BUYING TIPS

RUGS

We always have hundreds of Rugs IN STOCK. Name brands such as Nourison, Surya, Oriental Weavers, Kaleen, and Marcella. Rugs to fit every room and every budget. Scatter Rugs, Runners, Round and Square Rugs, Small to Large Area Rugs, and even Oversized Palace Rugs.

We also have Special Order Rugs available from Oriental Weavers and Kaleen. Please visit one of our stores for more details and to see these beautiful rugs in person.

Measuring

We recommend having the measurements of the space you want to fill so you have an idea of what size rug you want to buy. As a general rule, if you plan on getting one rug to cover the floor of a room, you will want a rug roughly two feet shorter than the smallest wall.

If you have a larger room where one rug would be impractical, consider your furniture arrangement. Generally, a grouping of furniture or a conversation area should have its own rug. Multiple rugs in a room are fine so long as they are tied together with color or design.

A hall rug should have at least six inches of floor on all sides.

Dining room rugs should be large enough to fit both your table and chairs. A rug that extends at least 18” beyond the edge of the table should allow guests to push their chairs away from the table and still be on the rug.

In a bedroom, add 24” to the left and right of your bed or use a runner at the end and on each side.

Types of Rugs

Hand-Woven

Woven rugs are made by weaving the material together by hand on a loom to form a pattern. They have no pile, meaning they are flat rather than plushy. Often the pattern can be viewed from both sides, making the rug reversible. It is often a good idea to use a rug pad with a hand-woven rug to prevent slippage.

Hand-Knotted

Knotted rugs are created by a skilled weaver tying thousands or millions of individual knots by hand to the vertical warp strings. The ends of the knots are then trimmed, creating a thicker surface. Depending on how many knots are in a square inch, these rugs can take over a year to create.

Though more costly, good quality hand-woven and hand-knotted rugs have a greater lifespan than other rugs and may last several generations, often considered a unique, one-of-a-kind collector’s piece.

Hand-Tufted

Hand-tufted rugs are made using a modified hand held drill gun to insert loops of wool into a cloth back. A latex coating is applied to the back to hold the loops in place and is then covered by a backing fabric. The loops will either be trimmed or left as they are.

These rugs have a handmade look similar to a hand-knotted rug, and are more durable.

Turkish Retro-Dyed/Color-Washed

Our Turkish Retro-Dyed/Color-Washed Rugs are vintage, hand-knotted Turkish rugs that have been stripped of their original color and dyed in vibrant hues, giving new life to an old rug and creating a sustainable practice. Rather than simply throwing out faded or worn rugs, they are recycled and reused.

First the color is removed, leaving the pattern intact as a simple outline. Then the rug is dyed a single color, sometimes multiple times to give the desired hue and saturation. Often a variety of different shades are displayed depending on the surface and pattern of the rug.

Patchwork Overdyed Rugs are multiple rug fragments hand-sewn together and backed with cotton cloth. They can be one color or multiple colors and may show various patterns and weaving techniques.

Natural Seagrass

Seagrass is a plant that grows completely underwater. Like other natural fibers, it is sustainable, renewable, and environmentally friendly. The seagrass is woven together to create a flat, stain-resistant, durable surface. Unlike other natural fiber rugs which can be rough or scratchy, seagrass is soft and smooth, making it great on bare feet.

Despite its durability, seagrass is not recommended for outdoor use.

Indoor/Outdoor Patio

Indoor/Outdoor Patio rugs are a good way to add color and interest to a patio area. They can be used to define a seating area or a group of furniture. Outdoor rugs are designed to withstand the elements, allowing them to be used outside. In general, it is best to use them only in covered areas where they are somewhat protected from weather extremes or they will not last as long. It is also a good idea to roll up and store your rug someplace dry during snowy or icy months.

Cowhide

If you want a non-traditional rug, cowhide might be the choice for you. Cowhide is naturally durable and stain-resistant. Marks, color, and size variations are natural characteristics and make each cowhide completely unique. Ours are backed with suede leather to prevent slippage.

Because we try to be a sustainable company, we get our cowhides directly from the factory in Brazil and are always looking for ways to reuse cowhide scraps so nothing is wasted.