Why a rug isn’t a rug - an explanation of price and quality.
Most of you have, at some point, shopped for an area rug. And you likely stumbled upon that dreamy rug, only to have your heart sink when you saw the price—$6,000 (or more)! Meanwhile, its doppelgänger sitting right next to it is a mere $600. What gives? Isn’t a rug just a rug?
No, and here is why...
1 - Construction
Area carpets have a rich history that span centuries. While I'm not a historian, I do know that the oldest existing rug dates to the 5th century BC. I'm fairly certain that the area rug you bought at Target last month won't last that long. Traditional area rugs are meticulously handmade from natural materials, often taking months to complete just one piece. The artisans behind these works of art are exceptionally skilled. For thousands of years, handcrafted carpets have served as cultural symbols of their respective countries or regions, frequently being passed down through generations. Historically, and even today, area carpets are valued for their comfort, warmth, decorative appeal, status display, and religious meaning.
Fast forward to the 20th century when machine-based construction is invented. This innovation has enabled the industry to mass produce area rugs in unlimited colors, styles, and sizes, all at more affordable prices to satisfy consumer needs - enter the $600 rug.
2 - Material
Traditional carpets are primarily crafted from natural materials like wool and silk. These rugs offer comfort, remarkable durability, and ease of cleaning, often lasting for decades. Today, the highest priced rugs on the market are almost always wool or silk and handmade.
Also starting in the 20th century, synthetic materials like polypropylene, polyester, nylon, and viscose emerged, creating even more options for mass producing area rugs at scale. While synthetic rugs can achieve your desired aesthetic, they will wear out more quickly and will require replacement sooner.
It's worth noting that may rugs today are actually blends of both natural and synthetic materials (e.g., wool, cotton, and polyester) allowing you to enjoy the appearance and feel of a higher quality rug without the hefty price tag. These blended rugs often fall in the mid-tier price points (but not always).
3 - Design
The complexity of a rug's design significantly influences its pricing. For instance, a solid-colored, textured rug—regardless of the material used—will generally cost less than one featuring a richly detailed pattern or color variation. As you can guess, intricate designs require more time to craft, resulting in a higher price tag. Additionally, consumer demand plays a role in costs. That trendy tribal rug that everyone is loving these days is going to cost more, no matter how its constructed. That’s just how the market works.
I personally view area rugs as works of art for your floor and prefer the look and feel of Wool carpets. I also recognize that not everyone shares the same passion for area rugs that I do and it’s not where they want to spend their dollar. So, regardless if you're after a simple rug to go under your dining table or a stunning statement piece for your entry, being in the know will steer you in the right direction as you navigate the complicated world of area rugs.