the perfect eco-friendly look for your home.
Jute and sisal rugs are environmentally friendly natural fibre rugs, as their materials are derived from natural plant fibres and don’t involve animal resources like wool, leather and cowhide do. It’s a sturdy and statement-making option suited to high-traffic areas.
Leather hides are a great choice, made of leather are all unique, which is part of their charm.
A cotton rug is an economical option if you prefer natural fibres. It’s hypoallergenic and soft, although it doesn’t have the pile strength of other materials. Cotton rugs are also made with natural materials, but some manufacturers use conventional cotton, which is mass-produced with large amounts of water, pesticides and other chemicals.
Wool feels warm and soft underfoot and has some fire-retardant properties – but, as it’s the best yarn for rug making, a wool rug can be expensive. Also, remember that wool rugs may shed, and some people are allergic to wool.
Silk rugs are robust and eco-friendly, but many “silk” rugs are made with artificial materials like viscose and rayon that (much like cotton) are chemically treated. Most commonly called “Artsilk”, just like there’s no leather in Vegan Leather, there’s no real silk in these rugs at all.
NATURAL RUG MATERIAL PROS and CONS
Pro — They’re great value.
While wool and leather rugs are generally more expensive than plant-based rugs, they provide excellent value thanks to their long-lasting durability. Wool rugs have exceptional texture retention that helps them keep their structure, shape and appearance far longer than other rugs.
Leather rugs are one of the longest-lasting rugs on the market and age elegantly over time — if well maintained, you could get decades of use out of a high-quality leather or cowhide rug.
Pro — They’re hypoallergenic.
The main benefit of a natural material rug is its hypoallergenic quality, making it an excellent choice for hay fever and allergy sufferers. Jute rugs naturally repel dust mites, which prevents them from getting caught deep within their fibres. This means they’re easier to clean than other rugs, as any naturally occurring dust mites, pollen, and other allergens will sit on the surface and can be easily removed by shaking or vacuuming the rug. Their natural construction means they’re free from harmful chemicals, so they’re safe for pets, children and families looking to reduce toxins in the home.
Pro — They’re eco-friendly.
Natural rugs are the way to go if you want to use sustainable products in your home. Jute, sisal and hemp are all made from fully biodegradable plant-based fibres. Jute rugs are derived from jute plants, which generally reach maturity between 4-6 months, so they’re a highly renewable resource.
When choosing a natural wool rug, make sure to check whether the rug is made with 100% wool or has been combined with other materials. Some wool rugs are made with a mix of wool and other natural fibres like cotton, while others use a wool/synthetic blend that makes them less eco-friendly. The same goes for silk rugs, often made with artificial materials like viscose and rayon.
Pro — They’re versatile.
Natural rugs suit a range of unique settings and are a great way to tie your space together. Leather and cowhide rugs are a real statement piece in any space and suit a range of decor styles, including minimalist contemporary settings, traditional rustic settings and everyday modern homes.
Wool is an incredibly versatile choice that can be dyed and customised to suit many styles. A pink wool rug is perfect for a children’s playroom, while braided wool rugs provide warmth and comfort to living rooms and bedrooms. A black and white geometric wool rug works in contemporary or industrial settings.
Con — They often shed.
Because of their natural fibres, jute, hemp, and wool rugs are prone to shedding. Sisal rugs have more robust fibres than jute and hemp, making them a more convenient option if you’re looking to reduce shedding on your floors. They are easy to clean — you can vacuum the rug's surface frequently to remove any shedding.
Con — They’re easier to stain.
While it’s always best to avoid getting your rugs wet, natural fibre rugs are less resilient to liquids than other rugs. Natural rugs are more absorbent than synthetic rugs, and the material can darken if spills, splashes and drops are not cleaned up quickly. If you’ve spilled water, juice or wine on your rugs, delicately blot the area to remove most of the liquid. Then, use a dry solution like baking soda on the stain to absorb any remaining liquid. Vacuum the rug after a few hours and repeat the process as needed.
If you’re planning to put a natural fibre rug in an outdoor setting, ensure the area is covered and the rug is placed strategically to avoid any rain or splashes.
@HaliRugs
Manmade Fibres
Don’t let the term synthetic be an immediate turn-off. Synthetic rugs can look and feel amazing while offering superior durability. Synthetic fibre rugs are commonly made from polypropylene olefin, nylon, or polyester. Outdoor rugs can be made from polypropylene olefin for maximum durability and easy cleaning. Unlike their natural fibre counterparts, they are mould-resistant and won’t fade in direct sunlight.
If you have a busy home and pets inside, a manmade fibre rug can be a good choice. Viscose is very similar to cotton in its structure but is a manmade material created from regenerated wool cellulose. It’s often combined with wool or other fibres to increase elasticity, softness and shine. Heat-set polypropylene or a frise rugs are hypoallergenic, stain-resistant, easy to clean, soft, durable, colourfast, non-shedding, and moth-proof. Frise is a type of heat-set polypropylene, so it has all the same properties but has also undergone a treatment to give it more lustre and a higher twist.
MANMADE RUG MATERIAL PROS and CONS
Pro — Easy to clean
Pro - Mould and mildew-resistant
Pro - They won’t fade in the sun
Pro - They are durable
Con - Prone to show abrasive scratches
Moving heavy furniture across the rug can create an abrasive friction that could permanently damage the material. Remember to lift furniture pieces instead of dragging them.
Con - Oil can leave a stain. Synthetic rugs are susceptible to oil-based stains if left on the rug for too long.