Different Types of Rugs for Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to home décor, rugs are an integral component not just to provide floor coverage but also to elevate the look of your home and make your space feel warm and comfortable. It helps add texture, character, and style to your cozy haven. Basically, its purpose is both functional and visual. Therefore, choosing the right rug for every space in your home is essential for creating a cohesive look.

With so many rug options out there, it can be quite confusing to pick the right one, especially when you have different rugs for different areas of the house, the various materials they come in, the shape, the size, etc. Hence, we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you understand the kinds of rugs available so that you choose the right one for your space and a lot more. 

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Table of Contents 

• What is a Rug? 
• Main Functions of a Rug
• Types of Rugs
• Common Rug Materials
• Rug Placement and Size Tips
• How to Choose the Right Rug?
• Rug Care and Maintenance

What is a Rug?

A rug is basically a textile piece, that is most often either tufted or woven. Unlike carpets that are mostly permanent, large, wall-to-wall installations, rugs are flexible options and are used precisely to cover particular sections of your space and are easily replaceable. Rugs are made of different materials and also come in various types. Some of them include – area rugs, bathroom rugs, outdoor rugs, shag rugs, wool rugs, synthetic rugs, etc. They also come in different shapes too – round, rectangle, etc. Besides, rugs are designed keeping in mind both functionality and beautification.

Main Functions of a Rug

Let’s take a look at the main functions of rugs.

Decoration

Rugs can elevate the look of your space, adding to the aesthetics of your home. With different shapes, patterns, colors, and textures, you can upgrade the overall décor of your home.

Functionality

Besides elevating your home décor, rugs actually are very useful. Rugs help cover up your floor, making it more comfortable to walk on. Moreover, they come with anti-slip features that make your space safer. Additionally, they act like sound insulators, reducing footstep noises in the room and a lot more.

Comfort

Rugs add comfort to your space, it gives you that soft and warm feeling under your foot. It helps create that cozy and inviting ambiance.

Types of Rugs

Below are the types of rugs that you should know by use, shape, and style.

By Use

• Area Rugs: Area rugs are quite versatile and are used particularly for specific areas of your home. It could be used for the seating section of your living room or the bed area in your bedroom. These rugs come in various sizes, styles, textures, shapes, etc., suiting different space needs. These rugs are typically made of softer materials such as plush, wool, tencel, etc. 

• The 9x12 area rugs for living rooms and bedrooms are quite in demand, do explore these on GARVEE.  The GARVEE 9x12 Washable, Non-Slip Boho Rug for Living Room is one of our bestsellers, so do check it out. 

• Bathroom Rugs: Bathroom rugs are of course used in the bathroom. These are designed to absorb water and come with anti-slip features to ensure your safety. Bathroom rugs can add a touch of elegance to your bathroom besides providing you comfort. 

• Kitchen Rugs: Since the kitchen is an area where you generally stand for long hours and cook, having a kitchen rug in the area really helps as it provides you with extra cushioning. These rugs are designed for functionality and style and mostly come with waterproof, stain-resistant, anti-slip, anti-fatigue, and easy-to-clean features. 

• Outdoor Rugs: Outdoor rugs are placed in decks, patios, or gardens and are designed with features that can help withstand outdoor weather conditions. These outdoor rugs are waterproof, fade-resistant, and quite durable, offering style and functionality to your outdoor space.

By Shape

Some of them are:

• Round Area Rugs: These round area rugs are just what you need for small or compact spaces or for softening the appearance of angular furniture. They are perfect for placing under your round tables, under your pet’s couch, or your reading corner. 

• Rectangular Rugs: Rectangular rugs are very versatile, and the most popularly used rugs. Rectangular rugs are perfectly suited for most spaces – living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, or entryways. 

• Runner Rugs: Runner rugs are long and narrow and ideal for adding comfort, warmth, and style to kitchens, hallways, entryways, alongside beds, etc. 

By Style

A few of them include:

• Modern Rugs: Perfect for contemporary households, modern rugs generally come with very sleek designs, minimal styles, or geometric patterns. 

• Vintage Rugs: Vintage rugs are timeless. They come with intricate designs and muted colors that add a lot of character to your space. You cannot miss out on this GARVEE Large Low Pile 8x10 Vintage Area Boho Rug. 

• Boho Rugs: If you want a splash of color and playful patterns, then boho rugs are for you. They add creativity alongside making your space feel more relaxed. You must check out the GARVEE Christmas 5x7 Boho Area Rug for Bedrooms and Living Rooms here! 

• Shag Rugs: Plush and textured, shag rugs give your space a comfortable feel besides giving it a luxurious touch. These are perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and lounges. 

• Transitional Rugs: Transitional rugs are a combination of both traditional and contemporary designs. Classic designs are blended with modern designs and colors, giving you a stylish and versatile option for your home décor. 

Common Rug Materials

Rugs are made up of both natural and synthetic materials. Here are a few of the most common rug materials.

Wool Rugs

Wool rugs are soft, durable, luxurious, and provide excellent insulation. Perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and high foot-traffic areas.

Jute Rugs

Jute rugs are made of plant fibers, hence, they are a perfect option for those who are looking for eco-friendly alternatives. These rugs are ideal for a rustic vibe because of their earthy tones and textures.

Cotton Rugs

Cotton rugs are lightweight and versatile. They can be used in most spaces, particularly, kitchens, kid’s bedrooms, or entryways. However, they do make for the perfect nursery rugs as they are soft and can easily absorb moisture, ideal for your babies to play or crawl on.

Silk Rugs

Silk rugs boast of elegance, luxury, and craftsmanship. These rugs have a smooth texture and often come in intricate designs and colors.

Synthetic Rugs

Synthetic rugs are generally made up of polypropylene or nylon and they are very affordable. Besides, they are versatile, stain-resistant, and highly durable, making them the best choice for high foot-traffic areas.

Polyester Rugs

Polyester rugs are soft and super easy to maintain and clean. These are quite durable and hence, ideal for high foot-traffic areas such as entryways or living rooms.

Acrylic Rugs

If you want the look and feel of wool within a budget, then acrylic rugs are your go-to. Besides, they are vibrant and shed less as compared to natural wool.  

Rug Placement and Size Tips

Here are some tips on rug placement and size.

Choosing the Right Rug Size for Your Space

It’s essential to choose the right rug size for your space because it ensures proper proportion, and balances out the room while highlighting your furniture pieces.

• Bedroom: For your bedroom, you can use a runner rug alongside the bed or you can opt for a large rug that goes beyond the sides and foot of the bed. This not only gives your bedroom a very stylish look but also adds comfort. 

• Living Room: For defining your seating space and anchoring your furniture, 9x10 area rugs or 8x10 rugs would be perfect. This is pretty standard, however, it also depends on the size of your room. Having said that, you need to make sure that at least the front legs or the front section of your furniture is on the rug. 

• Dining Room: For your dining room, your rugs should be large enough to cover the table and chairs entirely, even when you pull your chair to sit down. This helps create a visual interest besides protecting your floor. 

How to Place Rugs?

• Ensure that you align the rug with the layout of your room so that a sense of flow and proportion is maintained. 

• Center the rug under key furniture pieces such as your dining table, coffee table, etc. Doing so helps you create a well-balanced and cohesive look, making your space more organized and visually appealing. 

• Cover the entire length of the hallway with a runner rug but make sure to leave at least 4-6 inches of exposed floor on the sides for symmetry. 

• For a harmonized look and feel, make sure to coordinate the color and design of the rug with other décor pieces in your home. If you have bold statement pieces and designs, then neutral rugs will blend seamlessly.  

How to Choose the Right Rug?

Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when choosing a rug.

Take into Consideration Space

The first thing to take into consideration when choosing a rug is your space. For areas that have high foot traffic such as entryways, hallways, and living rooms, go for rugs that are durable and easy to maintain. Synthetic rugs or wool rugs could be a good option as they can withstand wear and tear.

For decorative sections of your house, consider getting boho rugs or vintage rugs. These rugs have intricate designs and bold patterns that make a style statement.

Purpose of the Rug

You have to determine the purpose of your rug. Do you need it for your kitchen? Then, consider anti-slip, and anti-fatigue rugs because this is where you stand for long hours and cook. Additionally, you need stain-resistant, and easy-to-clean rugs because the kitchen gets dirty.

If you need a rug for the bedroom, then consider getting something that is soft, and comfortable such as plush rugs or shag rugs.

Complement it with Your Room’s Style

Another thing that you need to consider before choosing a rug is whether it complements your room. If you have a very contemporary or modern home, then go for modern rugs that have sleek and minimal designs. If your space is more traditional, then go for vintage or transitional rugs. If your home has a rustic vibe, then go for jute or boho rugs.

Size and Placement

For compact spaces, you will need to use round area rugs or runner rugs for a balanced look. For big spaces, you will need to place large area rugs to anchor your furniture. Whichever size rug you choose as per your space and furniture piece, ensure your spaces looks organized and not cluttered.

Coordinate Colors and Patterns

Make sure to select colors and patterns that complement and coordinate well with the existing décor in your room. The rug should echo or contrast with the colors in your room. If your room is neutral colored, then go for bold patterned rugs and if your room has a lot of décor, then go with a simple rug.  The rug has to elevate the overall aesthetics of your room, so choose wisely.

Factor in Budget

Keep in mind your budget when choosing a rug. You have premium options such as wool or silk rugs that are both durable and luxurious and then you have budget-friendly synthetic rugs that are affordable and functional. 
Keeping all these pointers in mind, choose a rug that balances style, functionality, and budget.

Rug Care and Maintenance

Rug cleaning is absolutely essential if you want them to last you long enough.

• Vacuum your rugs regularly to get rid of debris and dirt.

• Use appropriate cleaning solutions to remove stains.

• Clean rugs gently, especially those made of wool to avoid any damage.

• Do not expose the rugs to sunlight for long hours to avoid fading and weakening of fibers.

• To extend the life of your rugs, use a rug pad beneath for added comfort and durability.

• When not in use, store rugs properly in a clean and dry place. 

Rugs are no longer just used as a floor covering, they are more than just protection for your flooring. They add a sense of style to your space while providing you comfort. Therefore, whether you are looking for round area rugs, shag rugs, nursery rugs, bedroom rugs, etc., it is essential that you understand the kind of rugs that are available, the materials they come in, which space needs what type of rug, etc. Once you have clarity on what you want, its gets easy to create a cozy space for yourself. Also, make sure you invest in proper rug care so that the beauty and functionality of your rugs are maintained long enough.

GARVEE has some gorgeous rug collections at amazing deals to help you create a stylish and comfortable home. Check them out here!