Six Rug Types Explained

Shopping for a new rug to add to a room may sound like a simple task but once you are confronted with the many different varieties of rug types to choose from, it may seem a little overwhelming. Rugs come in almost any color you can imagine along with a huge selection of designs and patterns. Before making a decision of colors or patterns, become informed about what the different types of rugs are and how they are different.

Braided Rugs

Braided rugs come, most often, in oval and round shapes. One of the great things about braided rugs is that they do not have a backing on them like many rugs and so are reversible. If you get a spot on one side, simply flip it over to the other side. Braided rugs are made by braiding strips of fabric together. Many types of fabric can be used from cotton to wool, along with different thicknesses. Braided rugs work well with country or traditional decor.

Persian Rugs

Hand woven carpets in Iran are a very large part of the culture and a huge export for the country. The term “Persian rugs” was originally used to represent rugs made by hand in Iran,  but many cheaper reproductions are made now in a variety of countries that it is used in a more general sense to represent the style of rug rather than where it came from. Persian carpets are made using wool and cotton and are woven by machine or hand. A centralized elaborate design in the center of the rug is common with other designs bordering the rug.

Flokati Rugs

A flokati rug is a hand woven wool rug, traditionally made in Greece. The rugs are placed in a whirlpool bath to soak which causes the piles to swell up. The flokati rugs come in many different grades based on their weight and usually have a synthetic backing added to them. Flokati rugs are used often in contemporary or Mediterranean decor.

Sisal Rugs

Strong sisal fiber  from a cactus plant is used to make these types of rugs. They are known to work well in high traffic areas because of their durability and their resistance to stains. Sisal rugs do show water stains, however, and are not suggested for use in a kitchen or bath. Their all natural materials make them popular in

Oriental Rugs

Traditional oriental rugs are made in China but technically it is a more general term that includes Persian rugs along with rugs from India, Turkey and Romania. They are hand woven or hand knotted. Oriental designed rugs can be made by machine but are not referred to as “authentic” Oriental rugs. Silk oriental rugs are the most expensive style.

Contemporary Rugs

This style does not refer to how a rug is made but more of its appearance. Bright colors and patterns usually make these rugs appear to be art work for the floor. They are most often used in contemporary and modern homes. They can be a variety of shapes and sizes. Cheaper, machine made rugs often use synthetic materials such as acrylic and olefin.