Enjoy Free Shipping on Us
Rug Size Guides
When it comes to choosing a rug for your home, it’s important to look beyond the patterns and color schemes to see what rug will practically serve your room best. After all, rugs should not only be a beautiful addition to your home, but they should also fit into your day to day life. To begin your search for your ideal rug, we’ve compiled some of our favorite tips, tricks, and guidelines on rug construction, materials, finishes, and room-specific rugs. This guide will enable you to choose a rug that not only fits your personal aesthetic, but this rug will also fit into your lifestyle and give you the most satisfying rug-buying experience.
While the material of the rug clearly has a big impact on the rug’s look, feel, and durability, the rug’s actual construction is equally important for all those factors. The method of constructing the rug impacts the rug’s price, especially if it’s hand-crafted. The increased price may eliminate handmade rugs from your list, but don’t forget that these rugs tend to be excellent quality and show off the artistic expression of the person behind the construction.
Outside of these handcrafted construction, there are other machine loomed rugs that are affordable, durable, and attractive. Continue reading for a quick summary on the different types of rug construction.
Knotted rugs are frequently called hand-knotted rugs, since they often require the attention of a master artisan to bring the rugs to life. Hand-knotting is a very intricate, labor intensive construction, but these rugs feature a higher number of knots per square inch to create a high-quality rug. Because of their high quality and personal construction, these rugs are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices.
Braided rugs tend to fall into a more rustic, country style because of their simple construction, but in recent years, braided rugs have appeared in other styles like contemporary and coastal. Though these rugs were initially handcrafted, braided rugs are now available as hand-crafted or machine made. Because of their style and durable construction, these rugs can appear anywhere in the home, but they’re especially prominent in entryways, kitchens, and nurseries.
The method of creating tufted rugs is part of their appeal. These rugs are made using a tufting gun that inserts the rug’s pile into a cloth foundation, creating a loop pile. On these rugs, if the loop is sheared, then it becomes a cut pile and can have varying pile heights. If the pile is not cut/sheared, then it is a “hand-hooked” rug. The use of this tool allows this rug to be made more quickly and with less manpower, which makes hand-tufted rugs more appealing from a price standpoint. Tufted rugs are fitting for main rooms like living rooms, dining rooms, and entryways.
For more tips and ideas, join our mailing list.
In terms of construction, woven rugs are crafted most similarly to traditional carpet manufacturing using a loom. Basically, the rug fibers are woven into a backing to create a strong, durable rug. These rugs are available in various pile-heights, so you can choose a flat-weave rug or a hand-woven shag rug depending on what you’re looking for. Woven rugs are made out of various materials, which means that you can choose a fabric that is soft and comfortable for a living room or durable enough for a kitchen.
The material of your rug not only dictates what the rug will feel like, but it also impacts the rug’s durability, pile height, maintenance levels, and other facets. In order to get a better understanding on rug materials and which materials are best for certain rooms, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular natural and synthetic rug materials, summarized the differences between them, and given guidelines on which rooms would benefit most from different materials.
Wool is one of the most popular natural materials for rugs, since it is durable, comfortable, and low-maintenance. Pure wool is especially soft and comfortable, but it is also stain-resistant and repels dust mites more than other rug materials. Because of their luxurious look, feel, and practicality, these rugs are typically more expensive than others, but they are a worthy investment for long-lasting comfort, durability, and style.
Cotton rugs are a popular option because of their accessibility with price. Like wool, cotton rugs are quite soft underfoot and they take well to various dyes. It is also a natural, environmentally friendly material that is easy to produce. When it comes to practicality, cotton rugs are often a go-to for busy, family-filled homes because of their lower cost, ease of maintenance, and options that are machine-washable.
Jute rugs are becoming increasingly popular as they show off a natural material that works in farmhouse style homes, coastal rooms, boho spaces, and even modern homes. As a material, jute is also durable, easy to clean, and water-resistant. They are also especially eco-friendly as jute is a 100% renewable resource. The one downside to jute rugs is that they aren’t soft or plush like other materials, but that doesn’t mean that they are uncomfortable by any means. They are plenty comfortable, especially when used with a luxury rug pad or the jute is blended with another softer material.
Silk is considered to be an especially luxurious fabric due to its natural sheen and softness. This material also holds dye masterfully and shows off color through the fabric’s natural sheen and reflective nature. The one downside of silk rugs is that they do not hide dirt as well as other materials like cotton or wool, so silk rugs should be used in areas with less traffic such as a guest bedroom.
Sisal is another natural material that shares similarities with jute. It’s an extremely eco-friendly material that is perfect for a variety of interior design styles and color palettes. Like jute, it’s not the softest material, but sisal can be blended with other fabrics like cotton and wool to soften the rug and remain a stunning, all-natural rug fitting for any room of the home.
Cowhide rugs are adored because of their unique shapes, patterns, and texture across several interior design styles. Not only do these rugs make a big statement in terms of style, but they are also very soft, easy to clean, and durable. Despite being made of a natural material, cowhide rugs are shockingly hypoallergenic and can actually reduce allergens floating around in your home. Because of these great qualities and flexible styles, cowhide rugs can be used in living rooms, dens, nurseries, and other well-traversed spaces.
Polypropylene is a popular synthetic material for both indoor and outdoor rugs. Its key characteristics are its softness, plushness, and durability. Since these rugs are machine manufactured, they are also one of the most affordable and versatile types of rugs.
Unlike polyester rugs, nylon rugs are both synthetic and recyclable. Even with that key difference, nylon rugs share many of the positive traits of polyester rugs by being soft, easy to clean, and durable. Plus, they are in a price bracket that is less daunting than 100% natural rugs.
Polyester is another popular material renowned for its affordability and versatility. These rugs come in a variety of textures and styles, so you can find polyester area rugs that fit into your personal style. Plus, polyester is an easy-to-maintain, hassle-free rug that is water resistant and resistant to most cleaning chemicals.
Vinyl rugs are rising in popularity because of just how easy they are to clean and how comfortable they are. These no-pile rugs are frequently used in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, entryways, and even outdoor spaces. Not only are they extremely low maintenance and hardy, but they also come in so many different styles and sizes that they are a great option for ANY home.
Vinyl rugs are rising in popularity because of just how easy they are to clean and how comfortable they are. These no-pile rugs are frequently used in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, entryways, and even outdoor spaces. Not only are they extremely low maintenance and hardy, but they also come in so many different styles and sizes that they are a great option for ANY home.
Oftentimes, pattern is the first thing people think of when it comes choosing the perfect rug. The design does play a huge part in the rug’s overarching style and tone, but what many fail to realize is just how many different styles are out there. From the classic persian prints to bold southwestern designs, there’s many branches of styles to sift through and choose from. Below, we’ve summarized some of the most popular rug styles and their defining characteristics.
The closest counterpart to viscose rugs in terms of appearance and texture are silk rugs. However, viscose rugs are significantly cheaper to produce and are available in more shapes, sizes, and designs. Even with these benefits, viscose is a less resilient fiber than silk, so that change in material and price is felt in the overall quality of the rug. Like the other materials on our list, it comes down to the needs of your home, your budget, and your style preferences.
Persian rugs are often synonymous with oriental rugs, since they both use medallion imagery and scrollwork to create a timeless, traditional design. For a long time, Persian rugs were used primarily in traditional styles, but these rugs are now appearing in other branches of interior design to elevate styles like modern, contemporary, boho, farmhouse, and others.
Moroccan rugs are often inspired by textile prints, dynamic color palettes, and bold geometric designs. The most original Moroccan rugs may use more intricate textile designs than modern ones and/or use a more vibrant color palette to fit into the original style. However, Moroccan rugs can also branch into other contemporary styles through limited color palettes and more minimal designs.
Indian rugs have a rich history shown in their construction and designs. Their designs tend to be a combination of intricate designs, patterns, and color. Within their array of designs, they sometimes include flowering designs, ornamental elements, and a rich color palette.
Turkish rugs have been famous for generations among the royalty and common-folk alike. Their designs often feature rhythmic geometric shapes, botanical designs, and ruby red hues. Since Turkish rugs are simply ones from or inspired by Turkey, there are many different facets of the style that focus on different regions and their individual styles. This versatility and diversity allows Turkish rugs to work in many different homes.
Navajo rugs are also inspired by their people group, and these rugs are designed focusing on significant spirits and other cultural elements. This artistic, spiritual people group is behind some of the most thought-provoking, beautifully designed rugs available.
Afghan rugs take inspiration from the region’s rich history, masterful craftsmanship, and inspiration from various peoples. The imagery and motifs showcased in Afghan rugs are reminiscent of unique works of art designed by passionate artists of the region. These rugs are perfect for making a tribal statement and reinforcing homes inspired by other parts of the world.
Similar to Pakistani rugs, Chinese rugs are also defined by their use of high quality wool and cotton. They also tend to create carved, embossed designs in their rugs and focus on uncomplicated floral designs with soft pastel color palettes. The motifs presented in their rugs directly connect to their religious and philosophical beliefs with different symbols representing long life, good look, power and authority, and so on.
Traditional Pakistani rugs are known not only for their luxurious designs, but also for their devotion to using the finest wool, cotton, and silk. Their designs tend to fall in line with oriental and persian designs, although they tend to highlight geometric shapes more prominently in their patterns.
Part of what defines Kilim rugs is the technique that’s used to create them. These pileless rugs display distinct bold patterns and vivid colors that mimic a piece of art you may find in a museum. With their ease of maintenance and bold designs, these rugs are versatile enough for a variety of interior design styles.
When it comes to style, Swedish rugs are often grouped with Scandinavian rugs since both tend to highlight minimalist, modern motifs. Lighter color palettes are common particularly with Scandinavian rugs, but both styles can branch into other color palettes to convey a unique aesthetic or blend with another style.
Now that you’ve seen how the rug’s construction, material, and style impacts the rug’s overall style and practicality, it’s time to put all those pieces together to choose a rug that’s best for your room. Although each home is unique and different homes see different types of foot traffic, we do have some general guidelines on what type of rug to use in various rooms.
Shag rugs are extremely popular for their plush surfaces, soft texture, and cozy appearance. Although they’re quite popular in solid colors, shag rugs are also available in many patterns and designs.
Kitchen rugs are often smaller in size and may be 2x3 or 3x5 rugs in front of sinks, stoves, and other spaces you tend to stand still. Runner rugs are also a common choice to cover those same areas and create a comfortable walkway. Vinyl is an especially popular material because of its durability, ease of cleaning, and versatile styles.
Dining room rugs are typically centered directly beneath your table and have a similar shape to the table itself. When you measure your space with a rug in mind, be sure to account for chairs sitting on the rug whether they’re pushed in or pulled out. That way, you can protect your floor, establish your dining space, and incorporate a rug that won’t be a tripping hazard. Low pile or flatweave rugs are ideal for dining rooms, and style-wise, you can choose any color palette/pattern that reinforces the room’s aesthetic.
Placing a rug directly beneath your bed is a great way to accent the bed as the room’s main focal point. The exact size of your rug will depend on the size of the bed and room, but popular sizes include 6x9, 8x10, and 9x12. In terms of material, you can choose a luxurious fabric like wool or silk, and you can also choose to incorporate a shag rug or a cowhide rug to add extra softness.
The most common layout for living room rugs is to center them within your main seating area and have the rug either in front of the seats, under their front legs, or further beneath them. Since living rooms are used on a daily basis, it’s best to choose a rug that is durable and comfortable such as a wool or cotton rug.
Because they see a lot of indoor/outdoor traffic, entryway rugs should be more durable and easy to clean. Machine washable cotton rugs are a great go-to, as are jute, sisal, and flat-weave rugs. Since entryways have many different sizes and layouts, you can choose to decorate with a runner rug, a small area rug, or a simple doormat right inside the front door.
Bathroom rugs tend to be smaller 2x3 or 3x5 rugs when they’re placed by a tub, shower, or sink. However, if you have a double vanity or longer walkway, a runner rug can help establish that space and act as a path. Soft fabrics like wool, cotton, or synthetic materials are ideal for bathrooms as long as they have rug pads beneath them to prevent movement.
Outdoor rugs are specifically crafted out of materials that are moisture resistant or even waterproof. They can be used to decorate an outdoor seating area, a dining space, or create a path on a deck. The most important factor of choosing an outdoor rug is to search for rugs that are specifically crafted for outdoor areas and will meet your practical needs.
Offices are such diverse spaces that rugs can be placed in several different ways. If your desk is your main work area, then you may find it beneficial to center a rug beneath your desk and chair. Other rugs can be used to cover a seating area for guests/clients. If your rug is under a rolling desk chair, carefully consider the rug’s height and durability so that it continues to look and feel good for the life of the rug.
Wool is one of the softest rug materials, and aside from their comfort level, wool rugs are also fire resistant, easy to clean, durable, and high quality. Other soft options include cotton, animal skins (and faux animal skins), polyester, and other synthetic materials.
In terms of materials, rugs made of cotton, leather, animal hide, and silk don’t shed. You can also choose flat-weave rugs that have no pile height for a rug that doesn’t shed and requires very little maintenance.
Synthetic rugs made from polypropylene are fantastic for dogs, since they are durable, water repellant, and stain resistant. Cotton is another accessible material that is also available in machine-washable options if you are extra concerned about muddy paws and accidents.
Cheap rug pads sometimes damage hardwood floors by creating scratches on the wood and/or by losing their grip. With that in mind, natural rubber rug pads are the best option for hardwood floors since they have a powerful grip but never stick to your floors or damage them.
Enjoy Free Standard Shipping on us within the continental United States. For orders to Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii, freight forwarding costs and associated duties will be calculated at Checkout. For large, oversize rugs that require a surcharge above our shipping and freight partners’ standard shipping rates, an Oversize Processing Shipping fee is calculated in Cart.
Your discount code is on its way.
If you don't receive your promo code, please check your email junk or spam folder and click on "Not spam".
