Picking your material

Think through these four things as you begin your selection process.

1. Traffic. Is this a high or low traffic area? High traffic obviously needs a more durable rug.

2. Ability to clean. How often will you have spills in this space? More spills needs a more stain resistant rug.

3. Texture. Do you have a preference of softer or rougher under your feet? Or could texture add to the aesthetic of the room?

4. Budget. How much do you want or can you spend on this space?

Ok for high traffic:

• Wool

• Jute/bamboo/sisal

• Olefin/polypropylene

• Nylon

Stain resistant and/or cleans easier:

• Wool

• Polyester

• Olefin/polypropylene

• Nylon

Adds aesthetic texture to space:

• Jute/bamboo/sisal

• Leather/hide/sheepskin

• Faux fur/faux hide

Rougher under feet:

• Jute/bamboo/sisal

Softer under feet:

• Wool

• Silk

• Olefin/polypropylene

More expensive:

• Wool

• Leather/hide/sheepskin

• Silk

• Nylon

Less expensive:

• Cotton

• Jute/bamboo/sisal

• Polyester

• Olefin/polypropylene

• Faux fur/faux hide

Materials are either natural or synthetic 

Here are some pros and cons to consider as you select your ideal material. 

Natural:

Wool - 

• ok for high traffic

• handcrafted (woven, tufted, knotted, etc.) therefore high quality and more expensive

• holds color well

• has natural beauty

• soft under feet

• can shed for first few months, so may need to vacuum more at first

• cleans up spills well (not stain-resistant, but has natural soil-resistant qualities)

Silk - 

• better for low traffic

• soft under feet

• has a natural sheen

• stains easily

• harder to clean

• delicate

• silk in combination with wool works better

Cotton - 

• inexensive

• more casual look

• fades quickly

• stains easier

• won't last long - consider for an area that you'll change out with your mood, seasons, as styles change, etc.

Linen - 

• Better for low traffic

• Beautiful color

• Helps absorb humidity

• Stains easily

• Difficult to clean

• Expensive

• Reveals traffic patterns over time

Jute/bamboo/sisal - 

• less expensive, although can vary widely

• adds texture to space

• rough/course under feet

• can be hard to clean (for example, can show watermarks)

• can layer under smaller/decorative rug(s)

• natural, organic, coastal feel

• option for someone with a wool allergy

• sustainable

Leather/hide/sheepskin - 

• consider for small spaces

• good for luxurious layering

• Will wear with time, but typically beautifully

• sheepskin is easy to clean and soft

• hides have hedges that can curl up (but be ironed back down) and accumulate dirt

Viscose - 

• Like silk but less expensive

• Soft

• Not durable

• Stains easily

• Flammable

• Sheds

• Wearw down with foot traffic

Synthetic:

Polyester - 

• Better for low-traffic areas

• machine woven

• appears more expensive than they are

• Shows soil (looks dirtier than on wool)

• typically inexpensive

• cleans up well due to low absorbency and ability to repel water (contradicts another source that says less cleanable and resilient than other fibers)

• resistant to fading, wear and tear and staining

• not oil resistant so could get oil stains

• PET is one type that is made from recycled plastic bottles and is soft under foot

• Good texture

Olefin/polypropylene -

• ok for high traffic, but won't last forever

• typically thinner than wool 

• soft like wool

• less expensive 

• fade resistant (holds color well)

• cleans up easily

• less environmentally friendly because doesn't decompose quickly

• option for outdoor space

• stain resistant

Nylon -

• ok for high traffic

• most durable

• cleans easily and resists dirt and crumbs

• good for those with pets, kids or who do heavy entertaining

• retains texture well

• silky appearance/sheen

• can fade 

• Resists soil and mildew

• Not as soft underfoot

• Can be recycled

Faux fur/faux hide -

• less expensive than the real thing

• harder to clean than the real thing

• can shed, especially at first

• no ethical concern to use