6 Types of Rug Materials and How to Choose One

Wool

Best for: high-traffic areas, for comfort and a cozy feel

Wool is one of the most commonly used fibers for rugs and also the most durable. It's a good choice for a high-traffic area like a living room or dining room because it's resilient, yet it's still incredibly soft and comfortable. Wool rugs are naturally water and dirt-repellant, and because the fiber is elastic, it bounces back to its original shape quickly. They are available in a range of different pile heights and styles and are often combined with other fibers such as nylon, to bring down the cost of the rug, as a pure wool rug can be quite expensive.

Wool rugs are among the oldest types of rugs, the original hand-knotting technique dating back to ancient times. Today, they are hand-tufted, hand-knotted or hand-loomed, or machine-loomed when other synthetic fibers are added.

Common Styles of Wool Rugs

Because wool is one of the oldest materials used to make rugs, heirloom Persian and Oriental rugs are typical examples. They tend to have a medium-pile height, often feature bold colors and patterns, and sometimes have fringed edges. Kilim rugs are another common style of wool rug. They are flat-woven rugs that originated in Turkey and the Middle East and also feature bright colors and patterns. While rug pads are recommended to use with most rugs, they're especially important for flat-woven ones such as the Kilim, as they'll prevent the thin rug from sliding around and make it more comfortable underfoot.

Natural Fibers

Best for: to layer under another rug, add texture and a natural, organic look

Natural fiber rugs bring in an organic feel and are a great way to add warmth and texture to a room. They are usually inexpensive and are a great layering rug as well— for an interesting visual effect, layer a jute rug under a wool or cotton rug, leaving up to a foot-sized border around it to leave the jute visible. One downside of natural fiber rugs is that they show water marks easily and can be tricky to clean.

Common Styles of Natural Fiber Rugs

Jute, sisal, and seagrass rugs are the most common natural fiber rugs and come in various shapes and sizes to suit different rooms. They do tend to shed and sisal and seagrass rugs often have a cotton border around them to prevent fraying. Natural fiber rugs are a classic choice that works with a variety of interior styles, from coastal to farmhouse, and they are a great option for a hallway runner, under a breakfast room table, or as a neutral living room area rug.

Hair-On-Hide

Best for: an accent rug for a small area or to layer over a larger rug

Hair-on-hide rugs are either full-sized animal hides that have an organic, irregular shape or area rugs made up of cut hide pieces stitched together to create a geometric pattern. The rugs have a soft, short-pile texture and add a modern rustic vibe to a space.

Common Styles of Hair-On-Hide Rugs

Cowhides are one of the most common types of hair-on-hide rugs and they make for a great accent rug under a small seating area or bedroom reading nook. You can also position them over other, larger rugs for a layered look. They are full-sized cow hides and every single one is unique in coloring. Synthetic cowhides are available as well, some dyed in bright colors or speckled with metallic flecks. For the best way to clean natural cowhides, shake them out, vacuum, and spot-clean any stains as soon as they happen.

Sheepskin rugs are another example of commonly used hair-on-hide rugs and are a great way to add cozy texture and a small decorative accent next to an armchair, at the foot of the bed or even draped over a bench.

Cotton

Best for: areas where you frequently change rugs, seasonal rugs

Cotton rugs are soft and comfortable while also being affordable. Cotton is an excellent material choice for a space like an entryway, kitchen, or bathroom where you know you'll need to replace the rug pretty often due to high volume of use. Most cotton rugs are machine-washable for convenience and are best placed in an area that doesn't get direct sunlight as they easily fade.

Common Styles of Cotton Rugs

Kitchen runner rugs and entryway runners are often made from cotton for ease of maintenance and to make replacing them affordable. From solid colors to stripes and other patterns, there are countless versions and styles available on the market. Use a rug pad under a cotton rug or runner to keep it in place and provide a more comfortable walking surface.

Synthetic Fiber

Best for: high-traffic areas, seasonal rugs, wall-to-wall carpeting

Synthetic rugs such as microfiber rugs are either made from polyester or a blend of polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fibers. This is an affordable rug option since the machine-woven rugs are usually plush and comfortable and made to look like more expensive cotton or wool rugs but for a fraction of the cost. Synthetic rugs have come a long way and it's often hard to tell the difference between them and natural fiber rugs, which is why they have grown in popularity. Many are machine-washable, highly durable, and stain-resistant, which makes them a great option for high-traffic areas such as living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. And because they're not as big of an investment, they're a good choice if you're looking for a seasonal rug or want to try a bright infusion of color without spending a fortune.

Common Styles of Synthetic Fiber Rugs

While synthetic fibers are used to make countless types of rugs, one of the most common styles is wall-to-wall carpeting. Synthetic fibers give the carpeting that plush, soft feel and make it durable and stain-resistant as well as affordable.

Silk

Best for: bedrooms, low-traffic areas

Of all the natural fibers, silk is one of the strongest and most durable. Similar to clothing, silk rugs are associated with luxury and have been a high-end, expensive choice for centuries. The rugs have a smooth, slightly shiny texture and appearance and shouldn't get wet as liquid can cause permanent damage. They have a delicate low-pile height and tend to be elaborately decorative which is why they have traditionally also been used for wall decor. To clean a silk rug, use a professional cleaning service.

Common Styles of Silk Rugs

Persian and Oriental rugs are two of the most well-known silk rug styles and their history goes back centuries. Today, silk rugs are available in traditional patterns as well as ultra-modern designs. Because of their high cost and difficulty to clean, they are best suited for low-traffic areas where there isn't a danger of daily spills.