What exactly are contemporary rugs? Ask a dozen different people and you are apt to get at least that many definitions. Typically, however, contemporary refers to those rugs that make a design statement. Unlike their predecessors, what many label as “Oriental” or “Persian”, these creations are meant to be far more individualistic, rather than variations on traditional patterns.
Many different styles can fall under the umbrella of the contemporary rug. They range from braided to bamboo and Flokati to leather shag. Some are hand-woven, knotted or braided while others are mass produced by machine. The most popular materials are wool, cotton, silk, a silk-wool blend and various synthetic fabrics.
Often referred to as art for the floor, they attract big-name designers, like Calvin Klein, Liz Claiborne, Bob Mackie, Martha Stewart, Barbara Smith, Dakota Smith and even the outrageous Andy Warhol. Of course, designer rugs, just like designer jeans, often come with a hefty price tag. That’s why many of these masterpieces end up showcased on the wall, rather than the floor, where people might actually walk on them.
More important, however, than the name attached to the product, is how something is going to look in your home. When establishing the overall décor of a room, there are two basic ways that an object can be used; either to complement or to dictate. If your theme is already in place, then the goal will be to add contemporary area rugs that match in color and character, so that they will blend and tie together the other design elements present. However, often a rug is so striking that it will be what inspires the decorator to create the room around it.
Whether chosen as a piece of art or simply as an accent rug, the style you choose should also take into account the type of flooring. What might go wonderfully with the richness of walnut flooring might not work nearly as well in a slate foyer. Ceramic tile, especially in a southwestern pattern, will call for something quite different than Italian marble.
The great thing about contemporary rugs is that there is a seemingly endless selection, but that can also be one of the chief drawbacks. For many, that makes the business of choosing rather overwhelming. It needn’t be, however. Simply take the time to go shopping. Begin by doing some research online, but be cautious about stopping there. For the same reason, never buy any sort of rug based on seeing a small sample. Even seeing the entire rug rolled out on a warehouse type floor can be deceiving. Try to find your rug where it is being displayed as part of a room setting. This will be the best way to get the feel of how it will look in your home.
A quality rug will be an integral part of your home for many years. Make your selection based on how it fits with your décor, of course, but, in the end, perhaps the best advice of all is to just choose the one that you like. Sometimes, it really is as simple as that.
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