Area Rugs Archives - Page 2 of 2

Area Rugs
February 3, 2018

An Owner’s Guide To Great Rug Care

You’d be surprised at how much dirt your vacuum leaves when cleaning your rug. No matter how big the promises of your vacuum manufacturer, sometimes they just can’t get deep enough to remove every particle. And those particles can add up over time.

You love your rug and want it to be on your floors for many years to come. How do you take care of it?

Start by keeping it clean

If you control how much dirt gets onto the rug in the first place, you’ll have an easier time keeping it clean. Declare a shoes-off policy throughout your home. If you place a doormat or rug by your doors, you can stop people before they enter and have a place for them to leave their shoes.

Frequent vacuuming is also a requirement. Vacuuming up surface dirt before it has a chance to embed deep in the fibers will ensure your rug stays cleaner longer. Having an expensive vacuum that stays in the closet is of little use. Instead, purchase one that is easy to use and can be pulled out and used frequently.

Spend time vacuuming where the dirt really is. In heavy traffic areas, pass over the rug a dozen times. For less traffic areas, reduce your passovers to four. And in guest rooms or places rarely visited, you can clean less frequently, maybe with touch-ups once a month.

Deep cleaning

The safest, easiest way for deep cleaning is to roll your rugs up and have them taken away for cleaning. However, that’s not always a logical or practical choice. Always refer to manufacturers guidelines before you start the cleaning process.

You should always keep in mind the three key concepts of spot cleaning: blot, clean, rinse. Never scrub; only blot. Rubbing on a stain merely pushes the stain further into the fibers. Blot instead by pressing down with the heel of your hand to absorb the spill. If the spill is large, consider using a wet vac.

Never use harsh chemicals. Mix your own spot cleaning solution with a few drops of dish soap in water. Avoid creamy soaps as they can leave sticky residues. Once the stain has been removed, rinse the area with clean water or continue to blot with a wet towel. Repeat until no more residue comes out.

Area Rugs, Flooring
October 30, 2017

Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Area Rug

Nothing creates a more elegant look that an area rug accenting your hardwood floors. You’ve invested a lot of money in both your hardwood and your rug; how do you keep it looking good for years to come?

To extend the life of your area rug, the most important part is vacuuming it frequently. Dirt and dust can quickly settle into the rug fibers, especially if your rug is in a high traffic area.

Today’s vacuums promise powerful cleaning. But that cleaning can overwhelm delicate fibers of some rugs. To preserve your area rug, use vacuum attachments and a gentler setting, especially around the binding or outer edges. You can also use a carpet sweeper for everyday cleaning, which is manual and lighter to the touch.

Keep in mind that during the first few months you own your area rug, some shedding is normal.

Clean Spills Immediately

The most important thing you can do to preserve your area rug is to clean spills as quickly as possible. Carpet fibers can pull any moisture that lies on the top of the pile and draw it within. If the spill has time to dry, it can permanently stain the fibers. So the cleaning process may vary depending on the type of rug and stain itself.

Always blot, never rub. Use water sparingly to keep the spill moist while you work on the spill. Use clean, dry cloth to blot at the spot until it fades away. It’s also a good idea to get your area rug professionally cleaned once or twice per year, depending upon its use.

Rotate Your Rug

Depending on the use of your area rug and what environment it is placed in, it’s a good idea to rotate your area rug on a regular basis. Turn your rug 180 degrees once or twice a year to prevent certain spots from fading or wearing out where traffic is heaviest.

Always Use A Rug Pad

Just like padding is essential for the life of your carpets, so too is a rug pad for the life of your area rug. A rug pad acts as a buffer between the hard surface and your area rug. It prevents fibers from being crushed. The rug wear will be kept to a minimum because it acts as a cushion against the flooring. It also keeps the rug from slipping on a hard surface.

And that’s it. With just a few tips, your area rug will stay looking its best for years to come.

Area Rugs, Flooring
June 22, 2017

5 Things To Know About Rug Pile

A rug’s pile refers to the density of the fibers. Pile can be cut or left in loops. Pile can be short and flat, or shaggy and long.

Rug pile also goes hand in hand with rug height, which is the thickness of the rug or carpet. Height is measured from the surface of a rug down to its backing.

There are five things to use to determine the ideal rug pile for you.

Pile Height

Pile heights are characterized by how tall the fibers are.

Low – less than ¼ inch
Medium – ¼ to ½ inch
High – ½ to ¾ inch

Thicker Isn’t Better

It’s automatic to assume thicker is better, but it isn’t always so. Some very fine rugs are thin. Rugs are made with different things in mind. Consider a rug or carpet’s final resting spot before you select the choice for you. High traffic areas will benefit from rug density to stand up to daily abuse.

Shorter Is Stronger

As a general rule, shorter pile rugs will last a bit longer than their longer pile counterparts. They are also easier to care for and can be easier to maintain with regular vacuuming and spot cleaning.

Furniture Placement

Carefully consider the furniture in your room before making a final selection. Longer piles can feel more soft and luxurious, but they are also more susceptible to crushing underneath heavy items. The more space your furniture takes up, the more chance of marking your rugs forever.

Cleaning

Longer piles require extra care when cleaning. Ensure your vacuum has a high pile setting so as not to get fibers caught in the rotating beater bar. If not cleaned properly, longer piles can quickly crush and wear out.

Area Rugs, Flooring
February 26, 2017

Mats and Floor Runners As Safety Issues

When you purchase proper floor mats and floor runners, they can be an effective way of creating a safer and more secure environment for pedestrian traffic within your commercial location. However, improper or poorly maintained mats and runners can be hazardous and cause slipping and falls.

While floor mats and runners are widely used in retail and commercial applications to improve pedestrian safety in places where water and other outside contaminants may cause flooring to become dangerous, many facility owners simply don’t use them in the correct manner. Mats and runners have the sole purpose to remove moisture and soil from the bottom of pedestrian’s feet, control the spread of moisture throughout the building, and provide a slip-resistant surface in areas where falling can be a problem. However, they can pose a dangerous hazard when best practices are not followed.

Mats and runners have the same purpose, are different only in their size. A runner is a floor mat that is at least several times longer than it is wide. Both are flat, commercial grade pieces of material that are used as temporary floor coverings.

When used properly, mats and runners can protect the flooring underneath and provide a safe way for accumulating high amounts of water and debris. When possible, mats should be recessed into the floor to prevent tripping hazards. Where recessing isn’t possible, mats should be constructed with wide beveled edges and should be a contrasting color to stand out from the flooring below. It should be made of such materials as coconut fiber or heavy corrugated rubber, and be thick enough to absorb.

Aged, worn, or improperly placed mats all have potential tripping hazards. If a mat doesn’t lie flat against the ground, curls, has ridges, or puckers, it can be a hazard. Lightweight mats, in particular are susceptible to more damage, and have the potential of excessive wear in shorter periods of time.

Mats and runners should be of suitable size to reduce the potential hazard without becoming hazards themselves. A minimum of 12 to 15 feet of mat coverage should be provided to remove most of the tracked in soil and moisture. Mats should be placed by the door threshold at the entry end and cover the width of the door opening. Mats should be changed out during the day in heavy traffic areas, or where they become easily saturated.

Have questions about your commercial flooring applications? Just ask.

Area Rugs
January 27, 2017

Decorating With Area Rugs

Here throughout the Rockies, we love our hardwood floors. But hardwoods can be cold in the winter, and can be easily damaged in high traffic areas. Which is why many of us turn to decorating with area rugs to add protection to a room.

Before you begin shopping, it’s important to accurately measure the total width and length of your room. It’s also important to measure the functional pieces in your room. In the dining room, for example, measure the dining table and chairs. Sketch a floor plan to show furniture placement and traffic flow.

Once you have all measurements in place, go back and subtract the area rug from your room measurements to judge the exposed floor space. How much space is there between the wall and the area rug? This measurement will help you determine the proper size of a rug to ensure it fits both with the look and functionality of your space.

A rug in the dining room should be large enough to fit the table and the chairs when all of your guests are seated, and the chairs are pulled out. This will give your room a balanced feel, as well as prevent your hardwoods from getting scratches. In most cases, your area rug should be at least three feet wider and three feet longer than your dining table when all chairs are pushed in. An average sized dining room table with six chairs works well on an 8×10 rug. A larger table that seats eight or ten would work best on a 9×12 or slightly larger rug. A 10×14 works well for 10 chairs.

Ensure three to four feet of hard surface around the perimeter of the rug to give the illusion of a large, roomy dining room. The exposed floor underneath also works as a border to the rug. All other furniture in the dining space, such as buffet or china cabinet, should rest on the floor, not on the rug.

In a living room or family room, rugs are a great way to define living space and make them appear cozy. You can build a conversation area in front of a fireplace by using an 8×10 rug with a sofa and two chairs arranged around a coffee table. Then create a corner reading area with an armchair, ottoman, bookshelves and a lamp table offset by a complementary 4×6 or 5×7 rug.

The size of your room will determine how many functional spaces you can build. If your room is small with one focal point, such as a fireplace, it’s best to choose a rug that doesn’t compete or distract from the focal point. If you use more than one rug, it’s best to vary the scale of the pattern and alter the design. Rugs don’t have to be identical, but should match in tone and feeling.

How can you use area rugs to define your space?

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Area Rugs, Flooring
January 10, 2017

How To Properly Store Rugs

Do you like switching out your rugs for a fresh look in your décor? Do you have several rugs you rotate to prevent too much wear? It’s important to properly store your rugs to ensure a long life; to ensure they stay in top appearance throughout their lives.

The best location for storage of your rugs would be a room that is cool, dry, and where they are blocked from natural light. While it is possible to adapt many spaces in the house for rug storage, avoid using attics and basements, which are usually without climate control and suffer the largest swings in temperature and relative humidity.

When storing a rug, it’s best to roll it. Never fold a rug for either short or long term storage. Folding can cause permanent creases to form and ruin your rug.

It is generally best to roll a rug with the pile facing in, since it is not as strong as the foundation. Lay the rug face up with the pile going away from you. Then roll, keeping the rug as straight as possible while you roll. To help keep it straight, use a rod or wooden dowel, or one that is specifically used for rugs.

To ensure the roll is straight, consider using a piece of cotton or muslin material cut the width of the rug. Wrap the muslin over both edges of the rug. This allows you to get a secure roll onto your rod before rolling your rug, and allows you to get a tight roll at both ends to protect against insects and dirt. When the roll is complete, secure the roll with cotton or polyester tape.

Living in a climate where humidity is low can damage your rugs. Consider raising the level of humidity slightly with a humidifier.

Also, ensure your rugs do not receive sunlight. Block with shades or blinds to ensure your rug won’t fade over time.

Also, avoid storing rugs directly on the floor. Carpet beetles, in particular, like to take up residence between the back of your rug and the floor, and can do serious harm to your rugs in a very short period of time. Because most moth or carpet beetle infestations occur in improperly stored rugs, it’s a good idea to check your storage area periodically to ensure your rugs remain in good condition. If you have more than one rug stored in a single location, choose one randomly once per month to check. If there is no evidence of infestation, you’re probably safe.

Are you storing your rugs properly?

Area Rugs, Flooring
May 9, 2016

How To Choose The Perfect Area Rug

Remember your childhood home? If it was like mine, it had wall to wall carpeting, even brightly colored in a choice we wouldn’t even consider today.

Today, when we choose to move into a home and create the ambiance we desire, hardwood in some format is almost always at the top of our wish list. But as much as you love your hardwoods, I’m guessing on some days you crave a little coziness too.

That’s where area rugs come into play. But finding the right area rug isn’t always easy. And in fact, can be a several month long journey. It’s not as simple as saying “I like the color.” You should also learn about many other things, including the pile, durability, size, shape, pattern, texture, weight, dye, practicality, manufacturing process, and of course cost.

Because different area rugs are made for different areas of your home. If you put the wrong area rug in your breakfast nook or running down a hallway, you’ll be unhappy from the moment you bring it home.

When I talk with people about selecting the perfect area rug for their space, I usually give them three pieces of advice.

1. Consider it’s purpose
An area rug in a dining room is susceptible to spills on a daily basis. You’ll clean a rug in a dining room more than you would a bedroom. It’s important to consider where it will be placed and the kind of maintenance required to keep it in top condition.

2. Longevity
Purchasing an area rug can be a difficult decision. They can be expensive. They can last many, many years. When you choose an area rug, is it something that can be incorporated into your design over and over again? Will it work in the family room and the bedroom? Can you use it year after year? While it’s fun to change things up every once in awhile, if you invest in a quality rug, make sure it’s something you’ll love for years.

3. Cleanability
Rugs get dirty. No matter where they are located in your home, they’ll eventually need cleaning. How difficult is the process? How will you clean it? Is there a lot of hassle involved? How does cleaning impact the rug? If you know before you buy, you’ll have less of surprise down the road.

Buying an area rug can be a fun process if you start with the right frame of mind. Want additional tips? Stop by today.

Area Rugs, Flooring
September 25, 2015

Storytelling Starts With Your Area Rug

A good area rug can be the centerpiece to the entire room. It can give your room depth, can warm it up, and can even protect the flooring underneath. But rugs can do even more … they can transpire your home by telling a story.

Yes, in times past, the area rug wasn’t simply something used to protect the floor or warm the space; rugs were designed to tell a story and preserve a piece of cultural history.

There are all kinds of textiles used throughout the world. Rugs became an art form in many ancient civilizations, including from China, India, Mongolia, Persia and Egypt, dating back thousands of years. Even in the Western world you’ll find amazing art pieces from ancient indigenous cultures, from the heart of Mexico, to the Maori people in the South Pacific.

Watch a weaver today in action and you can see why each piece became so personalized. By pulling a thread tight there, weaving in a different color there, or even incorporating different threads into the work, you can easily see a work of art appear.

You’ll find religious symbols representing faith in all its glory.
You’ll find mythology or pictorial representations of life changing events.
You’ll find symbolism to depict a family’s honor.
You’ll find cultural inheritance, a sense of community that runs deep within.

And even though many of these symbolism’s no longer have meaning in our modern world, we can still gain a sense of pride by displaying them in our homes for all to see.

In today’s world, many of the area rugs you’ll find on display were created using computer applications, woven by a machine. They are high quality with perfect density, ensuring a quality product from the beginning. Yet in some cases, you can still find old-world rugs designed through hand-planning, and hand-weaving, giving it that one of a kind look and feel that has been cherished for generations.

Area rugs today often start with a story. They have a background, a look rich in culture. And while the process may be automated and turned towards production, nothing can take away that original look and feel when you introduce it into your own home.

And let your own storytelling begin with an area rug.

Area Rugs, Flooring
July 25, 2015

Top Styles of Area Rugs

Here in Denver, one of the top flooring choices is hardwood, and with good reason. It’s stylish. It’s warm. It’s easy to maintain. And it looks great all year through.

If you have hardwood floors throughout your home, you probably agree.

Yet there may be certain areas of your home where hardwoods “bug” you a little more than they do in other places. Like in the entryway when people enter your home. Or in the kitchen where you stand to do the dishes each night. Or in the dining room where you gather for formal dinners.

You love your hardwoods, but to have something softer, something that protects your hardwoods and makes the easier to maintain would be good too. That’s where area rugs come in to play. An area rug is a stylish way to add a splash of color, offer your hardwoods a little protection, and give you the softness and comfort level you’re going to love.

But with so many styles to choose from, what do you do?

Natural Texture

Natural texture rugs are designed to keep things as simple as possible. Choose a natural fiber – how about jute – and choose a natural color to compliment your décor. Natural texture rugs mimic a handwoven look and feel that will warm any room in your home.

Shag

For a thicker rug with a warm look and feel, incorporate a shag area rug into your décor. Shag rugs are the perfect choice for a living room or bedroom where you want to bring in warmth to the environment while adding a splash of color or design to the room.

European

Think color. Think patterns. Think wow! European area rugs are some of our most popular rugs because of the variety. They are tightly woven and can withstand any abuse your family can dish out. They make great placements in high traffic areas, such as your entryway or a hallway.

Oriental

Looking for old world style? A traditional oriental rug can add elegance to your space. When you want to create a bold statement, choosing an oriental rug is a way to do it.

Contemporary

Want something plain and neutral? Or how about wild and colorful? With today’s technology, anything is possible. You’ll find rugs of every shape and size, in colors and patterns perfect to compliment your décor.

If you are in the market for a new area rug for your home, measure your space and stop by. We can show you a variety of options – some you may have thought about and some to open up your mind to what is truly possible. With this many choices, you can have a new look and feel to your old space tonight!