Floor coverings are always down there, but how much do you really know about the fabrics you step on daily? Everyone should know one easy distinction between a rug and a carpet. While the two phrases are sometimes used interchangeably, it is essential to see the difference when shopping, dressing a room, or laying down area rugs over carpet.

So, What Really Is the Difference Between a Rug and Carpet?

A Rug is any decorative woven textile typically it often has thick padding or another soft material underneath. The word "rug" is distinguished from "carpet", generally but not invariably used to refer to carpeting extending wall-to-wall or attached to the floor. In contrast, a rug is generally not fixed to the floor and typically covers a space smaller than the whole room. 

Rugs can be used for warmth and comfort or purely decorative purposes, and displayed in rooms such as your office, living room, entryway, and hallways. Carpets and rugs have a varied history, yet the process of weaving rugs is basically cross-culture. For the most part, and typically speaking, rugs are made on frames called rug looms. Silk and wool are two of the most used materials in oriental rugs. However, silk oriental rugs are so expensive that their use is restricted. Still, no other material produces such a luxurious, delicate rug. Most rugs are made of sheep's wool, which is dyed readily, long-lasting and managed easily. Both types look stunning, making it difficult to choose between them.

Area Rugs over Carpets?

Here at Arthur Cameron we have a wide variety of Area Rugs. To support our suggestion of buying a Rug rather than a Carpet, we have the following reasons:

  1. Area rugs are easy to clean and maintain. They are easy to roll up and take outside for a good shaking or even good scrubbing with the garden hose. A rug can also get dirty, especially if kids or pets run around all day.
  2. If you're looking to change or update your décor, it's easier to do so with an area rug than replacing an entire carpet in your home. An area rug allows you to change your living room space with little effort, while a carpet requires more time and money.
  3. Area rugs are typically less expensive than wall-to-wall carpeting. They don't require professional removal and installation, making them affordable for many consumers looking to pull together their decorating scheme. If you want to decorate your room, get inspired by browsing our online rug range today! 

If you had the choice between a clean, well-maintained carpet or a gorgeous oriental rug, which would you choose? Most of us would opt for the oriental rug. Yet, many people are drawn to carpeted homes because of their warmth and softness. However, layering an area rug over carpet could be the ideal solution for you.

Here's why: Carpeting is expensive to keep clean. But layering area rugs on a carpet adds a stylish shield allowing you to clean up spills before they stain the underlying flooring—and who doesn't love that? Furthermore, adding temporary flooring over carpet is an innovative way to get trendy and add style to your home without any permanent changes. Did we mention how cosy and warm they make your rooms feel? They really do. Lastly, a carpeted floor looks bland (unless it's some wild colour).

Tips for layering area rug over carpet:

There is no right or wrong way to layering rugs over broadloom (as long as you aren't tripping over your rug!). Contrary to popular belief, this rule doesn't necessarily apply to carpets. If you have a wall-to-wall carpeted room and want to add an area rug to define a space or create warmth and visual interest, here are some general guidelines:
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Colour Considerations:

If you're setting aside carpeting in your room for an area rug. In that case, you should select one complementary to the walls and flooring. For example, if you have light-coloured walls, air plant hanger and hardwood flooring, you can use earth tones on the rug while still making it look like part of your room.

Texture and Pattern Are Key:

You want to make sure that your rug has a thick enough pile for its size. "You don't want to put down a thin area rug over carpet because it won't feel good when you step on it," says Interior Designer Alison. "You'll step off the rug and onto the carpet anyway." It's also worth noting that a rug with a longer pile might snag and pull on the carpet below. So, we recommend picking something low maintenance if you want to avoid that. Another thing to keep in mind is the pattern. Is the rug's pattern going to work with the design of your room? 
Designs don't mix well when using an area rug over broadloom. You can put a rug that has a pattern If you have a plain broadloom. Erica Reiner, a Lead Designer at Eco Method Interiors, reminds us to keep the design elements already in place in the space. If there are already a lot of patterns, whether printed or cut and looped, it's best to pair a solid rug with a patterned one.
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Anchor With Furniture:

When laying a living room rug on carpet, it's vital to ensure that the rug is adequately anchored to avoid bunching up and becoming a tripping hazard. A good rule of thumb is that all four legs of your furniture should be able to rest on the rug, but not all the way to the edges. If they do reach the edges, choose another size.
Bottom line, carpets and area rugs are similar in what they do and look like, there is a clear distinction. An area rug has more pile than a rug, making it look thicker, more robust, and luxurious. Rugs work well as focus areas in any space, whether Indoor or Outdoor.