There are different cleaning methods appropriate for specific rugs. You can’t just throw in an Oriental rug in the washing machine or soak a wool rug in water. Different strokes for different folks…in this case, different cleaning methods for different rugs.

Bathroom Rug – clean a bathroom rug with hot water to get rid of the germs. Hot water sterilizes the fabric and thus, eliminates bacteria or whatever microorganism is there. Bathroom rugs are often wet and wet areas are breeding grounds for bacteria. Match the hot water technique with a good detergent every two weeks and you’ll have a clean bathroom rug every time. Do not put the bathroom rug in a dryer as this could ruin the rubber backing that securely fastens the rug on the floor even when wet. Let it dry naturally.

Rag Rug – this is the easiest to clean. You can just toss your rag rug in the washer with any detergent you have. You can also put it in the dryer for a quick work, but because rag rugs are lightweight and usually thin, they are easy to dry even without a dryer. To save energy, let your rag rug dry naturally.

Wool Rug – wool is a quality fabric and must be handled with extra care. A wool rug is softer and plusher, and you wouldn’t want to have it any other way. Therefore, hiring a professional cleaning service for your wool rug maintenance is important to ensure that it will always be in tip-top shape. Special cleaning solutions are used for wool fabric, as well as machines for cleaning it. If you wish to save on expenses, invest in a cleaning equipment and solution and do the cleaning yourself. Just make sure you’re cleaning the right way. Do not steam or shampoo your wool rug.

If you have carpeting at home, make sure that you have general cleaning at least twice a year, in addition to the regular vacuuming. Using chemical cleaners, shampooing or steaming are methods you can apply for a wall-to-wall carpet. It’s better to hire a pro to do the thorough cleaning and save you the hassle. Otherwise, a cleaning machine can aid you for a trouble-free cleaning.

In the 1960s, wall-to-wall carpeting was all the rage. Carpets led the pack in making a room look formal, sophisticated or cozy. Fast forward to the present and we see the domination of area rugs as the preference for floor covering or floor decor. Area rugs do not only give off a formal, sophisticated or cozy look, but depending on the color, shape or pattern, rugs reflect a casual, laidback or playful spirit.

The function of area rugs as effective floor protectors make these decors an easy choice, especially given the range of prices that even the most scrupulous of buyers can’t complain about. Area rugs are also easier to maintain and clean than carpets hence, a lighter load for household chores.

Area rugs come in different styles. Every whim and demand for a color, material, price or design can be met. If you’re too meticulous with how rugs are made, well then, you won’t be disappointed because rugs can be handmade, machine-made, woven, weaved or braided…anything you want, there’s certainly a rug for you.

High-end Rugs

Persian Rugs and Oriental Rugs

These rugs are the elite of the rug world. Both have a long history dating back to the ancient times when Persia was at its height of civilization and the Far East was rich with the early teachings of Confucianism. Area rugs that are originally made from Persia and the Far East are surely steeper in price compared to replicas or imitations from other places.

Persian and Oriental rugs are similar in the intricacies of design and the richness of colors. However, Persian rugs make use of pictures as design while Oriental rugs make use of geometric forms. The color of the Persian rugs are also somewhat more colorful than the latter.

Both rugs come in all shapes and sizes. Mostly though, prefer to have a bigger size to display as a room’s centerpiece. Who could blame them? Such beautiful works of art deserve to be given much attention. Others even make Persian and Oriental rugs as alternatives to expensive paintings to adorn their walls with. Not surprising. With a slight gap in price with most paintings, these rugs do make credible wall hangings, indeed.

Simple, Very Affordable, Recycled Rugs

Braided Rugs and Rag Rugs

If you’re more concerned with your budget, go for braided rugs or rag rugs. These are nice rugs that come in different sizes and colors too, but cheaper than Persian and Oriental rugs. Braided rugs and rag rugs are made of old or used materials, so recycling enthusiasts will take great pride in owning such decorations.

Braided rugs from its name are rolled and sewn, and are predominantly oval or round in shape. Rag rugs on the other hand, are merely sewn or weaved together and are in square or rectangular shape.

Both these rugs are American art forms with a process that has been handed down to many generations. Handmade braided rugs and rag rugs are still common, although more and more of these rugs are now produced by machines. These two rugs are preferred especially for an old American country home theme.

Highly Functional Rug

Bathroom Rugs

You CANNOT not have this rug in your bathroom. It’s a safety precaution for slipping accidents. It also puts wetness at bay that can also be a neat freak’s pet peeve for bathroom maintenance. Bathroom rugs are made of water resistant materials and a rubber-backing ideal for tile floors and wet prone areas, specifically of which, is the bathroom. Some use bathroom rugs for their laundry area and the kitchen, particularly near the sink. Bathroom rugs, being a floor decor will also help in adding color or design to the room, as well as give comfort to the feet.

Achieving a country home design is now feasible without having to refurbish your home with all-country brand new furniture pieces. With area rugs on hand, especially rag rugs or rolled rugs, your home will be transformed into a warm abode reminiscent of a country dwelling.

Rolled rugs are more popularly known as braided rugs because of the spiral form from the perimeters to the middle. It’s easy to imagine a rolled rug as an egg-shaped, curled fabric but it’s actually more of an oval shaped area rug.

Rag rugs are composed of used or old fabric. Fans of recycling and reusing will love rag rugs for the concept of making new things from old instead of just tossing them away.

Rolled rugs or rag rugs reflect the down to earth quality of a country home. They are simple yet very charming. These rugs are also affordable compared to the more high-end types of Persian and Oriental rugs. Rag rugs are usually made of wool but synthetic materials are also commonly used.

Rolled rugs come in a variety of colors. This quality easily disguises dirt or stain and makes the rugs an instant focal piece. This type of rug is low maintenance, but because of the heavy weight, should be cleaned by a professional laundry service that specializes in rolled rugs or carpets.

Rolled or rag rugs are typically country. There’s no more obvious way to make your living space a testament to the country lifestyle than with the use of these rugs. The cheap price and the durability of such rugs make decorating your home even more fun! You can purchase as many rag rugs as you want without breaking the bank.

Enjoy the American country look with rag rugs or rolled rugs as decorations.

Bold patterns, unusual forms, look-at-me colors: there’s something about contemporary area rugs that simply catches the eye. Indeed, many homeowners have bought modern area rugs on impulse for the way they stand out and make a statement. Unfortunately, that “statement” is often gone as soon as you set it down on your floor. Contemporary rugs may be stylish, but they certainly won’t work for every home.

You don’t need a postmodern home to make a contemporary rug work. What you need is some creativity, and perhaps a few style tips. Read on for a few tips and tricks on using contemporary area rugs in older-style homes.

Plains and Prints: The Universal Rule

Boldness is the key characteristic of contemporary area rugs. To make them stand out, follow rule number one: never place print against print. Contemporary patterns attract more attention when placed against a plain, understated background. If you have colorful tiles, consider placing a larger area rug or a solid-colored wall-to-wall carpet underneath to better bring out the pattern.

Plain on plain is more acceptable, but tends to be boring. If you’re getting a plain rug, get one in a standout color—red, green, or blue area rugs are more interesting than the usual white or beige area rugs.

Go For Contrast

Modern home design is about contrast: light and dark, smooth and rough, old and new. Take your cue from Zen design: combine natural and manmade materials to achieve a strong yet discreet contrast. If you’ve got polished hardwood floors, a couple of sleek nylon area rugs can add a modern touch to the room. Tile and marble tend to look cold, so warm them up with soft jute or bamboo area rugs. Add to the natural feel by choosing hand-knotted area rugs—they look and feel softer and provide better protection for your floors.

Think Functional

Function is another defining element of modern design. Contemporary area rugs are made to fill multiple roles, both in the practical and aesthetic sense. When looking at rugs, think of how each one will be used and what they can contribute to the overall décor. Floor protection is standard among area rugs, so think beyond that. Large, soft rugs can double as kids’ area rugs or play areas. Braided area rugs can be used in high-traffic areas such as the living room while serving as a stylish padding for your furniture. The point is that they should be useful—there’s no point in getting those lush oriental area rugs when people always have to step around them.

Mix and Match

Don’t be afraid to mix and match area rugs. Make some sketches and experiment with different combinations of color, pattern, size and fabric. Add some interest by getting rugs in different sizes, or set of an eco-friendly theme with bright green area rugs. If you’re not comfortable with the bold choices, take it one room at a time—start by “modernizing” your bedroom and move on to larger rooms as you get more comfortable.

It’s difficult to imagine all the possibilities of an area rug. They come in so many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are a few simple rules to follow when you are considering an area rug.

It should be fun and enjoyable if you measure correctly. But just because you have so many different sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from you can still end up with the wrong size. This can completely alter the result of your new decor. Buying the wrong size can be a mistake that can cost you. Use these tips to help you determine how to get the right look.

Decorating the Dining Room

There are a few things to remember when adding a rug to your home decor.

• Whether your chairs are under the table or you are sitting on it the legs should always be on the rug.
• When you measure add on four feet in the length and the width.
• You will probably need about eight foot wide that includes the additional four feet.

Decorating the Living Room, Den, and other Social Rooms

An area rug belongs in a social room. It gives the room personality.

• Make sure that the area rug under the coffee table holds all four legs.
• Only allow a couple of inches around the furniture.
• If your rug is an accent piece you can allow a few inches of flooring to show between the area rug and the furniture.

Rugs That Are Used to Cover the Entire Room

If you want to decorate with rugs you want to follow the rules in order to ensure the rug will last.

• Make sure that the rug looks balanced. You don’t want more furniture on one side than the other.
• If you are adding a full room rug then you want the front legs to be on the rug and the back legs can be off.

Always measure your room carefully. Be sure to choose the right size so you can ensure you will be ready to relax.

You can decorate your room without costing you a lot of money. The key is using accessories. It may be something that you already have, something that you got from mom, or something that you found at a thrift store; accessories are the perfect idea. An area rug is another way you can change the look of your room without costing you a lot of money. Area rugs come in different sizes, shapes, and colors so you will find what you are looking for.

Adding Style and Function

Area rugs are used in the home for two reasons; accessories and protectors. When using an area rug for accessory you will probably choose a rug for the shape instead of the function. Each rug is specially designed and created to be unique.

If you want function to be the primary reason you buy a rug you will want to look for a rug that is created with durable material. Cotton and wool can stand up to almost anything. But you don’t need to choose between the two, you can have them both if you choose carefully.

Using Themes

It’s important to understand themes before you decorate with them. It’s important to coordinate the look of the rug with the look of the room. If you are not going with a theme then you can choose a rug that matches your room or your new decor.

Choosing Size

It’s good to remember that your area rug should fit the floor that is visible. It should only cover about half of the visible floor. If your area rug covers more than half you may want to get wall to wall carpeting.

An area rug may be more suitable for small rooms. It allows you to break up the floor into sections. If you use a bright colored rug on the floor it will make it seem as if you have more space.

Traffic and Placing Your Rug

You need to know where you will be placing the rug before you bring it in. You may want to place it in the doorway, underneath the furniture, or equally in the middle of the floor.

You can do so many things with oval rugs. They can give a homey feeling to any room. There’s just something about the look of an oval rug.

Adding Oval Rugs to the Living Room

Any size rug looks good in the living room. If you use a large rug make sure that it covers the area that the furniture is sitting on. You don’t want the furniture to be half way off the rug as this would not look that great.

You may want to use a rug under the coffee table located in the center of the room. This will keep your room balanced and be easy on the eyes.

Adding Oval Rugs to the Kitchen

Using oval rugs in the kitchen is a great idea. Add an oval rug under the kitchen table. Make sure that it is big enough to cover the table and the chairs. You don’t want the chairs to hang over the rug and cause the chair to sit uneven. Rugs can come in so many different sizes so measure before you buy so you can ensure a great fit.

You can also put an oval rug in front of the kitchen sink. This will help your feet feel  comfortable and relaxed when standing for long periods of time. When you are at home you want to take off your shoes and relax while you are doing everything. You deserve to have a rug in front of the areas you stand at for long periods of time. A braided rug would be the best oval rug to choose.

Adding Oval Rugs in the Bathroom

A nice bathroom rug will make a big difference. A bathroom rug should be slip resistant. In order to do that you will need to find a rug that has a rubber backing. This will keep everyone safe when they are getting out of the tub or shower. Cleaning your area rug can’t be easier; simply toss in the wash when it gets dirty. It’s best to air dry the rugs after washing them. The dryer can melt the rubber backing and cause tears.

Adding Oval Rugs in the Bedroom

A nice oval rug in the bedroom can be wonderful to the eyes. There is nothing like waking up in the mornings and putting your warm foot on a cold hard wood floor. You can bring a smile to your face first thing by stepping down on a nice plush oval rug.

Overall, the purpose of an oval rug is to make the room feel cozy. This look is achieved by using oval rugs. A cozy country look can happen with a simple rug.

You know the feeling of a thick plush rug under your feet when you first wake up in the mornings? It’s the ultimate way to start your day. It doesn’t matter if you have wall to wall carpet in your bedroom or a hard wood floor you can use a nice plush rug in your room.

You can use rugs in your bedroom in several different ways. You can use them to decorate your room. Find one with a certain style or color you are using. You can use a rug for comfort, and it is inexpensive. You can give your room an instant makeover if you use a rug.

If you need to redecorate a room but you don’t want to spend a lot of time and money on it try placing several area rugs down. You won’t believe how quickly you can make over a room. Make your room romantic or exotic, it’s your look. If you are going for exotic you will need to use a Persian rug. You can purchase a Persian rug in different sizes and colors, including runners.

Turn your bedroom into a Bedouin tent by throwing down some Persian rugs. Remember that you can place Persian rugs down on top of wall to wall carpeting or hardwood flooring. When you get tired of the look you can just roll up your rug and store it or you can add it to another room of your house.

If you are worried about washing and caring for your throw rugs, you can vacuum the rugs about once a week and send them to the dry cleaners for an occasional shampoo.

Always use slip guards if you are placing a rug down on hardwood flooring. This will keep you from slipping and falling down when you step on the rug a certain way.

There is no home decor law that stipulates how large or small area rugs should be; the choice is entirely your own. Small rugs can be used in a variety of different ways. Small rugs are usually used as stepping rugs when you enter a house or next to a sink.

Small Rugs in the Kitchen

Many people use small rugs in front of a kitchen sink. It is nice to have a rug in front of the kitchen sink in order to have something on which to stand when you are working at the sink. If you usually walk around the house bare-feet, you’ll see how good it feels to stand on a small rug when working at the kitchen sink.

Small Rugs in the Bathroom

Small rugs can also be placed in the bathroom. Depending on the size of your bathroom, you may choose to have several small rugs. You can use one that is outside of the tub so you have something soft and plush to put your feet on when you step out of the tub. A small rug outside the tub also helps you not track water all over the tile.

A small rug placed next to the sink can be very comfortable when you are grooming, especially if you are in your bare feet.

Small Rugs at the Entrance

Another use for a small rug is at the entrance way of any doors that lead to the outside so everyone can wipe their feet before entering the house. You can use a small rug just about anywhere that there is an outside door. It is often a good idea to have a welcome mat on the front steps and a small rug in the interior to make sure that people do not track in mud into the house.

If you have a patio door, you can also put a small rug in front of the door in order to catch footprints and dirt from shoes.

Small Rugs in the Bedroom

Another use for small rugs can be next to your bed. Imagine getting up in the morning and putting your feet on something soft and fluffy; like a flokati shag area rug. What a lovely feeling as you swing out of bed on a cold winter’s morning

Small Rugs Anywhere

You can use small rugs wherever there is traffic and you want to protect the carpeting, or wherever you want people to wipe their feet. There are many different uses for small rugs. They provide comfort for our feet, give us something to wipe our feet on when we come in from outside or get out of the tub. They feel good when we step on them when we are working against a sink or when we put our feet on them after getting out of bed.

Small rugs come in a variety of different styles, colors and even textures. You can get anything from small Persian rugs to small bathroom rugs that can get tossed into the wash. There are even novelty rugs that you can use to add a bit of decor to a room.

Small rugs are a great way to add beauty and comfort to your home without having to break the bank.

Persian rugs have a long history. These rugs have been around for thousands of years. Produced in Iran, this culture heavily relies on the weaving of Persian rugs as a part of their culture. In fact, owning a Persian rug is considered a prize possession.

The first tribe to weave a Persian rug was the Nomadic rug. These rugs were made from animal hair. The tribes used the rugs to keep their homes warm. Today several ancient rugs have been found in places like the tomb of an ancient ruler.

There are two distinct types of weavers in Iran. The tribal and village weavers create their rugs with designs that have been passed down for generations. The city weavers use a more modern technique. They use graph paper to draw out their designs. It’s the same size as the rug will be and they mark each space where they want a knot to be. After this, design is cut down into ten pieces. As the rug is woven, a master weaver reads the design as others create it.

When you compare Persian area rugs with other rugs you will find that the weaving, the design, and the coloring are the main differences. Some rugs are alike but the number is few. Although there are imitations out there if you have a true Persian rug it is priceless.

Purchasing a Persian rug is tricky. How do you know what is real? Buy from a dealer that has a good reputation. This is the only way you can be sure of what you are buying.

A Persian rug is not only beautiful to look at it is also a family heirloom that can be passed down. If the rug needs repaired try to find an expert in Persian rugs. These rugs are too valuable to trust it to just anyone.