Shopping for Sisal Rugs

Sisal Rug by Chandra Rugs

Sisal rugs are made of sisal fibers that come from a cactus plant known as Agave sisalana. Agave sisalana thrives in Africa and Brazil. This fibrous plant grows two to three feet every year and is stronger than other types of fibers including jute, hemp, and flax. It has long been cultivated and used to make area rugs and floor coverings for centuries.

Most sisal rugs come in its natural color. Rug manufacturers also produce colored and patterned sisal rugs for decorative purposes. This type of rug is highly versatile. It has anti-static properties, absorbs sound, resists fire, and is resilient and durable. However, exposure to water and moisture rapidly weakens the fibers of a sisal rug and would eventually shorten its life. That is why a conventional sisal rug is preferably used indoors and away from kitchen and bathroom areas.

Simple maintenance and immediate attention will lengthen the life of your decorative sisal rug. Use a vacuum cleaner regularly to eliminate dust and dirt that have piled up due to traffic. It is also advisable to rotate the position of the rug at least once or twice a year to level the surface of the rug. In case of spills or stains, clean it immediately once it occurs. Wipe it starting from the outer side going to the center of the stain. Avoid soaking the rug because it will leave watermarks on it. Otherwise, call a professional carpet cleaner to do these things for you.

When choosing a sisal rug for your home, determine where you are going put it. Do you want it mounted on the wall or on the floor in your hallway? Genuine sisal rugs are made of 100% sisal fiber while a crossbreed sisal rug is usually a combination of 60% sisal fiber and 40% wool. This hybrid sisal rug is softer, warmer, and still highly durable. Back lining is another consideration when buying a sisal rug. Backings for rugs vary from felt to natural latex though some natural fiber rugs have no backings at all. A standard sisal rug should have natural latex backing for support and motion control. It also prevents dirt and dust from getting through the entire rug.

Buying a sisal rug from an online store is a better practical solution compared to going from one local carpet store to the next. Since there are many furniture websites offering affordable sisal rugs, it is hard to know which one offers the best product at reasonable prices and guarantees customer satisfaction. Be sure to check for huge discounts for volume orders, free shipping, and no sales taxes when ordering online.

Affordable sisal rugs make a practical solution for your interior home decorating needs. You can enjoy your money’s worth for as long as you are able to take good care of it. Whether you are decorating a living room, dining room, hallway, or a playroom, a stylish sisal rug will help you achieve a natural look.

Silk Rug Shopping Guide

Buying silk rugs or silk carpets is similar to making an investment. This type of rug is generally more expensive than other rugs. The price of a silk rug varies according to origin, design, and the manner it was made. Therefore, it is very helpful to know some facts about silk rugs before finally making a purchase.

Famous and high quality silk rugs are made in China, Persia, Turkey, and India. Chinese silk rugs can feature designs influenced by Buddhism and Taoism. Chinese symbols like yin, yang, and dragons are usually a part of their overall design. Persian rugs carry nature-themed designs; hence, they are more decorative and colorful. Turkish rugs, though very similar to Persian rugs, usually have a more human oriented theme. Kashmir rugs from India are characterized by a tighter and very fine weave.

Workmanship greatly contributes to the total value of a silk rug. Machine-made silk rugs are less expensive and are available in several designs. However, they are usually less durable. Hand-woven silk rugs are more expensive due to the high cost of manual labor. Usually, it would take 6,480 hours for a skilled weaver to finish a 9 X 12 foot area rug. Handmade silk rugs are custom-made which makes every design unique and original even if the pattern is repeated. These rugs tend to last longer than machine-made ones. They could even last for generations especially if they are well-maintained.

Before shopping for a silk rug, it is always good to decide your purpose for buying the rug. Will you be mounting it as wall art or will you use it as a floor covering in your hallway? How you are going to use your rug will determine the size that you need. Living rooms and dining rooms usually require larger area rugs than narrow hallways.

You must also take note that silk area rugs are not suitable for high traffic areas. If you are planning to get a silk rug for your hallway, you might want to get a more durable rug such as a sisal rug or a wool rug. However, if you really want to have a silk rug in your hallway, make sure to shift the position of your rug every six months or once a year to keep the piles in good form. Silk rugs are also prone to stains. Since silk rugs are very delicate, you might want to get a trusted professional cleaner to do the cleaning for you.

If you want to have the best quality silk rugs, you have to find a reputable store. A good rug store has long years of experience in the rug business, knowledgeable staff, excellent customer service, and usually doesn’t misrepresent artificial silk for real silk. If you are a first time buyer, try to consult with more experienced buyers. Try to conduct your own research as well. A lot of online stores offer quality silk rugs with reduced prices and free shipment.

Contemporary Rugs Shopping Guide - Helpful Tips When Shopping for Contemporary Rugs

With the abundance of rugs available in the market, it is often confusing to pick out a contemporary rug that fits your home design. If you have a contemporary themed home, it will be hard to pick out a rug if you don’t know what a contemporary rug looks like.

Contemporary rugs are usually distinguished by designs using pastel colors or collage patterns. The lines and shapes are a lot less complicated compared to traditional designs which are rather intricate. Some motifs are as plain as squares or circles and some have unique colors and patterns.

The versatility of contemporary rugs makes them perfect finishing touches for your living room, bedroom, dining room, entryway, or even in your kitchen. You can use contemporary rugs to soften the appearance of your stone or wooden floors. Having the right contemporary rug can help you achieve a truly exceptional and charming contemporary home decor. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you choose the right rug for your home.

Measure Your Floor Space - Before making your way to the rug store or filling out an order form, you must make sure that you have the right size. Measure your room first. The most common sizes for area rugs are 4’ x 6’ or 6’ x 9’. You can also find sizes ranging from 8’ x 11’ upwards. This is good for large rooms or halls. If you have a small dining room or kitchen, be careful not to choose a size that is too big.

When choosing your rug size, it is best to choose one that will fit in two or more directions. You may need this if you are considering rearranging your rug or furniture in the future.

Choose The Right Color - Your overall room design can help you determine what color of rug you should purchase. A lighter shade will make your room more spacious whereas a darker color will make your room look warmer and cozier. If your room is quite small, you might want to buy a lighter colored rug to brighten it up. Bright rooms would need a darker rug color to tone them down. Areas that have a lot of traffic such as halls and foyers might require a darker rug shade since dirt shows up easier on lighter rugs.

Your rug should complement the color of your furniture and other accessories. As much as possible, choose a rug that blends with the overall color and pattern of your home design.

Consider Your Design - Your rugs should fit the style of your room. Contemporary rugs may seem fun and stylish, but if you have an old-fashioned or colonial theme, they may produce quite an awkward touch to your room. Contemporary rugs work best with modern or minimalist designs. However, a lot of rug manufacturers are now mixing traditional art with contemporary design to make them more fitting in a traditional setting.

Check for Durability - When you shop for rugs, it is always wise to choose one that will last. Look for the ones with denser piles - they are more durable. Denser piles mean that the fibers are more closely knitted together.

Contemporary rugs typically have fringes. You may also want to check the fringes of your rug. See if they are sewn properly and tightly, otherwise they will untangle easily.

Machine-made rugs are a lot less durable than hand-made ones. To check if a rug is hand-made, simply look at the back. If the pattern is not as clearly seen as on the face, then it is definitely not hand-made.

Synthetic and natural rugs also have a lot of difference when it comes to quality and durability. Synthetic fibers are usually a lot stronger than natural fibers, and are generally stain resistant. Natural fibers, on the other hand, are softer and more environmentally friendly.

Account for Practical Restraints - Your home setting is also a great factor in choosing the perfect rug for your home. Having kids or dogs can make a big difference in your choice. Since kids or dogs can be a bit messy, you may want to consider buying rugs that are darker and are resistant to stains. Choosing a more durable rug will also help you get a longer lasting covering for your floor.

It is also good to consider how much traffic the area gets. If there’s a lot of traffic, you better get a more durable rug.

Having a basic knowledge on the various qualities that a contemporary rug should possess will help you in your quest to buy the perfect rug. A lot of websites offer more tips and guides in choosing the right type of contemporary rug. It is always good to do a little research. Compare prices and designs as you shop to help you identify the best rug for your home. If you have decided which rug to purchase, don’t hesitate to ask questions from the customer service agent or the sales personnel. Inquiring how to properly care and maintain your rug will help you get longer-lasting style in your home. Some online rug stores provide rug care guides to help you maintain the quality.