Did it ever happen to you—you enter a room and notice a beautiful covering and wonder if that’s a rug or a carpet? If you nodded your head yes, then you are not alone. Many people out there have similar confusion as they don’t know the difference between a rug and a carpet.
Often, the terms carpet and rug are used interchangeably; however, they have their own distinct features, which make them completely different from each other. If you are planning to decorate your house with stunning floor coverings and are confused about this carpet vs. rug, then welcome to this blog.
Today we are going to discover some basic yet important rug and carpet differences that help you clarify the basics and lend a hand in picking the right one. Make it till the end of the blog to know the different types of rugs and carpets available in the market for turning your house into a home.
Meaning: Carpet vs Rug
Let’s begin with knowing the meaning first:
A carpet is a wall-to-wall floor covering, typically larger than a rug and immovable. Made available in a roll, they are installed and fixed in one location, covering every inch of the space.
A rug is a movable floor covering, usually smaller in size compared to a carpet. They don’t cover the entire space; instead, they come in standard sizes to cover a particular area.
Difference Between Rug and Carpet
Now that you have understood the basic difference between a rug and a carpet, next let’s focus on other major differences between the two:
|
Basis |
Rug |
Carpet |
|
Placement |
Used on the bedside, under a coffee table, and in hallways. |
Placed as a permanent fixture in any room and set the tone of the entire space. |
|
Size |
Smaller than carpet, they come in standard size options. |
Are larger than rugs, sold in a roll |
|
Mobility |
Can be moved to a different location. |
Carpets are immovable; they are fixed in one place. |
|
Flexibility |
Offer immense flexibility, as they can be relocated or replaced to refresh the look. |
Limited flexibility as they cannot be moved or replaced easily. |
|
Meant for |
Rugs are meant for homeowners who love updating their house more often. |
Carpets are meant to change the atmosphere of the room and are perfect for those who seek a long-term look. |
|
Design Experiment |
Easy to relocate for a different look or replace with new designs, as they are not very expensive. |
Not much scope for experimentation, as they are not easy to move and an expensive investment. |
|
Available Shapes |
Rectangular, oval, and round shapes are available; each brings a different kind of vibe. |
Come in fixed shape, but shapes may be altered as per the room’s design. |
|
Material |
Rugs are most commonly made from cotton or synthetic fabric. |
Carpets generally feature nylon, polyester, or wool material. |
|
Purpose |
To give a stylish look to the interior and make it inviting |
Enhance the comfort of the space and reduce noise. |
|
Covering |
Cover a particular section of the floor in any room. |
Covers the entire room from wall to wall. |
|
Maintenance |
Usually rugs are light in weight and made from fabrics that are easy to clean. |
Carpets being heavy and large in size are a little cumbersome to maintain or wash. |
|
Installation |
Rugs can easily be placed by anyone, anywhere, and anytime. |
Carpets require professional help for installation and removal. |
Why Are Few Rugs Called Carpets?
No doubt there’s an endless list of rug and carpet differences, but still sometimes, a few rugs are referred to as carpets. Particularly, it happens when taking into account a large area rug. A large rug, due to its vast size, may be called a carpet by a few people. There’s nothing wrong with it. Sometimes the opposite happens too—a carpet is called a rug. This usually happens when a carpet is fashioned into a rug or a runner.
Choosing Between a Rug and a Carpet
Whenever confused in Carpet vs. rugs, choose the right one by considering your requirements and preferences.
When to buy rugs?
Rugs are ideal to buy if you want
- A statement piece in your interior that adds to the decor of your house.
- An easy-to-maintain floor covering, preferably machine washable, that can be washed at home frequently.
- A floor decor piece that gives you unlimited styling options to refresh the look and feel of your house.
When to buy carpets?
Carpets are a perfect choice if you seek
- Floor coverings that protect your entire floor and create a cohesive look in the room.
- Comfort and insulation in your living room, bedroom, or kids room
- Permanent sort of covers for your floors, which stays intact for longer so you need not change frequently.
To Wrap Up
With this guide, now it will be easier to choose between a rug and a carpet for your house.
In case you decide to buy a rug, then straightaway reach out to Homemonde’s store. We flaunt a designer collection of rugs online that is curated to do magic to your interiors. Available at a cost-effective price and in durable fabric quality, our floor area rugs by designers are a must to add comfort to your flooring and charm to your interiors.
FAQs
1. What is the price difference between a rug and a carpet?
Rugs are less expensive than carpet. As rugs are made from fabric like cotton or synthetic materials and have a smaller size, they are most often priced lower than carpets.
2. What is the size difference between a rug and a carpet?
Rugs are smaller in size when compared to carpet. Where rugs are just to cover a small area of any room, a carpet covers the entire space from wall to wall.
3. What is a felt rug, and how is it made?
A felt rug is made by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers of wool or any synthetic material together. In the process of making felt rugs, lots of heat, moisture, and pressure are applied to the fibers, which helps them interlock to become a durable rug fabric.
4. What is a rug used for?
A rug is used to decorate the house, make it comfortable, and infuse warmth in it. You can reduce noise by adding these floor coverings, which are also great for protecting floors from dust and wear.
5. Can a carpet be a rug?
Yes, a carpet can be termed as a rug or styled as a rug. You can turn the carpet into a size of rug or a little larger than it to decorate hallways or use as a long bedside runner or make a comfortable addition to the flooring of your kids room.
