Area Rug Costs and Considerations

There is an abundance of rug options out there – big or small, colorful or neutral, indoor or outdoor… not to mention the fiber content. Sure, you can get a cheap rug from a discount store if you don’t mind it not lasting long. You can easily spend a thousand or more on a decent-quality area rug. So, what is the cost consideration when it comes to area rugs?

Material –

The more complex the material is to source or the more durable it is, the more it costs. For example, silk and wool make beautiful area rugs. Both are durable, long-lasting materials that are harder to come by. As a result, it makes them costly area rugs. Natural fibers like cotton and man-made synthetics like polyester are beautiful, too. However, they are not as durable, so they don’t last as long. These fibers are also more accessible to source. These factors decrease the price, making their area rug cost less expensive.

Note - To sum it up, a higher-quality area rug will last longer. The best material in our opinion is wool. Wool is easy to clean, antimicrobial, repels scents and holds color. Cotton and sisal are other natural fibers that are a good alternatives and less expensive. A polyester area rug won’t last as long and usually fades in about a year or so. If you go with synthetic fiber, you are better off with a PET fiber. These are constructed of recycled plastic and about the closest thing to wool you can get that isn’t natural.

Construction –

Rugs are constructed by a machine, handwoven, or a mixture of both. The longer the production process, the more the rug will cost. Handmade or hand-knotted area rugs are durable and can last decades if properly maintained. They generally have a high knot count creating a plush texture and rich colors. Machine-made rugs tend to have a looser weave making them less dense and lower quality, making them less durable. Middle of the road on cost and durability would be part machine and part hand woven. They call this process “hand-tufted.”

Size –

The larger the area rug, the more it costs. This additional square footage means more material is needed to make it. It also means more effort is required in its construction. These obvious factors will bring the area rug’s cost up.

Country of origin –

The worker’s skill and the county of origin both determine the labor costs, affecting the area rug costs. Many area rugs from China are machine-made where a specialized skill set is not necessary, making the area rugs coming from there less expensive. However, hand-knotted area rugs come from workers with several years of skill, handed down from generation to generation. A handmade area rug from a third-generation skilled artisan in Iran will cost way more than a machine-made one.

As you can see, several aspects will drive the cost of an area rug up or down. Whatever you decide to get, go with something that fits your personality and home décor. Don’t get something just because you think it is a good deal. This is your home; pick something that makes you happy. Creative Carpet & Flooring has area rugs from Chandra, Surya, Nourison, and Karastan, to name a few. Not to mention that most carpets can be made into custom area rugs. Stop into one of our showrooms and speak with one of our knowledgeable Flooring Consultants. They can help you find an area rug to compliment your hard surface flooring, making your house a cozy and warm home today!