If you are designing your home with a southwestern décor then southwestern or Navajo rugs will really add the finishing touch. Authentic southwestern rugs are traditionally made by Native Americans and are hand-woven using traditional designs.

The art of weaving Southwestern style rugs is time consuming. In fact the preparation of the yarn often takes longer than the actual weaving. It is for this reason that a number of Navajo Indians are using commercially produced yarn. Today machine-woven Southwestern style rugs can be purchased, and although not authentic they can create the affect you are looking for.

Southwestern area rugs portray the colorful and varied heritage of the Navajo Indian. Many of the designs represent images of crops, rain, feathers, lightning, animals and other nature symbols that are important to the Navajo culture.

The Navajo are famous for their beautiful and durable hand-woven wool rugs. The natural lanolin in the unprocessed wool yarn has given the Navajo rugs a reputation of strength and longevity.

The beautiful earthy tones and colors of southwestern rugs will suit a variety of home decors. They are particularly suited to wood-stained floors and rustic furniture as the vibrant colors really stand out. The strong emphasis on geometric styles and patterns also makes them a perfect addition to a contemporary style home.

Southwestern or Navajo rugs are so striking they can also be used as wall hangings. The beautiful designs and intricate weave patterns make them a focal point in any room.

The range of styles and colors is enormous so you shouldn’t have a problem finding the right southwestern rug to match your décor.

When shopping for a southwestern area rug, not only take into account the size and complexity of the design but also the symmetry and neatness of weave. Navajo rugs are unique and reflect the artist’s style. If you see a rug you like, buy it. As with all purchases you make, the most important factor is that you like the rug.

Shop online for Tibetan, oriental and Persian rugs and save

Enhance your decor with a beautifully designed elegant Oriental, Persian or Tibetan rug. The quality and style of these hand made area rugs makes them a truly beautiful addition to any home.

Tibetan rugs are hand woven from wool and silk into a variety of patterns including geometric and abstract designs as well as the more traditional religious symbols of Buddhism. Some of the more popular designs for Tibetan rugs are flowers, trees, tigers and of course mythological dragons which are very popular as they symbolize power and strength.

The soft colors of the Tibetan area rug can be used to create a stunning effect in a modern home that has been decorated with modern styled glass and chrome furniture, although a Tibetan rug is equally effective when placed on wooden polished floors where more traditional furniture has been used.

Oriental rugs from Asia are available in modern or traditional designs and look spectacular on a polished hardwood floor or tiles. You can purchase beautiful oriental rugs that have been hand knotted in high quality silk or New Zealand wool.

Oriental rugs are generally dyed using ancient time tested vegetable dyeing process. Antique oriental rugs are expensive but with the proper care, they will retain their color and last for many years. Hand made classic rugs from Persia add elegance and charm to the home and the beautiful designs will enhance the look of any room.

Contemporary Persian rugs are made from natural or synthetic fibers, and although wool, cotton and silk are more durable than imitation synthetic materials they tend to also be more expensive. However, a Persian rug in either synthetic or natural fibers will look beautiful as part of your home decor.When shopping for a rug for your home, some of the things you may like to consider are:

• the materials used,
• knots per square inch (kpsi),
• price,
• and of course the color and design will play a big part in your decision.

Beautiful wool rugs for warmth and durability

Wool area rugs are perfect for those people that have high traffic areas, or live in a cold climate. Why? Because wool area rugs are made of natural wool fibers, and they are designed to wear longer than the synthetic ones. The wool fibers stretch, and unlike other rug fibers, simply bounce back when they are released instead of breaking off.

What does this mean to you?

If you have a high traffic area, such as your kitchen or living room, a wool area rug just may be your perfect solution. You will have that peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have made a good investment that will last for years.

But wool area rugs aren’t just durable, they are beautiful as well. You can select a color that blends perfectly into your indoor environment, and then use the wool area rug to complement and complete the look of your room. In addition to a wide color selection, wool area rugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your needs. You might decide on a round one to place under your kitchen table, or a large rectangular one for your living or dining room.

In addition, wool area rugs can give your room the warmth that you crave. People wear wool clothing when they are cold, and a room should wear wool to warm it up, as well! Just imagine looking out of a frost covered window on a cold winter night, snuggled up in a blanket on your wool rug that is situated in front of a roaring fireplace! Can’t you just feel the warmth?

So, if you are looking for a rug that will last a long time, keep you snuggly warm in the winter, and serve as a perfect accent to your room, wool area rugs may just be the perfect item.

An area rug is one way to brighten up a room. But with so many options available how do you go about choosing the right rug for you?

An area rug can be a great investment that will last for years so it is important to choose wisely.

Placement

The first thing to consider is in which room you will be placing your new rug. If you are updating the lounge or dining area the you will require a large rug. If it is a kitchen or bathroom a much smaller area rug such as a braided rug or sisal rug will be better suited.

Size

The size of the rug will of course be determined by the size of the room and where the rug will be placed within the room. If you decide to cover the majority of a wood floor then generally you should leave about 8 inches of wood showing around the rug.

Color and Design

The color and design is a personal preference, but consider the following:

• At least one or two of the colors in the area rug should match the colors of your walls or furnishings.
• Choose a design that matches the decor of your room – an oriental or Persian rug will definitely suit a room with antiques while a braided rug with bold colors will suit a more contemporary home.

Texture

The texture of the area rug is another personal preference. Braided rugs look stunning in a room with a country feel; sisal and contemporary rugs suit bright modern rooms and hand-woven oriental rugs suit almost any room.

And always consider the purchase of a non-slip pad to place under your area rug. These are available in a number of materials for use on different types of flooring. A non-slip pad is not only functional for keeping the rug in place it will also keep it wrinkle free.