What Is a Rug?

Rugs add warmth and texture to a room. They are an accessory, like a well-fitted belt or stylish shoes, and they complement furniture, wallpaper, and other decor elements to create a complete, elegant look. Rugs also help trap dirt and dust before it can damage carpeting or floors, which saves time and money on cleaning and replacement.

A rug is a piece of cloth, typically made of wool, which covers and protects the floor, adding color and texture to the space. It is a great way to define a living space, whether it be for entertaining or simply relaxing at home. Rugs are often woven with geometric designs, patterns, and colors, but may also be decorated with animals or natural elements such as trees or rivers.

In carpet weaving, the tufts of yarn that form the pile are inserted in place as weaving progresses by wrapping them around one or more warps. They are then tied to those warps with ground wefts. This is distinct from hooked rugs in which tufts are poked into pre-existing loosely woven fabric.

The number of knots per square inch that rates the quality of a rug. The higher the count, the better the rug.