Area Rugs for High Traffic and High Style!
Homeowners tend to cover hardwood floors that receive high traffic with area rugs to protect new oak, hickory and walnut planks underneath. Here are some ideas and info about which rug materials are the most durable for high traffic areas (especially for kids and pets) and the latest ideas and info about current styles.
Popular Area Rug Styles
Shag rugs were uber popular in the 1970s and are making a comeback nearly half a century later. This cotton and wool shag rug from Wayfair looks good enough to sleep on, and so does this Flokati rug, with skinny hair-like fibers mixed into the traditional shag. The multi-textured rug has both a retro vibe and a modern, on-trend feel.
But shag rugs are perhaps the most difficult to clean, given the mass of fibers that are the look, feel and appeal of shag. Manufacturers recommend you clean shag rugs twice a week with a suction-only vacuum – using the attachments rather than pushing the unit across the carpet. Gentle twice-a-week cleaning will prevent dirt from building up and retain its color and volume. Grooming rakes are handy tools, too, when it comes to keeping your shag rug looking fluffy and fresh, instead of matted and flattened down.
If you have littles or pets, you may need to investigate the more durable materials below for the sake of longevity!
Longest-Lasting Materials for Area Rugs
You may tire of some area rug styles, long before the materials wear out, so find something you can live with for several years. Wool for example, a popular choice because it is both durable and comfortable, and can last 30 to 60 years, depending on construction. Wool rugs are made for the floors of every conceivable living, dining or family room, and the resilient wool fibers can handle lots of foot traffic. But wool is soft and comfy, too. And even though it sheds for the first month or so, weekly vacuuming will remedy that after four to six weeks.
Experts say to be careful about exposing a wool rug to lots of sunlight because wool tends to fade under harsh UV rays.
Wool rugs generally cost more than synthetic fibers, but if you have small children and/or pets, these rugs can be well worth the investment. And it pays to read up on the differences between hand-knotted (most expensive and long-lasting), hand-tufted (not 100 percent handmade) and machine-made. A glance at the Wayfair and Overstock websites show examples of each, with prices starting at $250 for a large room rug.
Two other top choices that are also durable for growing families are polypropylene and nylon. Nylon resists abrasions and static and dries quickly making it the ideal material for bathrooms and outdoor rugs. It also bounces back from furniture indentations and has a lot of elasticity to extend under furniture.
Some natural fiber rugs include jute and sisal – the latter being the strongest and most durable natural fiber. It can be woven and braided into large, non-toxic area rugs providing depth and texture to a room. The only drawback with sisal is that it may stain easily and feels rough on bare feet. But it is 100 percent biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
Where to Shop for Area Rugs in Castle Rock?
You can physically go to the Costco in Lone Tree or the Home Depot or Lowe’s in Castle Rock because, admittedly, it’s good to see colors and textures in person. But the stores have fewer choices than the selections online, like those we’ve mentioned — Wayfair and Overstock. Apartment Therapy also offers up choices in the form of nine more online retailers to consider – some of which have periodic sales and deep pre-holiday discounts. If you’re looking for inexpensive flat-weave rugs that have woven instead of printed designs, check out the online retailers. And don’t forget eBay. Sometimes rug manufacturers liquidate old stock on this marketplace where you can find steals and deals.
Loving the Floors at Crystal Valley
Hardwood floors, both engineered and real wood, are a wonderful feature in the new homes built in the master-planned community of Crystal Valley. And while it does take some hunting to find the perfect rug, get some style ideas from the models the new homes offered by Century Communities, D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes and Richmond American Homes. Find the perfect ranch or two-story design — surrounded by nature and priced between the $400s and the $700s.
