There are so many ways in which you can change the way your home looks. All it needs are a few smart accessories that can be thrown in or removed when needed and you have a whole new look. Whether it is winter or summer, one thing a home cannot do without is rugs. There are a vast variety of them that are available in terms of material and weaving style, but the most popular has always been the round braided rugs.
History Of Round Braided Rugs
The tradition of round braided rugs is an American one and something that began during the era of colonialism. Women would gather together scraps of leftover cloth and weave them together just like they would braid hair. Once done, these would be fashioned into area mats that could be placed anywhere in the house. The shapes varied from oval and round to square and rectangular. Even the weaves varied with some mats being done with flat cloth strips and others being given a tubular look with woven yarn strings. There was even a mix of colors that was used.
Over time, just as with all other handcrafted forms, braided rugs began to be made commercially. The round braided rug is just as popular today as it was years ago. Hand-woven ones are made from materials such as jute, cotton, and scrap cloth of varying materials and so on. They can be braided flat or in tubes. Making round braids is rather economical but at the same time the braids are extremely versatile and are great for showing off. You will find round braids being made with 4 or 6 or in some cases even 8 strands. You can choose from materials such as wool, cotton as well as synthetics. The latter is often used in the commercial manufacturing of rugs.
If you buy a commercially created round braided rug, then you will find that they are made of polypropylene pile. The end result is soft and they feel very comfortable. These rugs are used in front of fireplaces, next to beds and sometimes even as runners going up the stairs. What is great about this rug is that they are reversible and this gives them a much longer shelf life. Patterns created on them are transitional and you are bound to find shades that are complementary to your current décor. These rugs can also be fashioned into novelty shapes such as dog bones or hearts or even little angels.
Where To Use Round Braided Rugs
Depending on the kind of flooring you have, you may need to use a non-skid pad to hold your rugs in place. Or you may slip on them and risk hurting yourself or others. The round braided rug made of jute especially need such anti-skid support. Maintaining this rug is also extremely important and you will have to do so with a very mild soap and water. The advantage with a natural material like jute is that it works at removing carbon-dioxide from the room, keeping it fresher. Thus dual purpose round braided rugs are served of comfort and better health.
