by Ligita, March 30, 2024
A Short Story
The oldest civilization on record to have used rugs were a settlement in Turkey circa 7000 BCE. At that time rugs were used for insulating floors, walls, doors and ceilings as natural barriers from cold. In my own story of growing up in Soviet Eastern Europe, I recall how intricate rugs were often hanging on household walls as pieces of art, simultaneously insulating the concrete apartment walls from cold and breeze. Turkish Kilims were also used as tent decorations, grain bags, camel and donkey cover, oven, sofa, bed and table covers, blankets and prayer rugs.
Custom Rug by Lian Interiors, LLC, Designed in 2021 for a private commission, Hand Knotted 10’x13′, Produced by Carpet Source of Winter Park
Rug vs. Carpet A Rug is considered smaller than a room, it is often more decorative in nature and not permanently attached. Carpet typically stretches from wall to wall and is permanently installed.
Why Own A Rug Today?
- Aesthetics – Add color and decoration, cover imperfections
- Comfort – Soften the floor under the feet, for children’s play areas and to add warmth
- Noise – Soft materials help reduce harsh noises
- Safety – Prevent slipping such as on stairs, protect flooring
How to Select, Size and Care For Your Rugs
Sometimes I may start the room design with a beautiful rug first, which will act as a grounding statement piece for the other furnishings. However, the selection comes down to just 3 simple steps:
- Determine the style, color and texture. Does it fit with the scheme of the room? There are modern, traditional, transitional, ethnic, natural fiber, indoor/outdoor and animal skin styles.
- What is the most appropriate material? This may go hand in hand with the style. Durability is the main concern if there are pets or children in the house. To care for your rugs, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as each type can have significantly different instructions for its care. Here are the most common materials available today:
- Wool – $$$ most commonly used natural fiber, easy to clean but tends to shed, price and quality varies
- Synthetic fibers – $$ durable, easy to maintain and more affordable
- Silk and bamboo silk – $$$$ luxurious with stunning color displays, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial qualities, harder to maintain, will last for generations
- Reeds and Grasses – $$ organic appearance, attracts less dust and is static free
- Cotton – $$ natural and soft, sometimes used for base of the rug, easy to clean
- Linen – $$$ soft, natural, durable with simple, elegant texture
- Animal skins and Fur – $$ more for aesthetic purposes, furs can feel luxurious
- Budget – does the price point align with the general value of the other furnishings in the room or house?
Rug by Merida Studio, Hand tufted Artwork by Loloi, Rug by Battilossi
For sizing, as the first rule, ensure around 18” of space between the rug and the room walls. Most rugs are available in few standard sizes, which makes the sizing process easier as long as you follow the first rule as a guide. Furniture arrangements can be fully on the rug, partially or all legs completely off the rug. Choose one. Remember, a larger rug will make the room feel larger. Make sure that you leave at least 30” of rug around the sides of beds, and in the dining area all pieces must be fully on the rug when the chairs are pulled out. Follow your gut instinct, if it feels good it will look good.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org – Carpet; Loloi – Rugs 101; Cover Magazine, Autumn 2022 – Sources