All About Rugs

A few months ago, I moved into an apartment and noticed that the rug in my living room alone brought a touch of warmth and life to the room. One thing led to another. I learned about the existing carpets and a non-exhaustive classification here. Do you know them all? We will see that!

Carpets exist worldwide, and each country has its way of doing it, whether of its culture or the materials used.

Nowadays, they are factory-made, and we often find modern styles of cotton, perfect as kitchen or living room rugsIf you want to put a rug in your home, here is a straightforward trick: The rug should be 1/3 of the space of your room. If the rug is more prominent, it will feel like the room is too small, and if the rug is too small, it will feel like it isn't big enough.

Modern rugs!

They are popping up in many homes and are characterized by their bright colours and contemporary design. These mats are mostly made with cotton and polyester and are relatively easy to clean. They are everywhere in the house (kitchen, living room or office).These rugs are factory-made, and almost any thickness and design can be had. It is even possible (thanks to the internet) to create your carpet from home as you wish.

Natural rugs:

These carpets are resistant and appreciated for their natural elegance and the raw side of the carpet. Note that there are differences between coverings such as seagrass, coir, sisal or bamboo. Depending on the type of fibre, they may be antibacterial, rot-proof and antistatic (this is the case with coconut fibre, for example). Others, on the other hand, will stain in the presence of water and will therefore be more recommended in bedrooms and offices.

To help you choose, here are 3 types of natural carpets with their properties:

Seagrass: made from aquatic plants mainly from Asia and the Pacific, they are very resistant and need a minimum of water to avoid drying out. They are, therefore, prevalent in bathrooms and kitchen rug.

Coconut fibre:  Very hard-wearing, stain-resistant and rot-proof, coconut fibre rugs are perfect for home entrances, stairs or hallways. The only problem is that it does not clean with water but with dry shampoo.

Bamboo:  Resistant and economical, it is possible to colour it as desired to integrate it into our interior better. We recommend it as a bedroom rug since it brings a Zen atmosphere perfect for relaxing.

Long pile shaggy rugs

The shaggy rug is probably the most comfortable with its 3 to 7cm pile. It is particularly appreciated in bedrooms or living rooms because it brings a warm side.They are made of wool or polyester, and the number of variations is almost limitless due to the differences in colours, shapes, length of hair but also visual rendering (matte, satin or shiny). The problem with this kind of carpet is that it is difficult to maintain because of the length of the pile. These trap dust and dirt. Regular vacuuming is advised, and powder cleaning is recommended.

Carpets of the world

I couldn't find all the rugs, so if you know of any others, feel free to put them in the comments.

The Oriental rug

These rugs are generally made in India, Pakistan and Iran and are known for their quality. They are made of wool and last long (some rugs can live for over 25 years). You probably have an uncle or aunt who brought you this rug from a trip.

Another advantage is that 

wool does not retain dust and retains heat. So you have a rug that will warm your room and is very easy to maintain (a vacuum from time to time). These products' particularity is the colourful design with geometric patterns characteristic of oriental culture. With all these advantages, it is particularly appreciated as a living room rug or even hung on the wall as a tapestry.

Kilim rugs

Similar to its eastern cousin, this rug is native to southern Iran and Afghanistan. It is produced in China and Turkey and is characterized by its geometric patterns and the fact that most of them are reversible. Weft threads create the patterns, and the thread is turned over to form small cavities. As a result, the carpet can be turned over and increase its lifespan! There are plenty of different styles of Kilim (Golbarjasta, Persian, Moldavians, Afghan) with each of its patterns. It's up to you to choose the one that suits you best.

The Mexican rug

These carpets are very colourful and should take up more and more space in our interiors. We find the same advantages as conventional rainbow rugs since they are made of cotton or pure wool. They are, therefore, very resistant and easily washable. They are characterized by symbols in bright colours (brown, orange, earth, ochre, etc.) and are trendy in all types of interiors.

The Boucherouite rug

I saved the best for last, and the boucherouite rug comes from the rural tribes of Morocco. The women use scraps of fabric and threads that they find to make very colourful and unique rugs.

For a long time, these carpets did not interest customers. But little by little, their history and design attracted art lovers who used them in paintings. This rug has a primary purpose, domestic, but the way it is created makes each piece one of a kind. As it is very colourful, you should use this kind of rug as a living room or bedroom rug. It will be particularly well suited to living rooms.

Take care of your carpet!

Whatever model you want, a carpet must be maintained not to become a nest of dust. To do this, here are our practical tips:

  • Vacuum once or twice a week, depending on hair length. Be careful. The hairs can be removed on a shaggy carpet if brushed too hard.
  • Test stain removers on an inconspicuous part of the carpet! Depending on their origin and method of manufacture, Carpets can discolour or even do not support detergents.
Then, test an inconspicuous corner of the carpet to check the product's compatibility.