The Benefits of Bamboo Rugs

Bamboo rugs have been a part of the décor in Asian homes for centuries. However, more and more western families are falling in love with their look and their other benefits.

About 1,000 species of bamboo can be found in places around the globe, although we usually think it as growing mostly in East Asia. Some species grow in parts of Africa, Australia, and North America. It's actually a type of woody evergreen plant that lives a long time and which can be used for to make very hard wood. In fact, bamboo is sometimes used to make scaffolding in parts of the East.

Because of their woodsy feel, bamboo rugs used to be reserved for outdoor areas only. That was not a bad idea because the bamboo is very resistant to the forces of nature. Dirt, for example, can simply be removed with a few sweeps of a broom. You don't have to bring out the vacuum or the carpet cleaning chemicals.

That easy cleaning that made bamboo rugs a great choice for patios and front porches has now brought them indoors as well. For example, they make excellent choices for entryways and high traffic areas since they can be cleaned without fuss. They're also less likely to skid which means you won't have to worry about accidents.

Bamboo rugs also have a distinct look that can give even the most traditional room a unique feel. That was true even when bamboo rugs were only available in basic brownish colors, but today you can have bamboo rugs in other colors, including red, blue, even black. If you do choose the more natural-looking colored bamboo rugs, realize that some manufacturers don't alter the coloring of the wood so there may be some variations in appearance. Of course, this variation adds to the natural-look of the rug but it doesn't set well with all people.

View our selection of bamboo rugs.

Kathy Ireland Rugs & Other Celebrity Collections

We're all used to seeing celebrities attaching their names to different products, but to rugs? Well, that's what we're seeing. One of the biggest selling celebrity brands of rugs are Kathy Ireland rugs. These rugs are made from synthetic fibers and are designed to enhance the homes of families. Although the rugs were made by Shaw Rugs, which started in 1946, she has been the lifestyle consultant for all of the Kathy Ireland rugs being sold.

While some people are attracted to the rugs because they recognize her name, other families wonder about the person behind Kathy Ireland rugs. Here's a little background on the brand's namesake.

Kathy Ireland really made a name for herself by appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue in 1989 when she was 26 years old. Afterward, she continued modeling and even branched out into acting. She has appeared in movies, such as Lethal Weapon 1, Mr. Destiny, and Necessary Roughness. Back in the early 1990's, she gave up the spotlight to start creating products, such as Kathy Ireland rugs and her Kmart clothing line, for families and women. She's now married with a family of her own so she designs Kathy Ireland rugs from her own experience of what families are looking for in their rugs.

Kathy Ireland rugs are just part of a growing trend. Another example is the Mary Kate and Ashley collection of rugs. While Kathy Ireland rugs are designed for families, these entrepreneurial twins have created their rugs to meet the decorating taste and needs of girls and young women who want more color and unique designs.

Besides Kathy Ireland rugs, you can also buy a line inspired by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. His rugs are darker and more traditional than those in the Mary Kate and Ashley collection. They're made of wool and are a little more expensive than the rugs in the other collections.

View our selection of Kathy Ireland rugs.

Shopping for Child Rugs

When we shop for child rugs, we need to look for something that looks nice in the room but also that will be appropriate for our children and that will be useful for a long time. Let's talk a little bit about specifics.

Sometimes parents who are searching for the right child rugs for their nursery, playroom, or a bedroom often look for the thickest pile carpeting they can find. They usually think the softness will protect their child from an injury or will simply be more comfortable for the child. Although the thicker pile may minimize injury slightly, it won't really have much affect. However, very thick pile carpeting can be frustrating to children because it can get snagged easily in their toys.

Thick pile carpeting is also harder to clean. That means your child rugs could end up being dirty than you've ever imagined.

For these reasons, it's better to choose a lower pile carpeting. A child rug with a pile of about 1/3 of an inch in thickness is a good choice because it is more comfortable for your children but does not carry the negatives of thicker piles.

We also can't talk about child rugs without talking about stains. You are better off choosing synthetic fibers for your child rugs because they are usually more stain resistant. You may also consider applying stain treatment to the child rugs to increase their resistance. Some parents worry about doing this because they believe the treatment might be harmful to their children. That's usually not a concern, but you can always ask your professional.

Of course with a child rug, you want something durable but you also need to be realistic. Children's tastes change as they age so the child rug he or she loves now may fall out of favor in just a couple of years. For that reason, you shouldn't spend a lot of money or, if you do spend a lot, pick a style that is going to be versatile.

View our selection of child rugs.

Accent Rugs in Modern Homes

Accent rugs have always been a popular addition to the rooms in our homes, but today they are becoming an even more sought after piece of décor for a couple of reasons. One reason is the growing popularity of wood floors. While carpets used to be all the rage, more families like the look and easy clean up of wood floors. However, looking at plain floors – even beautiful wooden ones – can be dull after awhile and that's where accent rugs come in.

Another good reason to use accent rugs is in high traffic areas, particularly where you already have carpeting. In these parts of your home, the accent rugs which are smaller and easier to clean than your carpeting get the brunt of the dirt tracked into your home by visitors, kids, and pets.

A third excellent reason to look into buying accent rugs is your decorations. Because accent rugs come in a huge selection of styles, shapes, and colors, they can be used to tie together the different elements of your décor, to add color to a dark area, or to enhance an existing theme in the furniture.

No matter why you choose accent rugs, they are extremely versatile. They can go with almost anything and can fit in almost any spot from narrow hallways to circular dining rooms.

When you're choosing accent rugs, you want to pay attention to materials. In most homes, you're going to want a combination of high-quality materials that can withstand the wear and tear of regular traffic and easy to clean materials so when the rugs gets dirty – which it probably will – you'll be able to make them look beautiful again without calling in a professional or having to buy a replacement.

Before you start shopping for accent rugs, make sure you know where you want to place it and do your measurements. Even though accent rugs are smaller than area rugs, you still need to pick a rug that is right for the size of your room and that has a shape which works well with the room.

View our selection of accent rugs.

Area Rugs and Choosing Styles

Area rugs can be an excellent addition to any décor. They can create warmth and coziness or pull all of your other furnishings together. However, before your area rugs can accomplish these goals, you'll need to choose the right style for your room. Let's look at a few of those different styles.

One popular style are Persian area rugs. These area rugs are usually colorful and bright. Their designs, which range from geometric to floral, are very detailed. Generally, these area rugs are a little pricey but they do provide an air of elegance to almost any room.

A few decades ago shag area rugs were all the rage in living rooms around the country. Although those old area rugs were usually poorly made, new shag rugs are made of much more durable, quality materials so they look better. As a result, shag area rugs are coming back into the rooms of American homes.

Modern looking homes might work better with contemporary area rugs. These area rugs are still brightly colored, but they come in unusual shapes and have very sparse design patterns that work well with modern décor. They can also be a nice way to throw a little color into a room.

If you want something that has a distinctive American look, then you might be interested in braided area rugs. This rug style, which originated with settlers who used old rags to create rugs to keep out the cold wind, can be made by hand or by machine. While the original braided rugs were a mixture of colors without patterns, today's area rugs in this style are still colorful but have distinct patterns.

Finally, if you want something a little different that is also easy to clean, you might want to choose Flokati area rugs. These rugs, which originated in Greece, are very thick and usually made from wool. The nice things about these rugs is that they can be cleaned in many different ways, including large-capacity washing machines.

View our selection of area rugs.