Pick any random home in America and chances are, you will find at least one oval braided rug under the roof.

The classic oval braided rug has become synonymous with hearth and home, and every year tens of thousands of them are sold throughout the United States.

The good news is that online shopping for oval braided rugs is far and away the most affordable way to go.

Let’s take a closer look at this often walked upon American icon and see if we can save some money while we’re at it.

What is an oval braided rug?

Making an oval braided rug from scratch isn’t that different than braiding hair, although you would need Rapunzel to end up with the same kind of length you would get from an area rug.

To make one of these rugs, you will need to start with at least three long strips of fabric. You then fold the edges and begin the braiding process.

While braided rugs come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, the classic oval shaped braided rug is far and away the most popular.

According to a rug-making expert, when you begin to braid an oval rug, you need to be sure that the center braid is at least one inch longer than the final width and length in feet. For example, a two foot by four foot rug would have to be two feet, two inches long.

Braided rugs can come in just about any size, but the larger ones can be a bit heavy and a bit tough to move around during cleaning times.

Buying tips

If you are a lover of oval braided rugs, chances are, you have bought more than one from your local furniture or flooring store, but what about buying tips for online shopping?

Essentially, the same rules apply for online shopping, with a few changes. You need to make sure that the online store you have chosen has a good return policy just in case there is a mix up with your order, and you should also go with a highly rated online retailer who has demonstrated a commitment to quality customer service.

Ask around and see if any of your friends have bought oval braided rugs online and see which seller they chose.

If you have any questions, email the retailer. The promptness and quality of the response can help you determine if this is the right retailer for you.

Also, stick to brand names when you first shop with an online retailer; that way, you won’t have to worry about buying an inferior product.

What materials are used?

Traditionally, oval braided rugs are made from high quality wool, but in recent years, more and more synthetic materials have been making their way into rug-making. The theory is that the synthetic material is not only less expensive, but it can often be more stain resistant, too.

Many online retailers have oval braided rugs made out of a whole host of materials, so be sure you check before you buy.

Young girls generally love the Disney Princesses and this beautiful Disney Ballroom Princess rug featuring these popular Disney icons will look fantastic in your little girls room.

The colors are bright and will give you the opportunity to pick out the various colors to create a coordinated look with matching accessories.

Your princess will love the look of this rug in her room.

It is made from 100% acrylic and is super soft to touch.

The backing is non woven and the rug is easy to clean as you can pop it into the washing machine using cold water and a gentle cycle.

The rug measures 60 x 80″ or (150 x 200cm)

CLICK HERE to shop for the Disney Ballroom Princesses Area Rug

Bring a touch of  Italian style  into your home with this attractive slice mat featuring pears and grapes.

Slice rugs are the perfect compliment to bare floors and can be used both inside and outdoors, although they  are generally used in the kitchen.

The Bacova Toscana slice mat has a non-slip base to keep in place and stop it from skidding.

Plus this beautiful slice rug is is machine washable for easy care.

This mat measures approximately 17.5″ x 29.5″

Kathy Ireland started her working career as a model and transitioned to form a home furnishings and fashions collection. With her motto being ‘Finding solutions for families, especially busy moms’, her desire to offer products at affordable prices has made Kathy Ireland products extremely popular.

The Kathy Ireland Rugs collection is no exception. Specializing in carpets and area rugs for kids and families, Kathy Ireland rugs are developed from durable products in a great range of styles, colors and designs.

The following collections are part of the Kathy Ireland range of area rugs:

Kathy Ireland Home Collection of Rugs

These rugs were inspired by Kathy Irelands travels abroad and are designed for the family in mind. Casual yet sophisticated, these area rugs will suit any home. Manufactured from 100% polypropylene, these rugs are durable and well suited to family living.

Kathy Ireland Young Attitudes Collection of Rugs

Area rugs for the young or young at heart. Kids rugs manufactured from 100% nylon to provide the durability needed for a kids room or play area.

This collection of  area rugs is  suited for toddlers through to teens and beyond.

The colors are bold and bright, featuring patterns and styles that will appeal to they younger generation.

Your room will certainly make a statement when you add one of these beautiful area rugs.

Add color and interest to your kids room with a bright area rug. An area rug will provide a warm and soft playing area as well as a way of protecting the surface under the rug from stains and damage (particularly if you have wall-to-wall carpet). Kids area rugs are available in a great range of bright colors and designs that will delight both parent and child

If your child’s room has neutral or white colored walls, a colorful play rug will brighten the room and make it a welcoming place for your child to play.

If you are looking for a fun rug that is also educational then you are in luck. The range of educational area rugs is enormous allowing you to choose a rug that your children will just love and little will they know that they are actually learning something new. World map rugs, rugs to teach your child a language and ABC rugs are just a few examples of what is available. There are also rugs to learn shapes, the solar system and even sign language. Just check out the huge range of rugs on Amazon and you’ll see what we mean.

When choosing an area rug for your kids room, select one with a short pile. Rugs with a thick shag pile will only accumulate dust and dirt and kids will find it difficult to play on as toys cars etc tend to snag on on longer pile. Short pile carpets are also easier to clean and vacuum.

When shopping for a rug for your kids room, allow your child to shop with you, they will certainly appreciate being given the opportunity to help select their own rug.

Getting your children to sleep can be a battle of wills sometimes but with a bright and cheery kids rugs you will at least get them to go to their room a lot quicker. Kids rugs are great way to brighten up a child’s room and they come in all shapes and sizes with cheery designs that will appeal to any child.

There are so many fun area rugs to choose from including character rugs like Spiderman, The Simpsons, The Hulk and Barbie as well as Disney characters such as Snow White, Winnie the Pooh and Finding Nemo. Amazon have a great range of kids rugs. They are absolutely gorgeous and you’ll have plenty to choose from. CLICK HERE to view Amazons full range of childrens rugs.

You can even purchase kids area rugs that are educational. Now that’s a plus. Rugs with ABCs and numbers will have your child learning in no time. There are also rugs available for the older child that are decorated with world maps, compasses and solar systems. And for the teenager there are some wild, fun rugs in bold and vibrant styles and colors that will definitely appeal.

Shopping with children can sometimes be a battle of wills, as children find shopping tiresome. So take the easy way out and spend the time shopping online. This way you can take your time choosing the right kids rug for your child. Better yet, let your kids have the fun of choosing their own rug. They will appreciate it all the more.