Whether you’ve recently moved or want to redesign the space in your existing home, finding your first luxury rug can be a daunting experience. With thousands of designs and seemingly countless materials to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin.
The first thing to keep in mind is that not all rugs are made of equal quality -some are easy to clean, some fall apart after a year, and some will last for generations. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of 5 types of luxury rugs to know before you shop. Before we get into that though, there are a few things you’ll need to consider.
Things to consider:
1. Material
The material your luxury rug is made plays a pivotal role in its durability and longevity. Cheap materials might look great initially, but may end up being more difficult to clean, and tend to wear out and fall apart pretty easily. The higher quality, and naturally sourced materials like wool, silk, and cotton will likely leave you better off in the long run when compared to most synthetic materials.
2. Color/pattern
When it comes to luxury rugs, you might think selecting the best color is about as subjective as it gets. However, some colors will age better than others, and some will hide spills and stains well. If you’d like to look through a wide range of colors, patterns, and styles, check out these high end luxury rugs from around the world, at Lawrence of La Brea.
3. Pile vs flat-woven
Don’t worry if you’ve never heard these terms before. Understanding them is very simple. Any rug or carpet that feels fluffy under your feet has a pile-height which comes from thousands (and sometimes millions) of strands of material looped and tied, creating a plush and fluffy surface -these are called pile rugs. Flat-woven rugs have no height (because they’re woven to be flat), and consequently feel much less fluffy.
4. Durability
Where you want to put your new luxury rug will play a role in helping you determine how durable it should be. If you’re looking for a runner to place in a high-trafficked entryway, you’re going to want a rug that can take a beating. On the other hand, if you want a luxury rug for your study or home library, you don’t need to worry so much about durability.
With all of that said, here are 5 Types of Luxury Rugs to Know Before You Shop.
1. Wool rugs
Wool rugs are the most traditional and historically proven rugs you’ll find on the market. Human beings have used wool for clothes and other textiles for thousands of years. In that period of time, the art of creating visually stunning and durable rugs has been perfected to the point that hand-woven wool rugs are typically the most expensive items you’ll find.
Don’t let that discourage you though. A finely crafted, hand-made wool rug might cost you anywhere from $1000 to $10,000 (depending on the size and intricacy), but it will age better than any other rug on this list, and sometimes can appreciate in value -making them an excellent investment to pass on for generations to come.
2. Silk rugs
Silk is another material traditionally used for various fabrics and textile products, but carries with it a great deal more shine and elegance when compared to wool and cotton. Silk is difficult to make, but is very strong, which allows rug-makers to tie up to 1500 knots per square inch!
With that many knots, rug-makers are able to create breath-taking designs. The problem only comes with cleaning -dye doesn’t always hold well to silk, so you run the risk of ruining your silk rug in a single cleaning. As long as you take it to someone who knows silk rugs well though, you should be just fine!
3. Cotton rugs
Cotton rugs are soft, smooth, environmentally friendly, and affordable. A cotton rug will make a great addition to just about any room in your home, but isn’t as durable and easy to clean as wool. You’ll find plenty of pile and flat-woven options made with cotton, so don’t rule these out!
4. Jute and bamboo rugs
Jute and bamboo simply won’t be soft and comfortable under your feet, but they are highly stain-resistant, durable, and environmentally friendly. Jute or bamboo rugs make a great addition to any outdoor patio or porch, as they’re highly weather-resistant and easy to keep clean.
5. Synthetic
If you’re looking for a rug comparable in durability and appearance to that of wool, but for much less cash, consider a rug made from synthetic material like polypropylene. Polypropylene is extremely stain-resistant and durable, making it an affordable option for just about any room of your home!
Conclusion
Finding the perfect luxury rug for your home might seem challenging at first, but if you know what you’re looking for ahead of time and follow these tips, you’ll be unrolling your new luxury rug in no time at all!
