Guide to Rugs
Guide to Rugs
So how do you choose a magic carpet? Thereโs no one-size-fits-all approach. The ideal rug depends on a number of factors, including the type of room and your lifestyle.
Thereโs quite a bit to keep in mind, so we asked our resident rug experts to walk us through the selection process. From materials to construction to size, hereโs what to consider.
Choosing the right material
Delightfully textured and incredibly durable, wool is a classic choice for any space. Wool is a protein based fiber from sheepโs fleece is spun into yarn. Wool yarn is sustainable, biodegradable, highly durable and highly resilient with natural oils that provide softness. Dyed and undyed wool products will vary in shade from piece to piece and will fade with exposure to sunlight.ย
Great for high-traffic areas
It is common for wool rugs to shed, as they are created from natural fibers that form long strands of material that are then hand-knotted to create delightfully soft and durable area rugs. Due to the sheared pile, lose fibers will eventually work their way to the surface. If your wool area rug starts shedding, this is normal.
CARE:
โข Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best.ย Use a vacuum with gentle suction, avoid heavy-duty vacuums or those with beater bars, as these can damage the construction. When vacuuming, work with the pile, not against it.
โข For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.
โข Ensure to use a high-quality rug pad to help protect the rugโs fibers from excessive wear as well as from dirt and moisture.
โข Trim any tufts of wool that appear with a sharp pair of scissors; do not pull the fibers.
โข Wipe your hand over the surface to collect any loose fibers.
โข Rotate your carpet every few months to ensure even wear.
Expect a lush shine and an oh-so-plush feel. While viscose is a bit more delicate, it's a great choice for many rooms in the home. Viscose is a hybrid of natural cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers is regenerated through chemical processing and spun into yarn. This material imitates the look and texture of silk at a lower price. It is biodegradable with a soft appearance and has a silky feel with lustrous sheen.ย
Ideal for low-traffic areas, not recommended for high traffic areas due to high shedding since non-resilient fibers can mat and make stains difficult to clean.
Commonly found in tufted or hand-knotted rugs
Colors will appear soft and saturated, and may vary depending on viewpoint
CARE:
โข Vacuum regularly on low/gentle setting, or shake gently to remove dirt.
โขย Do not expose to moisture of any kind; water can create permanent staining.
โข For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.
Strong and durable, grass fiber rugs (think jute, sisal, or coir) lend a touch of natural texture and effortless style.
Best suited for high-traffic areas
Commonly found in flatwoven or hand-knotted rugs
If you love to layer your rugs, grass fiber rugs are an ideal choice
CARE:ย
โข Regular vacuuming, rotation, and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best.
โข When vacuuming, always use the standard head; never use the rotating brush.
โข Remove dry spots by scraping carefully from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot.
โข Do not rub wet spots; simply blot with paper towels, and clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
โข For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.
โข Flammable; do not place near a source of ignition.
A UV-resistant option suitable for indoors or out, PET is crafted from recycled plastic and lends a welcoming layer to your sun room or outdoor oasis. Durable construction, UV-treated for fade resistance; soft, wool-like texture; lightweight; often reversible; washable, scrubbable.
HOW IT'S MADE: Recycled polyester (P.E.T.) yarns make up the warp and weft of these hand-woven rugs, with the weft skipping specific warps to create the pattern
Great for high-traffic areas
CARE:
โข Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best.
โข Vacuum, brush lightly with fresh or soapy water, or spray with a hose.
โข Scrub lightly as excess scrubbing can cause fuzzing/pilling.
โข P.E.T. rugs can hold in moisture if not dried after complete saturation. If your P.E.T. rug is outdoors and becomes fully saturated after rain, please hang to help dry.
โข Do not machine wash or dry.
The silk rug has been coveted for hundreds of years.ย Incredible soft and lustrous, silk rugs are perfect for low traffic areas that deserve a little extra glamour, like bedrooms. closets & dressing rooms.
The silvery, shimmery delicate look of fine silk can elevate a formal living room, but requires great care.
Although it can rival the strength of steel yarn, silk is still delicate when it comes to stains and dirt.
Great for low-traffic areas
Commonly found in tufted, handknotted, and shag rugs
Shedding is a normal process that occurs with wool, and will subside over time
CARE:
โข Vacuum regularly on low/gentle setting, or shake gently to remove dirt.
โข Do not expose to moisture of any kind.
โข For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.
Cotton rugs have aย durable construction; they are soft underfoot andย lightweight.
High- and low-traffic spaces; well-used family areas like hallways, bedrooms, and stairs.
Commonly found in flat woven, jacquard, and hooked rugs, as well and blended with wool and viscose.
CARE:
โข Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best.
โข As woven rugs settle, a stray piece of yarn may pop up. This is perfectly normal. Do not cut the yarn; simply tuck and pull it back through the underside of the rug.
โข Small rugs may be hand washed gently in cold water; professional cleaning is recommended for larger area rugs.
โข Do not machine wash, bleach or tumble dry.
Hemp is strong, durable and naturally anti-bacterial so this fiber can be used outdoors in a covered area as well.
Best suited for high-traffic areas
Commonly found in flatwoven or hand-knotted rugs
If you love to layer your rugs, hemp rugs are a great option that tend to shed less than similar jute rugs.
CARE:
โข Regular vacuuming, rotation, and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best.
โข When vacuuming, always use the standard head; never use the rotating brush.
โข Remove dry spots by scraping carefully from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot.
โข Do not rub wet spots; simply blot with paper towels, and clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
โข We recommend professional cleaning only.
โข Flammable; do not place near a source of ignition.
Animal hides are cleaned and finished by hand.
Size/shape/coloration will vary from piece to piece since every natural animal hide is completely unique
Clean spills immediately by blotting with a clean sponge or cloth. Professional cleaning recommended. Appropriate rug pad is highly recommended on all surfaces to prevent slipping, add cushion, and improve durability. For vacuuming, use a vacuum cleaner without a beater bar or one where you can set the bar to the highest pile setting. If your vacuum has variable power settings, set on low. Vacuum full length of the rug, turn and repeat to the next area, rather than back and forth motion.
Naturally, outdoor rugs are made differently than traditional interior area rugs or carpets. This Burke Dรฉcor gallery includes rugs that can exist outdoors and withstand years of wind, rain, dirt, mud and even exposure to the sun. Though most can also easily stand up to ice or snow, you may want to take them up and shelter them during such harsh conditions.
Most are going to be made of synthetics that dry quickly or even repel water (think nylon, polyester or acrylic strands). This also makes most of the rugs here very light in weight and sure to retain their colors. There are, however, many natural fiber rugs that are perfect as seasonal, outdoor rugs. It is this latter group you may want to roll up and take indoors when freezing conditions arrive.
Choosing the right size
Living Room
Measure your living roomโs seating area, and select a rug thatโs slightly larger than your space. Ideally, all the furniture in the seating area should fit on the rug with at least six inches to spare on every side.
If thatโs not possible, take a โtwo legs on, two legs offโ approach and stay consistent will all furniture pieces.
Dining Room
Your rug should be large enough to accommodate your table and all the chairs when theyโre pushed out โ anything smaller will create a tripping hazard. We suggest choosing a rug made from stain-resistant materials such as wool for dining rooms.
Bedroom
Ideally, the bed and nightstands should fit on the rug with at least a foot to spare on all sides.
If thatโs not possible, start the rug at your nightstand so it extends beyond the foot of the bed.
Another idea? Consider using two runners to frame your bed instead! For the coziest feel, we recommend a high-pile rug.
Kitchen and Hallway
Place a small 2โ X 3โ rug by the kitchen sink for a colorful, cozy accent. We suggest choosing a rug that will resist high-traffic wear for these busy spaces.
A runner rug is perfect for long, narrow kitchens and entryways. For hallways, leave about six inches of floor between the walls and the rug.
Choosing the right construction
The weft yarn is wrapped and knotted by hand around each warp thread. Then, each yarn is hand-cut and hand-tamped for tightly constructed knots that stand the test of time. The quality of hand-knotted rugs is unsurpassed.
Using a tufting tool, yarn is passed through a frame-stretched fabric backing onto a drawn pattern. A relatively modern technique, tufting uses loops instead of knots and was developed to create a plush, textural pile.
Using a tufting tool, yarn is passed through a frame-stretched fabric backing onto a drawn pattern. A relatively modern technique, tufting uses loops instead of knots and was developed to create a plush, textural pile.
Our artisans prepare a rug with a thorough hand-washing before the next step, which is to burn off unwanted fibersโa key step, and a leap of faith. As one rugmaker describes it, itโs a defining moment in a rugโs creation, or the chance for it all to go up in flames.
Hand carving is the technique of trimming and shaping tufted wool rugs as a final step to create dimension and interest. It is typically done by hand with scissors in India and electric shears in China.
Printed with digital and screen-printing techniques, these rugs deliver cheerful, detailed patternwork.
Entirely flat-woven with a lower pile, power-loomed rugs are machine-woven using cutting-edge technology.
Woven by hand on a pit loom or punja loom, Shag rugs are highly textural.
Size/design/color may vary slightly, typically very thick and plush.
Machine-washable rugs are easy to wash, andย can be washed at home in a conventional washing machine. Even our washable rugs are handmade, carefully and individually handmade by our artisans. Eco-friendly, 100% natural cotton and non-toxic dyes and perfect for those areas that tend to need extra clean up but also need to be cozy, like kids rooms, tv rooms, playrooms & nurseries.
Made from PET or polyester and sometimes natural materials like Hemp or Grass, these rugs are sturdy enough to live outside. Be sure to note, however, what type of outdoor environment is suggested, while some rugs will be fine on a desk, some may only hold up well on a covered porch or patio.ย
Caring for your rug
We highly recommend using a rug pad to prevent slippage and to protect your floor. Consider rotating your rug every six months for even wear. Shedding is a normal process that occurs with natural fiber rugs and should subside after 6-8 weeks with regular vacuuming.
To avoid damaging your rug, vacuum with the beater bar off, using a high-pile setting. Blot spills immediately with a clean, absorbent, light-colored cloth. Professional cleaning is recommended for best results.
