Beautiful Rooms and Protected Flooring With an Area Rug

Any interior decorator will tell you that there are a few design additions that do more for a room than adding an area rug alongside stone, hardwood, tile or laminate flooring. They are great for creating contrasts in texture and color in your living spaces. Adding an area rug also cuts down on the wear and tear on your original flooring, especially in high traffic areas that otherwise will need a lot of cleaning.

Area Rug Types

That's a tough question to answer. The truth is there are so many rug materials and styles on the market, that it almost always comes down to individual taste and needs. Here is a list of the most popular area rug styles and why they might be the right choice for you.

Sisal Rug

Sisal is an all-natural fiber garnished from the sisal plant. It's tougher and more durable than flax, jute, and even hemp, making it ideal for rug material. In fact, it's, been used for such a purpose for thousands of years. A sisal rug is a woven style area rug and is usually a natural, light brown or greenish hue in color. Of course, they can be bleached or dyed, and ore often fitted with canvas or leather border. Simply vacuuming it on a regular basis is enough to keep it clean.

Oriental Rug

The term "oriental rug" generally refers to think, ornate wool rugs with intricate dyed designs. Persian rugs are perhaps the most popular oriental rug style with mid-eastern designs and a thick, warm feel. Of course, there are more contemporary oriental rugs out there. Everything from abstract dye patterns to country western motifs are available to match any home design. You have to be very careful with the oriental rugs when it comes to cleaning. It's not a good idea to try DIY and you better get help from experienced carpet cleaners to prevent any damage to the material and its colors.

Bamboo Rug

Bamboo rugs come in many styles, including matchstick, woven fiber, and wider slat bamboo designs.Add to that a number of available color choices, possible border materials and even paint on design, and it's clear why these rugs are surging in popularity. Also, bamboo is a "green" manufacturing material, since it can be grown on plantations and harvested evey few years without killing the plant. All that makes the bamboo rugs an environmentally friendly choice. Regular vacuuming is enough for maintenance.

Seagrass and Mountaingrass Rug

Like sisal, both mountaingrass and seagrass rigs are made by weaving fibrous plant material to create natural looking, durable woven rugs and mats. Seagrass is hard to beat when it comes to looks and price, but isn't the mest material for stairs, as it's slipery. Also, it can develop mold and mildew issues in every humid areas. Mountaingrass is often reffered to as hemp in the rug industry and is excellent, attractive and tough material, suitable for just about any use ot space.

Of course, there are other types of area rugs out there for you to choose from, such as shag rugs and outdoor vynil rugs. If you are looking for ways to both beautify and protect your home flooring, talk to an interior decorator to get even more ideas. An area rug is a great jumping off point, but the wealth of other possibilities, from window treatments to floor finishing options are virtually endless.