Types of Rugs

A rug is an essential design element in many spaces. It can anchor a room, unify the design or create separation and boundaries. Choosing the right one is a matter of defining your design objective. Whether your goal is to unify or expand a space, or to provide a comfortable surface underfoot, the rug you choose can make all the difference in how you feel about the room and how it functions.

A term used to describe a rug that has lost some of its pile yarn, usually in small areas, resulting in a duller appearance than the rest of the carpet. This effect is normal and does not impact the durability or performance of the carpet.

The most common rug type is a tufted or loomed wool pile. This type uses a high twist yarn to give the rug a more textured cut-pile construction. This rug construction has a long lifespan and is durable against heavy traffic.

Punch Needling is a rugmaking technique that can create unique visual effects. Unlike tufting, where the loops of yarn remain intact, this process pushes the ends of the yarn through the rug’s backing material. Then, the loops can be left alone to create a knobby embroidered look or sheared like a tufted rug.

This type of woven rug is often made from cotton, wool or a combination of both. The yarn is dyed in sections of different colors before being woven into the rug. This is a very durable and long-living technique, but requires extensive technical weaving skills.