rug 101

Rug Material Guide – How to choose the right rug material

• 31 August 2019
• |
• 7 Min Read
• |
• By Jaipur Rugs

Looking for a rug? Check out what type of rug material is best for your home. Our rug material guide gives you all the information you need to know.

Carpets and rugs are perfect anchors to the design of your living space. For the most part – between figuring out the right sizes, colors, and styles – textures are often overlooked, but this feature holds the key to creating a modern, liveable space. To help you decide on the best types of rug material for carpets for your home, here are the many different materials in the world of Jaipur Rugs and when to use them. 

Each handmade rug is a unique work of art. So, you are essentially bringing home a home décor product and an art piece you can walk on. Of all kinds of rugs, handmade ones, especially hand-knotted ones, are the most durable. Like the art form, these rugs can be passed down through generations. Most handmade rugs end up as family heirlooms that several generations cherish.  The world of handmade rugs is vast. To simplify things, one can put handmade rugs in four broad categories. Hand-knotted, hand-tufted, flatweave, and handloom are the four types of handmade carpets that you can get for your home. Jaipur Rugs has many designs, from modern, traditional, and contemporary to eclectic handmade rugs. 
This blog will help tell you how to choose a rug material wisely. 

Cozy wool rugs

As a naturally stain-resistant material, wool is the most common and classic choice for homes. It is generally the best material for rugs. It’s soft, durable, easy to clean, and can add an element of tranquillity and coziness. Wool is the best carpet for living room and dining rooms or areas with high traffic but is subject to shedding and fading over time. Although it doesn’t fare as well in humid places, wool is the best rug material for sound absorption and insulation. For rooms that commit to comfort, pieces from the Jaipur Rugs’ Genesis collection are full of visual interests that spark ideas. 

Wool runner Rugs - Wool rugs are sturdy and long-lasting, making them great options for hallways and entryways. They are equally good for kitchen, bathroom, or even bedroom rugs beside the bed. Wool rugs can help you forge a soft path in any part of the house. A wool carpet paired with the right rug pad is the best décor fixture for any setting.

Large Wool Rugs – Put a large wool carpets under your bed and make the day's first steps soft and luxurious. Spaces like the bedroom and living rooms are ideal for placing a large wool rug to make them cozy and elegant at the same time. Wool rugs are long-lasting and durable, so they will last you for ages. We suggest you buy the biggest size possible and give a new dimension to your home décor. The great thing about wool rugs is that some styles and patterns are available. You can go for geomatic patterns, florals, abstract or traditional designs. You name it, and the style is available on wool rugs. Oriental designs look stunning in wool rugs as this is the material that has been used for centuries to create 

One of the finest carpets is made with hand-spun and hand-carded wool. When this kind of wool is dyed, it gives a beautiful, unique effect called the abrash effect.

Exquisite silk rugs

Silk is the pinnacle of luxury thanks to its soft, delicate quality, low durability, and high maintenance. It is the best rug material for high-end carpets. Like carpets and rugs, this material has a subtle, satiny sheen and allows exceptionally intricate details to show. Silk works as a decorative element in low-traffic areas such as the bedroom. Intertwine your home décor with personality using pieces like the Chalk Ki Dabbi for a wonderfully colorful and unconventional uplift.

Soft and affordable cotton rugs

Cotton rugs provide a soft underfoot and are easily the most popular choice for living and common rooms. While they aren’t as plush or durable as wool, they are affordable, comfortable, and easy to clean. Cotton carpets and rugs come in various weave styles, patterns, colors, shapes, and sizes. Cotton is one of the many types of rug material. The Jaipur Rugs in Deep Claret and White perfectly match any contemporary home.

Animal hide rugs

Hides like leather and sheepskin are exquisitely plush. Animal hides are a chic choice as a stylistic statement, ideal for draping over the back of a chair or used as a rug for extra warmth and comfort in low-traffic and low-humidity areas like bedrooms or offices. They’re typically available in natural hide form, color, and various sizes. 

Naturally rustic rugs

Jute, Sisal, and Seagrass are natural rug materials with a very soft finish with a muted, lustrous sheen. They’re versatile, durable, and natural and are handwoven or loomed in various techniques to give it its signature coarse texture. These materials are highly absorbent and can shrink or expand with changes in humidity. Jute, sisal, and seagrass rugs are an understated statement that works best for high-traffic, low-humidity indoor areas such as the living room. Invite nature into your space with our Amillo Jute Rug in Cream – a textural dream of style and ambiance.

Given the somber mood everywhere, people take stock of their choices more deeply. The trend is moving towards more natural living, and the home is the first place where the trend is starting to reflect. Rugs made using wool, silk, cotton, jute, and sisal have been around for centuries, and as people grow more environmentally conscious, these rugs are making a comeback. Usually, natural fire rugs are more expensive than synthetic ones. However, they are also sturdy and feel great under the feet. Project Error, Tattvam, Chaos Theory, and Hidden collections at Jaipur Rugs offer natural fiber rugs.

Manmade rugs

Synthetic rug materials like viscose, nylon, polyester, and polypropylene mimic the look and feel of natural materials. These human-made materials are affordable, durable, workable, easy to clean, and stain-resistant but may degrade over time and can harm the environment. Complement grandiose interiors with Jaipur Rugs’ elegant Mezcla in Marine Blue and Liquorice, a mesmerizing oceanic design, or add fun with Mixology in White and Blue.

The rug's material is crucial in helping you decide your rug budget. Wool is traditionally a widely used material for carpets. Its durability, stain-resistant properties, and versatility make it a great choice for any room. Wool rugs are moderately expensive. Cotton, jute, sisal, and hemp are other inexpensive rug materials that you can go for. Bamboo silk is a great alternative to silk and a sustainable material that can be paired with wool. Obviously, silk is the most expensive material for rugs. Silk rugs will always be one of the most premium in any collection.

Also, it is essential to remember that the back of the carpet can be a little rough sometimes. Area rugs for hardwood floors and a rug pad are the go-to solutions to avoid scratches. One of the most important functions of a rug pad is safety. The rug pad enhances the grip of the carpet and stops it from moving or slipping. Having kids and old people in your house will give you a lot of mental peace, knowing they will not tumble and fall. There are all kinds of rug pads available in the market. Most good carpet pads should last you between three to four years or even longer, but changing them in four years is recommended. Do not be swayed by the price points. A more expensive rug pad will not necessarily be the better choice. Most rug pads are made of either jute, felt, rubber, or a combination of these materials for grip. It's best to choose a rug pad that is more effective but not expensive. The key to choosing the right rug pad is ensuring its functionality is your top priority rather than its cost. A good rug pad will keep your rug exactly where it intends to remain and provide cushioning.

FAQ's

What material is a rug made of?

Rugs can be made from wool, silk, bamboo silk, viscose, polyester, and cotton. Choose the material according to your needs.

What is the best fabric for a rug?

Rugs are one of the most common pieces of furniture in any house. Rugs come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. They are available for every interest or budget imaginable. If you're still debating which fabric to choose for your new rug, this blog post will help you with some smart advice on what fabric is best for a rug.

What rug material to avoid?

Choosing a rug material can be a tricky choice. With so many factors to consider, it's no wonder people often use the same material for years. One factor that determines the look and feel of your rug is what type of material is used in its construction. When considering which rug to purchase, you should avoid some materials: wool, nylon, or synthetic fibers (polyester).