Braided rugs are extremely versatile in the ability to add color and warmth to any room in a home. They have been doing this a long time since pioneer women first brightened their homes with rugs made out of scraps of old fabrics. Traditional braided rugs added beauty while warming up stark cold floors and continue to be one of the most popular rugs for this purpose.

There is a wide range of styles, colors and sizes of braided area rugs available for the consumer. Braids are made from braiding strips of material together and can be made with virtually any yarns or fabrics then are sewn into braided rugs. The oval shape is most common but they can be found in a variety of shapes such as circular, rectangular, and heart shaped.

From traditional braided rugs to modern they offer the consumer many benefits. One of these benefits is that they are extremely hard-wearing and durable. Flat braided rugs are more durable than tubular braided rugs as there is yarn throughout the braided rope whereas tubular have a synthetic core that is covered with yarn. The consumer has tremendous choice of color, style and durability.

Braided area rugs are easy to care for and very versatile. Many are reversible giving you twice the wear. They add warmth and texture to cold floors both visually and physically. Protecting your floors is another benefit that they provide whether they are hardwood, wall to wall carpeting, linoleum or tile.

Amish braided rugs are handmade by the Amish people who learned this skill as they needed other sources of income as farmland became scarce. Being very family oriented this gave them the opportunity to work at home and also pass this skill on to their children. There are also many other artisans that have learned the skill of making braided rugs and have created small businesses. So there are many places you can get a top quality hand-made braided rug to enjoy for years.

The construction of braided area rugs continues to improve and many are machine-made by large companies. Capel braided rugs and thimbelberries rugs are two popular brands. Whether you want a handmade amish braided area rug or a machine-made capel braided rug you’re sure to enjoy the warmth and beauty it brings to your home for generations.

By: Carol Coutts
Carol Coutts is a successful author who provides information regarding home decor via arearugscarpet.com/Braided-rugs.html and for more information on Area rugs, Braided rugs, Oriental rugs, Childrens rugs and Shag rugs check out http://www.arearugscarpet.com/sitemap.html.

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Are you thinking your floors need a new look and are feeling a bit, well...floored?

Whether you’re faced with an expanse of hardwood or monotone wall-to-wall carpet which is absolutely screaming for some variety, or an expanse of patterned carpet which is just absolutely screaming, you might find easy, and inexpensive, solution in area rugs.

Area rugs are one of the most flexible tools in a home decorator’s arsenal. They can be selected in colors, textures, and designs to complement, or contrast with, your existing floors and floor treatments.

They can warm and soften tile or stone; protect high-traffic areas of carpeting, and spare hardwood finishes.

And if you have a room, or a series of connected rooms, unified by a neutral shade of wall-to-wall carpeting or hardwood floors, area rugs, properly utilized, can perform multiple functions.

If you’re lucky enough to be starting from scratch, you can choose large area rugs to place on hardwood or carpeting, and color-coordinate your paint, wall paper, upholstery, and window treatments with the area rugs, letting them define your furniture groupings.

But whatever your situation, first, and foremost, consider your colors. Correct use of color is the single most effective way to add serenity, or sizzle, to your room.

Should you be working with a room in which bright colors and elaborate patterns already prevail, tone down some of the vibrancy with area rugs of simple design and neutral shades.

Conversely, if your surroundings are awash in shades of off-white, beige, or any other non-committal color, you can make a very personal statement with dramatic and brightly-hued area rugs.

And, even if thrilled with your existing colors, you can multiply their effects with area rugs that either complement, or contrast with them; judicious selection and placement of the area rugs will be sure to draw a visitor’s eye to whatever parts of the room you want to emphasize.

But “judicious” is the operative word.

You can avoid some major design mistakes if, when shopping for your area rugs, you bring along swatches of your existing wallpaper, and upholstery and window fabrics. Doing so will improve your chances of choosing area rugs which look right at home.

And decide if your need the area rugs to contribute to impression of spaciousness--if so, light colors and simple patterns are best--or to add warmth and coziness to a large room, for which dark, richly patterned area rugs are more effective.

Area rugs can also provide texture to your décor. Hardwood floors will especially benefit from some textural contrast; you can allow the theme of your room to dictate your choice of texture.

Either dyed, or natural, sisal rugs, made treated fibers of the African sisal plant, with their tightly woven, ropelike appearance, lend themselves to contemporary, tropical, or country decorating schemes.

Many contemporary wool or nylon area rugs offer multiple textures, having both looped and tufted pile woven in different lengths to give them surfaces of varying heights and dimensions.

Braided, rya, shag, Berber, or sculptured wool area rugs are other options.

So don’t let your floors intimidate you for another minute. There’s an area rug to eliminate whatever “area of concern" you might have!

Author: Matt Garrett - © 2007 1stRugs.Com

By: Matt Garrett
Got the rug blues? Get "Rugucated" Today!
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While the country of Iran may be in today’s headlines for all sorts of reasons, it seldom gets mention for the astonishing beauty of the rugs it has exported for centuries.

Yet a Persian rug-Persia being the ancient name for Iran-now on display at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is regarded as the finest carpet being exhibited anywhere in the world. And in 1999, Christie’s auctioned a Persian rug from the classic Safavid period for $2,000,000.

The United States, in 2000, lifted a 13-year-old ban on the import of rugs from Iran, so Persian rugs are once again among the most sought-after home accessories. From the simple patterns of Tabriz, to the elaborate floral patterns of Qom, rugs from each different province of Iran have distinct characters, and you are sure to find one which will be the perfect complement to your décor.

What should you look for when purchasing a Persian rug? First, and foremost, buy what you like, no matter what the trends in home fashion may be. A Persian rug is meant to last for generations, and you will be living with it for a long time. Take heart in the fact that, if your tastes are somewhat out of step with current interior design fads, they, after all, are just fads. Your turn will come soon enough.

And while the seventy-year life span of a silk Persian rug, with its vivid colors and designs, may seem adequate, woolen Persian rugs which are well-tended will offer beauty and service for centuries.

During the Safavid period of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Persians bred sheep specifically for the quality of their fleeces, so that they would have the finest wool to weave their rugs. The $2,000,000 Persian rug auctioned at Christie’s was from that period. By buying a wool Persian rug, you may be making an investment as well as a home improvement purchase.

When selecting your Persian rug, take the time to count its knots. Rugs with more knots have more detail and a more even backing; one-hundred-and-twenty knots per square centimeter, according to William Robinson of Christie’s, is the minimum for which you should settle.

Make certain, once you’ve brought your Persian rug home, to maintain it well. Dampness will create mold and weaken its fibers, so run a dehumidifier on wet or sticky days; summer air conditioning is also a good idea. A weekly vacuuming, and bi-annual professional cleaning, will keep it in tip-top condition.

Clean spills with paper towels and warm water; chemicals or bleach will affect the colors and possibly weaken the fibers of your Persian rug. And if you rug is exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, turn it every three or four months, to prevent it from fading excessively in one area.

One of the biggest joys of owning a Persian rug is that, unlike other of your eye-catching home accessories, Persian rugs not only allow vigorous use; they blossom under it. The wool will soften, and the colors become more vivid, with wear.

When you buy your Persian rug, you’ll be buying both an artwork, and a piece of history. So care for it, enjoy it, and pass it down!

By: Matt Garrett
Matt Garrett - © 2007 1stRugs.Com - Got the rug blues? Get "Rugucated" Today! 21 top tips for rug care to make sure your favorite rug remains your pride and joy for years to come.

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Area rugs are a great way to enhance your home decorating. Rugs can add warmth and sophistication to your living room or an offbeat flair to your den. They're perfect for padding a hardwood floor, or giving a stylish lift to your bedroom. Whatever your personal taste and decorating style, you'll have a wide selection of rugs to suit your color scheme and your personality, as well as your budget.

Rugs are the workhorses of the home furnishings universe. They've been used for centuries in all types of dwellings from royal palaces to the tents of nomads. They're ideal in today's homes as well, offering their beauty and durability in our entryways, dining rooms, and living areas.

Many people (myself included) see rugs as more than just floor coverings; we see rugs as art for your floor! And why not think of rugs as art? After all, they come in all sorts of designs and patterns, including some you probably could not even imagine. And the colors - there's no end to the possibilities!

Area rug is a generic term that might apply to almost any rug, but often refers to a rug that is 4 feet by 6 feet in size, or larger. Medium and large size rugs can be used as part of a furniture grouping or in the open area of a large room. These rugs are ideal as a focal point, an anchor for a sitting area, or under a dining table.

Accent rugs are smaller size rugs that look great in front of a bookcase, a fireplace, or in the kitchen. Another great spot for an accent rug is at the foot or the side of a bed.

Hall rug runners and stair runners are long and narrow and they're used (yup, you guessed it) in the areas indicated in their descriptive names.

Traditional rugs are the elegant Oriental and Persian rugs that have been handmade for centuries with intricate detail. Their striking paisley and arcade designs are rich in color and history. They're ideal for the homeowner wanting a touch of sophistication. Also, these rugs are the top choice for a rug that can be handed down as a family heirloom.

Some contemporary rugs have designs and/or colors that are bold, hip, artsy, or cutting-edge. Saying "anything goes" might best sum up such rug designs. Other contemporary rugs, such as shag rugs and braided rugs, have even wider appeal.

Transitional rugs are a wide range of rug designs that fit in between the traditional style of rugs and the designs of the contemporary rug style. Some of the more popular motifs of transitional rugs feature floral or botanical designs.

Even though some styles have been around for centuries, rugs have come a long way in recent years thanks to daring new combinations of design and color. Also, more people now have access to all types of rugs due to great online rug sources.

By: AnnaRae Mills
AnnaRae Mills is wild about rugs! She has a goldmine of tips and information to share with you. Decorating, rug shopping, and more. Find out how to pick the right rugs for your home. See pics of all rug types at http://www.Area-Rug-Tips.com.

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