With all this choice available, it can be hard to decide which floor rug is right for you and your home. The type of rug you choose will depend on a number of options - from taste to practicality – so let us help you find the right one for your home.

Wants and needs

The first thing to consider when buying a new rug is what’s going to work for you, your family, and your space. Rugs are exceptionally versatile and can satisfy a number of needs – from simple decoration to defining areas within your home.

Before you start to look for a new rug it is important to have in mind exactly why you are looking and what the main purpose of the rug will be. In many cases, this will be for aesthetic purposes, but for some, this might take on an extra, more practical need.

To help you decide exactly what you’re looking for, we’ve highlighted the most common uses for rugs in modern homes today.

Practicality

Hard floors might look beautiful, but they can often throw up a number of issues – such as noisy footsteps and loss of heat. They can also be hazardous if you have a little one running around. A cosy, deep-pile luxury rug will help overcome these issues and allow you to keep the floor that you love.

Rugs also can protect areas where there is heavy traffic. Areas such as hallways and landings are used so often that carpets can often wear out quickly, tiles can get scratched and wooden floors become worn. Investing in a rug will ensure the flooring underneath is protected from all marks, scratches and general wear and tear. Paper rugs and runners are a particularly good choice for this area as they are excellent value, hard-wearing and can be easily moved around and cleaned with a damp cloth.

Defining areas

Open-plan living areas really benefit from the use of a rug. It helps to divide up separate areas without the use of walls or screens and can help add a sense of colour and cosiness to a large space. Invest in an area rug, this is a big rug, large enough to cover the area of your sofa and beyond to really separate the space.

Location

Now have a think about where you would like your rug to sit as this can often bring up further points to consider. If your new rug is destined for the kitchen, stain resistance might be important; if it’s in a sunny room, it might need to be protected against direct sunlight. If you’re looking for an outdoor rug, it will need to be crafted from weatherproof materials. Really think hard about the room in which your rug will be placed to get a good idea of what you need from it.

Style

Now for the fun bit: style and colour. We stock a wide variety of modern rugs in a large number of colours and styles. These often have vibrant colours and graphic, abstract patterns which are ideally suited to modern living rooms and children’s playrooms.

If you like traditional colours and patterns, we also stock quality rugs in a series of neutral shades and tones which are perfect for adding a subtle hint of colour to a bedroom, living, dining area or hallway.

Material choice - wool

The quality of a rug is measured first and foremost by the material it’s made of. Wool is the most popular choice and over 80% of our collection is made from this material. Wool rugs offer numerous advantages. Not only is it a natural fibre that offers comfort and warmth, but it’s also hard-wearing, fire resistant, dirt repellent and a sound insulator.

There are numerous types of wool available – including pure new wool and New Zealand wool and there are subtle differences between them.

Pure new wool refers to hair that has been obtained from a sheep or lamb that has never been spun into yarn or any finished product before. It represents only 5% of world fibre production worldwide and is a luxury commodity. New Zealand wool is grown in open pasture land following sustainable land use and animal-friendly practices and is natural, renewable and biodegradable.

Material choice – natural fibres

As an alternative to wool, natural fibres such as jute, hemp or bamboo are an excellent choice for modern homes.

The fastest growing plant on earth, hemp is naturally anti-bacterial meaning it is resistant to mould and mildew. It is also hardwearing and biodegradable, making it both sustainable and perfectly suited to timeless design pieces.

Jute is one of the strongest natural fibres out there, with both insulating and antistatic properties. The fast-growing jute plant flourishes in tropical regions such as India and Bangladesh and it is also 100% biodegradable and recyclable, further reducing its climate impact.

Bamboo rugs are very durable and stable, whilst also being incredibly soft with a slight shine to their surface. The production of bamboo is sustainable as it thrives without any pesticides, and it is also biodegradable.

Material choice – recycled plastics

The perfect material choice for outdoor rug designs, recycled plastic rugs are becoming more and more popular. Often produced from recycled PET, brands such as nanimarquina and ferm LIVING are recovering and transforming plastic waste into rugs, thus minimising the environmental impact of plastic burning.

Recycled PET fibres are particularly durable, offer good thermal properties and provide very good weather resistance.

How to look after your rug

The best way of keeping your rug in tip-top condition will depend heavily upon its material; be sure to check the label for specific care instructions. However, there are a few rules that apply to almost all new rugs.

First and foremost, remember to turn your rug often as this will not only ensure even wear, it will also keep it moth free. This applies to all rugs, no matter its material.

Secondly, if you have a wool rug, lightly vacuuming it on a regular basis will help keep on top of the natural shedding process and will keep it looking fresh and fluff-free.

Thirdly, always remember to place an anti-slip pad under your rug. This will keep it in place (meaning you won’t slip and trip) and will stop it sliding around and getting dirty unnecessarily. These are available in a number of sizes and styles, but we recommend choosing a full-length polythene matt which should cover the entire underside of your rug.

Finally, never pull loose threads. If you do spot a loose thread on your new rug, always ensure you snip it off at the base as this will prevent unravelling.

Need a hand?

Our interior consultation service offers bespoke, one-to-one interior advice and product recommendations. You’ll be assigned a dedicated product specialist who will listen to your needs and help you discover the best of the Nest collection. Find out more.

We hope you found this guide useful. If you need further help, please get in touch by calling 0114 243 3000, email: info@nest.co.uk or via Live Chat.