8 Reasons Wool rugs are right for you.

Ah November. A time of change. Summers gone, the leaves on the trees are turning, you feel that crisp cool hint in the air, it's about to get cold.

Nothing brings that home faster than stepping out of your warm cozy bed and onto a fridgid cold floor…. Brrr. Other than investing in a new pair of warm fuzzy slippers, you might consider investing in a warm fuzzy rug.

So exactly what is the right type of rug for your home? The right rug can pull a room together, add color and texture, and set the tone for your space.

The wrong rug can overpower a room, swallow up your furniture and make you forever wish you had asked a few key questions first before you bought it. Its soo important to think about a few things first, not only the style, color, and material but what will be the function of the rug and how do you use the room.

Which brings up a point. Rugs are inherently meant to be walked on. Have you ever been in a house where they may as well have put up a “Do Not Walk” sign as you enter the room? Why would you buy a rug if you felt you can’t walk on it… doesn’t that defeat the purpose?

There are about 7 or 8 fiber types for area rugs. Plus, a multitude of combinations thereof. So which fibers are the best choice for your rug?

Let’s dig our toes in a little deeper shall we.

For the purpose of this blog I am going to stick to wool. We can explore the other options in a future blog. You’ll never stick with me if I go into every type right here and now.

Wool is the most popular rug choices for homeowners, as well as one of the most durable. Sure I can say that but why you ask?

Wool is a natural fiber that has been used since the dawn of man. It's a renewable resource, that has been used in the finest Persian and Oriental rugs. It continues to be used today in many modern designs.

It’s easy to view a wool rug as a “luxury,” preferring to spend the extra money on furnishings or other parts of your project. However, when you look at your rug as an investment — something you can enjoy for decades and even pass along to your kids, with proper care the value of wool rugs becomes clearer.

Some rugs even appreciate in value over time. Such as this Large Antique Rug Valued at $30,000 from Amara Rugs

Are the benefits of wool rugs really worth the additional investment over a less expensive synthetic material.

Why I love it:

1.Wool is naturally stain-resistant and cleanable, it has water repellency and is excellent at insulating. (Think those warm cozy wool sweaters worn by all those handsome Scots.)

2.Wool looks clean, even when it isn’t.

So even when you don’t have time to get it cleaned you won’t have to worry. Wool hides dust due to small pockets in its fibers, instead of letting it sit on the surface of the rug. As a result, it doesn’t need to be cleaned as often as other rug types.

3. Wool pile is resilient

The natural “crimp” in each wool fiber allows a wool rug to resist the crushing under daily use, you will have fewer issues with furniture leaving indentations than with other fibers.

4. Wool is a hypoallergenic fiber.

Just as we noted before the pockets in wool fiber help it trap dust. It's resistant to dust mites, mildew and bacteria growth.

5. Wool can hold deep rich colors.

Wool can absorb more dye than many other threads, this allows it to hold brilliant colors that last over time, one reason you see so many rugs in museums that have held up over time, 100’s of years.

6. Wool is naturally flame-resistant

It needs a higher temperatures to catch fire, and it will extinguish itself if the source of the fire is removed. Wool is a must in settings with high safety regulations, such as commercial environments.

7. Wool helps keep your room warm

Wool is an excellent insulator and helps moderate temperature and humidity in the home by absorbing and releasing moisture as needed.

And finally, the most obvious reason:

8. Wool simply feels great

If your looking to add warmth, comfort, and soft luxurious textures into your home, wool is it. It is the natural choice for lasting beauty, comfort, and durability.

In addition it is the most cost-effective choice over the long-term than any other fiber.

Wool rugs come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and styles.

Which we can address those another time.

Lastly something to consider. Wool may not be great for damp areas over a long period of time as it absorbs humidity. Wool can be subject to fading if left in direct sunlight in say a window. As with any rug wool can shed when you first get it, but that should lessen over time with a good quality rug.

Rugs are meant to be used, so enjoy them. Somethings are worth the price.