Southwest Rugs: Beautiful and Durable

Southwest rugs have become increasingly popular over the last several years with resurgence in the number of people looking to decorate their home in the style. Although the name of the rugs suggest they exemplify the culture of that entire region, Southwest rugs are mainly based on Native American designs and authentic ones are created in much the same way they were nearly two hundred years ago.

When you look closely at Southwest rugs you begin to recognize that the patterns reflect parts of the Native American culture. Imagery related to farming, such as crops and rain, are very important in these designs because those were prominent aspects of the weavers’ lives. Moat Southwest rugs are full of colors, but the colors are muted and earthy. That’s why they are so popular for living and family rooms which frequently are decorated in similar hues.

One of the benefits of Southwest rugs, however, is their strength. The yarn used to create these floor coverings gets its strength from the lanolin in the wool. Lanolin is a waxy substance that actually provides water proofing for the animals. It also protects the animal’s skins. Thanks to lanolin Southwest rugs are very durable and easy to maintain.

For many years, some feared that Southwest rugs would no longer be produced because the Native American artisans responsible for them could simply not afford to support themselves and their familiar on the income they made from producing the rugs. Although many weavers have abandoned the art, it has remained an important part of the Native American culture, particularly among the Navajo who produce some of the most highly sought after Southwest rugs. The tradition of weaving continues to past down, and the combination of these skills and the high-quality of the wool used to create them is continuing to make Southwest rugs a popular floor covering choice in modern homes.