Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Different Types of Rugs at Fantastic Rugs



There are a lot of rug suppliers out there, but only a true rug specialist that has been in the business for years and knows the trade so well can provide you with the best selection of rugs at a great price. An established rug supplier like Fantastic Rugs can definitely offer you a wide range of rugs that will suit your taste and needs.

We are all aware that a rug is not just a home decoration, nor is it a simple covering on the floor with no purpose. There are different types of rugs available in the market today and each is made to be suitable and effective in their purpose. 

At Fantastic Rugs, we make sure that the rugs we offer are high quality, yet affordable. In order to provide our customers with the best offer, we only commission the finest weavers and the best hand tufters at the best possible price.

The Different Types of Rugs at Fantastic Rugs

According to Style: Modern, Traditional, Designer, Shaggy, Fluffy, Plain, Round, Runners, Children’s and Utility. Name the style that you are looking for and you can definitely find it at Fantastic Rugs.

According to Brand: Asiatic rugs, Flair rugs, Oriental Weavers and many others. Because Fantastic Rugs strive to be the best supplier of rugs, we ensure that any brand you prefer is available and more.

According to Colour: White, Cream, Ivory, Blue, Teal, Turquoise, Brown, Beige, Charcoal, Black, Green, and many others. From neutral hues to vibrant ones, almost all colours are available depending on the product style and stock.

According to Material: Acrylic, Bamboo Silk, Polyester, Polypropylene, Sisal, Viscose Rayon and Wool

Aside from the ones mentioned above, Fantastic Rugs also features Special Stock Offers. This is a great rug sale, but since they are stock only, once they are sold, they’re really gone!


At Fantastic Rugs you can be sure that all products are high quality, without being overpriced. No matter if you are buying rugs for your home or for commercial purposes, you can definitely find the perfect choice at Fantastic Rugs.

Difference Between Wool and Synthetic Rugs

For high traffic areas, the most common choices for rugs are wool rugs and synthetic rugs. Both have the qualities that can endure the usual stress that rugs get from the frequent dirt and walks of shoes and feet. However, it is also important to note that wool and synthetic rugs have differences.


WHAT ARE WOOL RUGS?


Wool rugs are usually hand-made and are a popular choice of homeowners for their living room, dining room and other high traffic areas because:

  1. Wools are water repellent. It will take quite some time before water penetrates the fabric of the wool rug.
  2. Wools are fire-resistant. Wools rugs are naturally fire-resistant and don’t require special treatment to be non-flammable. When it gets close to a light, it doesn’t flare up and cause damage to anyone or anything in your home. This is also the exact reason why firemen wear wool uniforms.
  3. Wools are static-resistant. In an area where there are more feet walking, static is more likely to become present. This can also be associated with wools being fire-resistant -- if one is walking across a wool-carpeted area, he or she is less likely to get shocked when his or her skin gets direct contact to a grounded object that may cause fire.
  4. Wools are durable. Wools are resistant to the stresses and strains compared to other types of rugs because it is resists friction. This is because wool consists of fibres that are made up of rather stretchable coil springs that are less likely to break.

Aside from being water-repellent, fire-resistant, static-resistant and durable, wools are also considered as a good insulator if you want to avoid noise in an area. Wool rugs absorb sounds and reduce the level of noise. This is the same reason why wools are used in offices, restaurants and other establishments were a number of people are always present.


WHAT ARE SYNTHETIC RUGS?

Synthetic rugs are the convenient version of wools, only they are machine-made and comprises of plastic. If you want to cut down on your budget and yet want to achieve the same results that wool can offer, synthetic rugs are the best option for you. However, it is important to take note that synthetic rugs will require you to tend to your rugs more for cleaning and maintenance. Unlike wools that are made of natural fibres, synthetic rugs are made of plastic that hold odour like no natural fibres can.


WHAT SHOULD I BUY, WOOL RUGS OR SYNTHETIC RUGS?

The answer will depend on your budget. Logically, hand-made rugs such as wool rugs will cost you more than machine-woven rugs like synthetic rugs. Another factor to be considered is the environment that you have at home. If you have pets that are not potty-trained, it is expected that you will have a problem with synthetic rugs because it contains jutes.

For a wide variety of wool rugs and synthetic rugs that you may want to choose from, visit Fantastic Rugs and browse our products.


FantasticRugs.com
Caxton Road Trade City
1-6 Caxton Road
BEDFORD
MK41 0HT
T: 01234 220076
F: 01234 349207
E:admin@fantasticrugs.com

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Shaggy Rugs Pros and Cons



In the modern era, a contemporary look in home decor is in trend and shaggy rugs will make an excellent accessory to any modern dwelling. Shaggy rugs are available in a wide array of colours according to your taste and home design; they are the perfect companion to the quintessential sofa or couch.

Shaggy rugs or shaggy carpet are aptly named after their ‘shaggy’ appearance. A shaggy rug has gained in popularity, as it provides a very soft feel underfoot. It gives any room a very cosy feel. Available in a variety of fibres including wool, acrylic or cotton, shaggy rugs are also sold in long, short and mini versions. The distinguishing features of the shaggy rug are the long yarn fibres that are attached to the back of the carpet, giving it an irregular pattern.

Pros
 
Plush Feel 

Shaggy rugs have a very soft feel giving you a ‘walking on air’ feel. The long, fibrous strands collectively make for a cosy and inviting atmosphere in the room.

Availability

With their growing popularity, shaggy rugs are readily available and a regular among other varieties stocked by many stores, including Fantastic rugs.
 
Durability and Style

Shaggy rugs are well suited to areas that are frequently in use and that receive high traffic. Wool shaggy rugs are durable, naturally stain resistant and insulating. Insulation provides warmth during the winter and a cool haven during the summer to give respite from the heat. Shaggy rugs have a unique quality and serve as a focal point in contemporary modern living.


Cons

Proper Care

Shaggy rugs are high maintenance, as dirt easily sticks to the long strands of yarn on the carpet. Regular vacuuming in between the fibres, row by row, may become a necessity in order to work out any dust or dirt from the middle of the rug. The trick is to remove spills and stains immediately in order to maintain and protect the rug.


Frequent Shedding and Yellowing

Shaggy rugs are crafted out of long strands of fibre.  Prone to shedding, shaggy rugs will initially lose some of their fibres. The shedding diminishes over a period of frequent use. Wool shaggy rugs can yellow over time from exposure to sunlight, certain detergents or due to the latex that binds them together. Bleaching may solve this problem or the use of hydrogen peroxide but it would be more advisable to seek the help from a carpet cleaning expert.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Extend the Life of Your Wool Rugs

Just like any other investments, rugs should be taken care of if you want them to last longer. Fortunately enough, your wool rugs are easier to clean because wool rugs are dirt-resistant in composition. Wools fibres are opaque and dirt doesn’t show as much as with some clearer, brighter man-made fibres. It’s true that wools are probably one of the most cost-effective types of rugs because they are easy to maintain. However, that fact doesn’t exclude the need of cleaning them once in a while.

Some people say that vacuum has the most damaging effect on rugs. High powered vacuums can even pull the threads out of the back of rugs and cause sprouts to appear. But for wool rugs, that is not the case. Vacuuming your wool rugs twice a week will save you the penny to buy new one. However, for other rugs, it can still be advised to use vacuum cleaners for as long as the beater bars in the cleaner are removed.

Another way of taking care of your rugs is by becoming sensitive about the dirt that your rugs get. If your kids or pets had soiled your rugs, be sure to clean the dirt rightaway. Or in other cases, if the stain is caused by foods, scoop up the food residues and try to absorb the liquids the moment they spill onto your rug. It’s important to note that you should only use a paper towel or cloth to blot stains. Letting the stain dry on your rug will cause you extra work will only damage your rug -- both causes additional bother to us.

Steaming can be a very effective way for wool cleaning. By letting the steam get into the fibres of your wool, the residues or dirt will let loose on the fibres of your rug. This can make your rug extra easy to clean. Furthermore, it is strongly discouraged that you rub your rugs because it can cause pilling and matting. It’s not advisable to soak your wool rugs in water. Wool rugs have fibres that can absorb more water than synthetic fibres. Soaking them and then letting them dry would take time. Wool rugs will become evidently heavy as well. Excess soap and water can ruin your rug, too.

Every rug owner should know the practice of rotating their rugs 180 degrees every six months to ensure even wear. Exposure to direct sunlight will always be a factor to consider when placing a rug in a room. Rotating the rug will help your rug looks balanced in colour. Besides, all fibres, dyed or un-dyed will normally change over time.


But above all these, it’s safe to say that the easiest, safest and effective deep cleaning solution for any type of area rugs is to have them rolled up and taken away for cleaning by experts.  Not all wool rugs are the same for they have different fibre thickness. The best way to extend the life of your rugs is by reading the cleaning instructions for your rugs carefully before setting up the piece of art in any area of your room.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Runner Rugs

Runner rugs are used in narrow spaces such as hallways and stairs. This type of rug is made greater in length than width. To give the people a platform to the place where you want them to lead to, a runner rug is best to be used. It leads the eyes of the visitors to certain places in your home.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RUNNER RUGS AND AREA RUGS?

While both area rugs and runner rugs give a touch of colour to a pale room, the two have differences. One is that area rugs are made to be under certain furniture to group them together and make them look like they belong together in an area. Runner, on the other hand, is a rug that leads the people to the narrow spaces of the house such as stairs and hallways. Basically, the size of area rugs and runners defines the difference between the two. Area rugs are usually made to be of any size but mostly square while runners are made in a rectangular form and narrowly to fit perfectly in a limited space of a room.

IN WHAT AREAS ARE RUNNERS GOOD TO USE?


Generally, runners compliment wood flooring to contrast the colour of the floor and furniture. This type of carpeting can add a decorative element to hardwood made floors while making them warmer and comfortable to walk on. Even basements and wooden stairs that are not carpeted can be improved through using runners. However, runners can be used not only on wooden floors but also on the following areas of your home:

  1. Kitchen - Since the space in the kitchen is also limited, floor runners can do its wonders by fitting nicely down the length of your cabinet or counter space. While the floor is being maximised in appearance, the runners can also provide a cushioned area for your feet to stand on when washing dishes or preparing food.
  2. Bedroom - We all know that area rugs are the most common decoration used in beautifying the room space. However, because of its size, so much of the rug ends up hidden under the bed making some parts of the design unseen. Alternatively, the long and skinny shape of runners makes it perfect to be used in bedrooms. Runners can be used on one side of the bed or even on both sides of the bed if the bed is positioned in the centre of the room. Furthermore, runners will surely keep your feet cosy by providing a warm landing in the morning.
  3. Walk-in closets. Typical walk-in closets are “mini-rooms” that fit two people at max. Runners are perfect for this kind of mini-room for it creates a focal point underfoot that suggests the space feel like a “real room.” The runner will draw attention away from its small size creating an illusion that the closet is spacey.

For a room that needs decorating, adding a rug will be the perfect and most cost-effective answer. Through using runners, your hallway or corridor will not look empty or barren anymore. 

Keeping It Classy with Traditional Rugs

By now, we are all aware that rugs play different roles in making our homes more comfortable to live in. The fabric contributes to the design of our abode, while making the place look larger. It keeps our feet warm. Rugs come in all different sizes, textures and materials. For some, the best rug is still the traditional type.

WHAT ARE TRADITIONAL RUGS?
Traditional rugs originated from central and western Asia. This type of rug was used to cover beaten-earth floors. As time moved on, the fabric was utilised to cover the floors of houses and tents. Gradually, traditional rugs were also used to cover floorings of mosques and palaces, which are considered holy places. By then, the rug was already considered as a piece of fabric that symbolised status in society.

To date, traditional rugs are used to define luxury. Using a traditional rug inside your home will give everyone the impression that you are a person of great taste. In fact, traditional rugs are often included in wills and are considered as an item of fantastic value.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE TRADITIONAL RUGS?
·       
  It’s needless to say that traditional rugs are classy. The colours used in making these rugs are subtle enough to create a refined look in any room or hallway. Any area will surely look sophisticated when accented with a traditional rug. Furthermore, the rug is designed to look timeless. The design of traditional rugs can blend with any kind of furniture, complimenting any area to create a statement of its own.
·     
    They are a piece of art. A truly traditional rug is meticulously made by hand. The fabric is intricately produced, giving attention to fine details. The design of these rugs is often associated with nature and geometric motifs. Some traditional rugs are now machine made. Nevertheless, the rugs still tend to boast more intricate details and colours over their modern counterparts.
·          
They are very versatile. Traditional rugs can be used as a centrepiece in any room or strategically placed to blend with other designs around the home. Traditional rugs can offer the perfect accent to any room.
·          
They provide multi-sensory comfort and relaxation. Most traditional rugs are made with the finest fabrics. There is no doubt why these rugs provide a different kind of softness underfoot. The fabric tends to be thicker and can be contributory in making any room sound-proof. Furthermore, the thickness of traditional rugs can also retain the temperature in a room, keeping it cosy.


TRADITIONAL RUGS AT FANTASTIC RUGS
Traditional doesn’t necessarily mean old fashioned. Our Traditional Rugs are hand crafted, yet made from modern fabrics. We can ensure that the traditional rugs we have to offer will blend seamlessly into the latest designs and popular trends.