Shags, washables, outdoor, wool, cotton, jute… Between weave and material types, there are so many different styles of rugs to choose from! Today, we’re giving you a little lesson on flatweave rugs, which are a beautiful, thinly woven style that make the perfect pick for so many areas in your home. Keep reading to learn why!
Shop flatweave rugs
What is a flatweave rug?
As their name implies, flatweave rugs are woven flat and have no pile—which means they lack those longer fibers found on the surface of rugs that give them a plush, cushy feel. But this doesn’t mean they’re not soft under feet! Flatweaves are made from a number of material types that give them a wonderful feel, while also providing tons of durability and beautiful options in patterns and colors.
What rooms are best for flatweave rugs?
Any area where durability and ease of cleaning are important to you! High-traffic spaces like hallways are great for flatweave rugs, especially because their thinner weave means doors can open and close easily over them. Spaces where you’ll be scooting chairs around, like the office or dining room, are also smart areas to roll out a flatweave rug, since the rug will provide less friction for moving chairs.
We also recommend choosing a flatweave style for both covered and uncovered outdoor areas. Most of our outdoor-specific rugs are flatwoven—which goes to show you how durable they really are!
Despite being A-plus picks for high-traffic and outdoor spaces, flatweave rugs can really work in any room!
What materials are flatweave rugs made of?
The short answer: pretty much everything! Let us elaborate. Our indoor/outdoor flatweaves are mostly woven from weather-proofed synthetic materials to stand up to mildew and withstand fading from the sun.
Indoor styles are more typically woven from a blend of fiber types, including wool, cotton, jute, and synthetic materials, which create a soft feel underfoot while providing utmost durability.
How do I clean a flatweave rug?
Flatweaves are beloved for their ease of cleaning. Before cleaning any rug, we recommend checking with your manufacturer’s instruction to ensure you won’t accidentally damage the rug beyond repair. But here’s what we recommend, in general, for cleaning flatweave rugs!
Shake it out. Flatweaves hold onto less dirt and debris than their higher pile counterparts, making them much easier to clean. Try taking your rug outside and giving it a good shake to remove any lingering dust hiding in its fibers.
Vacuum! Of course, you can always vacuum your rug. We recommend giving it a good vacuum regularly to keep it looking its best, and to keep allergens and dust out of your home.
Look into machine washing. Some—but not all!—flatweave rugs are machine washable. Check your rug’s label to be sure, and then follow instructions to get it squeaky-clean.
What else do I need to know about flatweave rugs?
They come in a range of styles! Thanks to their diverse material makeup and unique flat weave, you can find flatweaves in an array of colors, patterns, and styles. From neutrals to brights and modern to traditional styles, there’s a flatweave rug for every kind of decorator!
Add a rug pad for more cushion and to prevent slippage. As we mentioned earlier, flatweaves are thinner than rugs with piles. So bring a more plush feel to your flatweave by adding a rug pad underneath. This will also help keep the rug safely in place—a must for any rug in an area that will see lots of foot traffic.
They’re great for layering. If you hang out around here, you know we love layering rugs (read more about that here!). Try using a flatweave rug as the base or top layer to bring a beautifully unique texture to your space.
You’re likely to save! Depending on the material they’re made of, flatweave rugs can be less expensive than those with piles. So if you’re on a budget and wanting to roll out a large rug, consider trying out a flatweave to save a little while still going big on style!
