Karastan Oriental Rugs: Unparalled Beauty

There is nothing that adds a touch of royalty and sophistication to a room like an Oriental rug.  If you think that owning such a rug is beyond your means, think again.  Karastan Oriental rugs look just like the real thing and will add the same beauty and elegance at a price that, while by no means cheap, is more likely to be within your reach.

Every Karastan carpet is known for its quality, beauty, and extreme durability; their oriental line is no exception.  A  Karastan Oriental rug is made with top quality materials, giving you the most for your money.  If there was ever such as thing as a perfect American made Oriental rug, this is it.   The designs on these rugs are made with special non- fade die, so that the colors on the carpet will remain vibrant and fresh looking for years.  Karastan rugs are made to endure heavy usage, with the ability to look as good as new when cleaned properly.

The company produces many different makes of Oriental rugs.  Here is a mini guide to introduce you to some of their well known and well liked designs:

Karastan Kirman Rug- These rugs are distinguished by their intricate floral designs, each one more unique then the next.  A range of vibrant colors and hues are incorporated into the Kirman carpets, resulting in a breathtakingly beautiful masterpiece.

Karastan Plum Blossom Rug- Not quite an Oriental but with the Oriental designconcepts in mind, this rug is made with a more modern motif.  It will fit seamlessly into a modern setting, and comes in a variety of different sizes and colors to match the décor in any home.

Karastan Sarouk Rug- Sarouk rugs are made to be exact copies of the original Persian, Turkish, and other Oriental rugs.  You can count on these rugs to be exact replicas, down to the last detail.

The Karastan Ashara rug and antique Karastan rugs are also popular and highly sought after choices.

These oriental rugs are made of high quality New Zealand wool, and are woven with great care and precision with every detail.  If you want to see a selection of rugs before purchasing one, there are many online websites that offer great sections.  Compared to genuine Oriental rugs, Karastan wool rugs are much more affordable.  However, their prices are by no means inexpensive, but the discerning shopper will recognize and appreciate their beauty and quality.  A Karastan Oriental rug will add unparalleled beauty and grace to your home.

Using area rugs to liven your living space is both a practical and fashionable choice. No matter what your flooring looks like now, a rug can vastly improve its looks and offer serious protection. If you seek the top in both quality and style, then take a quick look online at Karastan area rugs on sale. You will be impressed.

The purpose of a rug is many fold. First and foremost is to cover the flooring you have in place already. An old carpet might be badly stained. A stone or tile floor may be too cold. A hardwood floor has either suffered ugly scratches, or you are trying to protect it from that fate. Any Karastan area rug that you choose is going to solve all of the above problems, beautifully. Karastan rugs are known for their high quality weave. It achieves heights both in durability and the look of hand knotted area rugs. The weave is also renowned for beautiful stain recovery. When other rugs would be destroyed by certain spills and spotting, a Karastan rug will make a nearly effortless comeback. That in itself means longer life.

The second, and equally important, delight you will find at a full fledged Karastan rug sale is the tremendous variety in design and vibrancy of color. Karastan wool rugs exuberate a long lasting luster. The patterns and designs are woven into styles reminiscent of every era, and imitate a number of cultures. Anything from the popular and contemporary Karastan plum blossom rugs to traditional Karastan oriental rugs. You can find one suitable for literally every room of the house. Once you’ve tasted the luxury of Karastan, it will be hard to resist. Dining room, living room, recreation room. You might even look for ones that will survive the moisture of a bathroom. Guests will be impressed. Your toes will revel in the softness. To your distress, the dog might even recognize how appealing these rugs are.

The only discouraging thing to consider are Karastan rug prices. Most consumers do believe that you are paying for the quality and style that you receive, but the prices are high. If you are willing to buy one used, or make the efforts to search them out at discount dealers, you might be able to save some. However you do it, do not sacrifice the beauty possible in new Karastan carpet. Either way, it’s a worthwhile purchase.

Karastan rugs are known for their beauty and durability. While maintenance of their premium worsted wool woven rugs is not difficult, it is certainly important to understand everything possible about Karastan rug cleaning in order to provide yourself with the longest living Karastan possible. If you’ve ever seen a poorly treated rug, you know how distressed it can look. Avoiding unnecessary wear is entirely up to you.

The first and primary recommendation is to buy Karastan rug pads. Beneath every one of your beautiful and well paid for Karastan area rugs, you want a pad that will prevent the rug from slipping and sliding around. It is not just a safety precaution (which is also important). It is a basic in rug care. That slipping and sliding slowly wears down at the rug weave and can significantly shorten its life.

Secondly, take the few moments necessary to rotate your rug every six months. Repeated, set foot traffic and set sunlight patterns will slowly cause uneven wear and color fading. Occasional rotation will go far to slow that wear. Imagine one of those exquisite Karastan oriental rugs with an intricate and delicate design fading on the side next to the glass patio doors, and vibrantly alive on the other. A sad and unnecessary fate.

Thirdly, you must make sure that dust and dirt do not accumulate, working their way into the weave and tearing down at the beautiful textile. In the first year, vacuum your Karastan wool rug every two to three days. There will be a normal “fuzzing” on the surface that vacuuming will remove. After the first year, you might want to vacuum high traffic areas even more often than that.

Authorized Karastan rug dealers should be able to give you further care and maintenance instructions. When to call a professional rug cleaner and recommendations on whom to call may even be offered. Take their advice seriously, and act accordingly. Especially with reference to how to treat immediate spills and spotting. For example, never rub a spill. Use a spoon or blunt knife to pick up spills. Blot with paper napkins or paper towels until the spill is nearly dry. Use lukewarm water with your carpet shampoo. Only use recommended solvents and always follow the manufacturer’s directions. The Karastan rug company understands their wool and weave best. The instructions they provide are most important.

Taking the time to learn how to lengthen the life of your rug will ultimately lengthen your enjoyment of it. Make your Karastan carpet worth every penny.

Karastan is a superior carpet and rugs manufacturer, with quality products and a strong role in sustaining our environment. Karastan carpets are woven to recover from footprints, spills, and other stains beautifully. Their guaranteed durability, softness, and easy maintenance mean that Karastan carpeting will last longer. This means less waste. Additionally, their products are woven. Woven carpets and rugs last twice as long as their tufted carpets, so the weave is an essential step in supporting environmental concerns. The Karastan wool carpet and polymer carpet are both produced from renewable or sustainable resources, a further statement towards environmental safety.

Karastan carpet reviews rave beautifully about this company’s products. The consumer comments further attest to Karastan durability, lushness, and beautiful dyes. Karastan truly has engraved its name into the eyes and minds of interior designers. Karastan has unique styles, designs, and color trends that are said to alter the entire atmosphere of a room.  As with any product you buy, one imperative thing to understand before complaining is what your product warranty actually means. Understanding things like “limited lifetime” and “stain resistance” might solve some problems before they arise. For example, “resistant” doesn’t proof against all stains.

Homeowner’s guides say that carpeting is the third most expensive purchase you will make in home décor. Karastan carpet prices certainly make no exception. Some people insist that you’re paying for a name, while others swear that Karastan is worth every penny. One way to lower the expense is to look for discount Karastan carpet dealers. Discount dealers don’t have to pay overhead for being on a main thoroughfare, or upkeep and design in showrooms, etc. They primarily sell to other Karastan carpet dealers. If you shop from online discount stores, you may find incredible deals. The caution to take is always ask and ask again about the carpet fibers, care, durability, warranty fine print, and what their costs include. But finding a beautiful Karastan carpet wholesale might truly make your day. Another option is to wait for a local carpet dealer’s Karastan carpet sale. The shop’s attempt to move in new stock may empty a gorgeous rug into your home.

Originally a carpet and rug manufacturer for residential needs, Karastan commercial carpet is also now on the market. Karastan contract carpet retains the same beautiful reviews for looks and durability. Their innovative design and production technology over the past 80 years have truly impacted the carpet industry.

Decisions about how to floor your home are monumental, life altering events. A house looks, feels, and simply is different based upon its flooring. Anyone notes the difference. Deciding between vinyl, wood, or carpet can be at least a little bit stressful. When you’re looking into carpeting, however, do be sure to consider the popular and reputable Stainmaster carpet.

Stainmaster carpets are known for their style, fiber quality, durability, and ease of cleaning. This company uses a series of exclusive fibers engineered for fullness, softness, and cleaning ease. Depending on your carpet priorities, any of their fiber choices will work beautifully in your home. Their fiber variety also allows for versatility in looks. You’ll be amazed at the designs that a luxury carpet can take on. Their carpets’ durability is designed to sustain all sorts of traffic an furniture rearrangements, as well. Stainmaster also warranties their fiber shield as resisting staining or soiling by most things. All in all, Stainmaster flooring has a great reputation in all spheres. Over time, the company has expanded beyond Stainmaster carpeting. With the intention to bring resilience, durability, and beauty into every room of your home, Stainmaster vinyl is available in tile, stone, wood, and plank patterns. You can find the perfect resilient or luxury flooring for the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room from their great selection.

Of course, their forte remains in the carpet. That being said, it’s easy to transfer quality manufacturing from the carpet to Stainmaster rugs. Their rugs carry the same name and reputation as their carpets, with an equal variety of styles, colors, shapes, and sizes.

Stainmaster carpet prices at authorized dealers can vary between $2 to $4 per square foot. Look for these authorized retailers to find the best quality and design choice in carpeting around. It is always best to actually visit the carpet showroom. Firstly, you’ll get a good idea of the softness of different fibers. Secondly, that’s where you’ll witness the true fullness of Stainmaster carpet colors and styles. There are hundreds to choose from.

You may be tempted to seek out discount Stainmaster carpet, which is entirely legitimate. Everybody is looking for great value. Do be aware, however, that carpet scammers exist. Just because a dealer tells you that you’re buying Stainmaster nylon fiber, doesn’t mean it’s true. You need to see the Stainmaster logo printed on the back of the carpet, and even better: make sure your sales agreement carries the correct fiber identification.

Maintaining the beauty of your area rugs is a continuous job. Sweeping, vacuuming, and wiping up spills immediately are the basics of daily rug care. But there will come a time when deep cleaning is necessary. Over time, dirt settles deep between the rug fibers and stains don’t always wipe away. So the question is, do you hire professional rug cleaners? Or do you do the job yourself?

There are a number of rug cleaner types. Powders, foams, bonnets, and shampoos are all commonly sold in the home cleaning section of your supermarket. They each have their pros and cons. Powders are great for small cleanups and deodorizing cleanups. Foams are used both at home and professionally, with varying levels of efficiency. Shampoos and bonnets are less effective cleaning solutions, but work for some rugs for some time.

If you’re looking for a serious, thorough, and safe job, however, rug steam cleaners are really the optimum choice. A rug steam cleaner sprays hot water at the rug to loosen dirt while a simultaneous vacuum wand absorbs it. You can get this cleaning done by a professional, or rent a vacuum to do it yourself.

Hiring a professional rug cleaner is a sensitive issue. A proper job can be fairly expensive. A tempting inexpensive job might not be thorough, at best. At worst, it might actually destroy your rug! For specialty rugs and pieces that you care about a lot, it is definitely worthwhile investing in braided, needlepoint, silk, and custom oriental rug cleaners. These professionals will guarantee thorough, sensitive work. You really don’t want less for your special rugs.

What about when your rug is not that high maintenance? Look into some high quality carpet and rug cleaners that you can use at home without too much cost. Capture rug cleaner, for example, has gotten rave reviews for simple and efficient cleaning. It’s a powder for small area cleaning. It is best to use primarily on high traffic areas or noticeable spills. Capture has put out a multi step kit that seems to work really well. Spray the mist, sprinkle the powder, brush it in, wait for the powder to work its magic, and vacuum it up. The longer you wait, the better the job done.

Hoover rug cleaners have put out an steam cleaner for home use. You can buy the steam vacuum for less than $150 and use it as often as you wish. It’s a great option for thorough, full area cleaning.

There are other products out there, as well. Do some comparative research, and then get to cleaning!

You know how it feel when someone rolls out the proverbial red carpet for you. Well, how about always having the carpet rolled out, in the form of stair runners. Elegantly furled out along your steps, it adds beauty and style to your home.

Stair rug runners will enhance your stair way and foyer. They will add a lot to your home, and project an air of sophistication. Stairs are often positioned in a prominent place in the center of the home, so the color and tone that the stair carpet runners project will be very important. Warm homey browns project a welcoming atmosphere, while reds and burgundy could be more formal. Whenever choosing your stair runner color scheme, make sure that it matches the walls and complements the furniture in the room.

One reason that people are skeptical about getting a carpet for the stairs is because it is hard to keep it clean. In a home where there is constant traffic on the stairs, staircase runners can easily get dirty and worn, so be very careful when choosing your stair carpet runner. If you have children or teenagers in your home, darker colors are a smart choice. If you decide to choose lighter color, keep in mind that you will not enjoy being constantly vigilant when your children are around the stairs, and they will not appreciate the nagging. So choosing darker colors is the easy and practical way out. You can choose beautifully matched darker colors, while not compromising on the decor. It is also important to get a high quality rug, because you don’t want it to appear worn out or used after only a short time. Good quality stairs runners can last you well for many years, so it may be worth it to spend more in the beginning and buy better quality, then spend less at first for inferior quality and wind up having to replace it sooner.

Another idea to take into consideration is the installation of your stair runner rugs. Be sure that they are installed very securely so you won’t have anyone tripping on their way up or down the steps. You also don’t want the stairway runners to become bunched up or crooked, as that would negatively effect the whole appearance, beside for being a real safety hazard.

Your stair runners will turn your nice home into a beautiful one. You’ll feel like a queen with the carpet rolled out for you, so go ahead and enjoy. You deserve it.

Your bedroom has been feeling a little drab. Your patio feels empty and lifeless. The cat has ruined your living room area rug. For all these problems, I can offer you one tremendous and exciting solution: a zebra rug.

Zebra rugs have personality, funk, character, life, and beauty. No matter where you put them, guests will comment on the flair. Day in and day out, you’ll appreciate the zest. It’s almost hard not to walk and talk without some spunk in your step around a zebra print rug. So if your room has fairly simple décor, a scheme of primary colors, or hardly any distinct color at all, you can definitely flaunt some a zebra area rug. The other option, of course, is to fully redecorate. Make your zebra skin rug the focal point. Build from there for a enlivened, modern look you can’t regret.

You will have to decide how much you can spend on one of these beauties, of course. Real zebra hide rugs can be quite an expense. Especially for a large space. Smaller skins will be slightly more affordable, but still not within everyone’s budget. The real thing also requires extra care and maintenance.

The best way to go for cheap zebra rugs are the faux zebra rugs. They are a fraction of the price, and a fraction of the maintenance. You can easily find a great looking faux zebra rug in nearly any shape and size, even in some hot colors. On eBay, you’ll find great prices on a pink zebra rug. A local discount vendor will offer you some mind-blowing deal on a brown zebra rug. When you realize this, all it takes is a little research in order to make both the sophisticated great aunt and the wild teenager happy on their upcoming birthdays.

If you go with the faux, even your bathroom and patio can enjoy zebra print rugs without you having to worry about rain, sun, or bathtub overspill. Buy a machine washable or zebra outdoor rug, and throw those worries out the window. This fun style should be a thrill, from beginning to end. The one thing I do have to say, however, is that you shouldn’t take all the advice I’ve given. Using zebra area rugs in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, and patio might be a little overwhelming for some guests. Limit your zebra décor to one or two areas. That way, you’ll achieve real style.

Rug Runners are a simple yet effective way to change the face of any room. This technique both enhances and improves a room’s ambiance, and lends a welcoming atmosphere. A rug runner is both a cost effective and foolproof way to redesign any room in your home. You can choose from a great selection of rug runners, and find one that suits your personal tastes and preferences, without compromising on style and quality.

Kitchen Rug Runners

Take your kitchen for example. The easy placement of a kitchen rug runner will give the room a homey and warm tone. Whether it’s cooking dinner for your family, or making your child a birthday cake, a well placed rug will surely make your time spent there more relaxed and enjoyable. When choosing one for your kitchen, remember to pick colors that will conceal any accidental spills.  This way, you can keep it looking spic and span, even if the rest of your kitchen isn’t.

Stair Runner Rugs

Runner rugs can greatly improve the appearance of your foyer, and lend an air or sophistication to your home. If your staircase is opposite your front door, it is the first thing that a guest will see upon entering.  Make sure to choose a practical color scheme that both reflects and projects the tone in your home.  But the benefits will be far more than just good looks. Carpeted stairs means less slips and less impact for all of those trips upstairs and down.

Wool Rug Runners

Your den or family room will give project a cozy atmosphere with a choice wool rug runner.  If you prefer a more sophisticated look for a room in your home, an Oriental rug runners are a great option. When well placed, it makes all of the difference in a room, and can take the overall decor of your home up from “nice” to richly elegant.

Area Rug Runners

Even the simple placing of a small area rug runner can do wonders to a room. These are great options for concealing parts of the floor that have become worn from daily wear and tear . This not only cost effective, but it also gives you the option to “remodel” any room, without the fear of not knowing how the final product will look. You can choose according to your style and taste, and have it placed exactly where you want.

A standard room can become a beautiful one with the placement of a rug runner that both matches the color scheme of the walls and has the tones and hues that reflect the atmosphere you wish to create. Sometimes it is the smaller changes that make the greatest difference in home decor.   Upon seeing your home with the addition of these rug runners, you will surely ask yourself why you have not made these simple changes sooner.

Buying the right accent rug seems like it should be a simple task, but in actuality there are so many shapes, styles, and area rug designs that the whole ordeal can easily become overwhelming. One easy decision to make early on, however, is what shape of rug you’d like best. Some rooms need sharp edges, some would do better with some curves. An oval rug does much to soften a room overdone with squares, rectangles, and corners. Oval rugs beneath coffee tables, oval dining tables, in the nooks of bay windows; these are only a few ideas. The circular shape is more warm and welcoming than a rectangle, and fits better than a circle in long or wide spaces, since it itself is elongated.

Oval area rugs may not be found in the same diversity of designs as other rug shapes, but there are still more than plenty to choose from. Contemporary oval rugs with stripes, classic florals, futuristic geometrics, and Persian style rugs, are all available options.

Oval braided rugs have a truly exceptional warmth. Aside from the soft shape, braiding brings a new level of homey coziness unique to this style. Whether you choose bright or muted colors, the variation of shades inherent to braided rugs will come alive in your living space. Use your imagination. Large oval rugs can actually be the centerpiece of your entire living room.

Oval shag rugs compete with the braided style for the warmth that they offer. Other than that, they are a completely different look. A shag rug is inviting like a bear’s hug or a shaggy dog to ruffle. The tufting on shag rugs, whether wool oval rugs in shag or cotton shags, feels great to sink your toes into. Anywhere from the rec room to the bathroom, shag rugs make you say, “yummm.”

Oval kitchen rugs make an otherwise very practical room more inviting. All the designs are available, from stripes to florals to fun patterns and prints. The main thing you’ll want to know about your kitchen rug is that it is very washable!

Oval Oriental rugs are a sophisticated and intricate style really more suitable for decorative purposes. At the bottom of a staircase, in entryways, beneath a coffee or dining table; your Oriental rug should never appear in the bathroom, kitchen, or patio. Or anywhere you throw a beer bash. A quality Oriental rug should have thick yarn with high knot content. And cost a pretty penny. Oval Persian rugs are similarly somber, usually with a more complicated set of patterns and designs than Oriental. In these rug styles, it truly is purely a matter of taste. And class!

The most important thing to know? Your oval area rug should bring life and softness to your home.

When we think of rugs, the first thing that comes to mind is your typical rectangular Oriental rug. Or perhaps a country style rag rug. But there’s a different option altogether, and that is round area rugs. A round area rug is a step away from the traditional rectangle. Rugs don’t have to have angles, and there are a lot of benefits if they don’t.

First of all is the atmosphere. The less right angles in a room, the more calming it is. So round rugs really help to make a room a more tranquil, relaxing place.

Second is the design aspect. Contemporary round area rugs come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and sizes, and the right one can really open up a room and make a statement. If you’re not looking for a fashion statement, a round rug can make a small room look larger, and can also give a room a more homey feel.

You’ll also want to consider the material. While round wool area rugs might be the first thing you think of, there are other natural options like silk, cotton, sisal, or bamboo. But there are also manmade materials such as viscose, rayon, or nylon. Synthetic materials are often more stain resistant, easier to clean, and more sturdy to wear and tear, so think about both the way it will look and the kind of traffic it will be getting when making your decision.

As with any rug purchase, there will be a wide range of prices. If you are looking for a beautiful round Persian rug, a rug store will be able to help you, but expect to pay a nice penny. On the other hand, discount round area rugs are easily available online.

Whatever size, style, or material you choose, you’ll be glad you decided to do it. Round area rugs are always an unusual but welcome addition to your home– one that will keep your family happy, and your visitors complimenting.

The worst decision a person could possibly make is to place a rug that can’t be washed in the way of visitors’ feet. Even a home where people take their shoes off outside the front door suffer spills, pet shedding, and yes, that occasional shoe that makes it indoors. Washable rugs are a must. Even better? Machine washable rugs.

You probably wonder, however, if washable area rugs are going to add any style to your décor. Perhaps they’re all drab, stiff, even unsightly? Shed those fears. You can find beautiful, elegant, colorful, plush washable throw rugs and area rugs for any room you desire. Indoor, or outdoor! Today’s technology allows carpet and rug manufacturers to weave and tuft their textiles to achieve durability, washability, and beauty. No need to compromise.

Washable accent rugs for the living, dining, or recreation area are a simple and inexpensive way to spice up that empty floor, while simultaneously protecting your pretty hardwood floors. Try finding accent rugs that draw on colors present in the existing décor. If you like a deep color that is used minimally in your curtains or in the table centerpiece, take advantage of an accent rug to emphasize that color’s beauty. Don’t worry about foot traffic. Remember, it’s washable!

That hallway quite possibly gets more walking done through it than any other room of the house. From kitchen to bedrooms to living rooms to front door… You can easily protect your floors, and save from mopping, by spending a little on washable runner rugs. A rug that runs the length of your entryway and also be popped in the washer will be such a relief. Not to mention, a touch of luxury.

In the wettest, dirtiest, muddiest rooms of the house, you’d be nearly crazy not to get yourself one of these. Washable bathroom rugs and kitchen rugs are such an easy way to collect that splashing, dripping water that would otherwise track around the house. Placing a small rug next to the sink for washing dishes is ingenious. A rug fitted to the toilet or for stepping out of the shower…please tell me you’ve thought of this already. The right bathroom rug will actually add some inviting warmth to the cold tiles.

Washable braided rugs are very stylish, and can be use in almost any room. A washable shag rug may suit the comfort of a relaxed living room or home rec room. Whatever the weave, style, or design, do get yourself some to up the comfort, ease, and enjoyment of your living space.

Take a look around in any fashion magazine or interior design portfolio. Whether we’re talking clothes or furniture, black is the go-to color, and it’s easy to understand why. Black, as they say, goes with everything. A little black dress with a string of pearls adds up to instant elegance, and a black dining table set or accent piece can immediately transform a room into the height of home fashion. So it’s easy to understand why black rugs are so popular. It just goes along with that whole “black is beautiful” concept right?

Yes and no. A black rug in the right home and setting can be stunning, but there are definite pros and cons to using black area rugs. If conditions aren’t right, it could end up being an eyesore so let’s take a minute to talk about when a black rug is right, and when it isn’t.

Who lives in your house?

If you’ve got more than just a couple of adults under your roof, than you might want to think twice about getting a black area rug. Pets, especially the kind who shed (think of a white Persian cat, or a golden retriever) can turn the most beautiful black Oriental rugs into fur collection. Black shows everything, and light colored hair in particular will stand out from a mile away.

If you have children, you’ll have the same concerns. No, kids don’t shed– at least they don’t shed fur. But they do tend to leave trails of pretzel crumbs, popcorn pieces, and spit up behind them. All of which will show up on a black rug of course.

Where are you putting it?

The purpose of the room where you’re putting the rug will play a big part in whether or not it will work well. For example, black bath rugs are a great choice, as there is little to be concerned about besides water drops falling on it. And of course, black and white is a classic bathroom color scheme.

Black kitchen rugs on the other hand won’t fare as well. Again, there are plenty of colorful crumbs around that will stand out on that black canvas like a sore thumb. And the fact that it’s a high traffic area won’t help either.

What works?

Black shag rugs are one option that can work very well in most settings. This is because the depth of the fibers will block most dirt from showing, as it will just sink to the bottom and out of view.

If you don’t have kids or pets, black and white rugs are a great choice for the living room floor. A zebra-styled rug will turn an otherwise simple room into a chic and fashionable setting, but make sure to clean it regularly. With careful consideration to placement and style, a black rug can be a spectacular choice.

Rugs have a very powerful influence on the look of a room. From a purely functional point of view, they add warmth, padding, and protect the floor. But in terms of design, the right rug can take a regular room and turn it into a masterpiece. One of the most striking ways to do this is with red rugs.

Whether your home is more modern or traditional in design, adding a red area rug to just about any room can be a great improvement. The color red has a powerful affect, and even a small red rug can make a smashing statement.

credit: An P

One great look you could experiment with to have a red rug be the centerpiece of an otherwise quiet room. White furniture with clean lines, and smooth white plastered walls make a perfect canvas for red area rugs. Drape a red afghan over a white couch to catch the eye and maximize the affect of the rug. Add a black vase or clock to the room, and you have a striking modern look that is both energizing and relaxing.

Even if you aren’t ready to redecorate an entire room, you can still improve on a more functional room by using red rugs. Red bath rugs are a great choice paired with a small red bowl of potpourri, and will add warmth to any bathroom, particularly in the cold winter months. Red kitchen rugs can be used to make a kitchen feel more homey, particularly when placed under a kitchen table, or when the kitchen sports stainless steel appliances.

In the holiday season, red wool rugs are a traditional favorite. Laying down red runner rugs along a staircase and decorating the banisters with holly leaves and pine cones creates a warm holiday look that spreads the season’s cheerful mood.

Another unusual idea is to step away from the traditional rectangular look and to grace your floors with round red rugs. Opting for round rugs can make a small room look larger, and also soften up the harshness that all the right angles in most furniture introduces to a room.

The choices are endless. Whether you want the sturdy practicality of red braided rugs, or the fluffy luxury found in red shag rugs, by choosing a rug that is red you will be able to achieve a look that makes a not so subtle statement.

An exciting new trend in home fashion is to abandon the closed walls of living and salon areas for the fresh beauty of outdoors…and make the outdoors as homey and inviting as indoors. Comfortable patio furniture, small bar tables, deck lights… what’s missing? Outdoor rugs complete the picture. Indoor outdoor area rugs that bear heavy wear and outdoor weather yet are still soft, attractive, and easy to care for will create the perfect atmosphere for relaxing and entertaining on that patio, deck, or pool side.

There are a number of outdoor rug styles, each with hundreds of designs to choose from. Here are some popular ones:

Handmade Indoor Outdoor Rugs
Handmade rugs are the most expensive style, but well worth what you pay for. The depth, detail, and vivid color variety are unmatched by their machine made counterparts. Soft, long lasting, and truly exquisite, a handmade indoor outdoor rug will sweep anyone off their feet.

Machine Made Outdoor Patio Rugs
Machine made rugs are significantly less expensive, lighter weight, yet have comparable durability to the handmade rugs. Usually. Colors tend to be slightly more muted, and designs are more block patterned. They are machine printed designs, you know.

Outdoor Bamboo Rugs
A true feeling of the simple outdoors, with full lines of bright colors to liven your outdoor relaxation space. Bamboo doesn’t stand the same wear and tear, so be warned: these are not to be left outdoors full time! Also, make sure you buy bamboo rugs with a non slip rug pad attached.

All Weather Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor “mats,” can be made from recycled plastic, with amazing Persian rug styles, floral designs, Southwestern motifs, geometric patterns…they clean up with a garden hose and live up to all weather.

The outdoor sisal rug is a new line to consider as well. Sisal used to be only for the indoors; it would absorb moisture, fade, and wear easily under the sun. Manufacturers have taken the durability and resilience of natural sisal into the outdoors, however, for long lasting beauty.

Outdoor Braided Rugs
Stain resistant and reversible, braided rugs also wash super easily, are soft, and incredibly durable versions of the solid color outdoor rugs. Different braiding techniques and directions give varying textures, all great looking on that patio deck.

When buying your fashionable outdoor rug, remember to look for durability and softness. If you can purchase with warranties, that is by far the best option. Color palettes taken from the outdoor elements are beautiful and safe bets; browns, greens, blues, and floral colors you find in your own backyard area will bring your outdoor room truly into the outdoors.

When you hear “carpet remnants,” you think “unwanted scraps.”  Believe it or not, while carpet remnants are scraps, they are certainly not unwanted.  There are chains of carpet remnant stores dedicated solely to selling to very eager buyers.  What do these buyers want them for?  Carpet systems are a fortune, so using carpet remnants allows people to carpet their home without draining their entire budget.

Yet carpet systems are not the only use for remnants.  A carpet remnant may be the perfect design choice to decorate your home.  A good artist can take an otherwise undesirable medium and turn it into true beauty. Remnant carpets can be that medium.

For example, wall hangings.  You’ve seen rugs hanging as tapestries, now you’ll see carpets doing the same.  A great looking carpet piece may be enough in itself.  Looking for something more creative?  Find yourself some cheap carpet remnants, a carpet knife, a safe place for cutting and some very strong glue. 

Cut a background piece: rectangle or square.  Then, from the different carpets remnants, cut different shapes and glue them on for an effect reminiscent of decoupage; only without the shellac glue layering on top.  If you have fabric paints, you can create your own designs on the pieces, as well!  For the very brave, you can begin with room size carpet remnants as the background piece.  One wall of the room will be committed to your work of art.

A more common idea would be an area rug or hall runner.  To jazz it up, you can take smaller pieces of carpet remnant and have them bound together for a quilt effect.  Carpet remnants can also be cut for interesting picture framing, covering exposed surfaces of old bookshelves or mantelpieces.  Even throw pillows for the sofa can be made from some very plush carpet pieces.

Obviously, free carpet remnants are the most appealing.  Keep your ears out for friends and neighbors who are carpeting their homes; ask them for their remnants.  Look for signs in the newspaper like “Carpet Remnant Sale” and “Discount Carpet Remnants.”  Call a nearby carpet remnant outlet or warehouse.  Compare prices.  Ask about warranties.  Aim for the best.  Bound carpet remnants last longer.  There are also places to buy carpet remnants online, though you’ll never see the merchandise before you buy it.

This may be the most exciting artistic choice you’ve made for your home yet.  Experiment, and enjoy!