Nothing says cozy quite as warmly as a fireplace with a deep-colored hearth rug sitting in front of it.

A flickering fire, the faint tang of wood smoke and the family gathered around to enjoy the warmth are a page straight out of our heritage.

There are some important safety considerations when using a fireplace, though, most of which are meant to keep sparks contained within the fireplace, or at least minimize the damage that they do when the natural snap and pop of a roaring fire sends sparks flying.

Your most important fireplace accessory is a screen to keep the flames inside where they belong.They can be ornate or simple, but they are vital. Just as important is the recommendation that there be at least 18 inches of non-flammable floor space between the fireplace and any rug, carpet or wood floor.

If you have a lovely carpet, though, 18 inches may not give you the protection you need to prevent damage to the rug. A good way to add an extra layer of insulation and safety to your home is a hearth rug.

Hearth rugs are made of a fireproof or fire resistant material. According to most fire prevention experts, the best material for a hearth rug is 100% wool, which is naturally flame retardant and resists igniting even without further treatment. Other material choices for a hearth rug include 100% cotton, which also resists igniting from sparks, though not to the same degree. Treated with a flame retardant chemical, though, a 100% cotton hearth rug provides safety in front of your fireplace.

While both wool and cotton may scorch, the black marks or soot is most often easily brushed away, keeping the hearth rug looking fresh and new. Finally, Olefin (polypropylene) is flame resistant, but will generally melt where a spark hits it if the spark isn’t removed quickly enough. They will provide protection for the carpet beneath, and resist igniting from sparks, but they’ll also show some damage unless they’ve been specially treated.

A hearth rug should be the full width of the fireplace hearth. For best protection, it should be at least two feet wide, and be placed at the very edge of the hearth stones. With the variety of patterns and styles available, you’ll have no trouble finding a hearth rug to coordinate with any decorating style or colors that you choose

. The right hearth rug for your room can accent the room’s decor as well as any other area or accent rug. Don’t just be safe – be beautiful!

If you have a fireplace, then you know how easy it is for sparks to fly – and how far they tend to go. Fireplace screens go a long way toward keeping your expensive rugs and wood floors safe, but they’re not 100% protection.

After all, the time that sparks are most likely to be popping is when you have the screen open to add a log to the fire or to give it a poke and stir it up. Your best protection for those times is a hearth area rug laid over the carpet or wood floor.

A hearth rug is a safety measure as much as it is a fashion or style decision. By fronting your hearth with a fire-resistant or fireproof rug, you provide an extra measure of safety – not just for your floors and carpets, but for your entire family.

To serve the purpose, the area rug that you choose to use in front of your hearth should be made of a fire-resistant or fireproof material, or be treated with fireproofing. 100% wool, for instance, is an extremely fire-resistant material, and most insurance companies recommend using a 100% virgin wool area rug in front of the hearth for added fire protection, or to protect insured carpets from damage. Sparks simply burn out on the fire retardant wool surface, and any singed areas can be brushed away. If you choose a rug that is made of dyed wool rather than a painted design, the char won’t even show.

Most hearth rugs are a semi-rounded rectangle, and should be at least a 20 inches wide to serve their purpose. With the wide variety of design choices available, you can easily find a hearth rug that fits the decor of your room, from solids in every color of the rainbow, to designs woven with hearth baskets, hearts, subtle stripes, seashells – in fact, nearly anything you can imagine.

The most important thing to remember though, as pointed out before, is that the worth of a hearth rug is dependent on it being fire retardant or fireproof. Check the label to be sure that it is – and then choose something that accents your design scheme

Imagine an old Greek Shepard 1,500 years ago high in the mountains of Samaria. He has spent a tiring day tending to his sheep, and now he pulls out his Flokati rug, wraps himself in it to protect himself from the bitter cold, and goes to sleep.

Such is the history of Flokati rugs.

And now you can own one of these history-ridden shag rugs for your home. Even though they have made improvements on the rugs, using dyes to offer more of a color selection and allowing you to machine wash them, they are still manufactured in Greece by traditional craftsman.

Flokati rugs use the wool from sheep, insuring that it’s the highest quality pure, un-tampered with wool. This wool is known for its warmth producing qualities, which is why the shepards of long ago used them to stay warm on those cold winter nights.

Flokati rugs can add uniqueness to just about any home. They were popular in the 60’s and 70’s, and are now making a comeback in today’s décor. The wool is crafted into a shag design, so the rugs are ideal for in front of a fireplace, in a den, or any other area where warmth and comfort rule the design. They are available in many shapes and sizes, such as round, square or rectangular.

In the past, Flokati rugs were limited only to the natural color of the sheep’s wool, but today, the rugs are offered in other colors because they have created a dye process for them.

Although these rugs look delicate, they are actually one of the most durable rugs on the market today. In fact, you can even throw them in a washing machine! (It’s recommended that you do this once per year.)

So, if you are looking for a unique design aspect for your room’s décor, you might consider getting a Flokati rug to complete the room’s look. In addition to looking great, these rugs are durable and versatile.

For a contemporary look and feel try a Flokati rug

The art of Fokati rug making is a Greek tradition that lives on even today.

Originally created by shepherds in the high mountains of Greece for bedding and clothing, these rugs are now available to anyone wanting a warm soft rug to add a touch of elegance to their home.

Flokati  Rugs were once used as wall hangings and bed covers as well as rugs. They were often handed down as family heirlooms.

Greek rug makers weave Flokati rugs using a time honored process whereby the yarn is woven to create long loops which are then hand cut to create the distinctive Flokati pile. Once the rug is created it is taken to the waterfalls in the mountains where it is washed for many hours in deep vats. It is the swirling waters that give the rug its luxurious softness. This original technique has not changed over the years.

Flokati rugs are hand-woven wool rugs that have the look and feel of a shag rug. Manufactured in Greece, these rugs suit a wide variety of decors but are particularly suited to a contemporary home where a retro look is the major theme. They are perfect for bedrooms and living rooms in the colder winter months as they are exceptionally warm.

Flokati area rugs are traditionally made with wool. Most modern flokati rugs that you will see today are made with 100% New Zealand wool which is considered by many to be the best in the world. Wool makes the pile spring back into shape, it is also flame retardant and hardwearing, so your rug will last for many years.

Genuine Flokati rugs are machine or hand washable, however this is not often required as the natural lanolin content of these rugs is a natural dirt deterrent. This makes these rugs suitable for kid’s rooms and living areas that see a lot of traffic.

Flokati rugs came in different styles and colors from pastel shades all the way through to deep violet and black. There is a color to suit any home décor. Flokati rugs are priced according to their weight and thickness as this is what determines how fluffy and luxurious the final product will be.

Things have changed in the world of outdoor rugs

If you were to go shopping for outdoor area rugs a few years back, your choices would be limited to dull browns, expected tans, with the occasional sky blue and grass green thrown in for good measure.

Boy, have things changed!

Today, you will be faced with a multitude of colors, shapes and styles when shopping for an outdoor rug. Why the big change? Americans are staying home more and more these days, and they are putting their money into fixing up their homes, and that includes their patios and backyards. An outdoor area rug is one of the best ways to bring a little color and style into their great outdoors.

Outdoor rugs have kept up with the trends by combining great color schemes—such as various shades of blues and greens, yellows, and the deeper colors such as sunset oranges, rich purples and apple reds—with unusual and eye-catching shapes. For example, you could purchase a yellow outdoor rug shaped like the sun, or a sky-blue rug shaped like a cloud.

In addition, outdoor rugs come in great patterns that go with today’s designs. You could use a colorful stripe, check or even a sophisticated floral outdoor rug to complete your outside décor.

You should look for an outdoor rug that will hold up in any weather, and not deteriorate because of rain or the cold. In addition, if you will use the outdoor rug around a food or drink serving area, have it treated with stain repellent, or make sure that the outdoor rug you purchase has already been treated.

If you are one of the many Americans who are making your backyard an extension of your home, then you will want to be sure that the outdoor rug you purchase will add to the décor of your carefully planned yard. Be sure to check out all of the great sources available for outdoor rugs!

Where to Buy Outdoor Area Rugs Online

One of the best sources for outdoor rugs is Amazon. CLICK HERE to view their range.

Spruce up your outdoor patio or outdoor living area with an outdoor carpet

Outdoor carpet is a great way of completely changing the look and feel of an outdoor area. Outdoor area rugs are perfect for patios, pool areas and children’s play areas or any outdoor area where the soft feel of carpet is needed under your feet.

Outdoor rugs are a simple and affordable way of covering hard concrete areas and the look of an outdoor rug can completely transform a drab and colorless area.

When shopping for carpet for an outside living area, ensure that the carpet or rug is specifically made for the outdoors. In other words, it should resist the sun’s rays to prevent fading and resist moisture to reduce the build up of mold. Polypropylene is one of the materials used in outdoor carpets and rugs because of its durability.

Outdoor carpet should also be easily washed either by being hosed down or if you have an outdoor area rug then it should be hand or machine-washable.

Braided rugs are particularly attractive in an outdoor area and look particularly good under a patio table. Ensure that if you purchase a braided rug that it is specifically made for the outdoors as it will deteriorate very quickly. Outdoor rugs are cost effective and have the added advantage of being easily relocated if required.