Where to Purchase Your Rugs

Rugs can be one of the best investments you make. When properly cared for, they can sometimes last generations (if you purchase high quality rugs, of course). However, more and more consumers are looking to save money on their rugs by going to online auctions instead of reputable dealers. This can be a mistake, and I'd like to share with you one such story that I heard from one of my clients.

At one leading auction site, a man posted bids for several rugs. Among these rugs was an Oriental piece supposedly worth around $25,000. Thanks to one particular bidder the bidding price skyrocketed to just over $12,000. Unfortunately, the rug was worth no were near that amount. More details of the rugs history showed that it had failed to sale for under $2,500 at a rugs auction in the open market and had been purchased by its current seller for just over $2,100 in London.

The purchaser, in fact, spent at least $10,000 too much and could have probably purchased several rugs of higher quality from a reputable dealer for the same amount of money.

Because of stories like these, I usually recommend that people stick to buying rugs from dealers. It in a perfect world you would purchase rugs only when you could touch and examine them closely so you could determine whether they were of the best quality. Unfortunately, limiting yourself in such a way means you won't have access to many rugs. Using an online dealer who guarantees their products and who is willing to work with customers to meet their needs is a close second choice, at least in my opinion.

Rugs can be a gorgeous addition to any room. They can help establish the room's personality and can even help keep the room warmer – just as rugs did for early settlers and tribe's people. But if you want to be happy with your family's rugs, you must be careful about who you purchase them from.

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The Tradition of Oriental Rugs

Oriental rugs are not simply one type of rug. The term is actually an umbrella used to refer to a number of carpets made in the East, including parts of Turkey, China, and Iran. While Oriental rugs vary from region to region, they are all symbolized by a intricate designs, deep colors, and quality materials.

According to historians, Oriental rugs were made out of the finest available materials because of another cultural tradition. In Eastern cultures, visitors are asked to remove their shoes before entering a home. That meant the carpets in the home had to be of the highest quality so they would feel luxurious on the visitors' feet. However, even before Oriental rugs touched the tender soles of the feet, they were designed not as rugs at all but as tapestries to adorn the walls of special buildings and religious structures.

But the carpet-weaving skills of these cultures may date back even further. After examining some examples of Oriental rugs, historians have drawn comparisons between the weaving of the ancient Egyptians and Assyrians. This would mean that their skills would date back to almost the beginning of civilization.

Before the 12th century, Oriental rugs were already becoming popular with European nobility. They recognized the beauty of these rugs – the same beauty still found in modern Oriental rugs – and wanted to use them to decorate their environments. In fact, Middle Eastern weavers who were moving into Spain, brought their looms and their techniques with them. Thus, Spain became a center for the production of Oriental rugs. A few centuries later, Turkish looms were established in France to further supply royalty with the Oriental rugs they desired.

With modern techniques, Oriental rugs in all of their various styles can now be produced using machinery. As a result, they are no longer limited to the homes of the wealthy and powerful. Despite their more reasonable price, Oriental rugs are still a mark of beauty and sophistication.

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The Beauty of Persian Rugs

Persian rugs are one of the most elegant and exquisitely designed types of rugs you can choose for your home. But not only are they beautiful, they also have a long history.

The carpet-weaving skills of the Middle East began with tribes people in modern Iran over 2,500 years ago. Like the American settlers who developed braided rugs, Persian rugs were first created to keep the weather out of the homes of the people. Later, the art of carpet-weaving served as a form of story-telling. The designs and colors of the Persian rugs told the stories which the tribes people, who could not read or write, wanted to pass on.

When the people adopted Islam as their religion, Persian rugs became a way of sharing their faith. Carpet-weaving was then a skill passed on from generation to generation, and Persian rugs became a symbol of the area's culture.

However, many of the Persian rugs seen in Europe around the 17th and 18th centuries were inferior in all ways to those early creations. To meet demand and to increase profit, cheap materials were used to make the Persian rugs and the designs incorporated into the rugs had no significance. Eventually, the poor quality wool began to rot and the inferior Persian rugs were destroyed.

Today, most Persian rugs are created using machines and are made from a variety of different materials. This has made them more affordable for the average consumer, but it has detracted somewhat from what made the Persian rugs special in the first place. Of course, you can still find hand-made Persian rugs but they are much more expensive than those that are mass produced.

Does that mean you shouldn't purchase Persian rugs? No. Today's Persian rugs are well-built and are meant to last for decades. While they may not be as beautiful as those created by the original weavers thousands of years ago, they do represent a unique art and a piece of history that make them stand out as a centerpiece in any room and in any home.

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Buying a Braided Rug

A braided rug has been a common site in American homes since the settlers got tired of smelling animal skins on their floors. Choosing the right braided rug for your family should be done with careful consideration.

For starters, you have to think about what shape you want for your braided rug. Ask yourself what space you want to cover with the rug. If it's a small area, you might choose a circular or octoganal braided rug. If you want to cover most of a room, then choose a rectangular shape and remember to leave the same amount of space around the edges.

Next, you'll have to decide on material. While an original braided rug might have been a mish-mash of fabrics, today's braided rug is more consistent. If you want a long-lasting braided rug, you may want to choose wool. If price is an option, you may want to more affordable material, such as cotton or some type of synthetic.

Color is another important consideration. The average braided rug contains two or three colors, usually one of these colors stands out more than the others. Ideally, that color should be the one which matches the rest of your room's furnishings. The accent colors in the braided rug should complement the other colors in your room.

Additionally, you have to remember that the color of the braided rug is going to make a difference on the way the room looks. Remember that brighter colors will make your room look larger while darker colors create a cozier feeling. Keep this in mind as you select a braided rug color.

Finally, you should choose where to purchase your braided rug. While you can find them almost anywhere, you will find the best quality and selection at places which specialize in rugs. These stores will be able to answer your questions effectively and will be able to help you find the right braided rug for your needs.

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Braided Rugs & History

Braided rugs have been adorning floors in homes for a long time. In fact, they are were a creation of early American settlers. You see, braided rugs actually replaced animal skins as the floor covering of choice back in those days. Rugs were a necessity back then since the floors contained many cracks which let in the cold outdoor air. To insulate the home, rugs covered the floors to keep out the cold.

When the idea of having animal skin on the floor became unacceptable, women started gathering old pieces of fabric from worn clothes or from leftover pieces of fabric. They would then work these pieces into a braid in the same way they would braid their daughters' hair. After being braided, all of the pieces would be sewn together to create a rug. Of course, these rugs made of mis-matched fabric pieces would have been very colorful and unique.

Because braided rugs could be made completely from hand using whatever settlers had lying around, they become quite popular. Of course, eventually, braided rugs were joined by other types of rugs and rug-making.

In the mid-1900's, however, more people began to be interested in braided rugs. Rug makers started trading fabric pieces in order to create a wide variety of looks that resembled the eclectic style of those original braided rugs.

Today, braided rugs usually have a more consistent style. They also come in a variety of materials, including wool and chenille. Even though most of the early braided rugs were circular, modern braided rugs can be both round and rectangular. That means they can serve as accents or area rugs.

Another benefit of braided rugs is that they are an affordable option. Depending on the size and material you pick, you can usually find one that will fit almost any budget.

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Contemporary Area Rugs: Which to Buy

Contemporary area rugs have become one of the hottest pieces of home décor to purchase. The biggest difference between contemporary area rugs and other rugs is their style. Most of the styles are inspired by modern art – they have unusual shapes, designs, colors, etc. That means if you're not really sold on traditional rug patterns, you might find exactly what you've been wanting by shopping for contemporary area rugs.

Let's talk about some basic things you need to keep in mind if you are shopping for contemporary area rugs. For starters, you need to set a budget before you ever step into a store. Otherwise, you might be tempted to buy a cheaper rug than you should. The golden rule is that your contemporary area rugs should cost the same as a large piece of furniture in the same room. For example, if the rug is going into your living room, it should cost about the same as your sofa. If that sounds like a lot to pay for a rug, just remember that contemporary area rugs are an investment that can last a long time.

When you're browsing through contemporary area rugs, you're going to want to think about the room where you want to place it. If the room is small, you need to avoid any large patterns since these make the room appear smaller, not larger.

On the other hand, if your living room is very large, you want to stick to simple patterns. Contemporary area rugs that are covered by a small pattern just end up making your room feel overly cluttered. That's not a good look either.

Although contemporary area rugs will work in almost any room of your home, the colors and styles you choose depend on the style of your furnishings. For example, if you have a room full of modern furniture then you'd want abstract designs made up of bright, primary colors to contrast with the other furnishings.

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The Benefits of Having a Wool Rug

A wool rug is almost a standard in any well-decorated home, but why do so many people prefer a wool rug over the myriad of other fabrics available? The easy answer is that a wool rug has many advantages over other types of rugs.

For starters, a wool rug lasts a long time. While other materials may last a few years, a wool rug could last a few generations! It could become an heirloom that you pass on to your children and grandchildren if it's well cared for. That means even though a wool rug may cost a little more it's an investment that's well worth it.

Another advantage is that a wool rug is great for people who suffer from allergies. Because a wool rug resists the growth of dust mites – which often trigger allergic reactions – you can make your home more hypoallergenic. That's a definite plus for many people.

A common problem with carpeting is that if water gets on it and is not properly cleaned, it can begin to mildew underneath. Mildew can a serious health hazard. Because mildew is simply mold that grows on fabric, it can cause the same problems that mold does, including allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and lung infections. A wool rug will not mildew so you won't have to worry about these problems.

Wool is also very safe, especially in children's rooms. Other types of fiber will literally melt when it's on fire and will burst into flames which can cause the fire to spread more quickly and can make escaping a burning building more dangerous. A wool rug will not flame. That's one reason why a wool rug is the choice for most hotel owners who want to minimize damage in the event of a fire.

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Cleaning Wool Rugs

Wool rugs are top quality pieces which are designed to provide your family with enjoyment for a long time, but if you don't properly clean your wool rugs then you may not get the most value from your purchase. Let's talk about some of the ways to and not to clean your wool rugs.

You should definitely vacuum your wool rugs regularly, but you need to invest in a top-quality machine. Low-quality vacuums can end up damaging the fibers and eventually destroying the look of your wool rugs – that's not what you want. Ideally, your vacuum should have a beater bar in order to pull up the deeply embedded dirt. Make sure that your vacuum's bag is not more than halfway full – otherwise it may stop cleaning effectively.

When your wool rugs require more than vacuuming, then you should bring in a professional to clean them. Of course, this can be expensive and you'll be tempted to try a do-it-yourself option – DON'T. While you can easily rent all of the equipment you need, it's too easy to use too much detergent, too much water, etc. and this can end up making your wool rugs look worse or even damaging them.

Additionally, you must avoid using certain types of cleaners. For example, oxygen cleaners can damage your wool rugs. This is because they end up forming other types of chemicals which are very harsh. You should also avoid using any types of powder because it can be hard to get out of wool rugs.

Of course, there's a chance that you'll end up spilling something on your wool rugs. If that happens, you should remember to blot the area with absorbent paper towels or other materials. Never rub! By rubbing, you're actually damaging the wool rugs' fibers.

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Area Rug Sizes

An area rug, as you may already know, is not intended to cover the entire floor of any particular room. That raises another question: how large should the area rug you buy be? Well, there are some guidelines to help you make the right choice.

For starters, your area rug's size depends on where you are going to be placing it in your room. A common area rug location is in the living room under the coffee table. Generally, these area rugs are either 4' X 6' or 6' X 9' depending on the size of your room and of your table. Remember it's important that the entire coffee table fits on the area rug – you don't want half of the table hanging off. Not only will that make the table uneven but it just won't look good.

Additionally, the area should be about the same length as your sofa and other furnishings. That means you'll need to measure the pieces and bring those measurements along while you shop for area rugs.

Another common room location for area rugs is the dining room. Typically, dining rooms require larger area rugs. The most common size is about 8 feet wide. You need a wider area rug because you need your entire dining room table and chairs to fit on the rug, even when the chairs are pulled out. Make sure you measure accordingly so you won't end up with an area rug that is too narrow for your needs.

If you want an area rug that takes up a larger amount of space, ideally you should choose a size that is going to allow an equal amount of flooring on all sides of the area rug. That means you should measure your room, then subtract an equal amount of space from each of the sides in order to decide what size area rug you need.

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Rug Shopping: What to Look For

A rug can be an amazing addition to your home's decor, but choosing the right rug can be a bit of a challenge if you don't know what to keep in mind when making your choice.

First, you have to decide if you want the rug to be a focal point in your room. Think about it this way: when people enter your room do you want their eyes to be immediately drawn to the rug or to something else in the room? A focal point rug will usually have a large design in the center that grabs your attention.

Second, think about your lifestyle and the room's traffic. Let's say you have kids. Do your kids walk through the room a lot, maybe dragging in plenty of outdoor dirt? If so, then you want a rug with lots of pattern. The extra patterns help hide the dirt so you don't have to constantly clean the rug.

Third, what effect do you want the rug to have on the feel of your room? This answer is going to affect which colors you choose. For example, if you want to create a cozy feeling, you should choose darker colors for your rug. If you're putting the rug in a small room that you want to open up, then consider lighter shades.

Speaking of color, a common mistake people make is trying to match all of the rug colors with their room. That's not necessary. However, at least one color in the rug and in your existing décor should match. You might want to take a long some samples of your decor's color while you're rug shopping to guarantee you make a match.

Remember there are plenty of shapes to choose from and the shape of your rug does not necessarily have to match the shape of your room. Circular rugs, for example, look great in square and rectangular rooms.

The bottom line is that you should choose a rug that is going to look good in your room and that your family is going to love.

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