Area Rugs

People tend so see area rugs mostly as a decor feature that complements the overall design of a particular space. But we can also use them to keep a room warm, reducing our utility bills and helping the environment is so doing.

Insulation properties

Stylistically speaking, rugs can really tie your furniture together, but they can also help with saving energy. They are a solid barrier between your feet and the cold floor. This means big area rugs can serve as a form of insulation. Hardwood floors and tiles can get really freezing during the cold winter temperatures and they tend to “radiate” this cold into every corner of the room.

Purchasing a particularly thick area rug that covers a lot of ground can be a sensible immediate solution that also makes aesthetic sense. For maximum warmth, you need to choose the maximum size. If you can make it work, purchase the rug that will cover an entire floor. On the other hand, this can create complications when it comes to cleaning, so think well before you opt for max coverage.

Stitch count

When it comes to choosing the right area rug, you need to get acquainted with the term “stitch count”.  Roughly speaking, the stitch count is measured by the number of stitches made in one inch. Logically, the higher the count, the smaller the stitches are.

It is also known as the needle count and it is a crucial factor when it comes to determining how much warmth and insulation the rugs provide. In this case, a denser rug, or a rug with a high-stitch count, is the one that provides better insulation. Therefore, it is not necessarily a matter of thickness – when you are purchasing the rug to keep your room warm, do not trust only your eyes, trust the needle count, as well.

Materials

There is a staggering amount of various materials that can be used to create rugs. Most people associate rugs with wool, but these days different companies utilize different materials or combinations of materials to create a rug of a particular style and appearance.

Of course, different materials have varying effects on the rug’s ability to provide proper insulation against the freezing floor. A wool rug is always a good, classic option since it is one of the best insulators that is just as durable as it is soft. The downside to wool rugs is that they can be really expensive.

You also have the rugs made of nylon, acrylic, cotton, polyester – and these are all more financially feasible and easier to clean than wool. Alas, they are not as good when it comes to insulation and keeping your toes warm.

Styles

As far as the style goes, it really depends on the appearance of your furniture and the overall aesthetics of your room. Details are a matter of choice and can really go in any direction, but the most important thing is to choose a rug that either contrasts or complements the furniture it’s surrounded with. There’s nothing that screams homey warmth like the presence of a shaggy rug in a room, as it can easily transform any space into a cosy, comfortable oasis. Check out the DecoRug’s wide variety of shaggy rugs to see what I’m talking about.

Rugs have seemingly turned into the underdog in the world of interior design. People tend to forget how useful they can be when it comes to floor insulation and keeping your room warm. In fact, purchasing proper rugs will not only shave off your monthly heating bill, but also make your home more energy efficient, which means it is a prudent investment that you should definitely look into.

Article written for WhosGreenOnline.com by, Lillian Connors