What is a natural rug? A natural rug is one that is made from any one of a variety of natural materials. This can include materials from silk to jute. The latest wave in area rug fashion, though, is to go green. To think ecologically savvy.

A key component of thinking ecologically is to choose rugs made from materials that rapidly renew themselves. For those wanting traditional carpets, this is best accomplished through wool and bamboo area rugs.

Wool

Sheep are constantly re-growing their wool coats. There is no shortage of sheep and the shearing of the wool is humane and even necessary to the animal. Wool rugs last a very long time and have a nice feel to them. You can get wool rugs in all your favorite designs, from oriental to modern. You will find that the wool rugs cost a bit more than the many synthetics on the market, but will keep as a family heirloom.

Bamboo

Bamboo is another rapidly renewing product. The longest growing period to harvest bamboo is just under nine months and the bamboo plant is quite prolific. Soft bamboo rugs are a recent development to the market in mass quantities. Bamboo area rugs are constructed out of micro fibers and have an incredibly and surprisingly soft hand. You will still have a harder time finding these on the market, but they are out there hiding in the specialty stores.

You can also find bamboo rugs that are not woven into soft thread first. They are merely cut into strips and woven into mats. These are more common to find and the material is more durable than hardwood flooring. They give a distinct Asian or modern touch to any room.

Jute

Jute area rugs are another plant fiber that is woven into threads to create rugs. The difference between jute and bamboo is that you will find that the jute rugs have a rougher touch. Because of this, they are commonly used as doormats, but as of lately, have become more suitable for other areas of the home. You can find them now in flat or loop construction, some even with printed designs or dyed a variety of natural colors. While I would not recommend placing a jute rug in a room you plan on lying frequently on the area rug, jute makes a great addition inside the home.

Seagrass

Seagrass area rugs, due to its durability and affordability, have become one of the most popular rugs constructed from plant fibers. This rug material has a natural stain resistance and repels liquids. Due to the natural resistance to liquids, seagrass area rugs come in natural form only but can tout to being hyper allergenic for all those sensitive to the indoor environment.

Sisal

The sisal rugs on the market today are easy to clean and durable similar to the jute rug. These are great in entries as walk off mats as they do not show grime easily, and when it is time for cleaning, a simple vacuum will clean a sisal rug better than your wall-to-wall carpeting. For harder stains, just take it out side and beat it, scrub with a mild detergent, and hang it out to bake in the sun till dry.

Natural rugs have become an integral part in the Greening of any home. For all natural fiber rugs, do ensure that when they are wet that they are dried completely so that the do not mildew, smell, or adapt a light water stain.

The fun in decorating a room is making the style choices that enhance the decor’s theme. That’s where fabulous area rugs come in. Have you ever seen a work of art that pulls together a room’s decor with such functional versatility?

Consider some of these most familiar types of area rugs for home decorating.

Persian Rugs are famous for elaborate designs in bright colors. Their designs usually fall into one of three categories: geometric, floral or pictorial. Contrary to commonly held beliefs, Persian rugs and Oriental rugs are not the same. A Persian rug design differs depending on the region in which it’s made, or by the artist who makes it. An authentic Persian rug is made in one of the regions formerly a part of the ancient Persian Empire, parts of modern day Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. Persian area rugs also age magnificently, one of the many reasons they’re often passed down generations as treasured heirlooms. In fact, many people believe that a Persian rug doesn’t reach its best condition until 30 to 40 years after it’s made.

Oriental Rugs originally were hand-woven in China. Today they’re made in Iran, India and Romania as well as China, thanks to low labor costs in these regions that keep these rugs affordable while at the same time maintaining traditional quality. Quality Oriental rugs hold up well in high-traffic areas because of their excellent durability and resiliency. The most expensive Oriental area rugs are made of silk, while the more affordable area rugs of this kind are made of wool.

Tibetan Rugs come in two designs: traditional, which employs a square "tiger" pattern, and contemporary, which uses geometric designs. Tibetans have woven rugs for centuries, but much of production moved to neighboring Nepal in the late 1950s after the country’s political takeover by China. Many Tibetans moved to the Katmandu valley of Nepal, bringing their rug trade with them. By the 1980s, Tibetan rug making had become Nepal’s second most important industry. Historically Tibetans have used their rugs as meditation mats, bedding and saddle blankets.

Transitional Rugs is a term used to describe a wide variety of area rug designs falling between the Oriental and Persian traditions and Contemporary Rugs. Transitional rugs are among the most versatile area rugs, because they usually fit in with any home decor. Examples of this rug style include designs that focus on flower and plant patterns.

Contemporary Rugs are noted for vivid colors and unusual shapes. This type frequently can be a custom-designed area rug, created to fit an oddly-shaped room or in colors or designs that match upholstery, wallpaper or room colors. Contemporary rugs also can be one-of-a-kind creations fashioned from the artist’s or rug maker’s imagination.

Flokati Rugs have been hand-woven in Greece for centuries. They’re made from sheep’s wool, which gives them a three-to-four-inch-deep pile. Flokati rugs originated with Greek shepherds, who used them as beds and clothes as well as floor coverings. This type of area rug often is used when a Mediterranean or casual look is desired. Flokati rugs have a big advantage when it comes to care: They can be cleaned in several ways, including being washed in commercial-sized washers.

Braided Rugs are among the most popular area rugs. They originated in the early 1700s in Colonial America, specifically in the traditionally conservative "Yankee" region of New England. Colonists needed something to cover the rough, cold floors of their homes and cabins. They braided together yarn or pieces of fabric into strips and then they sewed the strips together into a round or oval shape. This functional need later evolved into an art form. Because of their eclectic materials, braided rugs are often quite colorful, making them a versatile area rug for a country or Arts and Crafts decor.

Clearly, there’s a style of area rug to complement any decorating scheme.