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A guide to our
Rug materials
Rugs are not all cut from the same cloth. Rugs come in a variety of materials, each having their own strengths. With a custom rug, you have the luxury to choose a material to suit your needs. What is the best rug material? It depends on where you plan on placing it in your home, as well as your lifestyle. You also want to consider which characteristics are most important to you, for example, durability, aesthetic, or how easy it is to clean. Here we review wool, nylon, blends, and more to help you decide how to choose a rug material.
Wool
About
Wool
Wool rugs remain a popular material choice because of their durability, ability to repel stains, and high quality nature. While you should avoid dry cleaning or throwing area rugs in the washer, they are easy to spot clean. A natural fiber, mostly derived from sheep hair, wool is a comfortable material that feels soft and luxe on bare feet. With its plush texture, a wool rug will add a classic, cozy aesthetic to any room you are decorating. For spaces in high-traffic areas, wool rugs work well. It’s a material that springs back into shape, making it ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Wool does however absorb moisture, so it’s not optimal for humid areas such as bathrooms or outdoor areas.
Wool rugs remain a popular material choice because of their durability, ability to repel stains, and high quality nature. While you should avoid dry cleaning or throwing area rugs in the washer, they are easy to spot clean. A natural fiber, mostly derived from sheep hair, wool is a comfortable material that feels soft and luxe on bare feet. With its plush texture, a wool rug will add a classic, cozy aesthetic to any room you are decorating. For spaces in high-traffic areas, wool rugs work well. It’s a material that springs back into shape, making it ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Wool does however absorb moisture, so it’s not optimal for humid areas such as bathrooms or outdoor areas.
“Soft & naturally soil resistant - there's a reason wool has been used in flooring for thousands of years.”
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Wool blends
About
Wool blends
When looking to include the characteristics of two different fabrics, fabric blends offer a solution. You can find wool rugs that have been blended with other materials, such as polyester or nylon. Sometimes this can be a more affordable option than a pure wool rug, plus, blending wool with polyester or nylon enhances the rug's durability. Because of this, wool blend rugs work well in homes with high traffic areas. They can handle more wear and tread while still achieving the plush look of a wool rug. Wool can also be blended with sisal (which we'll review more in depth next). This blend works well if you'd like to combine the softness of wool with the beautiful natural look of sisal.
When looking to include the characteristics of two different fabrics, fabric blends offer a solution. You can find wool rugs that have been blended with other materials, such as polyester or nylon. Sometimes this can be a more affordable option than a pure wool rug, plus, blending wool with polyester or nylon enhances the rug's durability. Because of this, wool blend rugs work well in homes with high traffic areas. They can handle more wear and tread while still achieving the plush look of a wool rug. Wool can also be blended with sisal (which we'll review more in depth next). This blend works well if you'd like to combine the softness of wool with the beautiful natural look of sisal.
“Get the beauty of wool, plus an extra lofty texture and increased durability.”
Sisal
About
Sisal
Another natural fiber is sisal, which is plant-based. With its coarse texture, it won't provide the soft padding of a wool rug, but it is still pleasant to walk on and almost has a massaging quality. If you want to play with textures in your decor, sisal rugs are great for layering with other rugs. Sisal usually comes in soothing, neutral colors that complement beautifully with natural decor, such as coastal themes, earthy palettes, and indoor rooms with plants. Stains and water marks are prone to leave prominent spots on sisal rugs, so they aren't ideal in a kitchen area. However, they don't tend to absorb dirt, so regular vacuuming will keep your space clean. Because it's highly strong, durable, and doesn't hold onto allergens, sisal is an excellent family-friendly option.
Another natural fiber is sisal, which is plant-based. With its coarse texture, it won't provide the soft padding of a wool rug, but it is still pleasant to walk on and almost has a massaging quality. If you want to play with textures in your decor, sisal rugs are great for layering with other rugs. Sisal usually comes in soothing, neutral colors that complement beautifully with natural decor, such as coastal themes, earthy palettes, and indoor rooms with plants. Stains and water marks are prone to leave prominent spots on sisal rugs, so they aren't ideal in a kitchen area. However, they don't tend to absorb dirt, so regular vacuuming will keep your space clean. Because it's highly strong, durable, and doesn't hold onto allergens, sisal is an excellent family-friendly option.
“A classic choice that adds subtle texture & striking visual warmth.”
Performance luster
About
Performance luster
Luster nylon is synthetic and has a luxurious, shiny appearance. These rugs make an elegant addition to living rooms and bedrooms. For those looking for a high-quality rug, performance nylon is a superior option to viscose, which rapidly degrades, stains, and sheds. Stain resistant, nylon is easy to clean. Dust, dirt, and allergens stay on the surface which can easily be vacuumed. While it's highly durable, the silky texture is visually appealing and lovely to walk on. Nylon rugs are resilient, standing up well against abrasion. They're noted for their ability to maintain their shape and bounce back after foot traffic.
Luster nylon is synthetic and has a luxurious, shiny appearance. These rugs make an elegant addition to living rooms and bedrooms. For those looking for a high-quality rug, performance nylon is a superior option to viscose, which rapidly degrades, stains, and sheds. Stain resistant, nylon is easy to clean. Dust, dirt, and allergens stay on the surface which can easily be vacuumed. While it's highly durable, the silky texture is visually appealing and lovely to walk on. Nylon rugs are resilient, standing up well against abrasion. They're noted for their ability to maintain their shape and bounce back after foot traffic.
“All the luxe look of silk or viscose without the High-maintenance care.”
Outdoor fibers
About
Outdoor fibers
For those looking for outdoor or inside/outside area rugs, you'll want a material that can handle the elements. Some fabrics are more susceptible to sun fading than others. Look out for UV stabilized materials. This means that a stabilizer has been added to the material for protection against UV light. (UV light from sun exposure causes fading and degradation). One option that is available is UV stabilized polysilk, a blend of silk and polyester. Because it resists mold and mildew, rugs with this material are perfect for outdoor spaces. Other benefits include being soft and strong. When decorating a patio or deck space, another option is UV stabilized Royaltron polypropylene. Polypropylene outdoor rugs resist stains, fading, and moisture, making them an appealing long-lasting option for outdoor use.
For those looking for outdoor or inside/outside area rugs, you'll want a material that can handle the elements. Some fabrics are more susceptible to sun fading than others. Look out for UV stabilized materials. This means that a stabilizer has been added to the material for protection against UV light. (UV light from sun exposure causes fading and degradation). One option that is available is UV stabilized polysilk, a blend of silk and polyester. Because it resists mold and mildew, rugs with this material are perfect for outdoor spaces. Other benefits include being soft and strong. When decorating a patio or deck space, another option is UV stabilized Royaltron polypropylene. Polypropylene outdoor rugs resist stains, fading, and moisture, making them an appealing long-lasting option for outdoor use.
“UV-stabilized and densely woven to hold up elegantly all year round.”
Pet friendly
About
Pet friendly
If you have pets, you're probably looking for durable and easy to clean rugs. Try synthetic fibers such as nylon, nylon blends, polyester, or polypropylene. These fibers have the strength and durability to stand up to pet activity. They also don't absorb stains as much as natural fibers do, so you won't be in a panic over accidents or muddy paws. You could also opt for Triexta, a super performance material that's invitingly soft. Triexta isn't UV stabilized, so avoid from the outdoors if you're concerned with fading. However, it's a good option if you are searching for a waterproof rug. The material doesn't absorb water, plus it's stain resistant.
If you have pets, you're probably looking for durable and easy to clean rugs. Try synthetic fibers such as nylon, nylon blends, polyester, or polypropylene. These fibers have the strength and durability to stand up to pet activity. They also don't absorb stains as much as natural fibers do, so you won't be in a panic over accidents or muddy paws. You could also opt for Triexta, a super performance material that's invitingly soft. Triexta isn't UV stabilized, so avoid from the outdoors if you're concerned with fading. However, it's a good option if you are searching for a waterproof rug. The material doesn't absorb water, plus it's stain resistant.
