Advantages and disadvantages of carpets and area rugs:

Purchasing wall-to-wall-carpet or an area rug for your home is a major decision based on your own preference and your budget. So this guide has been prepared to provide you with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each, to help you with your decision.

Advantages of wall-to-wall carpets

• Carpet is permanent and therefore does not shift around on the floor
• Absorbs noise
• Provides insulation for the entire floor
• It can cover a badly worn or stained wood floor
• There are a wide range of textures and colors available

Disadvantages of wall-to-wall carpets:

• Once it’s installed, it can’t be moved
• Professional installation is required to install the carpet which will add to the cost
• Cleaning and repair of the carpet has to be done in-house

Advantages of area rugs

• Area rugs can be moved from room to room or from house to house if you relocate
• Area rugs can be rotated to avoid wear and tear in high traffic areas
• Area rugs can have amazing designs that won’t overtake a room like wall-to-wall carpet which should best be left in neutral colors
• They look elegant on wood floors
• Area rugs can be used to cover wall-to-wall carpet in high traffic areas like hallways and entrance ways
• Unlike wall-to-wall carpet, there is an enormous variety of designs, colors and textures available to choose from
• Area rugs can be sent out for cleaning and repair
• Area rugs can provide a focal point in any room
• Cleaning underneath the rug is easy
• No installation is required
• Can be a lot cheaper than wall-to-wall carpets

Disadvantages of area rugs

• Area rugs can shift or slide – use anti-slip rug holders to prevent this from happening
• Any unsecured edges may lift and cause tripping

Deciding on whether to have wall-to-wall carpet or an area rug ultimately comes down to personal choice. Hopefully this guide has helped with your decision-making.

For a contemporary look and feel try a shag rug

Shag area rugs are a look that is definitely in and they look great in any living area. Shag rugs made from wool, polypropylene or leather have a modern look and feel that fits in perfectly in any contemporary home setting. They are also suitable for a log cabin or ski lodge as they have that warm and inviting look and feel.

Wool is one of the more common materials used to create shag carpets. If your budget allows, buy a super plush shag rug, hand made from 100% angora wool or a classic sheep skin rug – both are luxurious and the ultimate in style and elegance!

Shag area rugs are not only available in the traditional woolen and cotton materials but also in nylons, acrylics and leather. Totally in vogue today, shag leather rugs are made from soft leather, which is woven to create a textured look that is very chic. Shag leather rugs are available in beautiful golds, blacks, browns as well as multi-colored shades including blues, reds and purple. Beautiful and soft, these rugs add a touch of style to a contemporary home.

Shag rugs are no longer confined to one or two colors. Although you may prefer to purchase a rug in neutral tones, shag carpets are also available in contemporary styles with bold, geometric patterns and designs to complement any décor.

Once upon a time, our mothers used vinyl rug runners to protect their floors and carpets from dirt and damage. Rug runners are growing in popularity again, but they’re no longer textured, hard vinyl, or simply strips of leftover carpeting cut to fit a narrower room. Instead, designers are creating patterns and motifs that work especially well in narrow, long spaces to make the most of the design possibilities.

A rug runner can help accent a narrow entry hall, bringing colors from two rooms together to create a natural transition from one room to another. In the process, it can help protect your floor surface from damage, provide a natural pathway for people to walk on and serve as an anchor for design details in space that is often left bare and unused. It can warm a stone floor, accent a wooden one and protect your good carpet.
 
Rug runners are narrow strips of carpet or rug that are generally laid down the center of a hallway or narrow room. There’s nothing that confines their use to hallways though. Rug runners make natural dividers in large rooms, for instance.

A rug runner on a bare floor—or in a contrasting color to the basic carpet in a room—can define a path between furniture groupings, or serve as a visual dividing line between a sitting and dining area.

There are many uses other than the traditional ones for rug runners. An outdoor patio rug runner, for instance, can subtly encourage children to stay to a particular path when traveling from pool to garden to patio. A textured outdoor rug runner can also provide a non-slippery surface for walkways and stairs in the patio area.
 
Likewise, a cotton rug runner in a bright color can serve as an area accent in a nursery, either in front of the crib or on the floor by the changing table.

Have a long counter in your kitchen that runs from sink to wall with cabinets between? A rug runner that picks up colors from your kitchen wallpaper and floor can provide a comfortable path along its edge, and keep your feet from getting weary while standing at the sink. There are also rug runners designed specifically for stairways that can help reduce wear in the center of stairs where feet usually land.

Shaw Industries is the largest manufacturer of tufted broadloom carpet. They also produce area rugs and ceramic and hardwood flooring for both residential and commercial customers. Shaw Industries manufacture residential Shaw carpet under a wide range of brands including Cabin Craft Carpets, Philadelphia Carpets, Sutton Carpets, Martha Stewart and ShawMark Carpets, Shaw Rugs, Home Foundations, Queen Carpets, Shaw Ceramics, Shaw Hardwoods, Shaw Laminates, Sutton Carpets and Tuftex.

Whatever you finish you are looking for, Shaw’s extensive range of carpets are sure to have the right product to enhance your décor. Shaw’ Industries products include area rugs, contemporary rugs, hand-made and machine woven rugs and more. Shaw has award winning designs and styles and includes collections such as the Mediterranean collection and Masterpieces featuring original designs from renowned artists.

Shaw manufactures a diverse range of area rugs including old style designs through to modern contemporary to suit any home décor. Persian style rugs from the antiquities collection featuring exotic traditional designs are also manufactured by Shaw.

Shaw has hundreds of styles and designs to choose from. The quality and diversity make Shaw a leader in the carpet industry.

Shop online for carpet and stair runners for fantastic prices.

A carpet runner enhances the look and feel of a room. Not only are carpet runners available in beautiful designs but they are also practical, providing protection and warmth to a hardwood or tiled floor.

The benefits of carpet runners

For all those high traffic areas in your home or where you have children constantly going to and fro through the house, then a carpet runner is an ideal solution. This is particularly so if you have expensive wall-to-wall carpet and are concerned about wear and tear.

Hallways, stairways and entrance halls are particularly suited to runners as they provide a means of visually connecting one room to another.

A carpet runner is easily cleaned and if damaged or worn can be easily removed and replaced. Vacuum your runner regularly and in those areas where the runner is not fixed to the floor, ensure that you vacuum under the rug as dust tends to fall through to the undersurface.

Stair runners are almost essential if you have a set of hardwood stairs. A carpet runner installed on your stairs has many advantages including:

• Protection from wear and tear
• Provides protection in case of falls
• Softens the sound of heavy footsteps
• Provides traction

Both carpet and stair runners are generally custom-made to suit your individual requirements. However, you can also purchase a carpet runner in a pre-cut length if you are not concerned about an exact fit.

When installing a carpet runner, ensure that you use rug pads to prevent slipping.

For quality and style, choose a Shaw Rug

Shaw Industries are well known for the superb quality of their carpet. Started in 1946, Shaw established itself by providing proprietary coloring techniques for area rugs, floor rug products and dyes for tufted scatter rugs. They have since grown to be the largest manufacturer of carpets in the world. Shaw manufactures area rugs, carpet, hardwood, laminate and ceramics.

Shaw’s range of area rugs is enormous with styles ranging from modern through to traditional. You can find a rug to suit any décor including southwestern designs, contemporary, floral and novelty.

For the kids there is a fun range of kid’s rugs in bright, bold colors and styles including sea themes, modern designs to suit teenagers, and fun designs by Kathy Ireland that the kids will love.

Shaw rugs designed by eminent artists and designers such as Kathy Ireland, Phillip Crowe and William E Poole will really add a unique touch of class to your home décor.

For a more traditional look, Shaw manufactures Persian style rugs as well as classic floral rugs and antique designs. Classic styles in a range of sizes and shapes including carpet runners are widely available.

You can’t go past the purchase of a Shaw rug for quality, design and hardwearing capabilities.