Area rugs are used to make a statement or supply some cohesion with the other prominent elements in your room. They are an essential part of a skillfully decorated space. Practically speaking, they serve as a cushion underneath your feet, as well as providing warmth and comfort. Most importantly, pets seem to love them!
When it comes to getting the right high traffic area rugs for your home, there isn’t a set of rules that you can follow since every household is different and unique. High-traffic areas can vary from home to home. While some people love to cook and use the kitchen regularly, others spent most of their time in the living room. Having those individual needs in mind, manufacturers keep improving and crafting quality products. High-caliber rugs are durable and can withstand almost everything you can throw their way. Knowing what to look for will simplify the shopping process and leave you satisfied with the results.
What Makes an Area Rug Good For High Traffic?
High-traffic area rugs can be one of the more expensive pieces you own. We think it’s essential to choose wisely and to know what exactly works for you, and your family. You can have a rug in just about any room in your home. The amount of traffic differs from house to house.
However, the living room, entry, kitchen, bathroom, and sometimes the outdoor area is frequently used with every household. If you want a product that can stand the test of time, you need a durable rug that’s easy to clean, and of a specific size. To help you correctly choose an area rug that will work for any room in your home, we put together a guide.
Frequently Used Materials
The material that makes your rug is directly connected to its longevity. Still, each material has its benefits and shortcomings and should be used for a particular purpose. If you’re interested in what material to look for in a high-traffic rug, we are here to help.
1. Acrylic
This is a synthetic fiber made from acrylonitrile. The material is also known as “art wool” because it looks like a wool substitute. If you want something close to wool in appearance and feel, but with a budget-friendly price, this is it. It’s cheaper than wool and has a lot of its desirable characteristics.
Acrylic is durable and sturdy, which is perfect for high-traffic areas. It mimics wool’s look with less shedding, and so is simpler to care for. The only downside to this is that it’s not as resilient as pure wool, and over time the fibers become fuzzy, deteriorated, and pill-like polyester. That’s why to get the best of both worlds, look for acrylic-wool blends.
2. Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a popular and versatile fiber. Some of its outstanding characteristics make it an ideal choice for rugs and carpets. Rugs made from this material are budget-friendly compared to others, without compromising the benefits of durability and quality. Moreover, they are UV stabilized fibers, so the rugs are not subjected to fading. Although they are pretty resilient, we do not recommend using polypropylene rugs near ovens and grills. The reason is that synthetic materials are treated with harsh chemicals during manufacturing, so the end products are often highly flammable.
3. Wool rugs
This is one of the oldest material types, made from natural wool derived from sheep. Wool rugs typically take a couple of months to complete. They are handwoven, with hundreds of knots that make intricate patterns and motifs. Through a delicate product, wool is not weak. Its resilience is superb, and with good maintenance, it stands up to decades of wear. One notable aspect of its natural durability is its elasticity and resistance to crushing.
This natural material is excellent at repelling water and stains and is soft to the touch. It’s a good option for high-traffic areas since it is so resistant. It offers many qualities but at a cost. Some wool rugs are priced twice as much as their synthetic counterparts.
When you shop and select carefully, wool delivers all the benefits you’re paying for.
4. Sisal, Bamboo, and Jute Area Rugs
Natural area rugs are durable and bring style, quality, and sustainability into modern homes. These materials are eco-friendly and have a lot of positive aspects. Although they don’t have the plush feel of wool and synthetic rugs, you can be sure they’ll last a long time. Moreover, they’re non-toxic and are an excellent pick for people with allergies and asthma as well as pet owners. The upkeep is relatively easy, but make sure not to use these materials in high moisture areas like bathrooms or near a pool.
Placement and Size of High traffic Area Rugs
Each room and furniture setting has its own set of rules when it comes to sizes and where the rug should be placed. It’s a general rule of thumb to measure the area that you want to put a rug in. One pro tip to help visualize how an area rug will look in your space is to use masking tape, effectively creating a border on the floor. The rug’s correct placement depends on the room’s size and what furniture configuration you have. It’s essential to get the balance right, and here’s how:
1. Living room
The living room is the most companionable area in a home. A great tip to ensure your rug fits into a place is to choose a rug size as large as the seating area. Moreover, to scale the rug to the room, you’d want to leave some bare floor showing between the edge of the carpet and the room’s walls.
In general, the larger the room, the more bare floor should be left to show. Another option for large living rooms is to use more than one rug to define different sections of the space.
2. Entryway rugs
Entry rugs are an excellent way to greet guests with a touch of style. Allow the shape of the space to dictate the placement of the rug. It’s more fitting for small entryways to get a square or round rug and place it in the middle of the walk-in area. For a long hall, try a runner rug. In both cases, the rug should fill up most of the space but not all of it, leaving a bit of space on either side of the rug.
3. Kitchen area rugs
Tiles are frequently found on kitchen floors for an easy-clean option. They do serve that purpose well, but tile flooring can be quite cold underfoot, so adding a kitchen area rug can give this space some warmth and comfort. We suggest getting a couple of smaller, matching area rugs for this high traffic area. For U-shaped layouts, it is better to have a small rug in front of the sink, and a bigger one under the dining room table. That way, you will add symmetry which will center the space nicely. Moreover, it’s wise to go with short pile rugs for kitchen areas as food crumbs probably won’t get stuck into the fibers, and it will be easier to clean.
How to Make High Traffic Rugs Last Longer
High-traffic area rugs require more attention than your average rug. Regular maintenance and taking care of your rugs are essential to extending their life. Here are some tips to consider:
- No shoes on the rug. By walking barefoot, you’re not only reducing the build-up of dirt but also eradicating the chance of hard-soled shoes from grinding at your mat.
- Provide an underlay for all rugs. Within our other rug guides, we stressed how important a rug pad is, and once again, there is no difference here. This especially goes for rugs placed in high-traffic areas.
- Vacuum between deeper area rug cleanings. A sanitary rug makes for a long-lasting one.
- Rotate the rug for even wear. You can reduce uneven wear and fade by rotating your area rug annually.
- Always check the care label on rugs. The product label will provide much-needed information regarding the cleanup. It’s smart to take a photo of it so you can come back to it when it fades.
- Be careful when placing heavy furniture on area rugs – placing heavy furniture may crush the fibers and create dents. If you must do that, we recommend using furniture coasters.
Although you may be a bit anxious to find that perfect rug, this is not something you want to rush into. When it comes to high-traffic area rugs, there is a bit more information that you should know before making a decision. In the end, the more you know about area rug material, placement, and care, the happier you will be with your purchase. We did our research, gathered data, and made a guide. We got you covered on the basics, and we hope it will guide you through your rug hunting experience.