There are many different types of floor coverings and two incredibly common ones are carpets and rugs. You may not realise, but these two items are often confused or used interchangeably and there are blurred lines between their usage.
In this article, I aim to dispel any myths and look at the carpet vs rug argument to see how they differ, and the benefits each one provides as a potential flooring solution for your home.
Understanding the Difference
A carpet is a thick piece of material that is intended to be used as a floor covering. It is usually supplied in a roll and is fixed to your subfloor, covering the entire floor space of a room.
A rug is also a thick piece of material that is intended to be used as a floor covering. However, rugs are traditionally moveable and do not have a fixed position. They usually sit on top of another floor covering such as LVT flooring, or even carpet. Additionally, rugs are much smaller and typically only cover a section of the floor space in a room.
So, the carpet vs rug argument can be defined by size and installation. Carpets cover the entire floor space and are fixed, whereas rugs cover a smaller area and are moveable.
Benefits of Carpets
Carpets are one of the most popular flooring solutions and they offer a complete covering in rooms where there is no existing flooring and just a subfloor. I have listed the benefits of carpeted rooms below:
Comfort and Insulation
Walking on a carpet with a deep pile is incredibly comfortable and in the carpet vs rug argument they simply offer better comfort and insulation. A carpet for your living room, for example, will make the space feel much more homely and safer for children to play on.
Soundproofing properties
A rug offers limited soundproofing properties but because it only covers a smaller area, it’s limited. Also, because rugs aren’t fixed, there is more noise generated when walking on them. In contrast, carpets give excellent soundproofing across the entire floor space.
Broad design options
You only have to check out our range of carpets to see how many designs, patterns, thicknesses, piles, and colors there are. In terms of versatility, carpets are fantastic and you can easily get one that matches your decor.
Durability and long-term use
Providing you are willing to hoover and look after your carpet they are a great long-term investment and offer excellent durability. It takes years for the carpet to become worn and need replacing whereas rugs are more susceptible to damage.
Benefits of Rugs
Rugs are incredibly flexible and they can be used in a variety of situations. For example, I have a rug in my living room that my coffee table sits on. They aren’t suitable for every situation, but I have listed their benefits below.
Versatility and flexibility
As rugs aren’t fixed they offer greater flexibility in terms of placement. You can put them anywhere providing they can fit whereas a carpet literally covers the entire floor space with no variance (unless you have a petitioned area and have a part carpet/part hard floor).
Easy maintenance and cleaning
Rugs are easy to clean like carpets and because they are much smaller there is less cleaning work involved! You can pick a rug up and shake it to get rid of excess trapped dust and dirt which is something you can’t do with a carpet.
Budget-friendly options
As a rug uses much less fabric they are typically cheaper than a complete carpet roll. There is no installation cost either as you can simply roll the rug out and lay it on top of your existing floor. Therefore, if you are looking for a cheaper option, rugs are the best choice.
Complementing room decor
Many people use rugs as a type of decoration, and to complement the room decor. They can add contrast to a solid colour carpet and give accent colours that match your furniture or wall decorations. If your room is relatively plain, a patterned rug can add a dash of vivacity and style.
What’s The Best Choice for Your Needs?
There are certain situations where a carpet is the logical choice. For example, if you have no floor covering and just an exposed subfloor. A rug wouldn’t be suitable here as it would only partially cover the subfloor. Carpets are also great if you want maximum comfort, soundproofing, and insulation in an otherwise colder room.
Similarly, you wouldn’t lay a carpet over an existing flooring solution such as LVT flooring or hardwood floors. In this instance, a smaller rug would be a great option as it could add colourful accents, complement your decor, and also provide a little comfort, warmth, and soundproofing over the hard floor.
