Archive for January 2012

Caucasian Rugs - Designs Plucked from Nature

Caucasian rugs feature rich colours and detailed designs. Homeowners who are looking for a unique floor covering that can add a lot of character to a room may want to consider this decorating option.

This type of rug is made by tribal weavers living in the southern part of Russia, located between the Caspian and the Black Sea. The region these artisans call home is located in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Even though there are approximately 350 tribes who produce these types of rugs, there are some common characteristics to all Caucasian rugs. Design styles for these types of rugs include motifs that are similar to ones found in Chinese, Persian, Anatolian and Turkoman styles.

Design Characteristics of Caucasian Rugs

A Caucasian rug will likely feature a design with similar shapes of different sizes placed near each other. This style of rug is quite colourful and commonly features beige, black, yellow and green. Red, purple and navy are also used to fashion these rugs.

Geometric patterns are very common in this type of rug. When looking for a Caucasian rug, look for patterns that include squares, diamonds, crosses and stripes. Hexagons, triangles and "S" shapes are also used by weavers fashioning these types of traditional style rugs.

Some designs feature animals made from these geometric shapes. Look for crabs or tarantulas in the rug patterning. The crab design is usually used in rug borders. Some weavers add human figures to their designs using this geometric style.

Another design feature that is common to Caucasian rugs is a smaller shape placed inside a larger one. The weaver may also choose to make a rug with one large medallion or a series of medallions placed over the rug. The background of the rug may be a solid colour, or contain detailed patterning.

Another distinguishing characteristic of a Caucasian rug is its detailed border. This type of contemporary rug may have a more than one border section, and each one would be filled with detailed patterns.

Caucasian Prayer Rugs

Weavers in this part of the world also produce very detailed prayer rugs. These rugs feature a geometric mihrab in a hexagon shape. The background of this type of Caucasian rug is usually a very busy one, with a lattice or flower pattern.

Caucasian Rugs for Your Home

Since Caucasian rugs are made with rich colours and feature detailed patterns, they will look best in a room with a decorating scheme with complementary tones. One effective strategy is to notice a couple of the tones used in the rug and use it as the basis for choosing the other colours used in the room. Nourison rugs feature some classic Caucasuan designs.

Painting the walls and trim of the room in a light shade will help to open up the room, especially if the Caucasian rug is being placed in a small space. If the rug is going to be used in a large room, a homeowner may want to consider using a darker shade on the walls to set off the rug's beauty in a more dramatic fashion.
 

A Guide to Chinese Rugs

If you are considering adding the Chinese rug to your home, one thing that you will notice is that this style does not use symbols that unite to create a design. Instead, each element of the design stands alone. Another trait that is specific to Chinese rugs is that the designs used in them can be taken literally. When you look at a piece, you are observing a work of art that has a very specific meaning.

Common Chinese Rug Designs

One very common layout in Chinese rugs is the medallion. In this type of design, the medallions themselves are usually round. They may feature geometric designs, flowers or a dragon with legs and wings that resemble a leaf pattern. In some designs, a larger middle medallion is surrounded on each side by smaller ones. The background of the rug may be a solid colour, or filled up with other symbols. Common background designs include butterflies, flowers, birds and bats. Some rugs online have symbols that resemble leaves in the background. Some designs feature an all-over layout with repeating symbols. Along with medallions, popular choices in design include bats, lotuses and peonies. Some designs feature an overall pattern made up of squares, octagons, clouds or swastikas. Rug borders usually have a geometric shape. Repeating swastikas, letter key patterns, or cloud bands are very common. Solid colours are generally used for minor borders.

Colours Used in Chinese Rugs

Commonly used colours used for symbols found in Chinese rugs are pink, blue and white. Background colours are usually pastels, including beige, white, ivory, peach, apricot, yellow and pink. Yellow is often featured in Chinese rugs since this colour is associated with royalty and power. Blue tones are not commonly used for rugs, but you may find a newer one that features this hue. Antique wool rugs, made before the 19th century, usually have a background in a light walnut colour.

Chinese Rug Symbols

Makers of Chinese rugs use symbols to convey certain ideas in their designs. For example, the Shou character is used often, and it is a symbol for a long life. Another common symbol used in rugs from China is the Fu character, and this means good luck. Bats are also considered a sign of good luck and for that reason, these winged mammals appear in Chinese rug designs often. Butterflies symbolise a happy marriage, and pomegranates represent fertility. A rug featuring a dragon means authority and power. The phoenix is a sign of happiness and peace. A Chinese rug design featuring fish points to abundance. Clouds are used to symbolize making a wish. The often-used swastika pattern has several meanings in Chinese culture. This symbol may represent the number 10,000 or the heart of Buddha. This symbol can also mean happiness. When the pattern is repeated, as when it appears in a border design, it can be interpreted as happiness x 10,000, which is a lovely sentiment to bring into a home.

Persian Rug Styles Offer Many Options for Consumers

Persian rugs are known for their intricate designs and striking color palettes. Rather than referring to a single style, Persian rugs and compass a number of rug making styles made by weavers in several countries. This type of rug may be made in Iran, China, Pakistan, as well as India. Some rugs made in this type of style may even be manufactured in Europe. Some examples of popular styles include Afshar, Kerman, and Tabriz.

Afshar Persian Rugs

Afshar rugs are made in southern Iran. This type of floor covering is woven by villagers living near Shiraz, Kerman, and Yazd, as well as by nomads living in this area.

The Afshar rug style is often copied by weavers living in other parts of Iran, as well as by people from India, Pakistan, and China. It is similar to other nomad styles, in that these rugs are usually small. In most cases, the largest size measures 5 x 7 feet.

The pattern woven into an Afshar rug is usually a geometric. Single or multiple medallions in a diamond shaped may be used. Floral medallions and a face at each end of the rug are also very common patterns. Popular colors include brown, reddish brown, dark red, dark blue, white, ivory, and yellow.

Kerman Persian Rugs

Kerman rugs take their name from the city in southeastern Iran where they are made. This style of rug features a curvilinear design in most cases. The exception is the Kerman pictorial rugs which this area is famous for producing.

Between 15-30 colours are used to make a single rug. The two most common shades used in antique Kerman rugs were a deep red and a red-blue. Modern rugs made in this style tend to use more pastel tones. Expect to see shades like gray-blue, pink, lime green in newer designs with small sizes right up to extra large rugs. This type of rug can also be identified from its asymmetrical knots.

Tabriz Persian Rugs

Tabriz is located in the northwest area of Iran. This city is the capital of the country's Eastern-Azerbaijan province and is an important rug-producing centre. Tabriz rugs may have geometric or curvilinear designs. Most rugs made in this style use a symmetric, or Turkish, knot.

This type of rug can be fashioned using a variety of designs. Persian rug buyers who are interested in owning something which reflects the artistic interpretation of the weaver may want to consider a Tabriz floor covering. Popular design themes includes various types of medallions, as well as pendants, lamps and columns. Tabriz rugs may also contain images of hunting scenes, trees, animals or scenery.

The examples of Persian rugs listed above are only a few of the variations which fall under this category. Each one has its own distinguishing features and is a thing of beauty which will add colour and texture to any room where it is placed. Buying a Persian design from a rug shop is something that a homeowner can cherish and display with pride for years.
 

Characteristics of Turkoman Rugs

Traditional turkoman rugs have a very distinct appearance and are a stylish choice when you are looking for floor coverings for your home. How do you know you have found the genuine article? You would look at the rogue scholar, pattern and for a distinctive motif. When you see these three characteristics together, you have found a real Turkoman rug.

This type of traditional rug is produced in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. They are also made in Khorassan, in northeast Iran and are usually hand knotted.

Turkoman Traditional Colours

One of the distinguishing characteristics of a Turkoman rug is its background colour. Look for one that has a red or reddish brown background colour. If the rug you are looking at looks different from this description, then it is something other than a Turkoman rug.

Turkoman Traditional Rug Pattern

The next thing you should look for in your search for a Turkoman rug is the layout of its pattern. A true Turkoman is laid out in a geometric pattern. To get the full effect, you will need to make sure that you can see the rug fully laid out.

Turkoman Motif

The third characteristic of a Turkoman rug is a motif known as a gul. This word is Persian for "flower" and is used to describe the octagon-shaped pattern formed using contrasting yarns in the rug. Look for guls made with black, blue, white or beige when you are shopping for a floor covering.

Traditionally, each tribe making rugs would have its own version of the gul. As tribes battled over the years, however, the purity of each family’s distinctive design were lost, conquering tribes adopted the guls of the defeated. Some forms of the traditional gul can still be traced back to the original tribes, though.

You may also find a Turkoman rug that has a hatchli design, which is indicative of an ensi rug. These rugs were not used to cover floors. Instead, they were placed over the entrance to Turkoman tents. This design is used by weavers in Afghanistan.

A hatchli design features a large cross that divides the background of the rug into four sections. Each section of the rug has an identical pattern. One common design used in this type of rug looks very similar to a menorah (a candleholder that can accommodate several candles).

Choosing a Traditional Turkoman Rug

Since a Turkoman rug has a very detailed pattern, you will probably want to make it the focal point of your room. Set it off by displaying it prominently, pick one or two of the contrasting colours in the rug, and include them in your decorating scheme to bring the whole look of the room together. The most popular colour is a red rug.

The rest of the furnishing in the room should be relatively plain to avoid clashing with the rug. Painting the walls in a solid colour will also help to keep the focus on the Turkoman rug you have chosen. Something this distinctive and lovely should definitely be displayed to advantage in your home.

Ikat Rugs Use Ancient Techniques to Create Modern Style

Ikat is a method of dying fabric. It uses a resist dyeing process, which is similar to one used when tie-dyeing fabrics. The resulting pattern has a similar appearance to batik fabric or a tie-dye pattern used for T-shirts and other garments.

The resist dyeing process involves applying bindings to the threads that are being woven into a cloth or a rug. Once the bindings are put in place, they resist penetration by the dye so that a particular colour is added to only a portion of the thread. The bindings can be placed in different spots on the threads so that more than one colour of dye can be applied. All of the dying is performed before the threads are woven into a cloth or rug.

You can tell an ikat design when you see one by the jagged edges of the design. The pattern has a distinct blurry effect. Ikat rugs and furnishing have become quite popular, and this style is traditionally associated with wealth, power and status. If you are looking for a way to bring these elements into your life, choosing an ikat rug may help you to get on the right track!

Ancient Weaving Technique

This form of weaving is very common and is probably one of the oldest forms of creating patterns in textiles. It is used in Central and South America to this day. Double ikat is a technique used in India, Japan, Indonesia and Guatemala.

The first step in creating a ikat rugs or fabric is to tie the material being used into bundles. In some cases, they are covered with wax or wrapped with thread to keep dye from penetrating specific parts of the thread. The process of tying or covering part of the material with wax is usually repeated, since using more than one colour in an ikat fabric or rug is very common.

Once the dying process is complete, the threads are tied onto a loom. They form the warped (longitudinal) threads. The weaver determines what the pattern will look like by the way these threads are tied. The threads can be adjusted to create the precise alignment necessary to produce the desired effect, and patterns can be created horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

Double Ikat Patterns

Double ikat patterns are formed when both threads being used to make the rug or fabric are dyed using the resist technique. Only highly skilled weavers attempt this type of pattern and the results are considered premier rugs and fabrics.

If you are looking for a floor covering with a unique look for your room, consider one of the beautiful ikat rugs available today. Before selecting, take the time to consider the variety of colours and patterns available from quality retailers. Ikat designs in wool style rugs have become very popular and are great examples of how an ancient technique can be used to fashion something that appeals to today's consumers.
 

Damask Rugs Are an Elegant Addition to a Room

Damask refers to the type of reversible pattern that can be used when making items out of cotton, linen, wool, and silk. It can also be used with synthetic fibres. This type of pattern may be found in wallpapers or rugs as well.

This type of pattern is made by weaving one warp yarn and a weft yarn. A warp yarn is the lengthwise yarn that is stretched out and held in tension on a frame. The weft yarn is the one that is run over and under the warp.

History of the Damask Rug Pattern

This weaving technique dates back to the early middle ages. It was used by Byzantine and Islamic weavers and it is named for the city of Damascus. This style of fell rug out of favour after the ninth century in countries outside of Islamic Spain but became popular again in some countries in the 13th century.

In the fourteenth century, Italian weavers were making damask patterns on fabrics using draw looms. For the next 200 years, most damask patterns were woven using one colour. The finished product had a glossy satin pattern against a dull background.

Damasks using two colours would be made up of one shade for the warp and a contrasting one for the weft. In some cases, gold or other metallic threads were added to create interest. In Medieval times, damasks were usually made out of silk, but wool or linen could also be used for this type of pattern.

Modern damasks can be made using a single colour or using more than one complementary or contrasting shade. This pattern can be found in tablecloths, clothing, and some types of furniture, as well as rugs to buy online.

Choosing a Damask Rug for Your Room

If you want to create an air of elegance for a room, consider tone on tone damask rugs. This choice provides a touch of class to the space. Keep in mind that you can overdo damask in a room, so you will want to limit it to the rug, wallpaper or furniture.

In a situation where you are looking for a rug for a less formal space, you have plenty of options from which to choose. Consider a two-colour damask rug in a combination that coordinates with the other shades you have chosen for your room.

You can even consider a damask rug for a modern hallway runner to create an interesting look for this part of your home. Choosing a rug fashioned with more than one colour in a damask pattern is an excellent choice, since it is a bit unusual without being too radical.

When you are considering floor coverings for your home, do not ignore damask rugs. They can provide a very stylish option for you that are available in multiple colour combinations. If you like this type of pattern, you will be able to find one that will look great in your home.
 

Plain Rugs do not have to be Boring

You are looking for floor coverings for your home, do not overlook plain rugs in your search. This decorating choice can work well in a variety of spaces, and you have a number of options to choose from when considering a solid colour for your rug.

Add a Splash of Colour

Plain coloured rugs are a great choice when you want to add a splash of colour to a room. If you have chosen light tones for the rest of the space, you can put a dark or bright colour on the floor to add some warmth to the space.

If you are considering this option, keep in mind that the colour will appear much more intense when you see it in a large area. This is especially important if you are shopping for a rug online and you are looking at a small colour swatch.

In a case where you are concerned that the shade you are considering will be overwhelming for your room, make sure that you ask the retailer about the company return policy before making your purchase. You may feel a bit bolder about your choice, if you know that you can return the rug and either choose another one or get a refund.

Consider a Plain Rug with Some Texture

Unpatterned rugs do not add up to boring rugs, when you consider that a solid colour can add some texture to the space. If you are looking for a floor covering for a room that has a casual decorating theme, consider a shaggy rug in the colour of your choice. The long pile will draw the eye down toward the floor and creates a focal point for the space.

If a shaggy rug is too much for your decorating taste, consider one that has a pattern in the pile itself. This is a great way to add some interest to your flooring without introducing multiple colours into your decorating scheme.

Find the Right Size Rug for Your Room

When you are looking at plain rugs for your room, you will also need to think about size and shape. Solid rugs are available in various sizes, which mean that you will want to measure your room carefully to determine which one will work best. The Bellagio Rugs come in sizes of up to 2 meters by 3 meters.

Round or oval rugs are a great choice, if you are looking for a floor covering to set off a table. In a situation where you are looking for an area rug to create a specific space in a large room, a circular rug can help you accomplish this goal.

Plain rugs are definitely not boring and are not an indication of someone who does not want to take chances when decorating. If you happen to like a particular colour and want to use it for your floor without the distraction of adding more hues into the mix, this is a very reasonable and stylish choice. Consider your options carefully and find a good quality rug that will last for several years.

Sheepskin Rugs Offer Numerous Benefits

There are some distinct advantages to putting sheepskin rugs in your home. This natural product can be used in a number of settings, for one thing. Another advantage to choosing sheepskin for your home is its texture. A third reason for choosing sheepskin is that it is easy to clean and care for. You can buy sheepskins from the high street or from an online rug shop.

Sheepskin Rugs are Versatile

Placing a sheepskin rug on your floor is a sure way to draw attention to that part of the room. No two pelts would be exactly alike, and the dimensions of your rug would be different from other ones available from retailers.

When you are looking at sheepskin rugs, try to picture all the ways that you can use it. While you do have the option of placing it on the floor to create a striking focal point for your room, you can also place it over your sofa or chair as a throw. The minute you do that, you are creating an air of luxury in the room.

If you ever decide you want to settle down and have a restful afternoon, the sheepskin rug makes a perfect blanket. The rug's natural fibres behave like a wick to pull moisture away from your body. As a result, you will feel warm in the winter and cool in the summer under the sheepskin.

Sheepskin Rug Texture

In a case where you want a cosy place to sit while watching telly or a film, you and your friends or family members will be very comfortable sitting on top of the sheepskin rug. Something about this type of fibre seems to encourage people to take off their shoes and wiggle their toes on the sheepskin or grab a handful of the fibres with their hands.

Placing a sheepskin rug in your room adds texture to your space. If you have wooden floors and you are looking to warm them up, putting the sheepskin rug over top of them will immediately help you accomplish this goal.

Keep Your Sheepskin Rug Clean

Remember sheepskins are washable rugs. Keeping your sheepskin rug cleaning is as easy as hanging it up in the fresh air. This is all you need to do to activate the lanolin in the rug and have it start its self-cleaning properties. If you spill something on the rug, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe them up promptly.

A small rug can be washed in the washing machine. You would use the gentle cycle and lukewarm water to clean it. If you decide to use your washing machine to clean the rug, take care to use a detergent that is recommended for wool. You will want to avoid using soap containing enzymes, since they will damage the fibres.

Once you have run the rug through the wash cycle, you will want to rinse it thoroughly several times with lukewarm water. Hang it to dry, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight. Once you have finished drying the sheepskin rug, you may need to brush her with hard wire brush.

Large Rugs Offer Definite Advantages for Decorating

Why would you want to consider using large rugs in your home? Assuming you have the space, this is an easy way to add colour and texture to a room. You can choose from a wider variety of patterns with this decorating choice, especially if you want to warm up a room. Rather than shy away from using this type of floor covering, embrace it freely and openly to create a room which reflects your personal taste and style.

Consider Bold Colours

One of the distinct advantages of choosing extra large rugs for your home is that you have more variety in your choice of colour. You do not have to be hesitant about using bold or dark colour in the room. A large space can be a perfect backdrop for a splash of any colour you like.

Patterneds Make a Distinct Statement

Whereas using a highly patterned rug in a small room may be considered too busy, you will not find this with large rugs. You have the space to choose anything from an abstract or geometric pattern that incorporates the colours you have chosen for the space to a traditional floral pattern with a coordinating border.

Large Rugs Available in Various Shapes

Large sizes in a square rug or rectangular shape may be considered the norm by consumers, but these are only a few of the options available from retailers. You can also consider a round or oval rug in a large size for your room.

Children's rugs available in larger sizes may be in the shape of the object they represent, such as a car, train, football field, flower, butterfly or heart. If the room has a lot of floor space, you can choose a large rug with confidence.

Measure for Your Size Properly

Even though you are looking for a floor covering for a large space, it does not mean that you should skip the step of measuring your room before you start shopping. If you are looking for an area rug, your first step is to determine the size of the space it will cover in the room.

If you find it hard to picture the size of a large rug in your room, mark off the dimensions you want to cover with tape or newspapers. This type of visual aid can help you picture exactly where the rug will go and how far away from the walls it will be. Ideally, there will be some floor visible between the edge of the rug and the wall, since this will ensure that the rug will lie flat without bunching up near the walls of the room.

Rather than putting a small rug in a big room, use the fact that you have lots of floor space to buy a large rug that will do justice to the space. Go big and bold or choose a more subtle palette to set off the furniture and items in the room, the choice is yours.
 

Round Rugs Offer Distinct Advantages to Consumers

Why should you consider buying a round rug for your home? This option may not be the first one that comes to mind when you are looking for floor coverings for your home, but it offers some distinct advantages over other shapes. It is an excellent choice to complement certain styles of furniture. If your decorating taste runs to something a bit different from the norm, you can express that by choosing a rug that does not have four distinct corners.

Circular Rugs Complement Your Dining Room Table

One place where circular rugs are traditionally used is in dining rooms. You may wish to consider placing it underneath a round dining room table. The shape of the rug would complement the shape of the furniture, creating a coordinated look in the room.

You could also consider placing a round rug underneath a coffee table to draw attention to that part of the room. In that instance, the coffee table does not necessarily have to be oval-shaped. You would definitely want to choose a round rug in a colour that draws attention to that part of the room, since you want to show off that particular piece of furniture. One of the most popular selling circular ranges are the Twilight rugs.

Round Rugs for the Bedroom

If you want to choose a different type of rug for your bedroom, round rugs are a definite option. In this instance, you do not have to have the entire route showing at once. You can create interest by placing the rug underneath the bed, and having only a portion of it peeking out from underneath. This is an excellent choice if your bedroom decor is a more casual one. A plain shaggy rug is also a popular choice for bedrooms.

Rotate Round Rugs to Minimize Wear

A distinct advantage to choosing round rugs for your home is that you can rotate them on a regular basis to avoid wearing down the entire rug at once. In a situation where only part of the rug is shown at one time, making a point of turning around every few months means that the wear pattern will not be evidenced throughout the entire floor covering.

This option is quite simple and you would only have to turn the rug a few times a year to keep the wear patterns even. It can be difficult to remember when to do this, and one way to keep track is to rotate the rug with every change of season (winter, spring, summer and fall).

Some people find it helpful to make a note on a calendar that tells them when it is time to rotate the rug. Turning it by one quarter four times a year should be enough to keep the rug looking good for the long term. While you do not buy a round rug every day, you do want to make sure that the one that you choose will last for several years. Making a point of turning it regularly and cleaning it on a regular basis will help to reduce wear patterns and keep it looking attractive longer.

Tips for Finding Budget Rugs

If you do not have a lot of money to spend and are looking for cheap rugs, you do have a number of options available to you. The best way to proceed when looking for something that will fit your budget is to take your time in making a selection. By weighing your options carefully, you will be able to find something that will look good and not break the bank.

Consider Natural Fibres

To keep costs down when you are looking for floor coverings, consider going the natural route. Rugs made from woven fibres such as jute or sea grass are usually much less expensive than other options available on the market. This choice may not be one that will last for several years but if you are trying to furnish your home in an economical manner this type of rug will certainly do the trick until you are able to afford something better.

Go for Wool Floor Mats

When your goal is to find budget rugs, it pays to be a little creative. Consider looking for wool floor mats that you can use in a room. They are available in different sizes, and you will need to measure your room to determine what size mat will work best for you.

Shop for Remnants to Save

Since you are not looking for wall-to-wall carpeting, consider buying a remnant from a retailer. You may need to make several trips to the shop before you can find one in the size and colour you are looking for. If you are prepared to be patient, you may be able to find a piece of a high-quality rug that you can use in your home without paying full price for it.

Go Online for Best Prices

Another good strategy, if you are looking for cheap rugs, is to go online to do your shopping. The advantage to this method of looking for floor coverings is that you can start your search at any time of the day or night that is convenient for you. You can take the time you need to consider your options and compare prices without feeling pressured by a salesperson to make a decision. If you find something you are interested in, you may need to make your decision quickly to avoid missing getting the rug you want.

When you are shopping online for budget rugs, you will need to keep in mind that you will have to add the shipping costs to the price of the floor covering. You may find that the initial price the retailers charging is less than what you'd pay in the shop, but once you add on the delivery charge it may not seem like such a bargain.

Looking for Visiona Rugs, even on a budget, does not have to be a chore. Look on it as an adventure where you are on the hunt for something that will look nice in your home while remaining affordable. By taking your time and considering multiple options, you will be able to find the right budget rug for your needs.
 

Kids Rugs Incorporate a Number of Educational, Entertaining Themes

If you are looking for kids rugs, you have a number of options available to you. Having a floor covering in a room can brighten up the nursery, protect the floor in a childcare facility, or add to your child's learning experience. You will want to be sure that the one you choose is of good quality and easy to clean, so that it will last for some time.

When you are decorating a room for a baby or a young child, add some warmth and texture into the space. You will want to choose one that coordinates with the overall colour scheme you have chosen. Since the child is very young, the choice of rugs has more to do with the parents' preference than with what the young member of the household likes. However, if you are looking for a rug that the child can grow with, you may want to consider one that can serve as a learning tool as well as a decorative piece.

Bright Colours for Kids Rugs

Since a child's room is commonly decorated in bright colours, you can continue this theme when choosing a kids rug. Choosing one with a bolt pattern is a great way to brighten up a room, especially if you have chosen to paint the wall a solid colour.

In the case you are looking for a kids rug to use in a child-minding centre, you will want to make sure the one you choose is large enough to accommodate all the children who may be sitting on it at once. An interesting option in this case is to buy rogue squares that can be put together in different patterns and used as a learning tool.

Childrens Rugs Help Youngsters Learn

For example, you could choose a childs rug that incorporates basic shapes, colours, or aspects of nature into its design. As your child gets a little older, you can use the rug as part of playtime to point out different parts of the design to help teach words and allow the child to talk to you as well.

Other popular themes for rugs that can be used as learning tools are numbers, spaces, letters and the calendar. Rugs featuring more ambitious themes, such as the map of a small town or the continents of the world, are also available.

Caring for Kids Rugs

When shopping for kids rugs, you will want to be sure that the one you choose will wear well. This is not the type of item you buy every day and by spending the money to buy a good quality rug you make sure that it will last for a number of years.

It is important to ask about washing instructions for the childrens rugs you are considering. This type of floor covering is especially vulnerable to spills, and you will want to make sure that the ones you are considering are stain resistant and can be cleaned easily. You may need to spend a bit more to get this type of quality, but it is well worth it in the end.

Hallway Runners Brighten up Corridors in Your Home

The corridor is an often-overlooked portion of the home. It has is not really a room, and is most properly thought of only as a space to get from one part of the home to another. In fact, hall runners can add colour and texture to any corridor in the house and can be part of an overall coordinated decorating scheme.

Before you can choose the right hallway runner for your home, you will need to consider the overall look you are trying to achieve. With the variety of colours and styles available for this purpose, you will be able to find one that will work well in your home and fit your budget.

When you are thinking about a design for your runner, make a point of standing in different parts of your hallway and looking around. Which rooms can you see into from different points in the hallway? You will probably want the hallway runner’s style to complement the colours and patterns in the adjoining rooms.

Striped Hallway Runners

One simple way to bring together various colours in your home into the hallway space is to choose a striped runner. This is a great choice if your entranceway or hallway opens up into several rooms and you would like to maintain a uniform look throughout. Choose a combination of stripes that reflects the main colours in all the rooms leading off the hallway.

Plain Hallway Runners

If you do not like stripes for a modern hall runner, consider a plain colour.  This is an ideal way to warm up the space and creates an interest on the floor without adding a lot of new colour. It is also a good choice if your hallway has busy print wallpaper on it. You still get the advantages of having a floor covering in this space without adding more colour than you want to.

Patterned Hallway Runners

When you are looking for hallway runners for your home, you also have multiple choices in patterned styles. Consider putting a floral, geometric, or abstract pattern in this space. Again, this is an effective way to bring colours in different rooms in your home together to establish a coordinated look.

Measuring for your Hallway Runner

Once you have an idea of the colour and style you are looking for in a hallway runner, you will need to measure up. This type of floor covering is not meant to go from wall-to-wall, and you will want to leave between six and 12 inches of bare floor all the way around the runner.

If you have a very long hallway and the runners available are not long enough for the space, consider joining two runners together using carpet tape. You will need to consider whether the pattern needs to be matched exactly if you are considering this option.

Using hallway runners in your home is an effective way to warm up this functional but usually under-appreciated space. With the number of options available, you will be able to find one that works well for you.