Round area rugs come in a wide range of materials, styles and colors. Here is a simple guide for choosing the best one for your home.
Materials include natural and synthetic fibers. Some of the most popular natural materials are cotton, jute, wool, sisal, and bamboo, and synthetics include nylon, viscose, acrylic, rayon and polypropylene/olefin. Rugs can be machine made, handmade, flat woven or hooked and the different styles include braided area rugs, contemporary round area rugs, shag rugs and the more traditional and always stylish Persian rugs. Area or floor rugs are also made in a variety of shapes including round, square and oval area rugs; as well as small or large.
When choosing the ideal material, think about where you are going to place the rug and how much it is going to be walked on. If you are looking for a material that can take a lot of foot traffic and will not be easily damaged, even if you have small children or pets in the house, wool area rugs can be one of the best choices. Wool is easy to take care of, and it will retain its shape and appearance longer than many other more sensitive materials. Woollen rugs are also resistant to dust mites and this is an important aspect if you suffer from dust allergy. The different types of wool include sheep wool, goat and the more exotic alpaca.
Cotton is another durable and long-lasting natural material. Cotton is often blended with wool to create a soft, smooth rug that feels comfortable to walk on. Blends of cotton and wool are usually cheaper than 100% wool but also tend to be slightly less resilient than pure wool.
If you do not have to be worried about children or pets playing on the rug, you can go for the higher quality natural fibers. Silk is one of the most expensive natural materials used and is commonly used in the good quality Oriental and Persian rugs. Silk rugs need more care than wool or cotton, and must be cleaned professionally.
Synthetic materials include nylon, viscose and rayon. Synthetics are sometimes blended with natural fibers to make the product cheaper. Synthetic cheap area rugs are easy to keep clean, and can be more affordable than those made with natural fibers. If you have a small budget, synthetic round area polypropylene rugs can be a cheap option, although keep in mind they do not generally last as long as the more expensive natural materials.