Area Rugs Blog

WHAT IS THE CAUSE AND HOW TO REDUCE IT?

There are two main reasons area rugs (and wall-to-wall carpets) shed. The first and more important reason is the quality of the fiber used. This issue is not only related to wool fibers but also to synthetic fibers such as polypropylene and nylon as well. The second aspect of the rug which contributes to shedding is the construction of the pile such as hand-knotted vs hand-tufted.

Almost all rugs shed when they are new and the better the rug, the sooner the problem of shedding cease or at least becomes very minimal.

Fiber:

A wool rug seem to shed more compare to a synthetic rug and the reason is wool costs a lot to produce when it’s done right. Many manufacturers try to keep the cost of production to minimum to be able to compete for mid to lower markets. Wool is truly a nature’s miracle. There are so many good things to be said about it (learn more about wool rugs) but to have a premium quality fiber, the wool has to go through several processes which could dramatically raise the price of the rug. One of these processes is combing which effects the shedding in the final product. The combs have long metal teeth which are used to remove the short and broken fibers. Worsted wool piles are the best in terms of quality and they don’t shed or very minimally, but expect to pay more because this process is costly and the pile can be found in high quality rugs as well as in some expensive Tuxedos.

Construction:

Most rugs are made by two methods: hand-knotted and hand-tufted, and there are some less used techniques such as flat-weave which is used in Dhurries and Kilims. Hand-knotted rugs shed less with help from the way they are constructed. Each pile is securely knotted to the foundation with no room to move, however hand-tufted rugs do not offer the same pile security as there are no knots to hold the pile down securely. This make it easier for the pile to get pulled out and create shedding by normal traffic.

How to reduce shedding of your area rugs:

The first thing to do is not to buy very cheap rugs as they are normally made of very cheap quality fibers and there is really no way to stop them from shedding.
To reduce the shedding

1- Vacuum your rug daily for the first 10 days when you just buy it. Be sure to have the height lever of your vacuum set to High as some powerful vacuums might actually damage pile especially hand-tufted rugs. Don’t rush the process. Move the vacuum slowly to allow the suction to pull out loose piles.

2- Wipe your shoes well before entering the house. The sands stock at the bottom of your shoes can get into the pile and as people walk over the rug, these sand act like sandpaper and break the pile which ads to shedding.

3- Vacuum your rugs at least twice a week after the initial daily vacuuming.

Hope you find this information helpful. Please contact us if you have any questions.

regards,
Steve W (Customer Care)

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Posted on March 10th, 2010 under Area Rugs. Tags: Area Rugs, Carpet, how to stop shedding, rugs, shed, shedding, wool rug, wool rugs. Comments: None

Karastan National Month SALE is here!

It’s time to save bundles on your favorite Karastan rugs. This brand is with no doubt the most well known carpet and area rug brand in United States. There are many reasons behind Karastan success. The technique used in their area rugs combined with top quality material available, makes them stand out among hundreds of other rug manufacturers. Let’s not forget about designs, whether you are looking for a fresh, modern look (see Studio Artworks collection) or the most elegant traditional Persian design rug (see Antique Legends Collection), Karastan has you covered. This brand pays extreme attention to details and the result is very authentic looking power-loomed rugs which will last like a rock. There is now wonder these rugs are backed by 20 years Limited Manufacturing Defect, Lifetime Limited Moth and Insect Resistance warranties. Frankly, this brand is not for everyone, just like every other top quality product, it comes with a price higher than average, but it rings so true here; “you get what you pay for”. If you ever thought about owning a Karastan, this is the best time to do so as October is the National Karastan Month and you won’t ever find them for lower price any other time.

Since 1928, Karastan has been bringing beauty, comfort and elegance to American homes. Click on the image to start shopping for Karastan area rugs.

Purchase any Karastan area rug and receive an ADDITIONAL 10% Cash Back Rebate on any minimum $499 purchase. Receive up to $200 per household for purchasing ANY Karastan rug or combination of rugs. When you purchase the perfect Karastan rug or runner you keep adding up the savings.

We even fill out the rebate form for you! All you have to do is to type “Cash Back” in Special Instructions when checking out and wait for your rebate check to arrive. You also receive free shipping and padding!!

AreaRugsClub.com offers the lowest prices on area rugs online backed by 150% Price Match Guarantee, as well as highest customer service it is known for.

Please let us know if you have any questions, or need help with any of our products. We’ll be glad to hear from you.

Until next time,

Jeff (Sales Team)
Tel: 866-680-0606
Web: Contact Us

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Posted on October 2nd, 2009 under Area Rugs, Karastan. Tags: Are Rug, Area Rugs, Discount, free shipping, Karastan, karastan area rugs, rugs, Sale. Comments: None

October is the time to buy discount area rugs from Karastan

Karastan is the best known name when it comes to machine made area rugs. This great manufacturer has added hand tufted rugs to its collection in the past few years. Although it is difficult to tell apart a machine made Karastan from a hand made rug because of their unique craftsmanship.

When it comes to rugs, one brand stands out: Karastan, known for its stunning woven area rugs that are available in various textures, patterns and many styles. All Karastan rugs possess exceptional beauty and durability to make their owners proud.

In this economic hard time we all want to save money as much as possible. That is why this is good news for those who do not want to sacrifice quality to merely save a few bucks. Karastan National Month is a long waited affair which you could save up to 50% off on all its program lines including Original Karastan, Samovar, Antique Legends, Ashara, Sierra Mar, Shapura, and not to forget the Artworks collection which includes ever popular Plum Blossom 217, Mimosa and Bistro.

So, the waiting is over as October is almost here. As an authorized dealer, we want to make sure that Area Rugs Club is always the best place for you to find area rugs online. To be sure you are happy, not only we offer free shipping but also throw in free padding with all orders of $495 and up. Come see all Karastan rugs and fall in love with a rug!

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Posted on September 20th, 2009 under Area Rugs, Karastan. Tags: Area Rugs, Area Rugs Online, Discount Area Rugs, Karastan, karastan area rugs, Karastan On Sale, karastan rugs. Comments: None

Area Rugs Come in Many Sizes. Things You Need to Consider.

The size of an area rug is one the important factors to keep in mind when shopping for area rugs. Here is why the size is important. It provides a boundary and helps with designating certain areas of your space for certain functions; for example, dining room boundary can be easily defined by the size of the rug which is normally about two feet larger than table all around.

Most oriental rugs as well as contemporary rugs are made overseas in Asia and Europe. The measuring system is metric. Every meter is 3.28 feet and when a size is converted to feet, we always get some change, so to speak.

So what size should your rug be? I recommend this formula which I use myself:

Space + Function + preference = size

Now let’s breakdown the formula. Space is the size of your room where the rug is going to be used. Function is defined by what we do and the rug is supposed to do in the room. Preference is a personal taste and sense of design.

Let’s say you want to buy a rug for your living room where you hang out and have normally have a coffee table. The first thing you need to do is to measure the the entire space of your living room. Depending on the purpose which the rug serves like keeping your feet warm in winter time or covering that damaged spot in your tile floor, you decide how much of the space should the rug cover. That might be all you need to measure for the size of the rug. However, depending on what type of climate you live in, and the type of floor you have, the rug might serve a different function for you. If you have young children at home, the rug can serve different functions such as protection while the kids play on the floor and sound reduction when they run around the room and might disturb the neighbors living below your apartment.

The last element in the formula is the preference. You might think a small area rug under the coffee table looks a lot better than a larger size which covers the entire space in your living room. When it comes to bedroom area rugs, you may prefer a larger rug one which almost covers the entire floor so your bare feet are always pampered with the softness of your rug.

Those are the things you need to consider when measuring for an area rug. Thankfully, area rugs come in variety of sizes (and shapes), finding one to fit your space shouldn’t be difficult.

Area Rugs come in variety of sizes. Here is a scale to give you a sense of demensions.

Here are the most common rug sizes (approximately) and where they are used:

2 x 4 - They are usually called scatter rugs and used in places like bathroom, kitchen and doorway.

3 x 5 - Slightly larger than scatter rugs and usually used in entrances or kitchens.

4 x 6 - Used in entrances and under small coffee tables

5 x 8 - This is one of the most popular sizes to use in living room when you want the rug to come up just to the couch and still show lots of floor.

6 x 9 - Very similar to 5 x 8 just slightly larger.

7 x 10 - This size is not very common, however you can find it if you look around a bit. This size is good for dining rooms with a small space.

8 x 10 - Every time I hear this size, the word dining room comes to my head. It is the most popular size for the dining area which allows the chairs to remain on the rug when pulled back. It is also used in living rooms.

8 x 11 - Very similar to 8 x 10 just slightly longer.

9 x 12 - Most common size for homes with large living room or dinning room.

10 x 14 - These are large rugs which are usually too big for average rooms.

You can also find very large rugs, or sometimes called mansion rugs, in certain patterns. There are also few rug types that can be custom ordered to fit your need.

A popular shape that many people prefer is the round one. The round rugs are usually used in foyer and dining room. If you are looking to buy a round rug, be sure to check out Momeni and Sphinx rugs. Here are the most common sizes for round rugs:

4 x 4, 6 x 6, 8 x 8 and 10 x 10.

We hope you found this post useful. If you have any any questions or need help with choosing the right size, AreaRugsClub.com is here for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Skye

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Posted on September 11th, 2009 under Area Rugs. Tags: Add new tag, area rugs sizes, bedroom area rugs, common rug sizes, oriental rugs, Round Rugs, rugs. Comments: 1

You say to yourself, OK, that area rug in the living room is creeping me out. It used to look like a lovely painting years ago when I first bought it but now looks more like a rodent ran over by a semi-truck. So you start looking online and find the perfect rug which you think will lively up that drab floor of yours. But there is a problem! The rug is back ordered for six weeks! Ohh no!!! So what should you do? Frankly, I don’t know what you should do as I’m unaware of your specific circumstance. However, here is a piece of advice and something I would do. Ask myself some questions and give them honest answers then make my final decision based on that.

* Have I looked around for this area rug online enough? Does any other online rug retailer have this one?

* How badly I need to have that rug (or rugs)? Is there a big family event coming up before it arrives? Could that event wait?

* How important is the rug in my home color scheme and decor?

* How often I change my home decor?

* For what purpose am I buying this rug for? Is this rug going to be something of dear value to me such as an art piece? or just a piece of utility rug?

* Am I getting a great deal ( on sale ) which I may not be able to get at if I make a purchase at a later date?

The answers to these questions should make it easier for you to decide weather to order the rug and wait it out or just move on to a different rug with similar attributes.

I’m personally passionate about area rugs and admire them for so many reason. Here is what I would do. I normally buy a rug when I fall in love with it so therefore if I have to wait for a reasonable amount of time (up to a year depending how much I really love it), I would wait.

Hope you find this post helpful and it make it easier for you what to do when in that situation. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about area rugs.

All the best!

Skye

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Posted on August 24th, 2009 under Area Rugs. Tags: area rug, Area Rugs, on sale, rug, rugs. Comments: 1

Decorating With Contemporary Rugs

If you are pondering the idea of perhaps becoming a bit more modern or making a fashion statement with your home decor you may be considering contemporary rugs.  So if they are contemporary rugs what do they not have? Well they won’t be floral designs and very likely not paisley either. There are no symmetries and they will have a clean sharp defined look to them.

Contemporary rugs usually come with geomatric designs; however, they can be found without a strait line and still look very modern.

The easiest way to identify contemporary area rugs is by their geometric or linear patterns, which are the most favored. Interestingly enough though there are now some contemporary rugs hitting the market that has uniquely incorporated the traditional designs yet manage to maintain the status of contemporary. They are a whole new category by themselves called Transitional Rugs.

When it comes to decor values and deciding between a contemporary or traditional rug what do you want to use as your criteria? To begin with recognizing the fact that contemporary rugs are very easy to fit in with the basic decor scheme of your room, whereas traditional rugs are a little more difficult to match. Mostly because of the patterns they product. A contemporary rug feels natural and homey, whereas a traditional rug is very rich looking and almost gives a formal aura to it. Therefore you decor is really going to dictate as to whether you are going to go with the contemporary rugs or not. If you are thinking modern in any way then you most definitely need to go with contemporary rugs.

Just like most, any other types of rugs contemporary rugs come in a whole variety of materials. You can even have bamboo if you so desire. Remember though that the materials also play an important” role in the overall blend of the decor as well. These rugs are available both in natural and synthetic materials.

All too often people feel that because they home is more of an older model the contemporary carpets will just not fit in with the ambiance of the home. That is simply not true. In fact you create an entirely new modernized look to that old house just by making your contemporary rugs work for you.

You are going to have to follow the same thinking being contemporary for your accessories though if you are going with contemporary carpets. It just wouldn’t fit well to have a bright geometrical contemporary carpet with a Victorian couch holding traditional floral pillows. That doesn’t mean that you have to change all of the furniture in your room over to contemporary. It means making it work for you in a more modernized fashion.

For example if that Victorian couch happens to be a cream color then some throw cushions picking up the vibrant colors of the contemporary carpet is going to work well (However, you will probably end up on the eclectic side). Going with one of the new neutral tones for the walls is going to downplay the age of the home and allow you some freedom with working with the colors in the contemporary rugs.

The other deciding factor is just how contemporary do you want to go? In other words, are you contemplating a large area rug or are you thinking about a few accent rugs. Either way there should be nothing stopping you if you really want the contemporary carpets. Just plan carefully and make the minor accessory changes that may be called for.

Even accessories like geometric vases and ornaments will help to tie the contemporary style together. Then don’t forget about modern artwork. That will most likely be the finishing touches to your overall room.

Don’t be under the misconception that you have to go with bold brassy vibrant colors to be contemporary either. There are some beautiful contemporary carpets that focus on the geometric lines with earth tones that are absolutely beautiful.

One of the important things to remember is to not to go after inferior contemporary carpets. They must be of good quality to really do the job they are being used for which is to enhance the decor of your house and put you into the latest fashion.

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Posted on August 5th, 2009 under Area Rugs. Tags: Area Rugs, Contemporary Rugs, decor, rugs, Transitional Rugs. Comments: 1

DECORATING WITH A BLACK AREA RUG

When it comes to choosing a color for your rug some people find it a daunting task while others respond to it as being not that big of an issue. Most often by the time it comes to picking out a rug they have run out of enthusiasm and sometimes money and will end up buying the first one they come across. In these cases as in many others, the black area rug may be the ideal solution.

Also, remember the shape of the rug will give a totally different appearance as well. You may feel that a square black area rug will not be fitting for the room, but try to visualize what a round or oval black area rug would look like. It may make a total difference to how you perceive the color black.

With home decorating there are so many decisions to be made. Choosing the rug color is one of them and in order to get the color that is most suited depends on many factors. To begin with, do you want to go with a solid color such as a black area rug or do you want something with a pattern or even just a blend of colors?

As hard as it may seem to believe most often choosing the carpet colors after the decorating has been done is easier then trying to plan the decor around the rug itself.

A black area rug can be the ideal solution for many decorating problems but there are some things you must keep in mind when using a black area rug, which we will discuss.

If you have a room that you have used a lot of different colors in even if its earth tones then you have to be very careful with the colors in your rug. If you have a predominant color that overshadows the room and you go too strong with this in the rug then the color itself will overpower the room and downplay the other items such as furniture and accessories. In this type of situation, a simple black area rug will certainly suit the purpose. Again though it will depend on the size of the room, how it is decorated and the placement of the black area rug.

Some people feel that a plain black area rug has no character. When it is used correctly, it has the capability of making a room look simply elegant. For the multi colored rooms, it doesn’t interfere with the decor but adds warmth to the room.

Then the other side of the coin is the room that has basically no major color and the color is only provided by accents. Starting with a totally white room and perhaps a heavy reliance on chrome type furniture opens the door to utilize a black area rug to make this room a showroom of good taste. In this type of decorating, it is more pleasing if just one other color is used to accent the black area rug. For example, the walls could be white. The furniture ultra modern in the chromes and white leather. The floor with the black area rug then shades of red or even one vibrant shade of red for the accents such as the pillows and other accessories such as the drapes or window coverings. This gives the perception of a very high quality clean prestigious look.

Also, remember the shape of the rug will give a totally different appearance as well. You may feel that a square black area rug will not be fitting for the room, but try to visualize what a round or oval black area rug would look like. It may make a total difference to how you perceive the color black.

Sometimes black area rugs get a bad name because they are considered high maintenance. This is true but only depending on where they are used. If you are going to use them in the main traffic areas of your home or in the kids’ rooms then yes, you are going to be spending a lot of time vacuuming and cleaning them. In a room where their isn’t major traffic they are actually quite easy to maintain and require no more work than any other rug you might use.

Keep in mind the size of the plush to the black area rug as well as the thickness of the plush gives various types of unique looks. Small pile may not be all that attractive for the area but a thick plush black area rug may be magnificent.

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Posted on June 12th, 2009 under Area Rugs. Tags: area rug, Area Rugs, black, rugs. Comments: 1

WHY AND HOW TO DECORATE WITH ROUND AREA RUGS

We all know the basics of using rugs not only for specific functions but for decor as well. Interestingly enough most of the emphasis is put on color as opposed to style or shape even if there is some room for flexibility. Most often, the possibility of using a round rug is not really considered. In the recent past though round rugs are starting to take their rightful position in the home fashion decor.

The possibilities of using a round rug to really enhance your decor are almost endless. Click on the image to see Contemporary rugs (including Round Rugs) by Foreign Accents.

Once you have tried a round rug you are no doubt going to be very pleased with the new look it brings to the area of use. Now of course it takes a certain amount of space to be able to utilize a round rug properly. It doesn’t do them justice to try and squeeze them into a small area. You need to be able to lay the round rug out so it lays perfectly flat and round, the way it was designed to.

Another fallacy is that people don’t realize that a round rug will work in just about any shape room. It can be a square or rectangular or even a round room such as a foyer for example.

The pattern and material that your round rug is made of will also have to be something that you factor in. As an example, let’s assume that your room isn’t all that big, but it will accommodate a round rug quite nicely. You don’t want a glaring bold colored round rug that is going to be overbearing. If you had a large room and were going to use a medium sized round rug then yes you could go that route.

There are two effects you can get with a round rug. First, you can use it on a bare floor where you will get one type of look, and then you can use it as an overlay on an existing carpet. I personally find that unless you have a big floor area a round rug is far more impressive as an overlay. Now this brings you to another choice. If you are going to use the round rug as an overlay, you have to consider the carpet it is going to be laid on. If that carpet is a solid color then you can choose any pattern that will fit in with the scheme of your room. If on the other hand the carpet is a pattern or multicolor then you would be better to stick with a solid color round rug, otherwise the patterns and colors may clash.

You can also get some spectacular effects with the round rug if you use then to set up the illusion of a room within a room. Let’s say you have a large living room with a fireplace. Then by placing a round rug in front of the fireplace with some cozy chairs beside it you have created a room within a room. Even if you don’t have a fireplace, you can take one corner of the room put an easy chair, small side table and lamp. Then place a small round rug in front of the chair. Again, you have created the illusion of a room within a room.

The material you choose for your round rug is going to depend on a few factors. If you are using it as an overlay and your carpet is a low pile then you may want to consider a high pile round rug to give some contrast. If the carpet is a high pile then you should stick with a high pile round carpet as well. In this particular case, a low pile would look like the round carpet didn’t belong or was part of the decor.

The possibilities of using a round rug to really enhance your decor are almost endless. In a dining room, a large round rug with a smaller round dining room table on it looks magnificent. Make sure the chairs sit comfortably on the rug as well.

In the bathroom, as soon as you lay the round rug, which is usually a smaller size, it automatically adds elegance to the room regardless of the theme.

We can’t talk about round area rugs without mentioning these two brands; Karastan and Sphinx Rug. They offer you a variety style from traditional to contemporary. So be sure to check them out. As always, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about rugs including the round ones.

regards,

Tina (design consultant)

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Posted on June 8th, 2009 under Area Rugs. Tags: Area Rugs, Foreign Accents, Karastan, round rug, Round Rugs, rug, rugs. Comments: None

BRAND REVIEW

Karastan is one of the finest rugs and carpet manufacturers in existence. This is the case for many reasons but most of their success is due to their credibility, which is accounted for by their experience. This company has been in business since 1928 and still going strong. Obviously, they must be doing something right and meeting the needs of the public.

They manufacture both rugs and carpets. This perhaps can be confusing to some individuals as to really what the difference is between the two. Actually, it is usually the size that distinguishes the two. The term “carpet” is normally used for wall-to-wall, and most often according to industry standards less than 40 square feet is considered a rug.

Don’t think that because Karastan has been in business for so many years that they have become stale in their concept of what rugs and carpets should consist of. Of course, they are never going to jeopardize their quality but they also know they must keep up with fashion and trends. They have no difficulty filling these tasks. They are consistently offering new and exciting colors, new fibers and innovative ways of utilizing those fibers getting the best from them that they have to offer.

Karastan offers some of the most beautiful and timeless Persian designs in today's hottest colors.

Karastan also believes in the importance of the preservation of the environment. This is fast becoming an issue of the general public in these modern times. Karastan is committed to their research for materials and manufacturing of their products that are not going to harm the environment during their entirety or use materials that are going to deplete the environment in any way.

There is going to be no lack of choices when it comes to their carpets and area rugs. They even have a great selection of runners as well.

One of the most important aspects of any rug of course is the materials used to make it. This is partly what gives it its quality. In the case of Karastan wools, you can be assured that you are only getting the very highest quality of wool used throughout their products. Another very strong attribute of Karastan is that they monitor every rug or carpet they make from the very beginning to the end when it ready to go to your home. There is no room for error here when it comes to craftsmanship.

You won’t have to worry about being restricted to simple rectangular rugs either as they have rounds as well and of course runners. Then you will have to consider the style you want as well as the pattern. Do you want animal prints, casual or perhaps floral? These are just a few of the many choices awaiting for you at Karastan.

There are numerous collections offered by Karastan. Making decisions as to what you really want is really quite simple because of the way that each rug and carpet is categorized.

How can one talk about Karastan and not mention the gorgeous Plum Blossom in Studio Artworks? The Plum Blossom is one of the twelve series of Karastan artworks area rugs collections, and their distinctive, exotically antique look give them a special place in the mind of the buyers and rug lovers everywhere.

The work of finding the perfect place to purchase your rug is already done once you have seen the Karastan rugs at Area Rugs Club. What is left is for you to identify your requirements so you know what it is you require and want. Once you have measured the area you want to cover and selected the colors you like to have, just browse the entire collection in just a few minutes to find your dream rug.

Incidentally, if you are concerned about just how durable the Karastan rugs and carpets really are going to be then just check out their various and impressive warranties. No company is going to stand behind their area rugs to this extent if they were not absolutely positive of the durability and performance of their products as Karastan does.

* Karastan Sale is here again and you can save up to 50% OFF if you hurry. The sale will end on 5/31. Additionally you will receive a free American Express gift card with all orders of $399 and up.

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Posted on May 24th, 2009 under Area Rugs, Karastan. Tags: Area Rugs, Artworks, Karastan, karastan plum blossom, karastan rugs, Karastan Sale, rug, rugs. Comments: None