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Introduction: Selecting area rugs and carpets is not just a matter of going to the carpet store and taking one from the rack. There are several things to consider; size, color, what material the carpet is made of, and where it is going to be placed in the home. The right carpet will add to your decorating scheme but the wrong one will detract from it.
If
you are selecting area rugs and carpets
to be placed in a high traffic area you
may want to invest a little more and get one that will hold
up to traffic
such as a heavy wool rug or carpet. If it is in a low traffic area one of less
quality may do. Also consider if there are pets in the house
or children that may cause spillage and stains to deal with. Most importantly is where the carpet will be placed. Will it be a focal point of the room or hallway or is it just an accent floor covering. If it is going to be a focal point the design and style should be more intricate but if it is just and accent carpet it can be of a simple design that accommodates the surrounding furniture. Whatever the choice, the carpet should not be a distraction and look out of place. And you must finally consider your budget before shopping. Area carpets can range in price from a few dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on a number of factors. If you want a handmade Persian or other middle-eastern country knotted carpet made from wool, silk, or a blend of wool and silk you are considering a very expensive investment. These types of carpets are referred to as Persian rugs or carpets vary from 300 to 500 knots per square inch and take months to manufacture by hand. They represent find craftsmanship that is seen in the very close weave and design. The fringe of these carpets is usually woven into the fiber of the carpet as opposed to just sewn on as seen in less expensive carpets.
Persian and middle-eastern
carpets are very dense, thick, and durable. Some are known
to last for hundreds of years. Typically a three by five
silk carpet of this type can cost as much as $5,000 whereas
a wool carpet will be considerably cheaper. Most are very
striking in appearance and can represent anything from a
religious philosophy to nature scenes.
Less
expensive carpets for your home are usually synthetic carpets that are
machine made to emulate the appearance of authentic Persian
and middle-eastern carpets. You may want to consider these
if they are suitable for where you want to use them and they
fit your budget better. An easy way to identify a synthetic
carpet is to examine the back side; the fibers are not
hand-knotted. They are punched through the backing as with
ordinary carpeting and the fringe is sewn on after the
carpet is made.
Determine the
size of the carpet that best accommodates your room. For a
large room chose a large carpet allowing for open floor
space around the borders between the carpet and the walls.
If it is going to be used in a dining room insure that the
table and chairs set completely on the carpet. You also
should consider multiple carpets to break up the floor space
in large multipurpose rooms. Mixing and matching is okay but
take care to not mix carpets that are drastically of
different design in the same room. Carpet pads help prevent floor slippage and to extend the life of the carpet. There are several varieties of carpet pads available. If you are not thoroughly familiar with carpets seek the advice of a reputable carpet dealer in helping you select a carpet. Related articles:
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