Shopping for a New Contemporary Rug

Everyone loves to decorate their home in a way that reflects their individual personality and style. Visitors and friends should be able to see the personal touch of the homeowner in each room. When one sets out to decorate, flooring should not be forgotten as it plays a prominent role in enhancing the beauty of the room. A well thought out floor covering can transform an otherwise plain area into a stylish and sophisticated room.

A Brief but Interesting History of Rugs

Weaving is traced back as far as 6000 B.C., to excavations, which took place in the area of the Caspian Sea. This was around the same time that people began to learn the art of weaving. A fact many people find amusing is that weaving was initially considered a man’s job, rather than a feminine art. The very first functional rugs were made of rather abrasive materials and were used as cave protection. By the 3rd millennium B.C., Egyptians were adept at making a wide variety of woven rugs and carpets, and may take credit for what we know today as a shag rugs; of course things such as non-slip backing came a bit later in time.

Choosing a Contemporary Rug

When choosing a modern rug one must consider the many styles and how they are classified. Many things factor in to this, including the material used, the manufacturing method, and the rug’s functional use. Rugs can be round, square, rectangle, oval or oblong. They are available in plain, solid colors, or can be purchased in bright patterns, which make a bold statement. Contemporary rugs work well with almost any type of modern decor, and a great place to begin the selection process is identifying the objective for the room in which the rug will be placed. Depending on the material choice, a contemporary rug to match any decor should not be hard to find.

Shaggy rugs work well in rooms with an artistic flair or in which modern art is featured. Flokati rugs are a good choice for sophisticated decor and can be found in synthetic or natural wool. Hand-woven flokati rugs make a valuable investment if one can acquire them.

Chinese Rugs

Chinese rugs have remained a favorite throughout the years and these trends will not likely change as time goes on. They can breathe new life and beauty into a previously bland room, and work well in living rooms, studies, or bedrooms. Intricate patterns and beautiful color combinations are featured with Chinese rugs, making it easy to find one that appropriately matches the other decor in the room.

Hardwearing Rugs

Hardwearing rugs such as wool, burlap, or jute can be found in a wide variety of styles and colors, as well. Many people, especially pet owners and those with small children, choose rugs of a hardwearing nature as they last longer and require less maintenance. These rugs usually feature a rough consistency. If the home is one where visitors or guests frequently sit or lie on the floor, one may wish to opt for softer blend rug, as wool and similar fabrics can be a bit rough on the skin.

Hard Flooring

Some people opt for hard flooring, as these types of floors do not require vacuuming, and spills can be easily cleaned up should they occur. A laminate floor or a wooden floor is a good option in this case since these floors have an appeal all their own, but can also lend themselves easily to a variety of rugs should the homeowner choose this option in the future.

Wooden floors look lovely when paired with oriental or other intricately patterned rugs, and rug runners are an excellent option for bare floor sections not covered by the primary rug. They also help with keeping the overall decor uniform throughout the house. Whatever shape, style, or design one is looking for, will not be hard to find if a few simple tips are followed. First, one should be sure to remember the decorating objective of the room in which the rug will be placed. A rug may look terrific on the sales floor of furniture a store, but once installed in one’s home, may be entirely wrong. Shopping around is essential, as well. It is never in a person’s best interest to buy the first rug he or she finds-even though the sales clerk may think this is a marvelous idea. Another excellent venue for rug shopping is web surfing. The variety of styles that can be found online far exceeds those available in most traditional stores. With a little patience and effort, the ideal rug for anyone can be found.