Sisal Rugs Facts & Buying Guide
What’s neutral, textured and beloved by decorators all over the world? Sisal rugs, of course! Keep reading to get all the info on these hardworking design heroes.
About Sisal Rugs
Sisal rugs are made from natural plant fibers taken from the agave plant. These durable natural fiber rugs are ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms. Popular with designers for their versatility and textural appeal, sisal rugs can provide a foundational layer in your space that works with any style.
Variations to know:
- Bordered: Textural sisal rugs look great on their own, but when you want to bring extra definition to a seating area or zone within a larger space, adding a contrasting fabric border gives sisal rugs extra oomph. Bordered sisal rugs also tend to read as a bit more formal than unembellished versions.
- Striped: Stripes, either tone-on-tone or in a contrasting hue like blue, are a great way to bring a natural sisal rug into the spotlight. Whereas you might choose to layer a smaller, colorful rug atop a plain sisal rug, a striped sisal is designed to stand alone.
- Earth tone: Sisal rugs can be dyed, and the most popular colors keep it natural with earth tones. Think sandy beige, chocolate, espresso and gray.
- Jute or Cotton Blend: A sisal rug blended with other natural fibers like jute and cotton makes for a softer feel underfoot, while still benefiting from the durability of sisal.
- Runner: These long, narrow sisal rugs are perfect in hallways and kitchens.
Where to use sisal rugs:
- Define conversation areas in an open plan space with sisal rugs.
- Pull together a seating area in the living room with a bordered sisal rug.
- Place a sisal runner in the mudroom or entry hall.
- Use a large rectangular sisal rug over wall-to-wall carpeting in an apartment.
- Put a bordered sisal runner in a narrow laundry room.
Decorating with Sisal Rugs
Sisal fibers were originally used to make rope and twine — and they are still used for this purpose today. So it should come as no surprise that this strong natural fiber makes a tough rug that can stand up to your busiest spaces. Sisal rugs are stronger and denser than jute rugs, which means they’re also less prone to snags. And their neutral color and interesting texture makes them a great first layer beneath smaller colorful rugs.
Room By Room
Get ideas for styling your sisal rug in each room with this quick decorating checklist.
- Living Room: For a casual, beach-inspired look, opt for a plain sisal rug on its own. If you’re going for a more formal feel, choose a bordered sisal rug and layer a smaller, colorful rug on top in any style you love.
- Bedroom: Since softness is key in the bedroom, think about layering. Start with a big sisal rug undeath all of the furniture. Then roll out soft runners on either side of the bed to provide a cushy spot to sink your toes into.
- Mudroom: Make a subtle, textured statement in the mudroom with a tough sisal rug. Pair it with a bench, boot tray, and a row of sturdy coat hooks or an antique coat tree for a classic house-in-the-country look.
- Hallway: Roll out a bordered sisal runner in a long hallway, and pile on the style with a family photo gallery wall and cool sconce lighting.
- Dining Room: While sisal alone is not the best choice in the dining room (sisal is absorbent which can make stains tricky to remove) it can be a lovely choice when layered up with a beautiful classic oriental or southwestern style rug.
Styling and Care Tips for Sisal Rugs
Wondering where not to use sisal rugs? It’s not advised to use sisal rugs alone (although layered can work!) in the dining room, because stains can be hard to remove from sisal. Sisal is a bit too coarse to be comfortable in playrooms, where kiddos are likely to play on the floor. And since sisal does absorb water, skip these rugs in the bathroom, where the humidity can wreak havoc with these natural fibers.
Keep your sisal rug looking fabulous with these simple care and maintenance tips:
- Use a high-quality rug pad for added comfort and protection against wear.
- Don't place potted plants directly on the rug to avoid water damage.
- If your vacuum is equipped with a power brush or "beater bar," use just the plain vacuum nozzle.
- Consider routine professional cleaning every 12-18 months, depending on the amount of traffic the rug receives.
Sisal rugs can work beautifully with any style. Here are a few ideas for styling your sisal rug with your decorating look in mind:
- Farmhouse: Pair a simple sisal rug with rustic antiques, classic linen upholstered furniture and a cozy plaid throw.
- Traditional: Layer an oriental rug over a bordered sisal rug for a rich look. Finish with blue and white ceramics, matchstick blinds and classic drapes.
- Minimalist: Sisal rugs provide welcome texture to a clean modern look. Pair your sisal rug with a sleek acrylic or glass coffee table, streamlined sofa, and neat roman shades.
- Eclectic: A great big neutral sisal rug is a wonderful way to visually calm a wildly eclectic space. Bring your unique mix of new and vintage pieces and colorful textiles into a harmonious whole with a sisal rug below it all.
- Beach: Keep it laid-back and simple with a sisal rug in sandy beige or coastal stripes paired with calming blue walls and crisp white slipcovered furniture.
Ready to get shopping? Use these shortcuts to narrow down your search results and find the perfect sisal rug for you.
