Used at in the home, in businesses, in shopping malls, and many other places in modern day life, you could be forgiven for thinking that rugs and carpets are a new invention. However, you would be incorrect. Their origins can, as a matter of fact, be traced to around the third millennium BC in Central Asia. The 10th century saw their move to Spain and from there they spread throughout and could be seen all over Europe by the 18th century.

Carpets are used to cover the floor and different materials are used to produce them on weaving looms, such as textiles and grass. Rugs also use the same products but the method of producing them is different. There are different types of rugs available which are designed for a specific use and you should decide which is best suited to your household.

The most common type of rug used by people is the area rug. These rugs are often very bright and vibrant with colors because they are made with the aid of machines. These rugs are mass produced and also available in a variety of sizes. They are not made to order.

Some carpets are made especially to be used outside. These rugs are the most durable, since they are made to withstand the weather. Every few years an outdoor rug will need to be replaced, depending on the type of material it is made of.

Runners are used to decorate a table or a shelf and are best suited to narrow areas like passages, tending to be lengthy and narrow in size. They can be colorful with different motifs varying according to the place of their manufacture.

You can cover your stairway with a piece cut from a roll or a runner which are often made from softer materials. The modern stair carpets are made form tough materials as they suffer more wear and tear due to repeated movement.

Wall-to-wall carpeting, also known as fitted carpeting is made to cover an entire section of flooring rather than a small area. Usually it is thick and comfortable, and helps to soundproof any footsteps or noise from the floors above. Due to the thickness, it can be harder to clean.

If you’re looking for an exotic touch in your house, do check out oriental rugs. Genuine oriental rugs must be made by hand, as those not made by hand knotting or hand weaving are not considered an authentic product. They usually come from far-off countries like China, Vietnam, Turkey and Iran.

With so many types of carpets, there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for your circumstances.