Rug Texture Matters : The Importance Of Choosing the Right Rug Texture

What Is a Rug's Texture?

A closer look at the carpet and how it feels, reveals that it has what seems to be "rug texture”. The weaving methods and other factors affect how a rug's texture develops. 

Rug texture variations may be easily understood by categorizing them into two groups:

1. Weave Texture

The texture of the rug also comes from the type of construction used to weave. There are many types of construction by which a rug is weaved like hand-knotted, hand-tufted, hand-loomed, Flatwoven, etc.

To know in-depth about rug construction types can also read this blog - 

Types Of Rug Construction, Shapes, Patterns, Colors, Materials, And Texture

1. Feel and Look Of Texture

The feel and look of a rug highly depend on the type of yarn used, it's washing, and shearing. The feel and look of different yarns vary from each other. For example, a rug handmade from New Zealand Wool is softer than ordinary wool and a rug made from original silk are most softer compared to other yarns. Handspun wool and mill-spun wool vary too texture-wise.

What type of textured rug to spread in your space 

Rug Pattern and Texture by Weave

Getting a new rug for your home seems like an easy thing to do. But not all rugs are the same, and the feel of the one you choose for your home will affect how you live every day. 

When you think about how much traffic you get and how many spills or accidents you see, you might realize how important it is to know what each type of rug has to offer. 

Here are some of the most popular types of rug textures you're likely to come across:

1. Cut Pile Texture

The cut pile rug has a soft, smooth texture that feels like silk under your feet and adds elegance to any room. This pattern is made when all of the carpet's yarn is cut to the same length. Wool is less resistant to foot movement in general, but it is made more tightly so that it will last longer.

Yarn which can be used to make cut pile texture - 

Most rugs have a cut pile, which is the most common type. Almost any kind of fiber can be used to make them, such as wool, jute, bamboo silk, viscose, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, coir, and so on.

2. Loop Pile Texture

The looped pile rug stands out because it looks like wool and has a looped surface. This is made possible by tying the thread into the main backing and leaving a loop. Berber carpet is a famous loop pile carpet that is known for being durable in places with a lot of foot traffic. 

It's easy to clean, and the stack of loops does a good job of hiding fingerprints and Hoover marks. But you shouldn't use Hoover brushes on a pile of loops because they can damage the threads that make up the loops and tear them. The loop pile is great for families and makes your living room a nice place to be.

Yarn which can be used to make loop pile texture - 

Most rugs have a low pile loop pile pattern. You can use wool, silk, cotton, jute, hemp, and synthetic materials.

3. Loop And Cut the Texture

As its name suggests, the rug has both loops weaved and some areas where those loops are cut to give a loop and cut texture.

Yarn which can be used for making loop cut texture -

To make this texture, one can play with different or the same type of yarn. The fibers that make up the loop pile and the fibers that make up the cut pile can be the same or different. For instance, the loop pile in viscose, the cut pile in wool, and vice versa.

4. Shag: The Modern Texture of Carpet

Shaggy rugs wouldn't have made it into this group, but only if the way they were made and how they looked were the same as everything else. The look and feel of shag carpets are two things that make them interesting.

Shag rugs are made on horizontal looms, and their longer cut piles give them a hairy look. But they are not carpet patterns that can be tiled on the floor. So carpet tiles won't be in this pattern.

5. Texture of a Carved Rug

The texture of a carved rug will be very different from the texture of other plain rugs in its group. The designs are carved by hand by an expert to create an interesting texture. This is done after the rug has been woven, washed, and trimmed. So a rug with a low pile and a high pile is not always a rug with a loop and cut pattern.

6. Plush

Plush is the most common type of carpet in homes. After the pile has been shaved, the height is even and flat. A soft carpet will show where people have walked and where the Hoover has been. Most of the time, this style is available in a single color, but now you can find soft forms in more than one color.

7. Soft: 

Most rugs and carpets are usually soft. Aside from other things, the main reason why people put rugs down is because they are soft.  When good quality wool is used to make a carpet, it is smooth and soft.

These days, even rugs made of manmade fibers like polyester and nylon are soft and feel like wool.

8. Rough

Some fibers are not soft but are rough. A jute mat has a rough surface and a rough feel. Some wool that isn't as good is also not as soft. Some examples of this kind of carpet are ones made of low-quality wool, seagrass, jute, coir, thick nylon, etc.

9. Velvish

Velvet is the most comfortable surface to walk on. They are made for kids and pets to crawl on and look best in the nicest parts of the house.

Silk rugs, like those made from bamboo silk, fine viscose, and cashmere silk, have a great plush feel. Don't forget that this is true even for high-quality New Zealand wool rugs.

10. Abrash

Oriental rugs with an abrash texture design have a unique look to them. Abrash can be caused by the type of yarn, especially if it was handspun (because of its twist and stiffness) and by the way it was dyed.

The stripes of color that run across the face of a rug are its abrash pattern. These changes happen within the same color. For example, a dark blue field may have lighter blue stripes.

This is the pattern that comes from the way bamboo silk fiber rugs and hand-knotted carpets that use natural dyes are made.

Tie-dying is another smart way to make rugs look like they have stripes. In this way of dying yarn, it is tied tightly and then led to the dye. Because the yarn is tied, the dye gets to different parts of it in different ways, making the abrash design.

Another one of these rugs is the Persian Gabbeh rug. They have two or three different colors that look like little light bulbs talking across the surface of the rug.

11. Texture Of Distressed Rugs

Distressed rugs can have a vintage or antique look, which can make them stand out and add a unique touch to your room. They are durable and easy to maintain you can use them in high-traffic areas, and they will still maintain their quality for years.

Additionally, cleaning a distressed rug is straightforward, which means you won't have to spend a lot of time and energy on maintenance. Whether you have rustic, traditional, or modern décor, you can find a distressed rug that will blend seamlessly with your interior design. Additionally, you can use a distressed rug to add color to a neutral room or complement existing colors and patterns in your décor.

12. Texture Of An Oxidized Rug

As the world of home decor continues to evolve, there is a new trend that has caught the eye of many interior designers and decorators: oxidized rugs. These rugs have a unique look that is both vintage and modern, making them a great addition to any home with a contemporary aesthetic.

Oxidized rugs are traditional hand-knotted rugs that have undergone a special treatment to give them a unique antique look. The process involves washing the rug with chemicals that strip away the original colors and leave behind a faded, distressed appearance. This technique mimics the natural aging process of antique rugs, which often have faded colors and worn areas.

While the process of oxidizing a rug may seem like it would damage the rug, it actually has the opposite effect. The chemicals used in the process help to strengthen the rug fibers, making the rug more durable and long-lasting. Additionally, the faded colors and distressed appearance of the rug can help to hide any stains or blemishes that may occur over time. they offer a unique look that is both vintage and modern's faded colors and distressed appearance of the rug give it a vintage feel, while the contemporary designs and patterns keep it current and fresh.

Texture Of An High-Low Pile Rug

The high-low texture of any rug is achieved by either washing or weaving. These rugs are characterized by their combination of high and low pile heights, which create a textured surface that adds depth and dimension to any room. The higher pile height creates a raised area, while the lower pile height creates a depressed area.

High-low pile rugs are a great choice for anyone looking to add some texture and dimension to their space. Because of their unique texture, they can add visual interest to any room, making them a great focal point or conversation piece. And because they’re made with a combination of high and low pile heights, they’re also more durable than traditional rugs.

Texture Of Hand-Loomed Rug

FAQs

What's the difference between rugs with a loop pile and ones with a cut pile?

There are three ways to finish the look of a carpet: loop pile, cut pile, and a mix of loop and cut pile. The loops in a loop-pile carpet are never cut. Instead, they are left in the way they were made.

In cut piles, it is the other way around. Here, you have to cut the loops. Some rugs are also made with both cut-pile and loop-pile textures in the same piece.

How to decide which carpet pattern is best?

Think about the following to figure out what carpet pattern is best for your space:

Budget: Figure out how much money you are ready to spend. Wool is expensive, but a modern shag carpet made of synthetic materials is much less so.

Location: Pick the carpet's pattern based on how many people will walk on it. It can be used informally at home or more formally in the office, where there may be less foot traffic.

Fiber: Wool is a great choice if you want a carpet that will last a long time. 

Pets: If you have pets with claws, you might not want a high-pile carpet. The best choice for them would be a soft rug.

How to decide your rug by the traffic you get?

When you realize how much spills and traffic an area is going to get, like dining room rugs, hallways, and foyer we go for rugs that are easy to clean and hide stains. For that one should go for low pile hand-knotted rugs, dhurrie, flatwoven, or loop hand-tufted rugs as they are sturdier and easy to clean.

If an area is not going to get much traffic and to be only used as a decorative rug then one may opt for medium or high pile rugs that can be either hand tufted, hand-knotted rugs, Moroccan rugs, shaggy rugs, etc.