What Are Natural Fiber Rugs & Which Do I Pick?
What are natural fiber rugs?
Rugs are a simple and affordable way to elevate a room, define a space, and even add a little warmth if needed. You can pick from a range of styles, colors, and most importantly – materials too. If you have been asking yourself, "what are natural fiber rugs?" This guide is for you. Once you've selected the best rug material, you can read How to Choose the Right Rug Sizes to get the ideal size for your space.
What Are Natural Fiber Rugs?
The term natural fiber rugs is in reference to the fibers the rug is made from. Most often they come from naturally occurring plant fibers like jute and sisal, but they can also include other natural materials such as wool and cotton. Natural rugs are often extremely durable and fairly affordable, making them an easy and versatile addition to any room.
Before you can pick your rug, you need to first know where you plan to place as well as the sort of traffic that location gets as this will greatly impact the best rug material.There are three types of traffic areas.
High Traffic: Spaces that have high foot traffic include the kitchen, foyer, entryway, hallways, and family rooms. These require durable and stain-resistant all natural rugs.
Medium Traffic: Locations that are regularly used but not as a main thoroughfare, are considered medium traffic areas. These include a home office, dining room, and even the bathroom. You will need a durable rug that is water-resistant if it is placed in a damp location.
Low Traffic: Spots like bedrooms and formal living rooms will get the least amount of traffic and thus less wear-and-tear. This in turn means you can opt for more luxe natural rugs for these areas.
Natural Fiber Rugs
Jute: Jute is a natural fiber that is derived from green plant stalks instead of leaves which helps to create brown natural fiber rugs that are soft. It is similar to the material called burlap which has a "perfectly imperfect" woven texture and works well in medium-to-low-traffic areas like the living room and bedroom. The thickness of the jute rug fibers make for a chunky weave that adds an organic texture to any room. Natural jute rugs are a little less durable than the others, but because they are budget-friendly, they are also easy and affordable to replace.
Sisal: Sisal and jute rugs are often lumped together, though they do have a number of differences regarding their origins, texture, and durability. Natural sisal rugs come from fine yet extremely durable dried agave plant fibers that work to create a cleaner and more uniform beige appearance. Sisal rugs are best used in high traffic areas thanks to their hard-wearing nature. Be aware they can become slippery with time – so it is best to avoid using them on stairs.
Seagrass: One of the most renewable, readily available, and cost-effective natural rug materials is seagrass. This fast-growing and easy-to-harvest material grown in saltwater marshes typically starts with a light-green tinge that fades to khaki over time. Seagrass has a coarse texture, is non-porous, and is also incredibly water-resistant, and although it is not to be used outdoors, you can use it in the kitchen and even the bathroom. If you are looking for a natural area rug to fill up a large room at an affordable price, or to layer other rugs upon, seagrass should be your go-to.
Hemp: Hemp is a material that has been used for thousands of years, and like seagrass – it makes for durable and hard-wearing natural fiber areas rugs. It is one of the best natural rugs out there thanks not only to its sustainability, but also because it is mildew-resistant and extremely strong, meaning it can be used in locations such as the kitchen and the bathroom.This coppery brown fabric often starts out rough but does begin to soften with time.
Cotton: Cotton is often overlooked as a natural fiber rug material, even though it is also derived from plants. The difference is that these natural area rugs are much softer, and come in a greater array of colors and designs. Cotton rugs are made from strips of dyed fabric that are braided together to create a casual look that works well in low-traffic spaces like the bedroom. It is entirely possible to create these rugs from old clothes, blankets, and even textiles, helping to reduce waste and repurpose old and unusable products.
Wool: Although wool doesn't come from plants, it is still a soft, durable, and stain-resistant fabric that comes from natural resources. Unlike other natural fiber area rugs, wool does come with a higher price tag because these rugs are often hand-knotted. Due to their strength and the fact that this fabric is a great insulator against cold, they are worthwhile investments.
Due to the fact that natural fiber rugs contain no synthetic materials, they are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and reduce your environmental impact while beautifying your home. Hopefully we've provided an answer to your question of what are natural fiber rugs? Now you can make an informed choice to pick the ideal one for your home.
