Choosing the Right Area Rug Material

Add instant warmth, color, and charm to any space by incorporating an area rug into your décor. Before considering the style, color, or size of your area rug, begin with the basics: material composition. With dozens of different fibers used to make floor coverings, finding the perfect type to suit your home and lifestyle may seem like a daunting task. Let’s explore some of the most commonly used rug materials, along with the unique features of each.

Bamboo Area Rugs:

Bamboo rugs are an excellent way to bring a sleek, Eastern flair to any space. Hard-wearing and a cinch to maintain, they can be easily dusted and spot cleaned with a damp cloth. In addition to their easy-care durability, bamboo rugs also offer a natural resistance to fire and insects, and their low-profile surface prevents the trapping of allergens. Bamboo readily accepts dye and is available in a wide palette of colors. Best known for its “green” qualities, this eco-friendly rug material is a naturally sustainable resource, and can be harvested repeatedly without damaging the host plant. Bamboo requires much less growing space than a tree, and can be harvested in less than two years.

Chenille Area Rugs :

Bring the coziness of your favorite bathrobe to your floor with the addition of chenille area rugs. French for “caterpillar,” chenille is prized for its soft, sumptuous texture. Chenille fibers can be dyed in virtually any color to suit any décor. For a cohesive look, you can pair your chenille rugs with a coordinating chenille throw. Many chenille rugs are reversible, making them well-suited to high-traffic areas. If you value softness and versatility in an area rug, chenille is an excellent option.

Cotton Area Rugs :

Invite a splash of color into any room with the addition of cotton area rugs. Pure cotton fibers are naturally absorbent and strong, making them the perfect medium for absorbing rich, vibrant dyes and for being cut and sewn into a variety of shapes and patterns. The fiber of choice for clothing, cotton is soft to the touch and easy to clean and maintain. Since the material is easy to produce, cotton rugs are an inexpensive way to revitalize your décor. Cotton’s absorbency makes it a great material for entryways, bathrooms, and kitchens. For easy-care cleaning, cotton rugs can’t be beat – simply machine wash and tumble-dry low.

Fur Area Rugs :

Fur area rugs add warmth and luxuriousness to any décor, with softness and thick piling that can’t be duplicated in synthetic fibers. From rustic cowhide rugs to sumptuously soft alpaca and sheepskin, fur rugs go from floor to furnishings to wall with ease, serving multiple functions within a room. Fur rugs are cured to maintain a soft, dense pile and to prevent the hide from cracking and drying. Hypoallergenic and resistant to water and stains, this natural material is also long-lasting, with a single fur rug boasting a longevity of at least forty years. Fur rugs are eco-friendly in that they lack synthetic materials; when they reach the end of their usefulness, they biodegrade completely in six months. It’s also important to note that fur rugs are by-products of the food industry, and that animals are not killed for the purpose of producing fur rugs.

Hemp Area Rugs :

Hemp area rugs are smooth to touch and are resistant to static, rot, stains, and mildew. Stronger than cotton with a dense weave that lays flat, hemp fibers are perfectly suited to rug making. Hemp is eco-friendly in that it grows without pesticides, chemicals, or fertilizers, and can be woven by hand or on a loom without the need for fuels or machinery. With a growth rate of up to 150 times faster than trees, help plants will yield more than four times the fiber per acre. If you’re looking for an area rug that is durable, beautiful, and eco-friendly, hemp rugs are an excellent choice.

Jute Area Rugs :

When the fibrous stalks of the jute plant are woven into yarn, they provide one of the softest natural floor covering materials available. Jute area rugs are strong, durable, and fire resistant, with a sleek surface that resembles a tapestry when patterned. Jute rugs are eco-friendly, woven from a sustainable, biodegradable resource grown from plants that thrive in warm, humid climates. The material’s softness lends itself well to bedrooms and sitting rooms, but is not a practical option for high-traffic areas that may become wet.

Leather Area Rugs :

Enliven any space with texture and dimension when you add a leather area rug. Adding unrivaled distinction, leather rugs are available in solid colors or in patterns or designs. Supple and luxurious, these natural rugs become even softer as they age, developing a rich patina over time. Leather rugs are typically hand-stitched with painstaking attention to detail. High-quality craftsmanship and natural durability make leather area rugs an excellent floor covering choice for dens, libraries, formal dining rooms, or anywhere that calls for a touch of luxury. Easy to care for, leather area rugs can be spot cleaned or dry cleaned as needed.

Organic Area Rugs :

Organic area rugs are constructed from fibers (or from animals producing the fibers) that are raised without the use of toxic insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides. Colored with eco-safe dyes, organic area rugs present fibers in their most authentic form. Organic area rugs are preferred by environmentally conscious homeowners, offering a responsible and handsome choice for home textiles.

Seagrass Area Rugs :

For a natural look, eco-friendly seagrass area rugs are an excellent floor covering option. Seagrass is grown in China in paddies that are flooded with sea water. After harvesting, the grass are dried and spun into a strong fiber that is woven to form seagrass rugs. Seagrass fiber is impermeable to dyes, enjoyed in its natural color ranging from greenish-tan to light-brown. Its impermeable quality makes the fiber naturally resistant to stains, ideal for areas exposed to spills and dirt. Seagrass’ crush-resistant composition will develop a polished, smooth surface with wear. (Because of its very smooth surface, seagrass is not recommended for use on or near staircases.)

Silk Area Rugs :

The soft, light texture of silk makes it an excellent medium for intricately designed and elaborately patterned silk area rugs. Made of a fibrous protein that is five times stronger than steel and twice as strong as Kevlar, silk is sleek to the touch, widely used for floor coverings and wall hangings. Despite its strength, silk is easily stained and not recommended for high-traffic areas. A handsome investment for your home décor, silk rugs often become family heirlooms that are passed down for generations.

Sisal Area Rugs :

Sisal area rugs are constructed from the fibrous Agave sisalana plant, grown commonly in Brazil and Africa. Durable, anti-static, and easy to clean, this eco-friendly rug option is produced from a sustainable resource without carcinogenic chemicals and materials. Best for indoor spaces, sisal rugs can be easily maintained with a periodic vacuum and spot cleaning with club soda.

Suede Area Rugs :

Invite warmth, comfort, and textural dimension into your décor when you add suede area rugs. Rich in natural highlights, suede rugs lend a timeless distinction to any space. Suede area rugs offer two-sided versatility, making them perfect for high-traffic areas. Easy to care for, suede rugs can be spot cleaned or dry cleaned as needed.

Synthetic Area Rugs :

Synthetic area rugs are constructed from manmade materials designed for stain resistance, water repellent, and versatility. Some common synthetic fibers used in the construction of synthetic rugs include nylon, acrylic, and polypropylene/olefin. Nylon is easy to clean and hardwearing enough to withstand heavy foot traffic, but for humid or damp areas, acrylic is better rug option. Highly resistant to mildew, stains, and sunlight, acrylic is an excellent option for bathrooms and kitchens. Polypropylene/olefin, the most stain-resistant synthetic fiber on the market today, repels water and is impervious to most stains.

Wool Area Rugs :

The same prized fiber used in clothing is also an excellent material for wool area rugs. The wool used in rug production is a sustainable resource, shorn from lambs and goats. This eco-friendly, natural material is long-wearing, eliminating the need for multiple purchases over time. Wool’s porous composition accepts dyes readily for sharp colors. Wool rugs are fire resistant and anti-static, with a thick weave that muffles sound. With regular vacuuming and spot cleaning, wool area rugs will look great and wear wonderfully for decades of use.