Which one suits perfectly for your home - a rug or a carpet?

Many often interchange the words 'rugs' and 'carpets' while referring to floor coverings. Do you think they are one and the same? You will be astonished to find out they are not.

This article will help you avoid making the expensive mistake of buying the wrong one for your home.

Consider The Following Factors While Choosing The Suitable Rug Or Carpet For Your Home:

1. Room Function
2. Protective Layer
3. Maintenance
4. Artistic Beauty
5. Budget
6. Lifestyle Choices

Choosing a costly decor item, such as a carpet or a rug, needs a lot of forethought and consideration. It is an investment of a lifetime, so you can't afford to be brash.

Photo by iriana88w on depositphotos

For more clarification, read on to find out which is ideal for your floors and makes sense in your space.

1. What Is A Rug?

A rug is a thick cloth or woven fabric usually used to conceal a small floor space. One of the easiest ways to distinguish a rug from a carpet is the loads of floor space outside the rug.

Use a single rug as a decorative piece for your floor or many to define different areas in a vast room. 

A rug is apt for the living room, dining room, hallway, entryway, and bathroom. It closely knits the elements in a room, furnishing an absolute look to your rug(ged) room.

Pros To Consider When Choosing A Rug:

1. Lightweight.
2. Transferable.
3. Washable.
4. Replaceable.
5. Colorful floor decoration.
6. A ton of choices - sensational designs, numerous styles, and fancy colors.
7. Usually covers a small space.
8. Thermal regulator.
9. Sound absorption.
10. Reduces allergens.
11. Suitable for masking a damaged spot.
12. An eco-friendly option.
13. Lasts long enough to be handed down from one generation to another.
14. Also can be put up on the wall to display the rich beauty of the rug. 

Cons to Consider When Choosing A Rug:

1. When customized, it is expensive. Persian and oriental rugs are also pricey options. 
2. Unpadded rugs cause sliding accidents.

2. What Is A Carpet?

A carpet is a floor furnishing usually made of heavy tufted or woven textile, often covering the entire floor.

A foolproof way to differentiate a carpet from a rug is the floor covering will be firmly attached to the floor. Use nails, tack strips, or adhesives to adhere the carpet to the floor.

A carpet suits spaces more concerned with comfort and protection than aesthetics - like bedrooms, kid's rooms, and playrooms.

Pros To Consider When Choosing A Carpet:

1. Complete coverage of the specified area.
2. Tailor-made customization.
3. Insulation.
4. Sound muffling.
5. Craft a rug from the extra carpet fabric.
6. Machine-made carpets are economical. 

Cons To Consider When Choosing A Carpet:

1. Necessitates professional help with the installation process.
2. Nontransferable.
3. Difficult to mend if a particular spot is stained or damaged.
4. Burdensome upkeep.
5. Retention of allergens.
6. A pricey option when installation and maintenance costs are included. 

Photo by AndreyPopov on depositphotos

3) Which One Of These Should You Choose For Your Home - Rugs Vs. Carpets? 

Take a quick peek into your home to determine the answer to this question.

i) Room Function:

Carpets:

If you have children in your home, install a carpet in the kid's room.

Children are prone to fall accidents. The carpet's padding guarantees safeguarding your child from any injuries.

Carpets are apt for the living room, playroom, bedroom, and all high foot traffic areas like entryway or hallway, stairs, and landings.

Rugs:

Rugs are a spectacular choice for all guest-friendly areas - the living room, dining space, bathroom, kitchen, and entryway.

They work splendidly as a combo of beauty and utility.

ii) Protective Layer:

Carpets:

If you tend to break things, don't worry! You have plenty of company.

Of course, your clumsiness is not intentional. But the ceramic and glassware collections are not so forgiving! Once they fall and smash into pieces, they are far beyond redemption.

Well, cheer up! Our remedy is near at hand.

A carpeted floor is our savior in disguise. Resort to carpeting the cabinet and shelving area where all your precious dainty tableware is stored. No more broken dishware or heartbreaks.

Thank me later!

Rugs:

Rugs won't serve you this purpose, so kindly avoid them in these areas.

iii) Maintenance:

Carpets:

If you are a busybody in a busy household, carpeting is an unwelcome choice - unless you can hire a professional cleaner!

Rugs:

Rugs are the perfect choice for you as their maintenance is less demanding.

When a rug becomes dirty, check the label first. If it is washer-friendly, then chuck it into the washing machine on a gentle cycle, and you are good to go! 

A quick reminder - rugs made of natural fiber (silk, wool, jute, sisal, or seagrass) are not washable. So, don't bank on them to be easily washable because they are termed 'RUGS.'

iv) Artistic Beauty:

Rugs:

Rugs are chiefly design elements placed on the floor. It combines with other decor elements in the room to bring a cohesive look and tie them into one piece of art.

Finding a matching rug for your previously furnished room can be tricky. Coordinating colors and textures are hard to find.

Carpets:

Conversely, wall-to-wall carpets combine the space into one cozy area. But they need to catch up in style and design when compared to rugs.

Carpeting a furnished room is effortless. Find a perfect fit for your room from the numerous neutral color options.

v) Budget:

Rugs:

Handmade rugs are expensive upfront but last a lifetime or even more if invested wisely.

Buying a machine-made rug is cheap. Also, synthetic rugs are more affordable than natural fiber rugs.

Natural rugs require a time-consuming, labor-intensive, intricate weaving process, so bear a hefty price tag.

Notably, there is no installation cost involved for rugs.

Carpets:

Initial installation cost can be high, as is its maintenance. So, carpet is naturally an expensive choice even though the material cost can be within your means.

vi) Lifestyle Choices:

Pets:

Rugs:

If you are a pet parent (having either a dog or a cat), then go for a synthetic rug that is stain and spill-resistant. It is a breeze to clean pet dander from these rugs compared to others. So, this is your best pick.

Carpets:

Save your floor from the scratches of your dog or cat by carpeting your floor.

Again, synthetic carpets that are spill-stain resistant are the best option out there. Keep your floor intact and protect it with carpet.

Allergies:

Rugs:

Washable rugs are a boon. The washing cycles thoroughly wash away all allergens.

Carpets:

Carpets host allergens like pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. You need professional cleaning to help remove them.

So, if you are sensitive to allergens, go for a rug instead.

Photo by iriana88w on depositphotos

4. How To Keep An Area Rug From Bunching Up On The Carpet?

Layering a rug on a carpet is a stylish addition to your floor decor. It is also a clever way to cover a damaged carpet, saving it from further wear and tear.

However, the rug has a downside - it curls, bunches, and, worst, slips! 

To tackle this problem,     

1. Fix antiskid/duct tape along your rug's periphery and attach the sides to the carpet.
2. Adding a rubber pad to the rug's bottom is another excellent option.
3. Opt for silicone or acrylic caulk if you want a goofproof option.

• Apply and spread the caulk at the back of the rug.
• Let it sit till it dries completely (say for roughly a day!)
• Turn it over and lay it down on the carpet.
• Enjoy using the skid-free rug.  

4. Or use tiny nails to fix the rug firmly on the carpet.