
- Wool. Wool is an all-time favorite material in the fashion industry as well as home decor. It is natural, warm, soft, attractive, and let’s not forget, very durable.
- Nylon. Nylon is a more affordable material used in rugs, but still very durable and quite attractive. This is a synthetic fiber created to look like silk.
- Polypropylene. Polypropylene is a very popular material choice in the rug industry as it is resistant to mold and mildew and very easy to maintain.
- Cotton. While you might think that cotton is extremely delicate, this material is in fact a good choice for rugs in high traffic areas.
- Wool. A popular choice, wool combines durability and comfort in one. ...
- Polypropylene. Another durable rug material is polypropylene which is a particularly good option if you're on a budget. ...
- Nylon. Nylon is another durable synthetic material like polypropylene. ...
- Sisal. ...
- Jute. ...
- Seagrass.
What rug material is best?
Key Features
- Made from polyester and spandex to provide a stretchy, body-hugging fit that feels soft and comfortable
- Available in US size small (4-6), medium (8-10), large (12-14), extra-large (14-16), and XXL (18)
- Available in black, white, navy, royal blue, dark green, wine red, yellow, and red
How to choose the best rug material?
The main things to consider are:
- How much you want to spend. Costs can vary from less than £5 per square metre for a simple synthetic to more than £100 per square metre for a premium, ...
- Who (and what) will be walking on the carpet. High-traffic areas, such as hallways, will benefit from more durable materials. ...
- The look and feel you're after. ...
How to pick the right material for your rug?
How to choose the perfect rug for every room of your home
- The room. Different rugs suit different areas. ...
- Size. Measure, measure and measure again, definitely don't guess. ...
- Shape. You are not bound to a standard rectangular rug. ...
- Colour/Pattern/Style. Consider the use of your rug, and its surroundings – do you want it to make a statement? ...
- Fibre. ...
Which area rug material is best for You?
What Rug Material Is Right for Your Home?
- WOOL. The most common material used for rugs, wool is prized for its durability and softness.
- SILK. Luxurious and lustrous, silk rugs are adored for their softness and subtle sheen.
- COTTON. It’s most frequently used to make flat-weave rugs such as dhurries and kilims.
- SISAL, JUTE, SEA GRASS. ...
- ANIMAL SKINS. ...
- SYNTHETICS. ...

Which type of rug works best in high traffic areas?
Synthetic - Rugs made from man-made materials such as nylon or polypropylene are some of the most common rug types on the market. They are made to withstand heavy foot traffic, they're easy to clean and they're stain resistent.
What rug material is most stain resistant?
To help you in your quest, here are the five most stain-resistant rug materials.Polypropylene. Polypropylene rugs have a lot of benefits even if the fiber does not feel as luxurious as others. ... Nylon. Nylon rugs were originally invented as a less expensive option to silk rugs. ... Cotton. ... Seagrass.
What kind of rug is easy to maintain?
Since the fibers are coil-shaped, wool rugs tend to keep their shape even if they are exposed to heavy foot traffic. Wool naturally repels stains, so it's the type of rug easier to keep clean than many other rug materials.
What are the best type of rugs to buy?
After years of testing, we found that, in this price range, flatwoven rugs held up better than the higher-pile kind, and that all-cotton rugs, or those with a cotton-wool or cotton-polyester blend, were more durable than all-polyester ones, so our recommendations tend toward those.
What is the best type of rug for a living room?
Best Rugs for Living Rooms. For areas where you spend the most time entertaining, like family rooms and dens, wool and sisal rugs are the best options, says Merida Studio, because they are incredibly durable.
What types of rugs don't shed?
Rugs That Do Not Shed Great rug materials that don't shed include cotton, leather, animal hide, silk. Cotton rugs are easy to clean and are soft and durable. Many cotton rugs are hand woven, flat woven or braided.
What type of carpet is the hardest to clean?
However, fibers like wool can be extremely stubborn with stains as well as expensive to clean since they require specialty cleaning.
What are high quality rugs made of?
The best fiber for rugs is by far wool. It is the strongest, most vibrant, and most resilient fiber to be walking on. A low quality wool rug will outlast the best synthetic fiber (nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefin) all day long.
How can you tell a good area rug?
4 Ways To Identify High Quality Area RugsKnots Per Square Inch (KPSI) The number of knots within a rug determines the density, durability, and clarity of pattern; the more knots, the higher the quality. ... Detail. ... Premium Wool. ... Color.
Are wayfair rugs good quality?
Are Wayfair rugs good quality? Based on reviews, it's fair to say that Wayfair rugs are of good quality, particularly when you choose those made of the synthetic material polypropylene, which is virtually stain-proof.
What is a good thickness for area rugs?
between ⅜ and ½ inchesWhat Is the best rug thickness? Medium to heavy area rugs that range between ⅜ and ½ inches will suit a range of needs. Thinner rugs are a tripping hazard and won't offer enough buffering for the optimal protection of floors.
What are the 4 types of rugs and carpets?
Different Types Of Rugs ConstructionHand-knotted.Hand-tufted.Flatweave or Kilim or Dhurrie.Handloom.Machine-made.Hooked Rugs.Hide Rugs.Braided Rugs.
What is the most durable rug?
Wool Rugs. In terms of combining durability with softness and comfort, wool is one of the most durable rugs for high-traffic spaces. It has an extremely soft feel (hello, happy feet!), a plush pile that bounces back after being stepped on, and is water- and stain- repellent thanks to the natural occurrence of lanolin oil.
What is a natural fiber rug?
Jute, sisal, and other natural-fiber rugs are woven from plant fibers to create styles that are durable, affordable, eco-friendly, and perfect for both layering and living on their own. Because they’re made from plants, they’re not quite as soft to the touch as wool and synthetics, and they also tend to be more difficult to clean and remove stains from.
What about light-colored rugs? Am I just asking for trouble?
But elsewhere, absolutely—and especially in spaces you’ll be barefoot. If you’re worried about stains but still want to use a lighter rug in a high-traffic space, we recommend choosing one that has a subtle pattern, which will help camouflage dirt and other spots.
What are synthetic rugs made of?
Polypropylene, Nylon, and Other Synthetic Rugs. Rugs made of synthetic materials like polypropylene, nylon, and polyester check just about all our boxes. They’re a great value for how durable they are, have a soft pile that feels comfy underfoot, maintain their color over time, and are super easy to clean.
What is cotton woven with?
Cotton is often woven together with other natural fibers, lending its softness to materials like sisal and jute to create flatweave rugs that are perfect for high-traffic spaces, eco-friendly, and comfy under feet.
What is a salt and pepper rug made of?
Solid Braided Indoor/Outdoor rug in salt and pepper, made of polypropylene. Photo by @tkelly0130.
What is a beige autumn rug made of?
Beige Autumn rug, made of polypropylene. Photo by @homewithknives.
What is the best rug for a nursery?
You'll also want a rug that’s easy to clean. Let’s face it, babies are messy! The Tuscan Dotted Diamond Trellis Nursery Rug delivers in both areas.
Why is a pet rug good for a pet?
This rug is an excellent choice for pet owners because it's made of synthetic material that doesn’t absorb stains and odors (this is also important if the rug is going in a high traffic area).
What is a nuLOOM rug?
Another beautiful option for your home or apartment is the nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Area Rug. This traditional area rug features a modern Moroccan trellis design that’s available in six colors, from a muted gray that’s perfect for a living room to a multicolored option that’s fun for a playroom. Although most color options skew on the light side, a low pile height makes the rug easy to clean.
What is an indigo rug?
If you're searching for the perfect area rug for your living space, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful handwoven indigo mat. It’s made of soft cotton, making it sustainable, soft underfoot, and affordable. While cotton flat-weave isn't the plushest option on the market, the material is still soft and study.
How far should an area rug be from the wall?
Just be sure to follow this one simple rule: Your rug should be at least 6 inches, but no more than 2 feet away, from a room’s walls.
What is a small chevron rug?
The small chevron pattern adds just enough interest without detracting from the rest of your decor. The pattern also helps mask small debris and minor stains between cleanings. Though this area rug is only meant for indoor use, it’ll look great in nearly any room, from a home office or bedroom to the kitchen.
What to do with an area rug?
From a design perspective, an area rug can make or break a room. In fact, some home décor pros recommend starting with your area rug and choosing wall colors, upholstered furniture, and other home décor items (like throw pillows) based on its design.
What is the best material for a rug?
Hand-knotted wool rugs reign supreme when it comes to durability. This material is prized for its softness as well. Nylon area rugs are very durable too, and they can also serve you well for many years even when used in high traffic areas.
What is the best rug for high traffic areas?
Nylon. Nylon rugs are ideal for high traffic areas because they are very soft, easy to clean, and affordable. They are also fade-resistant and stain-resistant. Most important of all, nylon is indestructible and it doesn’t wear down quickly. That makes it a great choice for spaces with heavy foot traffic.
What is a low pile rug?
A low-pile rug is one of the most popular floor coverings. What’s more, it is deemed to be the best type of rug for high traffic area. Regardless of the materials used, low-pile rugs regularly beat their high-pile counterparts with regard to durability and foot traffic.
Why are patterned rugs good for high traffic areas?
Patterns: As stated earlier, patterned rugs are excellent for high traffic spots since they hide dirt and stains. When buying an area rug, pick one that combines dark colors with patterns for the best results.
Why are vintage area rugs so popular?
Vintage area rugs seem to back in style these days. That’s because they can keep rooms look fresh when paired with modern furniture. Most of these rugs are patterned and made of natural materials like wool, which makes them a good choice for high traffic areas.
What is an ottomanson rug?
Ottomanson Jardin area rug can do a terrific job of enhancing the look of your kitchen or living room. You can also use it for an outdoor high traffic space like your deck, backyard, or patio. It will protect your flooring and make it look more beautiful. Designed as a flat-weave power-loomed covering for floors, this rug features great durability and rich texture. It is perfect for spill-prone and high traffic areas thanks to its utilitarian design and heavy-duty construction.
What is a boho rug?
With fun colors and a boho design, this area rug is capable of brightening up almost any space. It is ideal for the entryway, dorm room, dining room, living room, bedroom, etc. You can use it for high traffic areas in your home. This pet-friendly rug can withstand everyday high foot traffic and pet activities as well.
How long does a carpet last?
However, don’t stress too much if you can’t match every factor; there are lots of elements that go into making a carpet that will last 15, 20, or 30 years, and it’s tough to combine them all into one carpet. And the more of these factors you do manage to find in one carpet, the more you’re going to pay to take it home.
Why is twisting carpet important?
A carpet’s fiber twist is one of the most important, yet frequently overlooked, elements in durability. The more twists you have in a carpet fiber, the stronger the fiber and the stronger the overall carpet. It’s the same reason you can tear a piece of cardboard much more easily if it’s flat than if you twist it into a stick.
Is nylon a good alternative to triexta?
If durability is your top priority, and not stain resistance, ease of cleaning, budget, or any other factor, you’re going to have two choices before you: nylon and wool. Yes, there are some promising alternatives like triexta, but wool is the oldest durable natural fiber while nylon is still the most established high-end synthetic fiber, so we’ll focus on these two today. Both are strong, resilient, and more capable of withstanding high foot traffic than almost any other option out there.
Is carpet face weight the end all?
Carpet face weight and density are frequently mentioned as the be-all, end-all of carpet dur ability. The truth is, though, that while they’re important individually, neither will tell the whole story. We’ve written extensively about both before, but the long and short of it is that the more you have of each, the better–not just because it means you’re getting additional strength in your carpet, but because the denser a carpet is, the less aged it’s going to look.
Is wool a good fiber?
Nylon and wool are the two top fibers…. Wool is highly durable, ecologically friendly, and fie resistant. However, it also loves water, and will happily grow mold or mildew if you expose it frequently to spills. Wool, being an organic material, is also prone to fading when set up in rooms that receive direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Is nylon carpet stronger than wool?
Nylon, in contrast, is about as strong as wool but is vulnerable to staining; this is why you’ll almost always find a nylon carpet with factory-applied stain treatment. Without it, you’ll see colors and stains in your nylon carpet that will never go away, because it likes water almost as much as wool.
What is the best fiber for outdoor rugs?
2. Olefin Rugs. Olefin (polypropylene) is the most popular manufactured fiber used in rugs. It is soft like wool, stain-resistant, holds color well and is affordable. Due to its durability and ability to repel stains and moisture, olefin is often used in outdoor settings. It is not a resilient fiber.
What is the best rug to wash?
It is recommended to have wool rugs professionally cleaned when necessary. 2. Cotton Rugs. Cotton is another fiber that dyes easily and allows for many colors. Cotton rugs are typically braided or flat weave, and they are a softer alternative to jute or sisal rugs. They are fairly durable and are often machine-washable.
How long do wool rugs last?
Wool rugs are durable, which means they’ll last for a while, usually an average of 20 to 30 years. Keep in mind that your rug’s lifespan will vary based on how well you maintain it. If you have a handwoven rug, consider hiring a local rug cleaner to deep-clean your rug every few weeks.
What is a silk rug?
Silk and Viscose Rugs. Silk and viscose are very soft, easy to dye, and absorbent materials. Though they are versatile, they are not very durable on their own. They work well in a combination with wool. Their fibers create depth and give rugs a beautiful sheen.
How much does a synthetic rug cost?
Synthetic rugs are an inexpensive alternative to more costly options, such as wool and silk. These rugs usually cost around $1 to $5 per square foot. It’s important to note that these rugs are harder to dye than cotton and silk rugs, so you may have limited color or pattern choices.
Why are synthetic rugs good for outdoor use?
Synthetic materials are great for outdoor rugs because they don’t fade when placed in direct sunlight. These rugs are easy to maintain because you can clean them by simply tossing them into the washing machine or hosing them down.
What is a natural fiber rug?
Natural Fiber Rugs. Natural fibers, such as wool, cotton or silk, are used in handmade rugs. They are much more durable than mass-produced synthetic rugs and made of the finest quality materials. Natural fibers last longer and release no harmful gasses into the environment over time.
