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Rug Styling Guide
Your Rug Care Tips
Rug Materials
Rug Construction
Rug Sizing




Welcome to the wonderful world of rugs!

Thank you for choosing Unitex International as your preferred rug supplier.

We specialize in Modern Rugs from big names such as Rug Culture and Brink & Campman and have the best traditional rug collections on offer. We are constantly refining our collections and have proudly doubled our categories over the past year to offer you the biggest and best in floor covering from around the globe.
With the largest range in Australia, we are always here to assist with any questions you may have about our products.
From choosing the best size for your space, selecting the most appropriate materials to how to style your rug; we have made a comprehensive guide to help assist you to choose the perfect rug!

We hope you find this guide useful. To stay updated, make sure you subscribe to our social media pages and newsletter for more tips and tricks.

With kind regards,






Rug Styling Guide

 

Style Guide


Rugs, cowhides, sheepskins, cushions and ottomans can be used to complement your existing décor or as the foundation from which to draw inspiration for the entire room. You may choose one piece as the centre point of your home, or use rugs of different styles and materials throughout to create a flow of movement from one area to the next.
 
Area rugs can be used to define space in a room. Large rugs are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting for creating moveable living spaces that are easy to update, especially in open plan living. Most popular in living rooms and bedrooms, this size can be used as a statement piece or neutral base to create a décor island while maintaining a sense of openness and space.
 
Smaller rugs can be used on their own as an accent piece in space conscious settings, or you can layer multiple rugs together to create a warm and homely environment. We recommend achieving the layered look with rugs of a similar palette, with varying textures and materials to create interest and appeal. This works especially well when incorporating non-traditional floor coverings such as cowhides and sheepskins.

 

Style Trends
 

We pride ourselves on being first to market with the hottest trends in floor fashion.

The best way to stay up to date on is to keep in touch with us via social media and our newsletter, where we feature the latest trends and new product arrivals. 

Generally, most rugs will fall into the following styles: traditional, transitional, modern or contemporary. 
Traditional rugs are faithful reproductions of genuine hand knotted pieces. They are perfect for a classic setting, or you can use them to add old-world charm to modern décor. We also have the real thing - contact us for a Handmade Catalogue! 

Transitional rugs will work in both classic and modern settings, and often feature unique finishes like a vintage wash look to recreate the style of a hand knotted piece at an affordable price. They will usually feature a colour palette that aligns with todays fashion trends. 

Modern rugs are a broad category, from delicate neutrals to bright geometric patterns. This style features every size, texture and material you can think of! You can style a modern rug with décor of a similar style. 
 
Contemporary rugs are ultra modern, with bold patterns and modern production techniques creating a stylish product that is best suited for fashion forward customers looking for a statement piece. A block colour rug can also be considered a contemporary style, when the materials create interest by incorporating modern fibres such as art-silk to create subtle variations for a minimalist look.




Atrium
 

"When it comes to styling, every designer has a different opinion and aesthetic. Don't be afraid to mix and match colours, designs and styles throughout the home based on your own imagination - all our products have been selected to bring quality style to any setting. See our Product Quick Guide to discover more!"



Care Tips



General Tips


  • Rotate your rug every six months to reduce uneven wear and tear
  • Use a rug pad to extend the life of your rug, prevent sliding and to protect your floors
  • Have your rugs professionally cleaned every three to six years, depending on the level of use


Vacuuming


  • Lightly vacuum once or twice a week. Use the hard floor attachment and the lightest possible setting
  • Avoid powerful vacuums that may pull fibres loose from the base of the rug
  • Vacuum the base of your rug occasionally, as dirt can accumulate here as well


Spill and Stains



  • Blot spills with a paper towel or colourless cloth, and do not wipe or scrub
  • When spills may cause a stain, you can immediately apply a small amount of mild soap and warm water
  • Blot excess liquid with paper towel or colourless cloth, removing as much soap as possible as residue can act as a magnet for dirt
  • Make sure you choose a very mild soap free from any bleach or hydrogen peroxide
  • In most cases, warm water and a small amount of soap will take care of spills if attended to quickly
  • For further cleaning tips, please contact your rug cleaning professional

Easy Care Options

 
  • Non-shed (less vacuuming): microfibre, polypropylene
  • Low shed (less vacuuming): short pile acrylic (City), vintage wool (see Handmade catalogue for more information)
  • Spill and stain resistant (less cleaning): polypropylene, acrylic
  • Dirt resistant (easy to clean): sisal





Rug Materials

"Natural fibre rugs add an organic look and feel to your space. They are valued for their eco friendly nature, unique look and hypo allergenic qualities."


Cotton


A soft and strong filbre that holds dye well for bright colouration. Cotton is an easy care, low maintenance option and lends itself to a lighter construction.
 
Price point: entry level

 

Wool


Wool is a popular choice for being naturally flame retardant, durable; warm in winter and cool in summer. Wool holds colour well, while maintaining its natural look. New wool rugs will shed lightly in the first three to six months and be low shed after this time. Shedding renews the fibre and keeps your wool rug looking fresh and new for many years. Higher quality wool will experience less shedding and be softer to the touch. You can also choose a vintage handmade wool rug, or a Tibetan hand knotted rug for a low to no shed option.
 
Price point: mid range to designer 



Jute


Jute is a popular choice, being very eco friendly and cost effective. Often hand braided, this material gives an organic look and is easy to style. This material is moderately soft, and is not as durable as some other materials such as wool or heat-set polypropylene. Jute is highly absorbent, so best to avoid using this material in areas that may experience spills such as bathroom, kitchen or dining rooms.
 
Price point: entry level
 
 

Sisal


Sisal is a popular choice for entrances and hallways as it is durable, rugged and easy to keep clean. Sisal rugs resist dirt particles and contains natural tannins (also found in tea and red wine) that control the growth of bacteria, fungi and dust mites. Sisal is the most coarse of the rug fibres, so may not be ideal for bedroom or lounge room settings.
 
Price point: mid range 



Hemp


Hemp is a versatile fibre that is very ecofriendly, durable and stylish. Hemp fibre can be coarse or soft depending on the treatment the material receives, but all hemp will soften over time.
 
Price point: mid range


"Modern technology has provided us with a huge variety of synthetic fibres, with different properties and features."

 
 

Acrylic


Acrylic is a super soft fibre that holds dye extremely well, allowing for a wide variety of colours from the softest pastel to the boldest brights. It is an excellent choice for kids rooms, lounge rooms and bedrooms. As with wool, the pile will shed slightly in the first three to six months and reduce after this time - choose a low pile acrylic rug if you want the benefits of acrylic with less shedding. This makes acrylic best suited to low traffic areas.

Price point: mid range to designer


BCF Polypropylene


BCF polypropylene is a durable and cost effective material. The fibres are created from bi-products of the petroleum industry and can be recycled.
 
Price point: entry level


Heat Set Polypropylene

 
This type of polypropylene can be finished in many different ways to mimic more expensive natural fibres - from soft and shiny silk (Anastasia) to a matte, rugged Berber wool (Morocco). The fibre is heat set. This refers to a stage in the yarn production process whereby two or more yarn fibres are twisted together and then heated to ensure the yarns remain joined, permitting greater design flexibility and appearance.  
This fibre creates the easiest care rug option around; being stain and spill resistant, non shed, easy to clean and perfect for all spaces. Heat Set Polypropylene is waterproof, and is used in outdoor rugs as both the pile and the backing.

Price point: mid range


Polyester
 

Polyester is a soft and shiny fibre that is usually found in shag rugs and is a low shed material.

Price point: mid range

 

Viscose
 

Viscose is a super soft and shiny fibre that can be used on its own or to add soft, shimmering touches to natural fibre rugs. Viscose will shed slightly, less so if the viscose has a loop pile construction (Twilight).
 
Price point: mid range to designer



 

Skandi

 
 

Rug Construction

"Hand made rugs are a beautiful choice, which will have subtle varitations that reflect the artisanal nature of their creation."



 

Hand Braided


Materials are braided by hand and stitched together into the desired shape. This results in a desirable organic look and feel, and allows for a variety of textures. Hand braided rugs may appear less uniform in shape than other hand made rugs, as they are not made on a fixed loom. They will be flat woven and reversible.
 
Price point: entry level

 

Hand Knotted
 

A skilled weaver will work from a loom, individually tying each knot through the backing. Hand knotted rugs are the most prestigious rug style, and are of the highest quality and durability.
 
Price point: designer

 

Hand Loomed 


The fabric is handwoven or braided by hand onto a loom. This gives the rug more structure and form than a hand braided or hand woven rug, and a more uniform size.
 
Price point: mid range

 

Hand Tufted
 

This method uses a tufting "gun" which is operated by hand, punching strands of fibre into a canvas that is stretched across a frame.
Many hand tufted rugs are also hand carved, where the artisan will use large scissors to define the borders of elements within the design.
 
Price point: mid range to designer

 

Machine Made Rugs
 

Machine made rugs are made on a fixed loom, with a complex system of threads being mechanically woven into a strong yet thin backing. Also known as "power loomed" or "machine loomed" rugs, they come in a wide array of qualities and styles.
 
Price point: entry level to designer

 

Axminster Loom
 

Axminster-loomed rugs are a special and rare type of machine loomed rugs, made in a single factory in the Netherlands according to a traditional process, resulting in a sturdy rug with a short pile that lends itself to digital printing.
 
Price point: designer

 

Rug Sizing

"Choosing the right size rug is just as important as selecting a design style or colour palate. Whether rectangle, round or runner; the perfect size and shape is critical.
The size and shape of a rug can help define sitting, dining or accent areas of a space by emphasizing groupings of furniture. Area rugs can be used to define space in a room. Smaller rugs can be used on their own or layered together to create a warm and homely environment. The main rule for all spaces, where you are considering placing a rug is that the size of the rug doesn't overpower the space but still provides comfort and practicality."


 

The Living Room


Don't be afraid to choose a larger sized rug for your space. For a grander statement in larger areas; choose a 280x190cm, 320x230cm or 400X300cm rug. 
Make sure your rug will accommodate all four legs of your coffee table. You may want to choose a rug large enough to accommodate all of your rooms furniture, or simply the front legs of your furniture grouping. 
If the rug is to be the focal point, a large design element should be used to draw the eye down toward the space. If a piece of furniture or an architectural feature is to be the primary focus of the room, an all-over or repeating pattern should be considered.

 

Dining Room
 

A good rule of thumb is that area rugs should be 1 - 1.5m larger in length and width to the dining room table - you should be able to pull a chair out and sit at the table without the chair legs falling off the edge of the rug. Placing a rug under the dining table defines the dining area without confining it. If spills are a consideration, choose materials that are spill or stain resistant such as Heat Set Polypropylene for carefree dining.

  

Bedroom
 

Choosing a rug large enough to accommodate the rooms furniture, with a symmetrical border of exposed flooring on all sides of the bed can create a sense of grand splendour. You can also choose a smaller rug to add an accent to your bedroom - large rugs will create a sense of space, while smaller sizes will create a cosy sensation and can make your setting appear smaller as well. 
As many average sizes rooms, the bed will cover the majority of the rug, so you may want to choose smaller rugs to be placed around or at the front of the bed instead.
 


Kitchen, Laundry and Bathroom
 

Using rugs as an accent in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom is increasingly popular. Popular choices are waterproof indoor/outdoor rugs; handmade vintage rugs for the bathroom; or runners in the kitchen to be placed along the edge of a kitchen island or as a mat in front of the kitchen benches. Cotton flat woven rugs are also a great choice for laundry and bathroom; as they are lightweight, colourful and easy to clean.

 


Outdoors
 

Rugs have the ability to personalise and add comfort to any outdoor setting and are becoming increasingly popular. 
All our outdoor rugs are waterproof, UV stabilised, washable and won't fade or warp under the harsh Australian sun. Many outdoor rugs are beautiful enough to be used indoors, especially in areas where spills are a concern such as kitchen, dining and bathroom areas.
 
Choose a rug large enough to allow for a symmetrical border of exposed decking or patio material on all four sides or, in smaller areas, a size that will provide equal borders top and bottom and side to side. You may want a rug large enough to accommodate all of your outdoor furniture, or simply one that allows for the front legs of your furniture grouping to rest upon it.



 
rug sizing examples