Quality area rugs can add decorative flair to any room. Many types of rugs with bold patterns or bright colors give a room visual interest, while quieter pieces are the perfect complement to beautiful furniture. More versatile and easier to care for than wall-to-wall carpeting, area rugs are a popular choice among homeowners with hardwood, tile or laminate flooring.

Types of Rugs

Area rugs come in all sizes, shapes, colors and patterns to fit every homeowner’s taste and budget. No matter what your home decoration plan is, there are types of rugs to fit it. Some of the most popular types of area rugs include:

• Contemporary area rugs: These area rugs are characterized by bright colors, as well as unique patterns and shapes. They add visual interest to the room and serve as a great focal point.
• Flokati area rugs: Made in Greece, these plush hand-woven types of rugs fit well in cozy or casual settings. They are extremely durable and can be machine-washed.
• Oriental area rugs: These are the area rugs many homeowners think of first when they shop for floor coverings. They’re beautiful and luxurious, and they add a sense of warmth to rooms. If price is an issue, opt for wool over silk types of rugs.
• Persian area rugs: A very durable, exotic rug that is famous for its bright colors and interesting patterns. Persian area rugs often grow more beautiful as they age, making them a good long-term investment.
• Shag area rugs: Known for their long, thick fibers, shag area rugs were extremely popular in the 1970s. They still serve their purpose well in casual environments. These types of rugs absorb noise and heat well.
• Transitional area rugs: A catch-all phrase for any area rugs that don’t quite fit into any of the above categories. These types of rugs are available in a huge variety of patterns, colors and sizes. They fit in well with most home-decor plans.

Benefits of Area Rugs

No matter which type of rug you choose, area rugs have a number of benefits. This is especially true when they’re used on hard floors. These types of rugs add a level of comfort in rooms with a lot of hard lines and sharp edges. Added safety is a benefit, too–area rugs cushion falls on an otherwise hard floor. They add visual interest to any room, and they’re so versatile that they can work with almost any decorating scheme. Area rugs also absorb noise made from footsteps and music, cutting down the “echo effect” that wood or laminate floor can cause.