A Concise & Complete Guide to Traditional Rugs

Being amongst one of the fastest growing plants around the world has made bamboo an abundant source for making less expensive rugs. Derived from Chinese culture, Bamboo rugs look like flat mats and can adapt well to casual needs while also being a true delight to be used on beaches. Since bamboo is a renewable source as it can be grown quickly, these rugs are eco-friendly as well. Although, people would want to clean spills quickly since wood absorbs stains quickly after which they become nearly impossible to remove. While their life depends on usage, these rugs can serve hassle free for up to 10 years.

Sisal

Derived from a type of cactus plant, Sisal is largely obtained from Mexico, Brazil and Africa. Fibres of sisal can be up to 3 feet in length and are harvested using hand from the leaves of the plant. These are the strongest plant fibres which used for making rugs. Sisal rugs are popular among people due to their clean and natural look. Since these fibres are also used for making traditional ropes, they have amazing strength and durability.

Sisal rugs give an organic look to the surroundings and are also eco-friendly in nature. Although they need regular vacuuming and are prone to stains, the cost of sisal rugs is quite affordable.

Jute

This is a natural fibre obtained from the Jute plant and is mainly imported from India and China to be used for a number of purposes. They are biodegradable and can be renewed easily due to their rapid growth during the rainy season. Jute is quite flexible along with being strong and durable in nature.
This fibre can be woven into tight chunks and braids without the fear of breaking them. Jute rugs can comfortably handle a medium to low amount of foot traffic and last for years with just a regular vacuum.

Hemp

This natural fibre has been used for millenniums in order to make textiles and is derived from the Cannabis plant. Today, they are mostly obtained from China, Canada and Australia to be used industrially. Hemp can grow easily in a number of climates over different types of terrain. The texture of hemp is similar to linen and it grows even softer with usage. With eco-friendly materials on the rise and an organic feel provided by traditional hemp rugs, these fibres have grown in popularity over the years. Hemp fibres can be easily dyed and they are also durable and tough, making them efficient in areas with high foot traffic as well. The Skandinavian Java range from Rug Culture are 100% Hemp - check them out here.

Seagrass

Providing the customers with a casual living look accompanied at an affordable price has made seagrass rugs quite popular in the recent decade or so. Seagrass grows beneath water in numerous parts around the world with most of it being supplied from Asia since the plants natively belong to monsoon climates.

Seagrass rugs have a smooth texture along with slight natural shine. Since seagrass grows in water, it does not absorb water or stains easily and can be easily managed. Natural sea grass fibres come in a wide variety of green undertones and are quite durable in nature.

Chenille

This velvety material has an origin in France and may be made using cotton, silk, wool or rayon through a twisting procedure. The base fibres are wound with long fibres at the required angle which gives rise to a luxurious material. Chenille is famed around the world owing to its textured look and amazingly soft appearance although it is not recommended for heavy foot traffic due to its construction.

Traditional Rug Making Techniques

There are different processes for making traditional rugs around the world. Commonly, there are three practices observed for making traditional rugs although other techniques may also be used collectively or exclusively for making traditional rugs. The amount of work and time given through each technique and the material used are the major factors which determine the price of a traditional rug.

Flat Woven Rugs

These are unique type of rugs as they can also be reversed for usage. They do not have a pile but are woven on a loom through passing strand of weft through the warp back and forth. They are commonly made using wool fibres which make these rugs rather durable even if they tend to be thin in nature.

The most widely known types of flat rugs are Dhurries, Kilims, and Soumaks with the last one being the thickest at nearly 0.5 inches thick in some cases. The manufacturing of these rugs does not employ any adhesives at all and they are quite affordable in price.

Hand Made Rugs

The term “hand made rugs” can be used for a large variety of rugs which are made entirely by hand. These rugs are made usually through the lengthy process of drawing the design which is accompanied by sorting the wool and then dying it as required. When this has been done, individual knots are tied which is followed by shearing. After the process of shearing is complete, the rugs are sent for washing. Thus, a lot of work and time goes into making each rug and there are a vast number of designs in these handmade rugs making them truly unique. Larger number of knots does increase the price but it also increases the beauty to a great deal by adding to the intricacy of the design. Traditional Persian rugs can even have over 500 knots per square inch in some cases.

Machine Made Traditional Rugs

These rugs are made on looms which are controlled electronically and programmed with the design and colour required for the rug. Machine-made rugs are produced in much lesser amount of time as compared to the other two processes and their precision is also monitored carefully. They are finished through binding the edges along with the addition of fridge if it’s desired. Their prices can vary greatly depending on their type and material used for making them but they are generally less expensive as compared to handmade traditional rugs. Although the difference is not readily apparent, upon close inspection, a machine made traditional rug and a handmade traditional rug can easily be differentiated from each other.

Influences of Traditional Rug Designs

The discovery of “the Pazyryk carpet” in Siberia during the mid-1900 century has given the oldest example of pile carpet and proved that rugs were used even in the 5th century BC (see our Rugs Throughout History post for more). These rugs were developed by Mesopotamian nomads and were then introduced into Persia. Rugs have been around for over 4000 years according to speculations and the techniques used today for making them still resonate with those used in the ancient times.

Persians were among the people who took the art of rug making to a whole different level. Even though carpets in Persia, now Iran were made even before 500 BC, they were mostly made for personal use until 1500’s when the Safavid Dynasty came into power and commercialized the rug craft. This resulted in amazing carpets being exported to Europe and around the world and their designs being adopted by other manufacturers as well.

In around 1000 AD, the art of weaving pile rug started in Europe but this was mainly influenced by Egyptians as they were located nearby and proved to be great sources for knowledge and information regarding rug making. Thus, Egypt also contributed to traditional rug designs by a great extent.

Through the Mediterranean Sea and the Silk Route, the combined art of rug making came from China and India which also provided many great ideas and techniques which are still being used. Since the Silk Route also passed through Persia and India was ruled by Mughal Rulers for a long period, the art of rug making thrived by taking ideas from different sources and developing the designs further in a collective way.

Today, amalgamations of a vast number of historical ideas are being employed by the rug industry to provide customers with breathtaking traditional rug designs.

How to match traditional rugs with home décor?

Traditional rugs can be matched with home décor using both contemporary and classic styles. There is no reason for a traditional rug to look bad with modern décor if it is planned well whereas bad placing can even make classic furniture look bad with a traditional rug. There are a few factors which people need to focus on in order to match their rugs perfectly while there are several other tips as well which they can follow to achieve a spellbinding interior.

The important factors to note for matching the traditional rugs with home decor are given below:

Defining areas:

Although many people believe that buying a smaller rug will make the area look smaller, this problem can be easily solved. Placing rugs in definite areas helps in defining them clearly which is greatly useful in studio apartments or large rooms which have different sections

Use different sizes and complementing styles:

If placing more than one rug in the same room, it is better to use different sizes. Using different sized rugs creates a sense of variety and makes the room look livelier. Having different sizes also does not cut the room into pieces visually. Using rugs which do not complement each other in their style may lead to a jarred interior with unpleasant effects.

Colour scheme should be paid attention to: A rug can either be the basis of the colour scheme or it can be used to accent or tie the already existing colours in the room. People can also use a non-white rug to provide a counterbalance to deep coloured glossy walls in their house. It is also quite easy to repeat the warm rug colours through pillows and other artwork to create a smooth look in the area. Here's a helpful guide to determine the right rug color for your space.

Using a bold or a subtle rug:

A room should only have limited features that stand out. If the upholstery is having an ornate pattern or the mantelpiece is crafted intricately then it is better to use a subtle rug. On the other hand, if the walls and other features of the room are subdued, then people can go for a rug with bold colours and busier patterns for adding more interest.