Buying an area rug may not be as simple as the novice buyer would hope. Being a room’s centerpiece, choosing the right rug is perhaps one of the most critical decisions you or your interior designer can make in creating the desired ambience or atmosphere for your home. But there’s really no reason to panic. The fact that you’re considering to purchase a natural fiber rug already indicates that you’re moving in the right direction. Natural fibers such as seagrass and wool have always proven to be more durable than synthetic materials such as nylon or olefin. In terms of aesthetics, natural fibers have always gotten the nod of designers since handwoven rugs posses an inherent beauty that cannot be replicated by mass-produced or machine made carpeting. These products’ natural colors and basic patterns can easily match any furniture and décor.  Pattern differences make natural fiber rugs “perfectly imperfect”. When tackling environmental issues, synthetics are out of the question as they’ve often been frowned upon for emitting harmful gases in the atmosphere. On the other hand, natural fibers are hypoallergenic and actually help to filter the air by helping trap contaminants.

To make things easier for you or your designer, we’ve listed a few things that you might want to consider before purchasing your new natural fiber rug.

Request a Sample

Obtaining a sample is one of the best ways of assuring that your rug’s color or pattern would match your room’s furniture. A sample allows you to readily compare the rug material to your floor, walls, furniture and drapes. The last thing you’d want to do is to re-wrap and return a rug in exchange for a new one (there are no returns for made to order or customized rugs).

Take Photos of Your Room

Taking a picture of your room allows you to get a better perspective of how your rug would blend in with your furniture, which is important in choosing the right shade or pattern for your rug. This enables you to compare your rug with other elements inside your room.

Check for Measurements

Avoid the hassle of having to return or repair a rug just because it’s a few inches longer or smaller than what your room requires. Using tape to outline the area that will be covered by the rug will help you visualize the appropriate rug size for your room.

Determine Your Rug’s Purpose

Is your rug to be used in a hallway where you expect significant amount of traffic or under the dining table where you expect spills? Or are you looking for a material that’s soft enough for you to walk on barefoot? It’s important to compare your needs with the characteristics of each type of rug to assure that your needs are met. Please click the following links to get a better idea of the basic characteristics of our natural fiber rugs:

Use a Rug Pad

One thing that a lot of customers overlook is the importance of buying a rugpad, which could be the best thing you can do for both your floor and your rug. Rug pads provide extra cushioning and that added grip which helps anchor your rug to your floor without damaging its surface. Rugpads create a breathable space between your rug and your floor which promotes air circulation, preventing dirt and bacteria buildup. Using rugpads is one of the most economical ways to help maintain your rug and floor.

These are just some useful tips that might help you decide which rug material would be appropriate for your room. Remember, shopping for rugs should be a fun and enjoyable experience, so don’t restrict your imagination. Go ahead and test your creativity. But if you still have apprehensions about making these decisions on your won, you can always consult a local designer.