Hand Knotted Rugs
You can find a great range of hand knotted wool rugs that add instant style and sophistication to any room. The art of hand knotting rugs and carpets goes back thousands of years and is thought to have started as a nomadic craft that later took off in India during the 15^th century. When you buy hand knotted wool rugs today, you therefore have the benefits of a tradition that dates back at least two thousand years. After all, no one would keep making them if they weren’t simply superb finished products, so you can guarantee that buying wool rugs that have been knotted by hand ensures that you’ll end up with one of the very best rugs that money can buy.

Persian Rugs
As well as hand knotted wool rugs in a whole host of block colours, you can also find them with fantastic patterns. A really popular version of this is the Persian rug, or Oriental rug. These are made in a range of different countries, but the ones from Persia (what we know today as Iran) are probably the most well known of all the different varieties.

Here, you can find lots of different intricate colours and patterns, many of which are thought to have spiritual significance. Added to this are all the benefits you get from any hand knotted rug – the care and attention that goes into making every single weave. Because they are all knotted and tied, Persian rugs are often much more durable than synthetic or other forms of loomed rug. This means that they’ll last much longer (some for hundreds of years), making them a great investment and an ideal option for anyone who likes wool rugs.

Manufactured Rugs
You can also find wool rugs that have been produced on a larger scale as many synthetic rugs are also produced today. Instead of being hand knotted, these are instead held together with either acrylic or glue. As they are less labour intensive to make, these wool rugs are often cheaper, making them great value for money as you still get all the fantastic benefits associated with wool rugs. This includes their durability, stain resistance and the fact they’re relatively flame retardant. You can also choose from many different colours and rug designs, meaning there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Whether you decide to go for a hand knotted rug, a Persian rug steeped in history or a rug manufactured on giant looms, there are lots of different types to choose from, all with the benefits of wool. Whatever you choose, you will end up with a rug that lasts you for years and brings you satisfaction, making wool rugs the ideal flooring solution.

A rug is something you only want to buy occasionally as, after you’ve bought it, you naturally expect it to last for years. This means it’s worth hunting round various London rugs retailers such as Rugs Direct to make sure you’re getting a really good product. Before you buy your rug, think about the sort of wear and tear it’s likely to receive in your chosen location. For example, rugs on the stairs and in hallways are likely to get much more wear and tear than rugs in an adults’ bedroom.

You should also think about colour before you buy your rug. It can often be a good idea to go for a fairly neutral colour when buying rugs as this will ensure it will go with your décor and will always look good no matter how styles change over time. Then you should set a budget before investigating London rugs outlets. As a general guide, you can expect to pay around £20 per metre for a good quality rug.

Now you need to think about your style of rug. Most commonly, this will be either woven or tufted. Woven rugs are made by weaving pile yarn and backing fabric together. They tend to last for a long time, making them a good choice if you’re looking for a really durable rug. Tufted rugs are made by inserting pile yarn into backing fabric and then securing it with another backing layer. They’re quicker and cheaper to make, which means they’re often cheaper to buy but you do need to consider quality versus price to make sure you get the best value for money in the long run.

London rugs often see a lot of traffic from people’s feet. For this reason, you might want to consider a rug made out of wool as this is very springy and lasts for ages as they’re generally very good quality. They’re also really easy to clean and are flame resistant, making them ideal for locations where spillages or other damage might occur, such as in children’s bedrooms.

You could also choose to have a synthetic fabric, which is often recommended for bathrooms. Nylon is a good option as it is very hard-wearing. Alternatively, polypropylene is a great option if you’re on a tight budget but still want to get a decent rug. A rug with a short pile can be easier to maintain than longer piles, although they won’t be quite as luxurious underfoot. It can be a good idea to avoid rugs with looped textures if you have pets such as cats or dogs as their claws can catch in the loops and cause them to snag.

Choosing a rug isn’t complicated, but a little bit of planning as outlined above will help make sure you get the one that best suits all your needs and wants.

1. Salt is really good for getting up muddy footprints. If you sprinkle salt over the dirt, then leave it for an hour before vacuuming it up, it should help you get up the worst of the stain. Salt also works to make rugs brighter.
2. If you spill candle wax on a wool rug, then you should place a brown paper bag over the spillage and iron over it carefully. This should transfer the wax from the rug to the bag.
3. If you have a fresh stain on a wool rug or synthetic rug, then pour some club soda over it. Leave it for a short while (a few seconds should do it) and then wipe it up to remove the worst of the stain.
4. Red wine is one of the most notoriously tricky stains to get out of rugs. Some people swear by counteracting it with white wine poured on top, but club soda works better. Pour some over and scrub it. Alternatively, pour salt over the stain so it can soak up the wine and then vacuum it. Get up the remaining stain detergent, water and a little bit of white vinegar.
5. If you get chewing gum or another sticky, stubborn substance stuck in your wool rug, then you should freeze it with ice cubes. This makes it much easier to remove as it will become brittle when it’s frozen and break away from the fibres of the rug. Spot remover should shift any remaining stain.

When choosing a rug for your house, you ideally want something that’s going to be durable and hard wearing. This will help make whatever you buy great value for money as it will last much longer while still looking as good as new. It can be a good idea to visit your London rug retailer so you can check out the range of rugs on offer to make sure you get the right one. You can choose from fabrics such as wool, polypropylene and polyamide as well as blended fabrics. This means that there’s a rug solution for every house and need.

Whether you are looking for a rug to go in your living room, a bedroom, the hall or somewhere else entirely, it’s important that you strike the right tone with your choice of décor. It can often be a good idea to choose something that won’t show stains too vividly in the event that something is dropped on the rug. This means that dark or neutral colours are a really good idea. You could also choose to have a rug that’s renowned for its stain resistance as this will make it easier to remove any stains that do happen to occur. For this reason, wool is a good fabric for rugs as it’s stain resistant and flame retardant, which is great when you’re thinking about health and safety.

Whatever type of rug you decide to have in your home, check out the great range of London rug options available to make sure you get the deal that’s right for you.

These rugs have been around for literally thousands of years, and they first became something of an art form in the 5^th century BC. Many of the rug designs relate to Islamic spirituality and art, with the intention of reflecting the aesthetic quality of numbers, which many Islamic doctrines believe to be of divine origin. However, each country that makes genuine Oriental rugs tend to be known for different, yet equally distinctive designs. The most common and easily recognisable of these is the Persian rug. Persia is now Iran, but the rugs have kept their old name, largely because that is how they’re known in the West.

Persian rugs are thought to be the best and most beautiful in the world and it’s been this way for thousands of years. Most Persian rugs come from three distinct tribal areas – Kerman, Sarouk and Tabriz – although other areas make them as well. These rugs often feature floral patterns and distinctive geometric designs, which make them stand out. However, most Oriental rugs bought in the West are from India. This is a big form of employment for people living in rural India and the rugs they produce cost a fraction of the price of Persian rugs, even though the quality is just as good and they are all still handmade.

Turkish Oriental rugs are also sought after because of most of them are over 50 years old – their rug industry ground to a halt after World War 1, and it’s only recently started up again. Tibet also make some great rugs, which are highly prized and it can take over 3500 hours to make each one.

The first thing to do when you spill something on your rug is to blot it – don’t rub it! Rubbing it will only force the stain further down into the fibres, whereas blotting it gently with a cloth or paper towel will instead help to soak up the moisture, minimising the damage. Once you’ve got up the worst of the moisture, soak the stain with water to loosen the particles, and then blot it again. This should hopefully clear up the worst of it, if not remove the stain completely. Don’t scrub the rug if the stain doesn’t come out though, or else you may damage it and make the stain worse.

If you drop a food product or something similar on your rug (such as chocolate spread or gravy), then lift up the worst of it with a spoon before repeating the blotting trick. If there’s a dry stain on the rug and it was made recently, then you might be able to get most of it up by vacuuming the spot to get the particles up. If this doesn’t work, it might be time to bring out the rug stain removers.

You should always apply the cleaning solvent to a cloth, not directly onto the rug. Then rub outwards from the centre of the stain to prevent it from spreading further. Once you’ve removed as much of the stain as you can, rinse out the rug, blot it as above, then rinse and blot it again to make sure all of the solvent has been removed. If the stain is still there, you can repeat the solvent process. Make sure to dry the rug when you’re done so any stain that may be clinging to the lower parts of the fibres doesn’t have as much chance to creep back up and make another nuisance of itself.

Oriental Rugs

Oriental rugs are really popular. They tend to have ornate designs and often come with tassel fringes. Genuine Oriental rugs can be expensive, but there are some great copies available with all of the features for a fraction of the price. They come in modern and antique styles, meaning there’s sure to be one to suit every preference. ‘Genuine’ Oriental rugs most commonly come from Persia (Iran), India, Turkey and Tibet. Each country has its own distinctive style of weaving that can often take the weavers years to perfect, which is why these rugs are so desirable.

Throw Rugs

These are a great way to add an interesting feature to a room and they come in loads of different styles and colours, meaning there’s sure to be one to suit your style. They can be made out of all sorts of materials and are generally very affordable. They’re also very easy to look after as they don’t need any special treatment to keep them in top shape. Regular vacuuming and the occasional spin on a cold wash before being hung out to dry will keep your throw rug in good condition.

Wool Rugs

Wool rugs have been around for thousands of years and they can often last for generations, which is partly why they’re still so popular today. They come with multiple benefits. One of these is that they’re fire resistant – while they do burn, they don’t flare up in a way that spreads flames elsewhere. Wool also doesn’t melt like some manmade fibres do, meaning that the risk of burns is lower. Wool is also really versatile and has a bit of give in it, meaning it can stand the test of time even with heavy usage.

Sheepskin Rugs

Sheepskin rugs are really warm and cosy, adding extra luxury to your room. They can be a great addition to a room that’s often cold as they’ll make the floor feel warm under foot. You can also choose between long and shorthair sheepskin as well as sheepskin from different breeds of sheep, meaning there are some great choices available. There are even designer sheepskin rugs available, which combine different species to come up with a truly unique, snugly rug.

Custom Made Rug

You could also benefit from having a rug made just for you. This can be a great idea as it means you get the ultimate choice – you can choose from pretty much any material, style, colour and design. This means you’re guaranteed to get the rug of your dreams. It can also be a great talking point to have a rug that was made just for you, and it will always be special because you’ll know there’s no other rug like it anywhere else in the world.

These are just a few of the different types of rug available – there really are loads to choose from, so even if you’re not convinced by any of the options above, your perfect rug is bound to be out there somewhere.

What effect are you trying to achieve?

Deciding what kind of effect you want your new rug to have can help you narrow down your options when you’re choosing one. For example, rugs can either make your room seem larger and airier than they are, or they can help your room feel cosier. Deciding which of these options you want your rug to satisfy will help you get a better idea of the kind of rug you should be looking at.

How big do you want your rug to be?

Before you buy a rug, you need to be sure it’s an appropriate size for the room it will be going in. You might, for instance, want a small rug to put in front of a coffee table or in another high-traffic area so the carpet underneath won’t wear out as fast. Alternatively, you might be looking for a larger rug to go over a wooden floor that will take up most of the room. When you go to purchase a rug, you should make sure to take a note of your desired dimensions with you so you can be sure the one you choose won’t be too big for the room. The size you choose can depend on the kind of impact you want your rug to make, so this is an important issue.

What is the focal point of the room?

When choosing a rug, you need to consider what is going to be the main focal point of the room – will it be an item of furniture, a feature such as a fireplace, or the rug itself? If you decide the main focus is going to be the rug itself then you might want to consider going for a statement rug that really stands out from the rest of the room so the eye is drawn to it straight away. Alternatively, if you decide that the focus of the room is going to be something other than the rug, then you might think about going for something a little more subtle so the rug has more of a practical purpose than an aesthetic one, and the eye is drawn to your chosen feature instead.

How much do you want to spend?

Budget is always an important consideration when you’re buying anything, so think about how much you want to spend on your rug. If you’re looking for a rug to service a high-traffic area such as a hallway, then it might be worth spending a bit more to get a really good one that can withstand so many people’s footsteps. If you’re rug is going to be more of a decorative feature, then you could probably spend less as you won’t have to worry about people walking on it quite so much.

There are a number of ways in which you can control the short and long term damage done to your rug in order to keep it clean, prolong its life and make a lot less work for yourself overall.

Ideas as simple as applying a no-shoe policy in your house will go a long way in reducing the amount of damage done on your rug, instead of dirty shoes on your rugs, bare feet and socks will be a lot less damaging and will be so much gentler on your rug. If the no-shoe policy is not something you would like to adopt then you should be prepared to buy a rug of a higher quality; nylon and wool rugs are extremely durable and are amongst the options you should consider in this case. High quality doormats that help get rid of any dirt that can be brought in from outside can also be considered, any dirt on your shoes will be removed by them and you can keep your shoes on whilst walking on your rugs.

Rugs in high traffic areas such as hallways or living rooms should also be vacuumed on a regular basis so as to prevent any pieces of dirt penetrating into the fibres, making cleaning them a lot more difficult. These cleaning schedules can be anywhere between every single day to twice a week. Taking care of the dirt on a regular basis will avoid you having to do a deep and extensive clean when the dirt becomes engrained into the rug.

However, if you do not clean your rug regularly and the dirt has become too much, you might consider hiring a professional. Before you do call them out it might be a good idea to do the following to your rug to see if their services are absolutely essential. Hold your rug out at arms length from one of the corners and either beat it with a brush or kick it, if the dirt that comes out is of a high volume; it is in need of some extensive cleaning.

Take your rug out to your garden and vacuum both sides of it in any and every possible direction. The next step to take is to shampoo the rug with water and some mild detergent. Apply a soft brush with long bristles to the rug, and combined with the detergent it should release the dirt and grime engrained in it. Try not to be too vigorous as this may damage the pile on the rug. Rinse the rug with some clean water and squeeze out any excess water. Once you have done this, lay it out flat and wait till one side is dry before flipping it over.

With little bits of maintenance here and there, your rug is sure to last a long time so make sure you look after it when you can.

There are regular Qalii rugs and their smaller Qalicheh counterparts, and Kilim rugs are flat with no pile and are crafted by the nomadic people of Persia. These divisions go even deeper as amongst the three major types of Persian rugs there are many subtypes of them. The divisions are so extensive that the people who sell Persian rugs have developed a classification system based on naming the rugs after the cities and regions in which they are traditionally made.

There are over thirty classifications for Persian rugs, based on the design, fabric and the weaving techniques used to produce them. The flat Kilim rugs are classed using a system based on the type of fabric used, the design of the rug itself, and the purpose for which it was made.

Farsh and Qalicheh Persian rugs are most commonly made of wool in the modern era, but some producers they may decide to use cotton or silk in their production. As you can imagine, the silk rugs are the most expensive, and as you probably guessed, the least durable. These silk Persian rugs are often displayed on the wall like a tapestry and are extremely beautiful. There is a huge variety of designs used on Persian rugs, but they fall into three basic layouts: all-over, central medallion, and one-sided. An interesting piece of information about Persian rugs is that certain designs are passed down through families, either by memory, or through scale drawings, depending on their complexity.

Traditional Persian rug designs may be geometric, including striped patterns, or arabesque, including spiral and paisley patterns. Some important traditional motifs include historic monuments, Islamic buildings and patterns based around nature.

There is so much history and culture behind Persian rugs, which when combined with their amazing beauty, explains why they are such a prominent aspect of an extremely rich culture.