Nursery Rug: Choosing the Right Rug for Baby

Welcoming a baby into the family is always an exciting time and it's usually met with a second challenge: decorating the nursery. A nursery rug should obviously match the decoration scheme you've already chosen, which will probably be kid-friendly. The good news is that there is a wide selection of floor coverings that would make adorable nursery rugs.

Appearance is probably going to be your first consideration. Many nursery rugs come in pastel colors, particularly pinks, yellows, and blues. Although, you can find darker shades, too. Animal shapes, baby-related shapes (i. e. bottles, baby pins, etc.), hearts, trucks, and similar designs can be found on these rugs as well. The key to choosing the right nursery rug look is to ask yourself whether the rug is going to be used in the room even after it ceases to be a nursery. For example, a nursery rug with pictures of animals would work even for grade school kids whereas images of playpens would not.

When you select a nursery rug, you'll also want something that is easy to clean. Babies spit up, their diapers leak, they vomit – it's not always a pretty picture. You want a rug that's going to take a beating and keep on looking beautiful. It's a good idea to look for stain resistant carpets.

A soft nursery rug is also a good idea. Your children will probably be spending a good deal of time on that floor playing, crawling, and learning to walk. If the nursery rug is soft and well-padded, then your child will have less chance of getting injured during a fall. It's also harder to damage a nursery rug when compared to a wood floor.

Remember that you're nursery rug is probably going to be used only for a limited time, so you don't need to spend a fortune. You also don't want to get the cheapest rug you can find – a good quality nursery rug is more likely to endure your child's early years beautifully.

Browse our fine selection of nursery rugs!

Navajo Rugs & The Past

Navajo rugs, as the name suggests, are woven by the Navajo Indians who live primarily in the area known as the “Four Corners” - where Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona come together. According to Navajo legend, an entity known as Spider Woman taught them the art of weaving and using her instructions they created a loom. Since then, Navajo rugs have been well-known for their beauty and strength.

While the legend may be more interesting, history suggests the Navajo actually learned how to weave from the Pueblo Indians who came to the Four Corners later. Before the Spanish explorers landed in the area, the Navajo were already talented weavers. When the Spanish did arrive in Navajo lands, they raved about their blankets in their letters. That's because it was widely known that the Navajo were the best weavers in the continent, even before the Spanish brought them the wool they eventually began to work in.

Like most traditional rugs, Navajo rugs were just another example of utilitarian weaving. The Navajo people didn't weave to create beautiful art objects to admire; they weaved to create useful items for their homes, primarily blankets.

While the Navajo rugs were created for a useful purpose, the European settlers who began filling up the surrounding areas saw them as a chance to make a significant profit. They would buy up Navajo rugs in the local trading posts, then sale them in large quantities to Europe which couldn't get enough of the beautiful weaving.

As the Navajo rugs became more popular, local groups began to develop their own styles, such as Two Gray Hills, Crystal, Ganado, and others. These styles became associated with certain geographical areas, as a result.

Today, Navajo rugs can be purchased almost anywhere you find fine rugs, and they still preserve the same beautiful weaving of the originals from centuries ago.

View a great selection of navajo rugs here.

Are Modern Rugs for You?

Lots of people love the unique look of modern rugs, but they don't always know if those rugs are going to be right for their rooms. After all, modern rugs are not for everyone. However, there are some simple questions you can ask yourself to determine if modern rugs are worth considering.

For starters, ask yourself if you're dedicated to classic, formal styles. Some people simply prefer the old reliable looks of Persian and Oriental rugs, especially if they want a very elegant and traditional style. However, if you're looking for kicks of color, unique patterns, and interesting styles, modern rugs are probably ideal for your room.

Another question is price. High quality formal rugs, particularly those made by hand, can cost a lot of money. If you're on a tight budget, then modern rugs may be a better option. Modern rugs come in so many varities, including designer colletions, that you're more likely to find a good quality piece within your price range.

A third question is what type of tone are you trying to set in the room where you'll place your new rug. Traditional, formal rugs are more likely to be dark-colored and to create a more elegant feel in the room. Modern rugs can create a number of different moods, including cozy, friendly, warm, and contemporary. Modern rugs also work well in nearly any room of the house, including children's rooms.

A final question is how much color do you want in your rug? More traditional rugs stick to fairly standard colors. They are usually darker and more muted. If you want a floor covering that is going to boost your color up a notch, then modern rugs are definitely your best choice. Nearly every color imaginable in almost every combination are available. And if you love geometric shapes, then modern rugs are also an excellent bet.

Want to see our collection of modern rugs? Click here!

Redecorating with Floor Rugs

Floor rugs can make a huge impact in any room. In fact, if you're planning on redecorating your home any time soon, floor rugs may be the best place to start your search for that new look.

One reason why you should start with floor rugs is that they really do set the tone for the rest of the room. Dark colored floor rugs create a cozy feeling whereas brighter, more vivid colors help to create a more contemporary appearance. Whether you choose a Persian, Oriental, shag, or animal print rug, this floor rug is going to set the stage for the rest of your décor. It will be easier to build around the rug than to search for the perfect rug to fit your existing design (although that's always possible, too).

Floor rugs are also a good place to start because they can be amazing inspirations for wall and apolestry colors. Once you find that perfect rug, you'll be able to look for colors that are going to work well. For example, if you choose floor rugs made of multiple colors you may want to emphasize one of those colors over the others. Picking a matching or complementary wall color is the ideal way to go. It's also easier to have some idea of what paint color you want when you go into that store with hundreds of choices.

Regardless of when you decide to start looking at floor rugs for your redecorated room, your first step is going to be taking the room's measurements. You'll also need to decide how you want the furniture to sit on the rug. These factors will also be important as you choose the right furniture for the room.

Even if you're just thinking about redecorating, it's not too early to start looking at floor rugs. You really want to take your time and find the perfect rug for your room. A good quality floor rug is going to be with your family for decades, so it's a decision worth giving plenty of consideration.

View our great assortment of floor rugs!

Animal Print Rugs: Add a Wild Touch to Any Room

Animal print rugs have become increasingly popular in recent years . . . and not just with kids and young adults who want a unique look for their bedrooms.

Nearly any room of your home can be spruced up with just the simple addition of animal print rugs. You could throw one in the family room to add spice to even the most basic furniture styles or lay one under the dining room table to kick a traditionally formal, conservative room up a notch. If you have a play room or den, animal print rugs can be both fun and stylish. And, of course, animal print rugs are always a good option for bedrooms – both kids' and adults' bedrooms. While in a youngster room, animal print rugs can represent the child's “wild” side and love of animals, in an adult's room it can add a sexy, seductive feel.

No matter where you want to place animal print rugs, they now come in a wide variety of styles and patters, including zebra prints, tiger prints, and cow prints. Plus, animal print rugs don't require major changes to your existing style in order to fit in. If you have a basic tan or brown couch, for example, a tiger or other big cat print rug will fit right in. Black and white animal print rugs, such as cow or zebra, are a beautiful contrast to bold colors, such as reds and golds often found in bedrooms.

Another advantage of choosing animal print rugs is that they come in a wide variety of sizes. If you want an area rug or a runner, you'll be able to find what you want, although you'll probably only find the most popular animal print rugs in the largest number of sizes.

View our greate selection of animal print rugs!