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Guest author: Vicki Duong
When people think of a rug, the first thought that usually comes to mind is that of a rectangular-shaped covering that sits upon the middle of your floor. But who says you should only be limited to such a square piece of material when many area rugs now come in a variety of shapes and sizes? As fun alternatives to the usual rectangular or square-shaped rug, round rugs with detailed edging and half-moon or crescent shaped rugs can easily dress up your home.
For
those of you who are looking to venture out from boring square shaped
rugs, I suggest looking into what are often called "medallion" rugs. Medallion rugs are intricate round-shaped rugs that generally are used in an entrance way near the
front door to dress up your foyer. Hotels even use these artistically styled
rugs in larger sizes for their lobbies, pairing them with round
decorative tables and floral arrangements. Many medallion rugs feature a decorative scalloped edging, making
them ideal for placing them in the middle of your living room or at the
entrance to a formal dining room.
Like rugs of other shapes, round rugs come in a variety of styles and fibers. Many round rugs use a combination of fabrics for improved appearance or strength. Some common round rug fibers are:
- Acrylic — resists sunlight, stains and mildew
- Polypropylene (olefin) — stain-resistant and extremely popular
- Nylon —versatile, durable and easy to maintain
- Wool —durable, soft and is considered the superior fiber
- Cotton —softer than wool, but less durable
- Jute — the softest, but fades easily in direct sunlight; sensitive to moisture
- Sisal —strong, durable and colorfast
A variation on round rug, half-moon rugs are ideal for those who don't have a lot of space to spare. Since they're really just half of a round rug, they don't take up as much floor space, and are designed to be pushed up against a wall. Perfect places to keep your half-moon rug include the kitchen in front of your sink, underneath your study or telephone table, and even your bathroom. You can get a little creative with these rugs and use them as the ends of your couch and place end tables on top of them. The most common use of a half-moon rug is in front of a fireplace.
Rugs in other unusual shapes and designs such as flower die cut styles and fish-shaped rugs are perfect for those who have a particular theme going on in their home. But whether you're following a certain motif, or are just looking for a completely differently way to decorate your floors, remember that it's perfectly acceptable to think outside of the rectangular box!
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One of the best places to shop for round or shaped rugs is Rugs Direct. Many of the styles that are available in traditional rectangular shapes also come in 6-foot, 8-foot or 10-foot round sizes. Click here and do a search of the Rugs DirectoryTM for "round" - you're certain to find the perfect round area rug for your home!
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