Woven. Tufted. Bordered. Sculptured. Textured... With the tremendous amount of rug styles, sizes and colors available, the world of decorating options is as wide as your imagination. And there are as many uses for rugs as there are styles.

Perhaps you want to rejuvenate or add color to a favorite room. Or you've been looking for a way to incorporate artistic expression to your home. Or you'd like to warm the cold tile in your bathroom. Or maybe you would just like to add softness to a hard floor or extra flair to hide the worn carpet in a busy hallway.

Whatever your need, a rug is easy to find and waiting for you now.

Discover The Realm of Possibilities

You'll be pleasantly surprised to discover the endless array of rug and mat sizes and designs reflecting all ends of the earth. Whether you prefer the designs nature made or the ones man created, the look is "timeless."

Natural-type fibers have been reproduced to provide the softness and practicality Mother Nature would demand in her own home. And the warm colors of the earth -- blues, golds, and browns and beiges - - are inviting in any setting.

From caves to castles, man has also created hundreds of traditional styles to adorn living spaces with ethnic influences over the centuries.

Oriental, Persian, Berber and Native American designs are just a few that can be found in nearly any price range.

Machine-woven and -tufted rugs are most popular, with modern machinery producing rugs beautifully simulating handhand-made versions at affordable prices. If you insist on real hand-made though, hand-knotted and hand-hooked rugs are also widely available.

Covering Your Every Need

Not only should your rug look good, it should perform well, too. To find the best rug within your budget, there are several factors you should consider. The perfect rug will have just the right combination of density, twist and fiber.

Density refers to the closeness of the tufts or knots. The denser the pile, the better your rug will wear. Twist refers to the winding of yarn around itself. A tighter yarn twist will provide added durability.

Your retailer is an important partner in your rug purchase. Select a reputable dealer with a knowledgeable staff, wide selection and a guarantee that the store will stand behind its merchandise.

The type of fiber used in your rug also will help determine its appearance and performance. Synthetic fibers provide brilliant colors, easy maintenance, softness and outstanding value. Natural fibers provide the luxury homeowners have enjoyed for centuries.

There are six general types of fibers used, each with different characteristics:.
 

Nylon: Wear and soil resistant and easily cleaned. Resilient, withstands heavy traffic and the weight and movement of furniture. Unlimited variety of brilliant colors.

Wool: Noted for luxury and softness. Has high bulk and is available in many colors.

Olefin (Polypropylene): Strong and colorfast with a soft, wool-like feel. Resists wear and stains. Affordable. Predominant machine-woven synthetic fiber. May also be used in outdoor carpet.

Polyester: Noted for its soft "hand" when used in thick, cut pile textures.

Acrylic: Offers the appearance of wool at a lower cost. Sometimes is blended with other fibers. Most often appears in bath rugs and mats.

Cotton: Noted for its softness and performance. Available in many colors.

Keeping Your Rugs Looking Beautiful

Taking special care of your rug will prolong its life and appearance.

Vacuum your rug regularly to remove loose soil soil , taking special care when vacuuming fringe and edges. Some throw rugs, especially for bathrooms, can be washed in your home washing machine. But always comply with your manufacturer's recommended cleaning methods to prevent warranty invalidation and damage to your rug.

Additionally, have a professional deep clean your rug yearly to remove soil build-up. Several cleaning methods will work, but to prevent rapid re-soiling of your rug, it is important to completely remove any cleaning agents.

Your retailer can refer you to a cleaning specialist in your area where your rug can be taken. All rugs occasionally will fall victim ro spills and soiling. Don't panic. Follow the simple spot removal tips in The Carpet and Rug Institute's Spot Removal Guide.

Cushioning Your Investment

Once you get your rug home, help keep it looking new by placing it over a quality rug cushion or underlay.

Not only will the cushion absorb shock and noise, it also will keep your rug from "creeping." There are two types of cushions to choose from, depending on where you plan to place your rug: rug-over-carpet or rug-over-hard surface floor. Your retailer can help you select a rug cushion or underlay for your particular need.

QUICK REFERENCE GLOSSARY

Border: Design around the edge of the rug surrounding the field.
Dhurrie and Kilim: Flat, pileless rugs formed by threads strung across the width of the rug.
Field: The part of the rug's design surrounded by the border. May be solid or contain a pattern or medallion.
Fringe: Long tassels of yarn used to finish ends of the rug.
Medallion: Large design in the middle of a rug.
Pile: Surface of the rug, formed by the cut ends of the knots or tufts attached to the rug's foundation.
Tufting: Rug that consists of pattern-forming yarns shot through the foundation of the rug. Back is coated to bind pile fiber with backing yarns.

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This information provided by The Carpet and Rug Institute.