Informative guide
*Information on polyester Eco Rugs at the end*
Ready to add some magic?
Much more than a decorative item, the perfect rug has the power to unite the elements of a room to make it an inviting and warm whole!
For millennia, artisans have used traditional weaving techniques to create magnificent rugs. With technological advancement, new fibers and automated methods have emerged to diversify the selection of products available.
At Tapis du Monde, our mission is to provide durable and quality products, at the most affordable prices, while guaranteeing the most diverse range in order to offer customers and decorators the most choice possible to help them reach their full creative potential. Thus, all the products offered come from established and trusted suppliers, who respect international ethical standards.
The main countries where our carpets are produced are: Belgium, Turkey, Egypt, India, Holland, England, Denmark, Pakistan, United States.
1- Define the dimensions of your space
Open-plan spaces can sometimes make your furniture appear to “float” in the room. A well-arranged and positioned rug can help define your space and anchor your furniture. It is possible to create beautiful cohesion by choosing rugs that complement your furniture and accessories.
For living rooms, we always recommend choosing a size that will allow the furniture to sit partially on the rug.
For dining rooms, we recommend approximately an additional 24” on each side of the table to allow chairs to not slide off the mat when you step back.
For a bedroom, we recommend choosing a size that will cover approximately 2/3 of the perimeter of your bed.
A few little tips…
As a general rule, any type of rug can fit in virtually any room. However, here are some small aspects to take into account depending on the room intended to accommodate the rug.
Traffic intensity - Is it a heavily used room such as the living room, bedroom, hallways, etc.? ? If so, consider choosing a more resistant fiber to avoid premature wear.
Fiber type - Consider the type of fiber you want, some being more suited to different uses due to their technical properties, and others being able to provide interesting textures and patterns to your decor.
Dining room - If your chair legs are too sharp, they risk penetrating the fiber during movement and thus damaging it. It is therefore recommended to choose flatter mats, and if possible to protect the paws with pads. Also avoid rolling backwards by applying excessive weight.
Good to know !
In the event of damage, it is generally possible to remove a stain in almost all cases, but only if we act quickly with the right techniques and products. Therefore, you should not fear accidents so as not to limit yourself when choosing carpets.
Depending on the fiber and the nature of the stain, different products are available to remove it and, if necessary, deodorize it. It is also important to follow the correct instructions so as not to burn the fiber with too much friction.
Check out the section INTERVIEW for a complete maintenance and cleaning guide.
2- Guide to sizes
Here's what we recommend in terms of rug placement for your room to bring out the best effect possible. Obviously, each space is different and you will have to adapt your dimensions to it!
SALON (IDEALLY INCLUDE PART OF THE FURNITURE)
DINING ROOM (APPROXIMATELY 24’’ EACH SIDE)
BEDROOM (COVER AT LEAST 2/3 OF THE PERIMETER OF THE BED)
3- Properties of fibers
Each fiber we have in store has its advantages and disadvantages. Here is a summary of each of them.
SYNTHETIC FIBERS
Synthetic fibers are very popular in carpet production due to their more affordable price as well as their resistance to fading and ease of cleaning. Their main disadvantage is that they wear out more quickly than natural fiber carpets. In the event of machine cleaning, it will also be necessary (ideally) to reapply a protective layer of Teflon to protect the fiber, and this is why a professional cleaner is recommended.
Polypropylene/Olefin: It is the most resistant synthetic fiber in terms of color due to the dyeing process. Generally the least expensive, this fiber makes up a large majority of machine-woven rugs. It also makes up the majority of indoor/outdoor rugs thanks to its flexibility of use.
Polyester : It is the perfect compromise between softness and resistance. This fiber is also more affordable and allows you to create effects of softness and shine in carpets. A mixture is often required with polypropylene in order to give different effects.
Nylon : It is the synthetic fiber of choice in terms of resistance. Ideal for high traffic areas, nylon is used in the majority of large commercial spaces. Nylon is more expensive than other synthetic fibers since it is extremely sturdy and resistant to abrasion. Easily cleanable, it is ideal for entrances, stairs and any high traffic area. The versatility of designs possible with nylon is also very interesting. This fiber is, however, rawer than the others.
Viscose : It is the most popular synthetic fiber to mix with wool rugs due to its extreme softness imitating silk, but you have to be very careful with this one since it is the exception to the rule in terms of its interview. Unlike other synthetic fibers, it deteriorates much more quickly. It is absolutely necessary to clean with cold water (and very little water!) and avoid rubbing in the event of a stain. Also, it tends to fray more from the carpet, which is why we recommend avoiding carpets containing more than 20% viscose. Its advantage, however, is its imitation of silk for a more high-end finish.
NATURAL FIBERS
Natural fibers are generally more durable over time than synthetic fibers. Easy to maintain with the appropriate techniques and products, they will add more texture to your room. They are more expensive than synthetic fibers due to the manufacturing processes, but they will give a better effect to the room thanks to their quality and natural properties. They are also much more environmentally friendly.
Laine : Wool is the fiber used to make rugs for thousands of years. The quality of this varies depending on the climatic conditions in which the sheep live. Nowadays, New Zealand wool is the most recognized in terms of quality, which is why the majority of our suppliers use it. Its natural properties surpassing all those of synthetic fibers make it the ultimate choice for a quality carpet that will follow you throughout your life. Wool rugs are typically handmade, which places them at a higher base price depending on the weaving technique.
Here are the natural properties of 100% virgin wool, used in most of our wool rugs:
Thermal insulation: As air is a poor thermal conductor, virgin wool carpets reduce heat loss in the room and thus create a warm atmosphere and help to increase the room temperature.
Acoustic insulation: The sound level also drops, because the air retained between the fibers increases the sound absorption power. The formation and transmission of noise are therefore significantly reduced, thus providing additional calm to the room.
Flexibility: Extremely comfortable on bare feet (depending on the weave), wool is pleasant to the touch and is very elastic, which prevents furniture marks from being left on your carpets since it returns to its shape very easily
Climate Regulator: When the atmosphere is very humid, wool can absorb and retain up to 1/3 of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp. When the air is too dry, it releases the retained humidity.
Purifies the air: It absorbs and retains pollutants often found inside buildings, such as formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. It is estimated that wool rugs can purify the air in a room for around thirty years!
Antistatic: Unlike many fibers, wool will protect you from electric shocks since in normal climatic conditions, pure virgin wool does not charge static electricity.
Repels liquids: Liquids will first bead up on the wool before penetrating it, giving the stain time to fully absorb when cleaning, reducing its chances of showing.
Holds surface dirt: Unlike other fibers, wool holds surface dust and dirt until it is vacuumed away. This makes cleaning and maintenance easier, in addition to providing it with its next property;
Anti-allergen: Allergenic droppings from dust mites (which are the main cause of allergies in sensitive people) mix with house dust and can be inhaled. Mattresses and fabric-covered furniture are a favorable environment for dust mites and contrary to general belief, carpets are much less affected by this problem. Thus, thanks to the dirt-retaining capacity of wool, allergenic substances will not fly away.
Anti-Flammable: Finally, a wool fiber provides far superior fire protection than most other fibers due to its high moisture and nitrogen content. Wool prevents the spread of flames by forming an insulating and refreshing layer. This is also why wool rugs are very tolerant of small burns; simply scrape off the scorched marks on the area in question.
Cotton : Cotton is one of the best fibers for a natural, casual look. Generally woven flat, it is a material that is both clean and classic, and can adapt to many styles. Very light and versatile to use, its main disadvantage is, however, that you must avoid soaking the rug in water when cleaning, at the risk of breaking and discoloring it (for our cotton Jacquard rugs) .
Silk : Lovely and sophisticated, the silk rug offers a luxurious sheen and elegant softness. Because silk is delicate and very decorative, you'll want to show it off. However, it is best suited for low traffic areas. All the shimmer of a 100% silk rug requires a little more care than other rug materials. The combination of silk and wool rug fibers can provide the same dramatic look of silk with more durability and easier maintenance. However, you must be very careful with synthetic and vegetable fibers imitating silk (bamboo, viscose, etc.) since they do not have the same properties and do not have the same value (be sure to deal with a merchant recognized and trusted).
NATURAL PLANT FIBERS
sea hay : Sea hay, or sea grass, is made from a tropical reed grown in rice paddy-like fields in China and Vietnam. The fibers are harvested, dried and hand spun into strong strands. When woven together, the result is a rug full of texture, yet sturdy and durable. Sea hay mixes the colors of nature - beige, green, yellow and russet in endless variation, resulting in hue changes between rolls and mats. The rugs will have a distinctive hay aroma, which will mostly dissipate, but will be reminiscent of the freshness of nature. Avoid in the basement because of the humidity which will encourage the appearance of mold. Can be very suitable in entryways to replace commercial style rugs, as long as ventilation helps the rug dry.
Sisal : Recognized as a very resistant fiber, a multitude of choices of patterns, colors and textures are available to satisfy all tastes! It is obtained from the long green leaves of the Agave plant, which grows in Brazil, Mexico and Africa. On average, around 1000 fibers are extracted from each leaf, which are then washed, sun-dried, brushed, graded and baled. The remainder of the plant is used to generate electricity for rural areas, in addition to helping the local economy. They are then sent to the United States to be transformed into carpets. Naturally rawer, it is less pleasant to the touch than wool and you must be careful to dry the fiber well in the event of a liquid spill. Some sisals are also stain resistant, and it’s the perfect fiber to add a unique touch to your space or stairs!
Many other fibers are used to make carpets such as jute, acrylic, bamboo, coconut, recycled synthetic materials, etc. However, those described in this section are the most widespread among our selection of products offered.
4- Types of weaving
Hand knotted or woven
So-called “hand-knotted” rugs are made knot by knot from a weft mounted on a horizontal loom, and can be knotted at different densities. Different wool treatments are carried out depending on the region in which the carpet is knotted, before and after manufacturing. This, added to certain precise patterns traditional to the culture of the region, defines a particular style of carpet (Chobi, Persian, Berber, Kilim, Indo-Tibetan, Bokhara, etc.) Our most popular hand-knotted carpets in store are Moroccan rugs made up of large knots of boiled wool giving them a warm, dense and extremely comfortable appearance.
Tufted
The tufting technique is very similar to knotting but the knot is made using a special instrument. The canvas is stretched on a loom. When tufting is complete, the rug is removed from the loom and the backing is coated with a layer of latex. After drying, the carpet is shaved and chiseled to highlight the patterns. Finally it is washed, its back is covered with a protective canvas and the fringes are sewn. Rugs can also be machine tufted.
Jacquard
Jacquard is actually a technique of printing patterns by the extremely tight weaving of crisscrossed colored threads. This rendering of weaving was created by Joseph Marie Jacquard, a weaver worthy heir to the Lyon tradition, who developed the Jacquard loom in 1801, a revolutionary programmable machine, operating with punched cards. This process attracted the attention of Napoleon Bonaparte himself, who encouraged Jacquard to perfect his invention in the national interest. Today, Jacquard fabric is still used for its exceptional properties and is highly appreciated for the beauty and variety of possible patterns, not to mention the remarkable quality that the weaving of the patterns gives to the product. Made in Belgium by an ancestral company, our jacquard rugs are of unparalleled elegance.
Machine made
Modern electronic machinery that can quickly and inexpensively produce designs for all tastes. Generally reserved for synthetic fiber carpets.
5 - Eco Rugs a polyester
Sustainability with style
When it comes to beautiful products to decorate your home, we know you want exceptional quality and a unique personal style. We also know that the future of the planet concerns us all. Our Ecorugs take both into account, offering you an eco-friendly alternative that moves towards circularity and doesn't compromise on style. You can enjoy the beauty of your Ecorug knowing that you are choosing a better future.
A new generation of materials
We are committed to protecting the environment for future generations and have therefore made the decision to create a collection that is more sustainable and puts us on the path to circularity. With Ecorugs, our 2024 rug collection moves to a mono-material polyester construction.
This decision allows us to guarantee that our carpets are not only high quality, but also fully recyclable. This is a bold new generation of eco-friendly rugs that will help preserve our planet while respecting our philosophy of creating beautiful rugs that bring the greatest pleasure.
A versatile fiber
As a synthetic material, it can be recycled efficiently and endlessly, without compromising its quality throughout its life cycle.
We are aware of concerns related to the production of virgin polyester derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. However, alongside our 'Take Care' program to make recycling a shared responsibility, our Ecorugs offer a step towards a sustainable solution by extending the useful life of polyester and reducing our demand on these resources.
Polyester has exceptional recycling properties and for every kilogram of polyester we recycle, we recover one kilogram. This means there is no waste and every gram of material is used efficiently. Plus, thanks to polyester's exceptional durability, each rug has a long lifespan, no matter how many times it finds a new home. Polyester is truly a fiber of the future.
Why use polyester?
Historically we have used natural cotton for our rugs, but with the challenge of protecting the natural world and providing a bright future for civilization, we believe it is important to ensure our products are more circular. Polyester offers us this opportunity thanks to its long lifespan and its ability to be returned to new carpets.
A more circular life
We believe that closing the loop with our single-material construction gives us a better opportunity to reduce our footprint, and this is how we create a more circular life for your Ecorug and De Poortere:
