When looking for the right rug, the following questions will help to direct the decision-making process.
Room traffic – heavy traffic areas need more durable rugs
Indoor or outdoor – some rugs are specially made to endure the elements
To create a focal point – brighter colours and busier designs draw the eye
To protect the floor – harder wearing fibres offer greater protection
To insulate a room and muffle sound – certain fibres offer better insulation than others
To add comfort underfoot – softer fibres are more comfortable to coarser ones
Entry-level to luxury – some rugs (e.g. hand-knotted) are more expensive than others (e.g. flat weave)
Current style – does the décor of the room require a specific kind of rug?
Color palette – what colours already exist in the intended space?
Jaipur uses the industry-standard Pantone TPX Color Tool for consistency throughout the manufacturing process. Working with hand processes, however, means that there can sometimes be variations in the way a rug’s colour is perceived.
Hand-made rugs are one-off pieces of functional art, and because each one is unique, there can be subtle variations in colour due to the natural fibres and dyes being used. Machine-made rugs are usually more consistent and accurate in their colour.
Some fibres are naturally more reflective than others, so rugs can appear lighter or darker in a photograph than they do in real life. Similarly, the lighting of the space where the rug will be used can affect the appearance of its colour. This is particularly true of fibres like viscose, where the natural sheen is more evident under brighter lighting conditions.
Colours can vary from screen to printed page to dyed fibre. So while Jaipur’s website and catalogue are great for getting a feel for a rug’s appearance, we recommend that actual rug samples be used to make a final decision.
Rug dyeing is a traditional art that allows artisans to create decorative effects. To obtain different colours, artisans use either natural dyes (derived from plants and naturally occurring mineral compounds) or synthetic dyes (the product of chemical processes). For both types, the process of dyeing is the same. First, the dye is added to boiling vats of water, followed by the yarn. The yarn is left in the boiling water until the desired colour is reached, after which it is removed from the vat and left to dry in the sun. Once it is completely dry, it is stored until it is needed by weavers.
Abrash/Antique is color variations sometimes seen in hand-made rugs and is caused by factors such as subtle differences in dye lots, wool ageing and raw material preparation. These are not seen as defects, but part of the character of the hand-made process and contributing factors to the individuality of each rug.
Before you start looking at rugs you need to measure the dimensions of your room to work out the approximate space you have for a rug and any constraints you have (door openings, etc.).
A small rug can make a room look small and its elements disconnected. When in doubt, go for a bigger size to help tie everything together.
Most interior designers will tell you to leave around 18 inches of bare floor around a rug to get the right proportions. For small spaces you can tweak this, however.
You’re allowed to bend the rules a bit when choosing a rug – they’re only guidelines after all. shed. These are either trimmed or untrimmed (or sometimes a combination of the two) to produce the required designs in a rug.
Shape | Size in ft | Size in cm | Ideal For |
---|---|---|---|
Rectangle | 3'x5'-4'x6' 5'x8'-6'x9' 75'-95' 8'x10'-9'x12' 10'x13'-12'x15' |
190x150-120x180cm 150x240-180x270cm 230x290cm 240x300-270x360cm 300x390-360x460cm |
Living Rooms Bedrooms Entryways Offices |
Square | 4'x4' 6'x6' 8'-8' 10'x10' |
120x120cm 180x180cm 230x290cm 240x240cm 300x300cm |
Living Rooms Dining Rooms |
Runner | 6'x8' 3'x12' |
180x240cm 90x360cm |
Bedrooms Hallways |
Circle | 4' 6' 8' 10' |
240cm 180cm 240cm 300cm |
Living Rooms Dining Rooms Entryways |
Oval | 6'x9' 8'x10' |
180x270cm 240x300cm |
Living Rooms Dining Rooms |
Octagon | 4' 6' 8' |
120cm 180cm 240cm |
Dining Rooms Entryways |
Semi-Circle | 2'x4' | 60x120cm | Entryways |
Kidney | 3'x5' 4'x6' |
90x150cm 120x180cm |
Living Rooms |
The fibre used to weave a rug affects the end look and feel of the finished product.It also has an impact on the durability of a rug, and the uses it’s suited for.
Rug Type | Texture | Durability | Moisture Resistance | Stain Resistance | Minimal Shedding | Sustainability |
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Wool | Medium | High | ![]() |
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Silk | Soft | Average | ![]() |
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Cotton | Soft | Average | ![]() |
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Viscose / Art Silk / Rayon | Soft | Low / Average | ![]() |
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Wool is the most common rug material and its durability extends generations. It is an incredibly resilient natural fiber that comes from the shearing of sheep (and sometimes other animals like alpacas, goats or llamas). The fibres are cleaned, segregated, carded and spun into yarn. It is graded by the length of individual hairs and where that hair comes from on the animal’s body. The best wool often comes from the neck, belly and sections under the legs of the sheep, where it tends to be finer, softer and longer. Climate and habitat also contribute to the quality of wool, and most of Jaipur’s stock is sourced from India and New Zealand.
The carding and spinning can be done by hand or machine. Machine carded and spun makes even and thinner fibres that are less durable, while hand-carded and hand-spun make uneven, but durable yarn and gives better character to the finished rug.
It gives a classic matt look, and texture varies from source to source. Blends are made to create the desired texture, durability and costing.
Wool absorbs moisture and dust, keeps the room safe from allergens and is even fire resistant!
Silk is considered one of the finest material for a rug, famously associated with royalty. It is a natural protein fibre harvested from the cocoons of cultivated or wild silkworms.
It is used for intricate detailing since the fibres are even and thin, requiring great skill to weave and is most desirable for its aesthetic and legendary softness. Silk rugs are maintained as collectibles for their high value, and are recommended to be used more as décor, perhaps even as wall art, as it withers easily if kept in high traffic areas.
Cotton is the most trusted and commonly used fabric. It comes from a fluffy, plant-based fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant. It is used in flatweaves like dhurries and kilims, making it a flexible choice of décor that can be used and stored easily. Cotton breathes, is washable and can be used either indoor or outdoor.
Bamboo Silk is a blend of wood pulp and natural fibres extracted from the bamboo plant. It mimics the look and feel of silk and is considered its cost effective substitute. Viscose creates a visual effect on carpets as the tips of the fibres have a shine compared to its length. It also possesses anti-microbial properties, making the home a healthier place with a cost-effective rug.
These rough and coarse plant fibres are becoming more and more popular as a banner for the eco-friendly. Its colours are earthy, texture is rich and is a perfect choice for high traffic areas. The best place to use it is at the indoor-outdoor transition.