Area rugs have made a huge comeback in recent years as a staple for modern design. Once considered purely ornamental and even impractical, they are now one of the most valued yet affordable pieces of home décor. In fact, it’s not just about being modern—area rugs now fit into any décor theme, from country and traditional to contemporary chic. And easily one of the most versatile styles to enter the market is the braided rug.
Braided area rugs were once associated with the country look, but we’ve gone a long way since then. Manufacturers have managed to make braided rugs that fit just about any theme. The unique construction method allows them to use various colors and color combinations, and even a few interesting patterns. With all the choices available, you can even spend all day choosing just one braided rug! To help you find the right piece, here are some things you should consider when buying braided rugs for your home.
Color
Braided rugs tend to have bright, eye-catching colors, which makes them ideal as centerpieces or focal points. But you also have to make sure it goes with your existing décor. One of the easiest ways to do that is by matching the dominant colors in your room. If you have a lot of blue around the room, a blue braided rug can help tie it together and give the room a smooth, unified look.
If you want to play it safe, you can go for neutral colors like white, black or gray. Gray has been touted this year’s "in" color by many designers, so it should be easy to find the right piece. The Rhody Rugs Blossom Moonstone Rug, for example, combines gray with bright pastels for a soft, relaxing look. It works great indoors as a room accent, or even outdoors in your porch or deck.
Pattern
While you can find braided rugs in solid colors, most of them will have at least some variation. The techniques used to weave them together require several separate threads, so most manufacturers get creative and work various colors in one piece. Generally, patterned rugs work best if your room mostly consists of solid colors. This helps the colors stand out better and adds a sense of movement to the room, making it more visually interesting.
Some braided rugs also come with a central pattern featuring images such as flowers, words, or geometric shapes. This style is ideal for large spaces where the floor is mostly bare, as it breaks up the monotony of the room. A good example is the Rhody Rugs Williamsburg Rug, which features a central design of flowers and a braided border with monochromatic blues. Use it to brighten up a rustic country home, or to finish off a traditional American colonial look.
Materials
Pretty much any material can be made into a braided rug, but the most common are wool, cotton, and polypropylene (a synthetic, plastic-based fiber). Your choice of rug material should depend on your lifestyle and how you plan on using the rug. If you have kids or pets, your floors probably get more abuse, so you may want a synthetic rug that can stand up to it. If it’s for a low-traffic area like your bedroom, you can probably go for a softer fiber like cotton.
The material you choose can also affect how your braided rug will hold its shape. Because of their unique construction, braided rugs tend to fray or roll up at the edges. Choose a rug that uses heavy fibers so they always fall flat on the floor. The Rhody Rugs Rio Almond Rug, for example, uses a special nylon filament that surpasses most industry standards, so you can be sure it’s look like new for years. This makes it ideal even for busy areas like the kitchen, as it holds up well to humidity, moisture, and constant foot traffic.
Shape and size
Most braided rugs on the market are oval-shaped. This is because they start out as single rectangular strips, with the braids going around them and eventually forming an oval shape. But modern manufacturing has allowed a wider range of techniques, and you can now find braided rugs in square, rectangular, and even circular designs. Less-common shapes add interest to the room and create a nice contrast against the usually straight walls.
Size is also an important consideration, although few people realize it. When you buy area rugs, you immediately think of the colors, patterns, and other visual details. But often, these designs don’t play out too well—they’re either too big or too small for the designs to get noticed. Choose a rug that leaves some floor space around it and is proportional with the room itself. For large rooms, you may want to get two smaller rugs instead of one big one so you can spread out the design.
Tags: rhody rugs blossom moonstone rug | rhody rugs blossom moonstone rug | rhody rugs Williamsburg rug | rhody rugs Williamsburg rug | rhody rugs rio almond rug | rhody rugs rio almond rug | braided area rugs | braided area rugs | buy area rugs | buy area rugs