Round rugs were once incredibly rare. Oval shaped rugs have been popular in the past but these went out of style a long time ago and are now seen as being out dated and undesirable. Contemporary design favors the aesthetic of simple geometric shapes such as the circle. Because of this, circular rugs have become increasingly popular.

Circular rugs are well suited to many contemporary spaces, in the center of a seating area for example, perhaps beneath a circular coffee table or as a centerpiece for the room. The few people who have round dining tables may also consider a round rug for their dining areas.

Smaller round rugs can also add interest to under dressed areas of a room, such as an empty corner. For example, a standard lamp or tall case can fill an awkward space but these items can sometimes look as though they are missing something. Placing a small rug underneath will solve this problem and can help to break up the angular nature of a room.

Rugs are also useful for creating different areas within one larger room. Professional designers refer to this technique as ‘zoning’ and typically use square or rectangular rugs to create the illusion of separate spaces. Round area rugs do the job just as well, however, and will create a more casual look. This works equally well in large spaces, where bold design ideas will have a greater impact, and small spaces where square rugs would cause zones to overlap.

The issue of rugs in contemporary design is often considered to be a matter of taste, with various styles of rug coming in and out of style throughout the years. But the fact is that rugs offer many advantages. Aside from ‘zoning’ rugs allow you to keep the stylish effect of exposed floorboards whilst giving you a warm spot to rest your feet. They are also usually much less expensive that fitted carpets (depending on which style of rug you choose).

Rugs are also easy to clean. Most smaller rugs can be machine washed and larger rugs are usually no harder to clean than a standard carpet. They can also be shaken or beaten outside as a quick alternative, removing the need for vacuum cleaning and keeping your home free of dust and dirt.

If you have never considered buying a round area rug before now, perhaps this article will give you something to think about. Round rugs are available in many stores and in as many sizes and styles as you could wish for, be it a round bath rug, or a round shag rug. Another popular option is round braided rugs; my grandma had a few in her house. Large or small. Contemporary, classic or retro – you are sure to find a circular rug to suit your personal taste and the décor of your home.

One of the great things about rugs is that they are usually relatively easy to clean. Many modern rugs can be machine washed (although you might not want to do this with expensive or more delicate rugs) providing that they are small enough to fit in the machine. Others can be easily hand washed. On a more day-to-day basis, all rugs can be shaken or beaten outside to quickly remove dust and dirt. An ordinary carpet cleaning solution or fabric cleaner can also be effective on some rugs.

Of course, some stains are more difficult to clean and require special attention. In this instance you might want to call in an expert or take your rug to a rug cleaning service. If you feel that you want to tackle that difficult stain on your own, however, here is some advice that might help you. This information was compiled by Nourison and first published on their website (nourison.com). As such this rug cleaning advice is written to be used with Nourison rugs specifically, however it should be relevant to most rugs.

Detergent or white vinegar can be used to remove the following stains: Beer, blood, chewing gum, candy and chocolate, fruit juice, gravy, ice cream, lipstick, mustard, salad dressing, shoe polish, vomit, wine and tea

Urine and excrement can also be removed this way and should be removed immediately as chemicals can damage the dyes used in some rugs. For stains caused by pet urine or feces you should contact a professional cleaner or rug cleaning service.

Fat and oil should be first dabbed clean with tissue, then ironed to evaporate the remaining oil before cleaning with cleaning fluid.

Jam can be removed with nothing more than warm water.

Ink, paint and grass stains should be removed using methylated spirits or turpentine. But remember to use this substance sparingly as it can also remove the dyes used in some rugs. In most cases it would be preferable to consult a specialist rug cleaning service before using this technique.

This advice may be generally useful for Nourison rugs and for other types of rug, but remember that different types of rug will require special attention. Because of this it is important to always check the manufacturers guidelines on the label. When in doubt, or if your rug does not have a label, you should always contact a professional rug cleaner for advice.

If you do accidentally spill something onto your new rug, the most important thing to remember is not to panic. People often make matters worse by acting rashly and hurriedly trying to remove the stain without checking the best way to do this. There is an answer to every problem and your rug can be easily restored with the right know-how.

Throw rugs have been a part of American home design since time immemorial. They can add a touch of interest or a splash of color, even a touch of class or a hint of taste to any room in which they are placed. They also help to keep our feet warm and our floors clean. Their incredible popularity and their long history has bred an unbelievable variety of rugs throughout the years. This variety of styles, shapes and sizes means that there is a rug for every area of every home, from bedrooms to bathrooms and dining rooms to dens, and a rug to suit every style of home décor, from classic to contemporary and tribal to traditional.

A well chosen and well placed throw rug will not only help toad interest and aesthetic appeal to your home by looking good in its own right, but it will also enhance the existing décor of a room – this means that rugs can have a double aesthetic function.

But of course rugs are about more than just aesthetics, they also have several practical functions. Let’s take a look at some of the many advantages offered by throw rugs now.

Easy to Clean
One of the best things about rugs is that they are easy to clean, they can be vacuumed and washed just like a larger carpet. Some can even be machine washed. The advantage of throw rugs here is that they are usually much smaller than area rugs and so can be easily taken outside and shaken or beaten. This will remove excess dust and dirt.

In the Bathroom
Rugs can be used in the bathroom, by the side of the bath, shower or underneath a sink. This will help to collect any water that you might spill, absorbing it rather than allowing it to damage your floors. Kitchen throw rugs can also be used near the sink to catch any stray drips from washing dishes or the like. Nearly all bathroom and kitchen rugs are washable throw rugs because of their size and rubberized backing.

High Traffic Areas
Some areas of our home are used more than others, in particular hallways and corridors that provide access to other rooms. These are known as ‘high traffic’ areas. Carpeting in these areas can quickly become worn from overuse. It often makes sense to cover high traffic areas with rugs so as to extend the life o your carpet.

Protecting your Carpets and Floors
In addition to protecting your carpets from wear and tear, employing a rug will have the effect of protecting your floor from accidental spills and stains.

Say Goodbye to Cold Feet
The main reason for the incredible popularity of rugs is their propensity to keep our feet warm. Whether a rug is by your sofa, in front of your fireplace, on a cold kitchen floor or by the side of your bed, it will add an extra dimension of comfort and warmth. There is nothing worse than climbing out of bed on a morning and having cold feet!

That’s right – the rug is back! It’s back in fashion and warming both the feet, and the décor of those who no longer want to suffer for having beautiful floors.

In addition to the obvious aesthetic advantages of rugs, there are some other benefits too. Here are some of the main advantages that rugs can offer.

Easy to Clean

The great thing about rugs is that they are easy to clean – much easier than fitted carpets. Many area rugs can be machine washed (providing you can fit them into your washer that is). Others could be easily hand washed, again depending on their size. For large rugs, specialist area rug cleaning services are available or you can clean them with a standard carpet cleaner.

On a more day-to-day basis, rugs can also be shaken or beaten outside to free them of dust and dirt. This reduces the need for vacuuming. They can also be easily lifted or removed when the time comes to clean your floor.

Cover Up Stains

As well as being easy to clean, you can use accent rugs to cover up stains on a carpet or floor. This might sound like cheating but sometimes a stain simply cannot be removed, if it can then a rug cover-up could be used as a temporary measure.

Zoning

‘Zoning’ is a term used by expert interior decorators. Put simply it means using furniture in certain arrangements to create the illusion of separate areas within one room. Rugs are also a good way to create separate areas or ‘zones’. Using different rugs to divide a large room into zones will make it feel much more cozy and provide a basis for the layout of your furniture. If you have a shared dining and seating area or dining and kitchen area, it can be useful to create a psychological barrier between them. Many people also chose to create the illusion of zones within their living rooms, creating a separate reading area, TV area or play area for kids.

No More Cold Feet

Both cold feet and cold bottoms will benefit from some floor rugs. If your children play on the floor (as most children do) then you’ll want to provide them with a comfortable place to sit and play.

There are rugs for all corners of your home in almost infinite variety. A thick shag rug is perfect for the bedroom or a comfortable seating area. A large rug with a short weft will give the kids a clean and comfortable place to play.