Origin Rugs

Which Origin Rugs material suits your home?

The fibre decides how a rug feels underfoot, how it wears and how you look after it, so start there. Many of our Origin Rugs are made from polyester, many from wool and many from jute, while some use sisal or polypropylene and a few use cotton.

Wool is a natural fibre, warm underfoot and resilient, which makes it a favourite for living rooms and bedrooms. Polyester is a synthetic fibre that is soft to the touch and takes colour well. Jute and sisal are plant fibres with a textured, natural look, jute being the softer and sisal the firmer. Polypropylene is a practical synthetic fibre often chosen for busy spaces, and cotton is a soft natural fibre.

What size of Origin Rugs do you need?

Most of our Origin Rugs are available in a medium size and most in a large size, while many come in a small size. Before you choose, measure your floor and mark out the rug's outline with masking tape, then live with it for a while.

In a living room, a rug that reaches under at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs pulls the seating together, while one that floats in the middle can look too small. In a bedroom, a large rug should run out beyond both sides of the bed, or you can lay a smaller rug on either side. Under a dining table, allow enough rug for the chairs to stay on it when pulled out. Whatever the room, leave a band of bare floor around the edges so the rug looks planned rather than fitted.

Choosing Origin Rugs by colour and style

Many of our Origin Rugs sit in neutral shades and many in muted tones, while many are bold and many earthy. Some take in rich jewel tones and a few keep to monochrome. By colour, many come in cream, beige, blue, grey or green, and some in pink, red or brown.

Neutral and muted rugs sit quietly in a room and let furniture and art take the lead, while a bold or jewel-toned rug gives a plain room a focal point. If you are unsure, pick out a colour from your curtains, cushions or walls and look for it in the rug. In style, many of our Origin Rugs are traditional and many are modern: a traditional design brings warmth to a period home or softens a minimal one, while a modern design suits clean lines and simple furniture.

Where to use Origin Rugs around the home

Many of our Origin Rugs suit a living room and many a bedroom, while some are suggested for a hallway, kitchen or dining room. In a living room, a rug marks out the seating area and takes the chill and echo off a hard floor. In a bedroom, a soft rug by the bed is the first thing your feet meet in the morning, so wool or polyester makes a comfortable choice.

Hallways and kitchens take heavy footfall and the odd spill, so think practically. A firm fibre such as sisal copes well with traffic in a hall, while a synthetic fibre such as polypropylene is easier to keep clean in a kitchen. A darker or earthy shade hides marks better than a pale one, and wherever a door opens across the rug, check that it will clear the pile before you buy.

How to lay and care for Origin Rugs

When the rug is down, give it time to settle flat; if a corner curls, roll it gently the other way for a short while. On wood, laminate or tiled floors, we suggest a non-slip underlay cut slightly smaller than the rug, which stops it creeping and adds a little cushioning. Natural fibres such as wool and jute can shed a little at first, and this eases with regular vacuuming.

Vacuum regularly, using a suction-only setting or turning off the beater bar for natural fibres. Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth, working from the edge inwards rather than rubbing. Keep jute and sisal dry, as water can leave marks on plant fibres. Turn the rug from time to time so it wears evenly, and for a deep clean, follow any care instructions that come with it or use a professional rug cleaner.

What to check before buying Origin Rugs

Start with the measurements: compare the size of the rug you like with the space you marked out, allowing for skirting boards, radiators and a hearth. Then think about who uses the room, since children, pets and heavy footfall call for a hard-wearing fibre and a forgiving colour.

Look at the floor beneath, too: a pale rug on a dark floor, or a dark rug on a pale one, stands out, while a close match blends in. If you have underfloor heating, check that the rug and any underlay are suitable for use over it. If you are torn between sizes, the larger is usually the better choice.