The Best Natural Rugs (Guide To Natural Fibre Rugs)
There are lots of benefits to using all natural rugs at home. The obvious one being they’re all natural! Natural rugs are great for bringing in organic texture and warmth. All with a neutral colour tone if you’re wanting more of a simple style at home. Great for a warm minimalist look. Or you can dress them up. And use a base to layer a contrasting rug for interest.
Whichever way you want to use natural rugs in your home, they’re a practical option. Reducing noise, helping to keep the space warm and define and zone areas in your home.
There are a different qualities that each material has. And the benefits will differ depending on where and how the rugs are used. Here’s all you need to know about natural fibre rugs…
best natural Rugs
PROS Of Natural Rugs
Natural fibre rugs are low maintenance and sustainable decor pieces. Because of their organic texture, natural rugs tend to be hardwearing and durable. A great option for high traffic areas. Certain materials are more durable than others.
Natural rugs are generally free from toxins, chemicals and dyes which can sometimes be found in modern rugs. These are the best kinds of rugs for those with allergies. They can be dyed but they’re best in their natural colour. Usually earthy browns, tans and greens.
Natural rugs are eco-friendly, being made from natural and renewable materials.
You can get a pretty large size natural rug for lower cost compared to the same size a wool rug would cost. So if you need to cozy up your space on a budget a natural rug is a good option.
It’s easy to style natural rugs! They work from anything to Japandi to Boho style. Either use them simple and solo or layer another rug on top.
Cons Of Natural Fibre Rugs
Natural rugs can be prone to staining, especially the lighter colour rugs. Though they tend to be tough and durable with foot traffic and dirt be careful with liquids. For liquid spills blot straight away to prevent staining.
Seagrass rugs are the the best if you’re concerned about staining. Or choose darker coloured rugs to hide stains and marks.
If exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, they can fade or discolour. Just rotate the rug regularly to avoid any noticeable fading in the rug. Or you can use sheer curtains to help block out strong sunlight during the day.
cleaning and Maintenance
The great thing about natural rugs is they’re quite low maintenance. Just regular vacuuming to keep dirt from building up in the rug and shedding of fibres.
If spills do occur don’t over saturate the rug with water. This may make it worse. Wipe up any spills straight away.
Make sure you have a rug pad to go under your rug. Even though these rugs are natural they are textured. And some rug fibres are more coarse than others. Putting a rug pad underneath will keep the rug in place and prevent scratching your wood floors.
What To Consider When Buying Natural Fibre Rug?
RUG PLACEMENT
First thing to consider is where your rug is going. Depending on the room your rug is and where it is placed, different materials will work better for you. The amount of footfall is a big factor. If you’re choosing a rug for a bedroom then there’s a good chance it will be different from a natural rug in the hallway.
Consider if it’s going to be out in the open like a kitchen or a hallway runner. Or there maybe some furniture going on top of it. Also if doors open over it remember to keep in mind the thickness and type of weave to avoid snagging the rug. And difficulty opening the door!
Some natural fibre rugs are more durable and hard wearing than others. Seagrass, sisal and coir are good options. Meaning they’ll hold up to constant footfall and furniture placed on top of them.
Rug Texture & WEAVE
Natural rugs tend to be slightly rough so the material choose and the weave are important. Some natural rugs have more weave options available than others. And the thickness will vary depending on the material and weave.
You can also consider getting a rug that is blended with another material. Natural rugs that are woven with wool or cotton are softer under foot.
Rug Weaves & Finishing
Common weaves for natural rugs include flat weave which is low pile rug. Other weaves are boucle, braided, herringbone, basket weave and chunky weaves. Some rugs may have a cotton border around to help bind the fibres and keep them from unravelling. Seagrass rugs often come with a boarded edge. Which can be customized with colour and the binding finish.
Jute VS Sisal Rugs
The main differences between jute and sisal is the fibres. Sisal is made from plant fibres from pineapple and agave. The fibres from sisal are straighter and coarser than jute. Sisal tends to have a tighter weave. Where as jute is known for its flexible fibres.
The pricing for sisal rugs tend to be a bit cheaper compared with jute. And sisal rugs are not as softest to walk on.
RELATED POST: How To Choose An Area Rug (The Right One!)
JUte Rugs
The Corchorus plant from where jute comes from grows particularly fast. It’s soft underfoot making jute a popular option for rugs at home. So if you don’t want to layer your rugs jute is the best material to go for.
Is A Jute rug Good?
jute rug pros
Jute is probably the softest of the natural rug options to go for. The best place for jute rugs are low traffic areas like the bedroom and the living room. You can keep it simple or layer up with another rug. It depends on the look you’re going for.
Jute rug cons
However because of it’s soft fibres, jute rugs can be more difficult to clean. With jute rugs there maybe some shedding. Avoid using jute rugs in damp places like bathrooms where mould and mildew can grow.
Sisal Rugs
Sisal rugs are made from the leaves of Agave Sisalana plant. Which is typically native to places like Africa and Mexico.
Is A Sisal rug Good?
Sisal rug pros
Sisal rugs are good for medium to high traffic areas like a hallway, living room and similar areas. And incredibly durable and hardwearing.
Sisal rug cons
Sisal rugs are the easiest to stain because it’s so absorbent. Even water can permanently stain a sisal rug! So keep away from bathrooms and entryways. These are not the softest for under foot so if you may consider a wool blend rug.
Seagrass Rugs
Seagrass is a flowering plant found nearby the sea and marshes. It’s another fast growing plant so it’s a good eco-friendly option. The leaves are harvested to make rugs, baskets and other decor items.
Seagrass comes in a limited colour range as it’s waxy sheen makes it non-porous. Which maybe a good thing for those who are sensitive to allergies and chemicals.
Is A Seagrass rug Good?
SEAGRASS rug pros
As mentioned before seagrass rugs are the best when for stain prevention. It has a natural wax coating which makes it one of the best for natural fibre rugs. The good thing about seagrass rugs, is if they get wet they will dry back to their natural colour.
Seagrass rugs are soft enough to walk on but tough enough to withstand some heavy use.
Overall seagrass is one of the best natural rug options to go for.
SEAGRASS rug cons
Because of the waxy coating seagrass only come in it’s natural colour. As seagrass rugs can’t be dyed. However this can be seen as a benefit to some. Especially for those who have allergies.
It will naturally change colour over time from a green tinge to a tan brown colour. As with all natural rugs fading may happen over time when exposed to sunlight.
Coir Rugs
Coir rugs are made from the natural fibres of coconut husks. Doormats are often made using the coir material. But you can get decorative woven options for coir rugs suitable for indoors. The colour of the coir rugs are usually a dark golden brown tone from the colour of the husks.
Coir rugs still tend to be made by hand which is a great if you’re looking for more of eco-friendly natural rug option. Coconuts can be harvested every year so it’s a fast renewable resource.
Is A coir rug Good?
Coir rug pros
For high traffic areas using a coir rug as it’s one of toughest fibres of the natural rugs. The colour tends to hide dirt and it’s mould and mildew resistant. If you have a lot of people in and out of your home this is a good option for a hallway or an entrance.
These rugs are very durable due to the strong and long coconut fibres. Don’t worry, coir rugs are available in different weaves! You’re not going to get the standard doormats you’d usually think of with coir.
Coir Rugs cons
The main factor with coir rugs is staining. Also it’s not ideal for bedrooms where you’ll like to be barefoot a lot of the time. This would be a good rug for layering.
RELATED POST: The Ultimate Guide To Layering Rugs In The Bedroom
Abaca Rugs
The leaves from the abaca plant are used to make the rugs. Abaca fibres are thick, so usually you’ll see abaca rugs with a chunky weave to them.
ABACA rug pros
Like jute abaca is one of the softer materials for rugs. But unlike jute, abaca fibres has a slight sheen to it. Abaca rugs are best suited for areas such as the bedroom or living room (low traffic areas). But great as a stand alone rug due to it’s softness.
ABACA rug COns
Abaca rugs can prove difficult to clean because of the soft fibres.
That rounds up the guide for natural fibre rugs! If there’s any rugs you already have a home that you love, leave a comment below!
Chloe
- 10 Easy Tips To Refresh Your Bedroom Without A Full Makeover
- 15 Stylish Office Desk Accessories For Him He’ll Love
- 16 Great Charging Desk Lamps For Nightstands & Offices
- 40 Cute Christmas Cushions To Get Into The Festive Spirit
- 23 Of The Best Christmas Tree Toppers This Year (2024)