A rug is material used to cover a specific area of floor space in a room. Area rugs are used to dress a particular area of the floor and add a distinct style to the room, for decoration. The rugs could be in a single color, Indian durries or hand made area rugs. They are fashion statements that set apart certain furniture from the rest of the room. The rugs add to the desired look of the room and improve furniture arrangement.
Area rugs are used to highlight portions of the room and draw focus to specific interior decoration. Handmade area rugs add to the mood and ambience of the room by blending with the various colors and shapes present. It is important to know the effect of the various colors used in these rugs. The light colors are known to bring out the color and size of the furniture, whereas darker colors make the room cozier, inviting and warmer. It is also advisable to choose a rug whose primary colors match the color of the walls.
Area rugs are available in a variety of materials, textures and shapes and colors. These can range in size from 24 inches to 10 feet and can be bought in accordance to the purpose they are expected to serve and the area that is to be covered by the rug. Area rugs are attractive and brilliant decorative creations.
Handmade rugs stand apart from the regular synthetic rugs freely available. These beautifully crafted hand rugs are authentic works of art. It is seen that most handmade area rugs are made from fine quality wool. They are found to be capable of handling the strains of regular use and cleanings. These area rugs usually have a density of more than 750 knots per square inch.
Area Rugs provides detailed information on Area Rugs, Discount Area Rugs, Cheap Area Rugs, Contemporary Area Rugs and more. Area Rugs is affiliated with Contemporary Wool Rugs.
Handmade Area Rugs
Area Rugs and Flooring -- Two Newly Green Giants
Over the years, a debate has taken place in the flooring industry over the impact its products have on the environment. In 2003, a group of industry researches and technical specialists met at the University of North Carolina to examine the science with regard to the positive or negative attributes of materials found in products like carpeting, area rugs and linoleum.
The panel looked at hundreds of studies in relation to how carpet and non-carpet materials contribute to environmental quality and whether there's a significant concern with toxic substances and allergens alleged to have commonly been found.
The intention of the researchers was to try and settle years of anecdotal evidence and set an industry standard to help buyers and sellers of flooring products. A good portion of the information reviewed came from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Health Science Libraries, and other previously published industry experts.
A review of all of the literature led to one major conclusion: materials found in flooring "play a significant role to the quality of life indoors." It contributes to healthy design factors, safety, aesthetics, climate control, ergonomics and physical comfort. When maintained properly, carpeting and area rugs are not at all risks to public health.
While the group's conclusion was great news for the industry and the public, it's still necessary to examine flooring's impact on the whole environment, including the part played by rugs and flooring made from natural materials.
Decorating Like Darwin: By Natural Selection
With so many types of area rugs available today, it's hard enough to make a style selection, let alone having to take health and environmental concerns into account. Keeping rugs clean and in good condition will go a long way in alleviating any concerns. Area rugs do have material differences, though. Here's a quick look at natural fiber rugs and other natural flooring:
WOOL RUGS
Water, water everywhere, so keep it away from wool. Water is one of the biggest enemies of wool rugs. Wool, popular in Oriental rugs, has a high moisture regain and is susceptible to microorganism attack. That may sound like the bad plot to a Hollywood horror film or an episode of Fear Factor. Nevertheless, keep something that requires water, like potted plants, off of wool rugs.
Water aside, wool's long, coarse fibers have the ability to maintain indoor air quality and, unlike synthetic fibers, can absorb indoor contaminants. Since discarded carpet accounts for a tremendous amount of waste – 4.7 billion pounds in 2002 according to the EPA – any rug that lasts longer, like a hand-knotted wool rug, is going to get the seal of approval from the Green Party.
JUTE RUGS
Once used primarily as carpet backing, Jute has made it to the big time. As a full-fledged member of the area rug and carpet family, Jute, which ranges from light tans to browns, is one of the finest and softest of natural floor covering materials.
Composed mainly of plant materials, Jute is a rainy season crop that grows best in warm, humid climates like parts of China and India. While it may grow in rainy weather, the Jute rug won't stand up to areas with high moisture levels. Unlike wool, jute is resistant to microorganisms, but the material will in fact deteriorate rapidly when exposed to moisture.
BAMBOO RUGS
Gilligan's Island no longer corners the market on bamboo flooring. You don't need to live in a hut to use this material.
Bamboo, which is also a trend in cutting boards and hardwood floors, has become a popular option for area rugs. And its environmental friendliness is obvious. No trees to cut down, no waste. Bamboo is technically a grass, and moreover a highly renewable resource. Maturing in less than six years, bamboo is harvested over and over from the same plants. Its strength combined with a natural beauty can add a contemporary touch to any living space.
SEAGRASS RUGS
Seagrass is not something you may have thought was illegal. You can't grow it in your backyard, but it does look great in the house. Created from tropical grass mainly imported from China, Seagrass, which only comes in a natural organic green color, is smooth to the touch and extremely durable and stain resistant.
SISAL RUGS
Sisal is another natural fiber that has recently gained popularity among designers. The material is derived from a cactus plant, grown in semi-arid regions liked Brazil and Africa.
Sisal is stronger and more durable than other natural fibers, making its staying power ultra-environment friendly. Water is not Sisal's friend, either. The rug should never be used in the bathroom or other moist areas of the house.
CORK FLOORING
Now you may be thinking how a rug is made from cork? Well, it's not. Cork has been slipped in to this discussion simply because it can be considered a cousin in the natural fiber family. Used as durable hardwood-type flooring, the cork tree is the only one whose bark can regenerate itself after harvest without damaging the tree or the environment. The tree is never killed or cut down and can produce bark for centuries. Furthermore, almost all of its harvested materials are put to use.
Cork is known for its sound environmental policy, and when feet hit the floor, it's known for its durability. Cork may seem elastic when compared to wood, but its "natural memory ability" and resistance to liquid penetration can make it an attractive alternative.
LINOLEUM FLOORING
This is no joke. Linoleum is back. So break out the disco ball and platform shoes. Vinyl nearly sent linoleum to the flooring scrap yard, but just like bell-bottoms, linoleum is making a comeback. It's contemporary and gets the green seal. While vinyl is synthetic and petroleum-based, linoleum is made entirely of natural materials, linseed oil being the main ingredient.
The resurgence of natural and retro products is behind linoleum's rebirth. As a natural product, linoleum can be recycled and is hypoallergenic, which benefits those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Linoleum also contains antibacterial properties that help stop the growth of microorganisms.
About the author:
Based in Los Angeles, Ron Neal is a free-lance writer, editor and owner of Writemind Media. With more than 20 years of experience, including six at the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Neal has produced and edited hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects, including flooring, home improvement and area rugs of all kinds, including braided and sisal rugs.
Area Rugs Online
If you want to update the look and ambience of your home and office, you might want to consider buying area rugs.
Rugs create a warm and inviting space in any room, providing style, comfort and ambience with minimal effort. Popular choices of carpet and rugs in America are those made from natural Oriental materials such as seagrass, sisal and jute. These materials are appealing since they are affordable, sturdy and easy to maintain.
There are online stores that sell area rugs, offering designer quality at an affordable price. Choose from Persian, Oriental or modern materials. There are a variety of patterns and designs with a large array of pleasing colors available. Custom-made rugs can also be purchased online.
Area and accent rugs are the top choice of interior decorators to lend a casual and relaxed aura to a space. Popular fibers that are used come from plants that grow in Brazil, Africa, Asia and Mexico.
The use of natural fibers in flooring, such as area rugs, provides a modern appeal to your home. There are various area rug options to fit your particular needs.
You can choose from a vast array of mountain grass rugs or other natural materials for your rugs. They come in all sizes and shapes for each area in your home. You may place them in the bedroom, sitting area and kitchen to add style and class. There are also various shapes of rugs to choose from oval, round, rectangular and rug runners.
Before deciding on the area rug that is perfect for your home, consider its price and durability. Consult the Internet for a list of online stores that sell high-quality affordable area rugs.
Area Rugs provides detailed information on Area Rugs, Discount Area Rugs, Cheap Area Rugs, Contemporary Area Rugs and more. Area Rugs is affiliated with Contemporary Wool Rugs.
Asian Area Rugs
A lot of people make use of Asian design to decorate their dwelling places. The Oriental designs are considered exotic and interesting. Thus, Asian carpets and rugs are popular choices.
Many of these Asian rugs are expensive because they are handcrafted. The price of a high-quality Asian rug can even go up to thousands of dollars since it takes a long time to create these rugs. Only a few people have handmade and authentic Asian rugs. Most people buy mass-produced Asian rugs, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. They are inferior to the real handcrafted Asian rugs that can last for many years because of their unique knotting process.
What determines the beauty of the carpet is the quality of yarn used. The warp consists of a set of yarns tightly held on a loom, while the weft is a yarn that is cross-wise and weaved between the warp yarns. A row of knots forms the pile. The knot is secured by placing yarn into the weave and wrapping it around sets of warps.
The piles determine the design, colors and patterns. This is the reason why Asian carpets that are really two-dimensional look three-dimensional. The knot type also determines the design. Asian carpets usually use two types of knots, namely the Turkish knot and Persian knot. The field and border patterns in handmade Asian rugs are the result of the repeated design of these knots.
Vacuuming regularly helps rugs retain their beauty and extend their use. Remember to clean spills at once. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, clean the spot with a non-bleach dishwashing soap, then rinse with water and finally blot dry. Do not dry clean or bleach to clean the rug; instead, use the professional method of extracting hot water.
Area Rugs provides detailed information on Area Rugs, Discount Area Rugs, Cheap Area Rugs, Contemporary Area Rugs and more. Area Rugs is affiliated with Contemporary Wool Rugs.
Rustic Area Rugs
Area rugs are used to add grace and charm to a room. They are expected to be sturdy enough to bear daily cleaning and usage. The color of the rug should match the wall color to enhance the overall effect and ambience of the room. Rustic area rugs have motifs and designs that are typically rustic. These are a necessary buy in case the homeowner has a rustic theme layout in any room.
Rustic area rugs are a must when decorating a cabin in the woods, a cottage or a vacation retreat. These rugs add to the soul of the room and enhance the rustic charm. It is possible to match the design and motif of the rugs to the lamps in the room. The projection of the light from the lamps onto specific motifs of the rugs can bring about the desired rustic effect in the room.
Rustic area rugs feature images of moose, bears, cabins and pinecones among other outdoor themes. These rugs come in a variety of products that are versatile, comfortable and at the same time practical. It is also possible to customize the rugs, to suit the taste of individual buyers. There are many manufacturers who come up with new designs and motifs on a regular basis. They provide the customer with a variety of designs as well as texture. The large cabin area rugs can be effectively used under dining or kitchen tables. They can serve as the main carpet in the living room or office too. Rustic rugs are manufactured as braided rugs or hooked wool rugs, with wildlife designs and motifs on them.
The rustic area rugs are created to transport the buyer into the realm of thick forests and timberland, with abundant wildlife. The rustic rugs work wonders in outdoor arrangements.
Area Rugs provides detailed information on Area Rugs, Discount Area Rugs, Cheap Area Rugs, Contemporary Area Rugs and more. Area Rugs is affiliated with Contemporary Wool Rugs.
