Decorating with Bamboo Rugs
Area rugs have become the new must-have in modern home decor. Offering the lush comfort of carpets and the easy mobility of a mat, they add just the right touch of character to any space. But with their popularity came a much wider range of options. These days, you can find rugs for any style, budget and decor theme—and most noticeably, you can find them in virtually any material. Of course, that’s where the challenge lies—how do you know which rug materials will work for your home?
One material that’s been gaining ground in the market is bamboo. Although often associated with floors and furniture, bamboo also yields a strong fiber that makes it the perfect fabric for area rugs. Its main advantage, however, is its environmental friendliness—it comes from a fast-growing grass and poses no threat to local wildlife or sustainability. If you’re trying to stay green like everyone else, decorating with bamboo rugs is a great way to start. Here’s a quick buying guide to help you find the right pieces.
Choose your decor theme
Bamboo rugs have come a long way from their humble beginnings as the “poor man’s carpet.” Your choices now range from small, natural-color rugs to large contemporary pieces in all imaginable colors and patterns. But all those options can make it hard to pick just one. That’s why it helps to have a theme in mind when choosing your bamboo rugs. Your theme can be as simple as a color combination or a repeating pattern, as long as it ties all your elements together. Find a bamboo rug that fits right in, and you’ve got the perfect finishing touch for your space.
If you’re going for a contemporary look, for example, the Anji Mountain Contemporary Chocolate Bamboo Rug may fit right in. The dark, elegant hue makes a nice contrast against the clean-cut lines of contemporary décor, and the glossy finish gives it a distinctly modern look. And because it’s kiln-dried, it’s safe to use in outdoor or open areas as it’s highly resistant to warping. Choose from rectangular or oval shapes—whatever fits your space.
Find the right color
Most people associate bamboo rugs with earth colors like brown and green. But while these are certainly attractive colors, they’re not your only choices. Modern manufacturing has allowed rug makers to create bamboo rugs in just about every color, from simple blacks and whites to more vibrant reds, blues and greens. And because they come with protective finishes, they’re not likely to fade even with years of constant use.
So what color should your bamboo rug be? Besides your theme, your choice should also be influenced by your personal preferences. If you change your mind quite often, you’re probably better off with a neutral-colored piece. But if you want to make a stronger statement, go for bright colors that really pop out of the picture. Just make sure to balance it out—too much of either can make your room look extremely dull or needlessly messy.
Go for the right texture
Texture is an important yet underrated factor in choosing bamboo rugs. It’s not just about how they look; it’s also about how they mix with other surfaces and how they feel underfoot. Since it’s an area rug, you want it to be easy on the feet but also sturdy enough to withstand daily traffic. Textured finishes can help absorb some of the impact and help your bamboo rugs last longer, especially in busy areas like the living room.
One piece that makes good use of texture is the Anji Mountain Villager Coffee Bamboo Rug. Unlike the chocolate rug, its finish is more of a smooth matte, which helps highlight the rug’s unique color. The top is manually sanded so it’s free from snags and splinters, and the hand-stitched polypropylene border keeps it from scratching your floor. This texture makes it perfect for porches, sunrooms, and other areas constantly exposed to the elements.
Look for interesting patterns
When you think of area rugs, you probably imagine a patch of plain solid color. While solids have an appeal of their own, there’s nothing wrong with exploring patterns and prints when planning your home décor. Patterned bamboo rugs work best for rooms that lack visual interest in their surfaces. If your drapes, curtains, and floors all feature solid colors, a patterned area rug may give your room that much-needed visual boost.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, as long as it’s eye-catching. For bamboo rugs, the most common patterns are stripes and patchwork. These patterns allow you to combine different shades and colors in a single piece. For example, the Anji Mountain Premier Bamboo Rug features a two-tone design featuring dark and light stripes. The earth colors make it suitable for most décor themes, and the subtle pattern makes an interesting contrast against an otherwise plain floor.
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April 17th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
I just recently bought a red bamboo rug, because it really caught my eye. But my whole home is decorated in blue tones, do you think that red and blue can look good together? What can I do to tie these two colors in more?