Decora Rugs Blog

For thousands of readers who religiously read my blogs about area rugs, your’e probably wondering, where have you been? After writing over one hundred blogs about rugs, all packed with both relevant and pertinent information, I just could’nt take it any more. I’ve passed on more relevant information about rugs than anyone else I know. I never took the easy route. I always blogged with my readers in mind. I gave them good, precise news that would make them better consumers as it relates to rugs. What happened is that I just ran out of gas.

I needed a break. I don’t just blog about rugs for a living. I actually run one of the largest Internet websites dealing excusively with area rugs in the world. I have over 90,000 rugs on our site. It’s a seven day, 15 hour a day job. Try fitting in 100 or more articles about rugs in the middle of all this and you can easily burn out.

Sitting here today, I decided this would be the perfect time for my come back, so here I go. My come back is going to be gradual. No heavy lifting, just a slow transition back to blogging about rugs. So here’s some real good information I’m sure you’ve never thought about! The economy stinks. Gas costs $4.40 a gallon. Don’t try to sell your house, and if you do, be ready to lose 50% of its highest value. Business is horrible and I’m thoroughly depressed. How’s that for blogging about rugs.

Nevertheless people want rugs. Business goes on. There are tons of new rugs and new collections on our site and more are coming. We are very optimistic about the future and, as a result, making lots of changes to our website. We are investing in the future of those wholesalers who can bring us new cutting edge product that will be a fine addition to the great rugs we already carry.

If you feel like me, a little down in the dumps, go ahead and buy some rugs. I guarantee it will make the both of us happy.

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Chandra Rugs, one of the industry’s finest manufacturers, has expanded their line of rugs to an extraordinary degree. In fact, Chandra Rugs has added over fifty new collections to their already impressive line-up. Chandra Rugs has crossed all boundaries with respect to quality, style, fiber content and constructions. They offer rugs from machine made to hand knotted and include tufted rugs, flat weaves and sisal area rugs within their mix. From a standpoint of pricing, their area rugs are as competitively priced as you will find anywhere. Moreover, when you purchase any rugs from Chandra, you can rest assured you are receiving great value in return for the purchase price.

Among their many exceptional collections of area rugs you’ll find Aadi. This collection of rugs is among their best sellers. This collection gives the consumer who wants quality at a moderate price point the opportunity to acquire both. Aadi is a fabulous contemporary grouping, all hand knotted yet priced closer to a hand tufted rug. The rugs are made in India from 100% wool and offer variance in designs so that there is a rug for nearly everyone. Also, be sure to take a look at the Beacon collection. Best described as ultra -stylish jute and full silk blends, these bold rugs featuring linear designs could be just the perfect look for that special room.

Chandra also distinguishes itself with several collections of flat weaves such as kilims and soumaks. It has become increasingly difficult to locate kilim rugs, yet Chandra offers several assemblages. One collection in particular is appropriately named “Kilim”. These beautiful flat weaves are completely hand woven in India using 100% wool. There are also several other collections of soumaks, kilims, sisal and jute rugs and more.

Chandra Rugs are definitely a preferred brand. Before making your choice be sure to carefully view their offerings.

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This post about rugs is somewhat limited to areas where homes have basements. In places like Florida, basements don’t exist so unfortunately the information supplied here is less important than it might be to others. Millions of people do, however, have basements and rugs are a very essential design element if you want to diffuse the cold musty environment that one will generally find in this area of the house. After all, basements are foundation based rooms that are built below ground level. The foundation walls are encapsulated by dirt on all four sides. No matter what type of construction is involved, or what type of foundation sealant is employed, your basement is going to be musty.

Basements have allowed millions of people to expand the living space within their home. Most of these individuals have finished their basements with dry wall, different types of ceilings and carpet or tile on the floors. This is where rugs come into play. No matter how elegant you have made your basement look, it will still feels a bit cold and dank. Rugs are the perfect solution to avoiding this less than inviting environment. Rugs are warm, rich and tend to make any room very cozy. Even if you have carpeted the floors, placing area rugs in strategic places will dramatically change the overall feeling of the room for the better.

As far as style goes, feel free to choose any rugs you wish that are in the same genre as the furnishings you have chosen. You can use modern rugs, oriental rugs or any other style you feel is appropriate. If you wish to furnish your basement in a very high end fashion, one that would be in keeping with the rest of your home, go right ahead. Believe me or not, the rugs will transform a cold dank area into a warm and cozy space that just might end up being your favorite place in the house. If you take it one step further and include a professional type dehumidifier in the area, the likelihood is you will not even know the difference between the basement as compared to any other room in your house.

The only rule that should be absolutely adhered to is, if there is any humidity in the space, when you pick out your rugs make sure they are synthetic. The area rugs should be either polypropylene or olefin or nylon. Do not under any circumstances use wool if their is even a hint of humidity in the room. The wool will absorb the moisture and your rugs will take on a musty scent. They might even feel damp to the touch. On the other hand, synthetics will not do this, so obviously, only consider area rugs that are best for the application. With the use of rugs, your basement can be as beautiful as you wish. There are thousands of rugs on our site that will perfectly fit the bill.

View over 70,000 rugs at Decora Rugs

This past Sunday was Mother’s Day and all the moms were recognized for their amazing accomplishments, not only over the past year, but over their entire lifetimes. Many of the moms were rewarded with the receipt of beautiful area rugs in order to make their day even more special. The moms deserved their rugs, but dad most likely made the purchase.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me dads are somewhat neglected. Let’s face it, dads just don’t get the same acclaim as the moms do. Since rugs make a great gift on any occasion, why not buy dad one of the area rugs you think he would like for his very own. Most men have a special area of their home that they consider their own domain. It could be a family room, media room, library, basement or any special place in the house, often where they watch television.

Most men are not given anywhere near enough credit for their design taste or even their desire to receive gifts such as rugs. This is definitely misinformation. Actually men love their own little gifts and rugs are without question part of the equation. Men buy rugs in our retail location all the time. A man loves to pick the area rugs he most desires for his special place in the house. This is particularly true in a library or home office. Everyone likes to have a favorite possession that they can call their very own. Believe it or not, rugs are the perfect possession for the man of the house to get excited about and claim for himself.

June 15th, is Father’s Day. Now is your chance to scour our site and view all the rugs he might like. I can virtually guarantee that getting dad the gift of rugs for fathers day will rank among the best and most rewarding presents that he could possibly receive. If you buy his gift now, you have plenty of time to receive delivery well in advance of his special day. By all means, don’t underestimate how thrilled he will be. Every dad qualifies for the gift of area rugs since you can find rugs at just about every price point imaginable.

Rugs are a great gift for any occasion. Just watch his face and see.

View over 70,000 rugs at Decora Rugs

Many homeowners live in climates where it can become very hot over the summer months. For years, if not decades, many homeowners like to change their rugs during the lazy days of summer. If you live in Northern areas where the winters are cold, the rugs in your home are often heavy, dark and somewhat formal. These rugs present a perfect look in those cold wintery months, but the warmth of summer may prompt you to want a change. You can create this change very easily by replacing your rugs with lighter, more airy replacements for a very small amount of money.

One of the least expensive and attractive ways to change your rugs is with the purchase of sisal and jute area rugs. In many portions of the country, these area rugs present a perfect alternative look and are among the most cost effective replacements you can find. Sisal and jute rugs come in a large array of colors, patterns and styles. These rugs are available with a nice assortment of borders and are also available in many different colors. The materials used as borders include cotton, jute, leather and others. Sisal comes in many different weaves creating significantly different textural looks. When combined with the various border options, you can create gorgeous rugs for a very modest amount of money.

Another summer alternative are braided rugs. Not everyone has been exposed to the very beautiful impact of these modestly priced area rugs. Most people think of these rugs as being quite traditional, and in many cases they are correct. But today, braided rugs are available in a multitude of styles, colors and shapes and these rugs can be effectively used to create any look you like. Colonial Mills and Capel Rugs both offer a huge variety of color options which produce area rugs that can satisfy the most discriminating home decorator regardless of how their home is furnished. Today, braided rugs can be used to complete modern decors as well as traditional or transitional rooms settings. These rugs are available in as many as twenty sizes and are exceptionally affordable.

Moving on, another great summer option are woven rugs. These rugs are usually made from cotton and are very inexpensive. They present a great way to change out your present rugs for the summer, produce a new and exciting look for a short while, and are affordable to nearly everyone. These rugs come in a wide range of colors and include stripes and other very attractive designs that are sure to please. These woven rugs are available through many companies found on our website and will produce the special summery look you’ve been searching for.

Lastly, if you’re just in the mood for a summer change, take a good look at less expensive synthetic machine made rugs. We offer thousands of these rugs on our site, many of which are very affordable. With today’s technology, rugs such as these will give you a high end look for a little bit of money. There are over fifty companies on our website where rugs such as these can be found.

So if your in the mood for a summer pick me up, use summer rugs to accomplish your goal.

View over 70,000 rugs at Decora Rugs

Many individuals live in either homes, or perhaps apartments, whose floors are either totally or substantially covered with wall to wall carpeting. These people would like to use rugs as a form of decoration in their home but don’t think one can place rugs on top of the carpeting. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Area rugs look great on top of carpeting, even if the carpet shows a pattern or distinct color.

There really is no difference at all as it relates to the design ideas one would consider whether your flooring is carpet, wood or tile. If your carpet is a solid color, you are free to choose any color rugs you like. If your carpet has multiple colors or a distinct pattern, your rugs have to be more compatible with the flooring in order for the finished result to look great.

There are however, some very important factors to take into account before choosing your area rugs when placing them on carpeting. The first thing you have to take into consideration is the thickness of the carpet in your home. In order to pick the correct rug, you need to first determine whether your carpet is flat and tight, medium pile or has a heavy thicker pile. The reason for making this determination is because your carpet is almost assuredly going to compress beneath your area rugs. When this happens, the rugs on top are going to move, so its important to try to counteract this from happening.

If your carpeting is of a commercial type, that is very flat and won’t compress when walked on, you can use any kind of rugs you like. However, if your carpet compresses under foot from your weight, you can basically rule out using thin hand knotted rugs, flat weaves and most machine made rugs. Your options at this point will be heavier hand tufted rugs because their thickness will prevent them, to a much greater degree, from moving. Even in these cases, your rugs will tend to bunch up a bit when continuously walked on, but it’s not really a problem. Every once in a while, you’ll need to bend over and give the area rugs a tug on one end and they will return to the ideal position.

When using rugs on carpet never use a rug pad. They make pads for rugs with the claim they are specifically for use on top of carpet, but they don’t work. More specifically, none of the pads work based upon their claim. A 175 pound person stepping on rugs which are sitting on carpet are not going to stand still because of a little adhesive on both sides of the pad.

The last option to prevent your rugs from moving is this. If your area rugs are small enough, something like 5′x8′, you can go to a Home Depot and get a piece of thin plywood just thick enough to support your weight. Cut the plywood slightly smaller than your rug. Place the plywood under the rug and now use a non skid pad. Your weight will be dispersed over a large area and the compression will not create movement from your area rugs. If you do this, you can use any kind of rugs you desire.

Rugs on carpet are a great look. It’s a slight imposition to get it done right, but it’s easily worth the effort. Your sure to love the finished look.

View over 70,000 rugs at Decora Rugs

Most consumers of rugs are on the look out for area rugs with color and design. In many cases these home decorators are furnishing around fabrics that display a degree of busyness and perhaps lots of colors. This is a great concept because I love to mix busy fabrics with busy rugs. Often times, if done correctly, the outcome is outstanding. Since your rugs can carry a room all by themselves, when combined with compatible fabrics the final outcome can be sensational. Most novice decorators think just the opposite is true. They think that if you have busy fabrics on your furnishings, your rugs must be considerably more simple. Actually, both concepts are correct.

There is however another design theme that works beautifully. The concept is to use solid colored rugs regardless of whether your furnishings are busy or not. The area rugs you will be looking for can be more or less textural depending upon the specific look you are trying to create. What I mean by textural is that, lets say, shag rugs are very textural looking or rugs that are made from a heavy loop construction would be another example of a textural look. On the other hand, rugs that have a flat cut pile finish, and are solid colored, will not display much texture.

If you are designing around busy looking furnishings, you can choose solid area rugs that go in either direction. If you like more dimension in your room, use the rugs that show more contexture. If you want a more subtle approach, look for area rugs that are flatter and incorporate a cut pile finish.

One of the most beautiful applications for area rugs that are one solid color is when they are used in a sleek contemporary to modern room setting. The picture would be that of a sharp monochromatic look. The fabrics used in these design applications are usually solid, or at most, very sheer in appearance. A good example of this would be very light leather couches or contemporary couches displaying white Haitian cotton. On these occasions, I love to use solid area rugs. The look is flat out monochromatic and creates a rich clean feeling.

So bear in mind that a solid rug, if used correctly, can produce a perfect look. We have dozens of them for you to look at.

View over 70,000 rugs at Decora Rugs

After being in the business of rugs for what seems like forever, these pieces of art intrigue me more than ever. I like rugs. Actually I love rugs. I’ve thought about doing other things, as I am sure all of us have, but I am addicted to the area rugs. I don’t see these objects as you do. I understand the cultural, historical, ethnic and craftsmanship aspects of every rug I view. My eye is educated as it relates to rugs, so my perspective is very different.

I had a couple come into my brick and mortar location just yesterday. They were with their interior designer and loaded with all the fabrics they were going to use in order to coordinate the rugs they were looking at. We looked at many beautiful area rugs and finally came across the perfect fit. It was a 100 knot Tibetan hand knotted rug produced from wool and silk. The rug was gorgeous and worked perfectly with the fabrics.

The customer, however, was not so sure. She noticed a distinctive abrash in most of the rugs she had looked at and asked the designer if these area rugs were damaged. Abrash is an uneven variegated look displaying different and uneven tones of the same colors. This desirable feature comes about because the wool used to knot the rugs is dyed in small batches. Each batch takes on varying degrees of dye lots. As a result the area rugs take on this unevenness as it relates to its color.

This look is beautiful and typifies many Tibetan hand knotted rugs, yet the customer thought these rugs were damaged. She was expecting to see a rug reminiscent of something machine made in Dalton, Georgia. Even in these cases, companies create some rugs that display the abrash effect in order to have them look like their high end knotted counterparts. I understood her confusion, but honestly, It was hard to explain why rugs that looked damaged to her ranked among the finest and most beautiful rugs obtainable.

Being a rug buyer, I have purchased tens of millions of dollars of area rugs of all styles and qualities. I have developed an appreciation for all types of rugs including less expensive machine made synthetic specimens. You see, a finely constructed, beautifully crafted machine made rug is something I can truly appreciate.

Area rugs, which today are produced using state of the art tufting techniques can rival certain lower priced hand knotted rugs. I marvel at just how beautifull these rugs look and the quality standards used in their creation.

Of course, as a buyer, my favorite rugs are traditional finely hand knotted oriental rugs. My great appreciation, however, extends to all styles of fine hand knotted rugs. Most people reading this post never realize how much work, fine detail and extraordinary craftsmanship goes into producing hand knotted area rugs. So my first love are the rugs that are produced by artisans as talented as top tier professionals that would be found in any profession.

So to sum it up, I appreciate area rugs of all styles and qualities as long as they are produced with the highest standards employed relative to the manufacturing type or process being used. You see, rugs are simply beautiful.

View over 70,000 rugs at Decora Rugs

Certainly, we encourage people to buy rugs. It’s what we do. But beyond the self serving aspect of recommending that you replace your old rugs with new ones, the enjoyment will speak for itself. Area rugs are, by far , the least expensive way to redecorate your entire home and really make a huge difference in the way your home will look. New rugs will allow you to complete a major decorating overhaul for very little money. Of course the expense attached to the area rugs you choose can run anywhere from very low to very high. If you set out to furnish inexpensively, you can redecorate your entire home with rugs that will look great for a sum easily less than $1500.00.

There are area rugs on our site that cost as little as $250.00 in 8′x11′, they look great and will virtually last forever. It’s easy to refurnish with rugs for a very modest sum.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been pretty depressed lately. Gas costs $4.00 per gallon, my property taxes cost nearly more than I make, If I go out to dinner, I feel like I’m buying the restaurant, not just the meal. I just need something to pick up my spirits. My house is important to me. I come home at the end of the day and simply want to feel like my accomplishments are somewhat meaningful. My home is a great way for me to look around, feel relaxed and rewarded, and simply enjoy my surroundings.

Now if you want the fastest pick me up a home furnishings devotee will ever experience, simply change your rugs. The difference in the way your home will look is like night and day. New area rugs will transform the entire look of your house. New rugs in your living room will create a setting that will allow you to feel like your visiting a completely different place.

Foyer rugs set the tone for your entire house. They are the first thing you see when you enter the front door. Make a simple change in these area rugs and you’ll change the whole entry.

New rugs in your dining room will particularly change the appearance of the room. Generally, most dining room furnishings are somewhat boring. That’s not to say the furniture is not beautiful, but new rugs will totally make over the room. No matter what room your thinking of, from the bathrooms to thew bedrooms to the kitchen, new rugs will redefine the look of your home. Actually, it’s amazing the look new and different area rugs will make.

When you consider how little it costs to make such wonderful changes it’s actually quite remarkable. Don’t take my word for it. Start with one, and see for yourself the amazing change that will take place. From there, your likely to follow my advise and change all your rugs. You simply won’t believe the difference.

View over 70,000 rugs at Decora Rugs