A shag rug is a mixture of fun, comfort, and boldness all intertwined in one. Putting it simply, the decor in our home is the best representation of our personality. Whenever you’re shopping for some aesthetic floor coverings, you may have come across something called a shag carpet. It has the potential to capture your attention, steal your heart and mesmerize you with its fluffy texture. This will very probably make you want to learn more about them and their shagginess.
In short, shag rugs are deep pile rugs that feature long-haired fibers that are soft & comfortable on touch. These rugs have a rather shaggy or unkempt appearance, which makes them visually striking. There are different variations of shag rug, such as wool, flokati, felted, and mixed texture.
This style of floor coverings became popular in the 1960s and the 1970s. Still, it has even older roots in Greece and has associations with royalty in the Middle East. By reading this guide, you will learn everything there is to know about shaggy floor coverings, i.e., shaggy rugs.
Main Characteristics of a Shag Rug
Shag rugs have a unique appearance, defined by their high tufts and long fluffy fibers. The rug’s pile refers to the literal length of fibers in the carpet. Of course, the shag carpets we’ve been mentioning have a high frequency of fibers and high pile, which gives them their unique look. In the past, specifically in the late seventies, they were considered trendy, after which they fell out of fashion. Luckily, today they have made a big comeback with a more contemporary design and appearance.
Back in the days, this type of carpet would be usually found in loud colors like red and yellow. However, today they can be bought in more modern and appealing tones, including white, beige, and ivory. Of course, another aspect to consider is your carpet’s placement. Generally speaking, shag carpets should be placed in locations with low foot traffic. Such an example would be a study room, a bedroom, or a solitary hallway.
History
Today shag carpets are international phenomena that have touched every continent of the world. The first version was ‘Flokati’, and it has originated in Europe. In simpler terms, a Flokati rug is a handwoven wool rug, which is also a shag rug that is elegant and unique at the same time. Some historical evidence says that it was even used 1500 years ago in Greece.
It’s worth mentioning that countries like Turkey and certain regions in Central Asia have welcomed shag carpeting into their royal palaces. In the west, especially Europe and America, this trend came back during the 1960s and 1970s. With modern carpeting, shag carpets were effectively revived with more fresh patterns, designs, and colors that never fail to excite designers.
Pros And Cons of Shag Carpets
Carpet shopping can be overwhelming with the variety of options the market offers. Of course, you care about your home and want to make the best decisions for it. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of your shag carpet will be beneficial for you.
Pros:
- They are visually fun to have around.
- Finding a fluffy presence under your feet feels fantastic.
- They are very durable and can withstand significant foot traffic.
- They are effortlessly remarkable in style.
Cons:
- It’s hard to find wall-to-wall shag carpeting.
- It isn’t easy to clean this type of carpet.
- Maintaining a shag carpet can be somewhat expensive.
- If you’re buying a multicolored carpet, it may go out of fashion down the years.
- Shag carpets can certainly make life more complicated for people prone to allergies.
Popular Types of Shag Carpets
No regular carpet can beat the pure level of plushness and comfortability shag carpets offer. Putting it simply, they enhance the ambiance by adding pure oomph with their fluffiness. Moreover, they also feel like pillows when you step over them.
Nowadays, you will come across contemporary shag rugs made of different materials, shapes, colors, and patterns. Also, we will explore four different types.
- Flokati
As it was previously mentioned, flokati rugs originate from Greece and are made of woven goat hair. Once it’s handwoven, the carpet can then be submerged in water, helping the yarn swell up. This technique allows the rug to achieve its distinct & plushy look effectively. Later, it is entirely sun-dried before being shipped to its next destination. Today, there are two types of flokati rugs available, including modern flokati rugs and traditional flokati rugs.
Modern flokati rugs are more practical for homes, as they aren’t as thick as the traditional ones we know. While it might look slight, the difference can be up to 4 kilos in weight between these two. As the modern version is more lightweight, it’s practically better and easier to handle and maintain. Placing a modern coastal style rug beneath furniture is also possible, unlike the ones that came before. The best thing about most flokati rugs is that they are highly durable and can last for up to 25 years.
- Wool
Since wool is a natural fiber, it can genuinely make any room remarkable. This sort of shag rug is relatively easy to come by, as it’s available at virtually every rug shop. We think that you should consider buying it if you’re looking for a natural fiber that is simple to maintain and yet durable. Whatever you opt for, make sure you don’t underestimate wool’s versatility, which can appear different depending on the wool’s pile, weave, and even color.
A notable disadvantage of getting this type of rug is that it’s likely to turn yellow over time, and even lose color. Apart from that, it’s difficult to clean the fibers from the things stuck in it. Even a strong vacuum won’t manage to clean it thoroughly and effectively. If you are looking for a low-maintenance rug, you might wish to consider another option.
- Mixed Texture
If you consider yourself a free spirit, a mixed texture shag rug is likely to appeal to you. Not only will it spice things up a little bit in your room, but it will also make the furnishing look more attractive. After all, the juxtaposition of different textures can build quite enticing patterns. It makes much more sense to make your shag rug the primary point of your room.
Without putting any compromise on the rug’s softness, one with a mixed texture can build a creative aura all around the place. Still, a fluffy floor covering with so much personality is not for the fainthearted, so make sure you buy it for your home if you can appreciate an upbeat ambiance.
- Leather
Out of all shag carpet types, the ones made with leather seem to be a little quirky. Of course, making this kind of shag rug is a complicated process, as individual strands are manually knotted into a cotton backing. One note to remember is that you shouldn’t get too worried when individually knotted leather strands break off randomly. This breaking is very likely to happen even when you vacuum it. These fibers are prone to get torn off easily.
Still, a neutral-hued leather shag carpet can be easily placed in a rustic-themed room. In fact, you will be surprised by its stunning presence. Anyhow, if you’re hoping for something more vivid and colorful, don’t lose hope just yet. Shag carpets can also be designed with some multicolored leather strands. So if you’re looking for a dominant & bold floor covering, consider getting this one.
Conclusion
While shag carpets were more popular in the 1960s and 1970s, they are back in the news today. After all, shag carpets are fun and exciting statement rugs that can be identified by their deep pile and soft texture.
Today, the market is full of different shag carpet types like flokati, leather, wool, and mixed texture. Before you go out and decide to buy one, make sure you thoroughly study the advantages and disadvantages of getting it.
Do keep in consideration that maintaining a shag carpet is demanding, challenging, and requires time and special attention. It’s crucial to study your options carefully when you buy a shag carpet online. Otherwise, you may end up with something you regret in the time ahead.