Area Rug Fabric Choices

Wool

• Wool is one of the most common types of natural materials from which area rugs are made. Though there are multiple variations of wool rugs, they are often some of the most expensive when they are 100 percent wool and hand woven. Wool area rugs are soft on the feet but also stain resistant and durable.

Cotton

• Rugs are sometimes made out of cotton, which is another natural material. Cotton is typically more flexible and usually less expensive than many fabrics. Cotton also absorbs dye much better and therefore has much richer colors and allows for a more detailed pattern. However, unlike wool, cotton absorbs stains and is not as easy to clean, making it a less common fabric choice for an area rug. Cotton is oftentimes used for the details of area rugs, such as the backing or fringe on the edge.

Sisal

• Sisal is another inexpensive natural fiber material for area rugs. Sisal is a plant with thick leaves and is a common material for rope. Asian countries, as well as the Pacific Islands, began to weave the plant into rugs because of its durability and resistance to water. Today it is a common choice for a dorm room or for a young adult who wants an area rug that is inexpensive and durable. It has also grown in popularity for homeowner's who want to add a natural looking texture to a room.

Seagrass

• Like Sisal, seagrass rugs are inexpensive and natural looking. However, they usually only come in the earth tone colors of natural seagrass colors, such as caramel browns, creams and tans. Most seagrass rugs have a cotton border around them to prevent fraying as well as to add another color option to the design. Some seagrass rugs actually have cotton fibers woven into the rug, which make it more comfortable and gives it a more complex appearance.

Bamboo

• Bamboo rugs can also give any room a natural or textural look but also are expensive. Bamboo rugs began in ancient Japanese civilizations where bamboo was readily available. However, as eastern design expanded to the west, bamboo became more in demand. Bamboo rugs are stiff and are closer to a mat that is rolled than a typical wool or cotton rug. They are commonly shown in the natural bamboo finish but can come in a wide variety of colors.