Area Rug Manufacturing & Materials

Area rugs are a fantastic resource for putting the finishing touches on a beautiful interior design, whether they serve as the centerpiece of a color scheme or simply a complimentary background accent to other decor elements. By strategically employing an elegant and stylish area rug, a room can be transformed from a modern to more traditional look, from otherwise bland to bold, and from otherwise contemporary to classic in appearance. Choosing the right type of area rug however, requires a keen eye, and it also helps to know a little bit about their background and process of manufacture.

Origination of area rugs

Area rugs have been a staple of interior designs since antiquity. In addition to decoration, they have classically been used for protective and practical purposes, by providing comfort and warmth in cold climates and protecting from sharp rocks or thorns in tropical areas. Crafted from different natural materials, the most primitive of variations focused on plants, reeds, or animal skins. The popularity of these floor coverings has kept growing throughout history and eventually led to mass production in the post industrial age.

Material options

Modern area rugs are available in a variety of materials, which determine their design, durability, and price. The best and most traditional option is wool as it is colorfast, resilient, and strong. This material has been using for centuries in many countries. Silk is also very common as it can allow for vibrant and rich tones when dyed. Cotton is often used for hand-knotted rugs as they can be woven more easily. While this option is natural and strong, it has the drawback of collecting dirt more easily than others. Some alternative materials for area rugs include sisal, jute, polyester, nylon, viscose, acrylic, and rayon.

Construction

There are many methods of manufacturing an area rug, many of which employ traditional weaving techniques. Hand-knotted units are totally handmade with a loom. Each material tuft will be looped and knotted to establish the visible pattern at both sides of the rug. While this seems to be labor-intensive, hand-tufted area rugs can be much cheaper and quicker to make. Machine-made rugs, on the other hand, are manufactured in industrial plants to match the overall quality of handmade units. This latter type generally has no pile.

Knot density

Some area rugs appear very coarse, while others have far finer textures. There can actually be a wide variety of knot density in between different models of the identical rug type. Generally, such ranges from a bold density of around 30 knots to a fine density of up to 290 knots in each inch. It is important to know that higher-quality varieties should be finer and have more knots, which allows the rug to pop visually, by appearing more defined and vibrant. Many such models can reflect natural light beautifully, making them a great decorative option.

Synthetic versus natural dyes

Natural dyes are often better than synthetic materials when it comes to longevity and value of area rugs. However, the prices for units with natural dyes can be more expensive, ranging from 20% up to 50% higher. Though it often isn’t easy to distinguish between them, it is generally accepted that natural dyes result higher rug cost and value. However, synthetic dyes can provide more color and shade options.

Design

Traditional area rugs have fallen out of popularity over the past decades as tastes run to the more casual variety. These days, most designs are less formal with bold, rich color palettes and intricate patterns. Depending on your budget and favorite materials, there will be many options available to meet your preferences.

Understanding these basic facts about the manufacturing and materials of area rugs will help you choose the right option for your living space. While these floor coverings aren’t overly inexpensive, they provide an abundance of warmth, comfort, and decorative benefit to your home. There are thousands of designs and styles available out there, so make sure to consider carefully before deciding.