Natural Fiber Rugs - Essential Guide (Copy)
Who doesn’t love a natural fiber rug?! It’s always been a designer’s favorite. Earthy textures for a relaxed, easy vibe, and their durability makes them a practical too.
But what happens if you don’t have a designer? You may be thinking, “How will I know what material works best?, Does the material I choose make a difference depending on the space?” The choices are endless and can become confusing and overwhelming fast.
I am here to take you through an essential guide to determine what natural fiber works best for your space.
The first step, DEFINE YOUR NEEDS.
Start by asking yourself, which space will this rug be in? All spaces can be categorized by traffic pattern as shown below:
High-traffic areas include hallways, family rooms, the foyer and entryway, and the kitchen. Rugs that are durable and stain-resistant are best for these spaces.
Medium-traffic rooms get regular use but aren’t main walk ways —think dining room and home office.
Low-traffic spaces include bedrooms, formal living rooms, and guest rooms. Rugs in these rooms will get the least wear and tear, so don’t be afraid to go luxe - lighter colors and softer materials.
Once you’ve determined the location, use the chart below to see what material works best, for example choosing a sisal rug for a family room could be the absolute worst. No one wants a hurtful fiber on their bare feet…
JUTE:
Jute rugs have a perfectly imperfect texture that adds earthy beauty to a room. The same fiber used to make burlap, jute grows in shiny, green stalks that are soaked, stripped, and spun before weaving. This process gives the fibers a natural brown hue, but they can also be dyed a range of colors.
Pros: Because jute fibers come from the plant’s stalk, not its leaves, the material is wonderfully soft; it almost resembles wool.
Cons: That softness means it’s also the least durable of the bunch, making it best for low- and medium-traffic areas.
Cleaning & Care: Vacuum regularly, and blot spills quickly
SISAL:
The keyword with sisal is durability. Made from the sisalana, or agave, plant native to Brazil, Mexico, and Africa, sisal fibers are the toughest of the group (they’re often used to make rope and twine). Like jute, sisal can be dyed and comes in a range of earthy hues.
Pros: Especially durable sisal is great for high-traffic areas.
Cons: Sisal fibers are coarse, so they’re less comfortable underfoot than jute. They’re prone to becoming a bit slippery with a lot of wear, so avoid using sisal runners on stairs. And because sisal is absorbent, tough stains can be tricky to remove.
Cleaning and care: Vacuum regularly, and remove spills quickly.
HEMP:
Hemp fiber has been used in textiles for thousands of years. Like sea grass, it is naturally durable and makes for highly hard-wearing rugs. In its natural state, hemp is a coppery brown hue, but it can be dyed and woven into intricate patterns.
Pros: Hemp is sustainable, mildew-resistant, and incredibly strong. And while its texture can be coarse, it will soften with use.
Cons: You can expect some shedding from hemp rugs.
Cleaning and care: Vacuum regularly, and spot-clean.
SEAGRASS:
Sea grass offers texture galore. Grown in saltwater marshes, it’s nonporous and thus incredibly water-resistant. Sea-grass fibers have a light sheen and often start out with a light-green tinge that fades to khaki. Sea-grass rugs are typically bound with cotton or leather and backed with latex, so while they’re not reversible, they do stay put.
Pros: Sea grass is stain-resistant and incredibly durable. It also feels better beneath bare feet than sisal, so it’s a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Sea grass is fast-growing and easy to harvest, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Cons: Like most other natural-fiber rugs, sea-grass styles cannot be used outdoors. Because the fibers don’t take dye well, color choices are limited.
Cleaning and care: Vacuum regularly, and blot spills quickly
Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on “how to home”!