Wool Area Rugs
(519 items)NOVICA’s Wool Area Rugs Collection showcases handmade traditional and contemporary designs by global artisans. This colorful, tactile collection of plain and patterned wool rugs brings a refined, natural touch to any room.
The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts
Rug pads are great because they prevent slippage, prolong wear, protect the floor underneath, and provide additional comfort and quiet. That being said, most of our rugs do not actually require a pad underneath. Many, like those from the Andes, crafted with sheep wool and cotton, are durable and sturdy enough to be placed directly on the floor. But for enhanced protection and longevity, a rug pad is always a welcome addition.
Area rugs are a design-friendly way to absorb sound and insulate a room. They are a wonderful way to reduce noise, as footsteps on a rug are more muted than on hardwood floors or tile, and they also dull ambient sounds. Additionally, they provide warmth and a general sense of well-being. Who doesnt love a good area rug!
Most area rugs are easy to maintain with a few simple steps. For small stains and spills, you can spot clean with warm, soapy water. Never rub the affected area, always blot! You should vacuum your rugs to remove dirt and debris. And to ensure that rugs wear evenly, it is recommended to place a pad beneath them, and rotate them regularly. As with most vibrant works of art, direct sunlight may dull the colors. For more substantive cleaning, it is recommended that you dry clean your area rug.
Were huge fans of eco-friendly everything! When it comes to area rugs, you can look for certain indicators that it is produced in a sustainable way that reduces our carbon footprint. Some artisans, like a handful of weavers from India, use recycled fabrics: cotton, rayon, and polyester. Others stress the use of natural dyes and ethically-sourced wool. (Wool is particularly celebrated for being recyclable, abundant, and naturally stain-resistant.)
Handmade, or footmade! Many of the weavers who produce area rugs use a pedal, or foot, loom. While they technically have the assistance of a machine--a treadle or handloom--its operation requires the dexterity, strength, coordination, and patience of the artisan. Additionally, most area rugs are finished by hand.
Traditional area rugs are mostly woven on looms. Treadle, or foot, looms make use of pedals to lift and lower the looms harness. This raises the threads of the warp, so that the weft can pass through the opening in the threads. This type of loom is common in the Andes, Central America, as well as Mexico, and traces back to Mayan weavers in the period after the Spanish arrived. Elsewhere, such as India, handlooms are still used. The designs are mapped out in advance, and it takes about four to five days to complete a dhurrie, or traditional Indian floor covering. While the work to craft each of these rugs may be labor intensive, the beauty of the finished product makes it well worth the wait.
While area rugs are handcrafted by artisans from all over the world, they share certain features in spite of their vastly different regions. From the Andes to Central America, Mexico to India, most artisans use some combination of sheep wool, cotton, and natural and industrial dyes. Some artisans, like those from India, may incorporate other materials, like jute, or recycled cotton, polyester, and rayon, into their works. Some of the Zapotec weavers in Mexico use dyes made from natural materials like walnut shell, cochineal, and flowers. With these materials, artisans create vibrant colors and authentic patterns, ideal for adding dimension and warmth to any home.
Featured Reviews on Wool Area Rugs
Transitional floral blue/multi wool area rug, 'Sky Medley'
By Paula
Sturdy and lovely rug.
This rug has a nice weight to it and feels like it is durable, made of quality materials, and is comfortable underfoot. It is also beautiful. The colors are rich and complement each other. I love it!
Zapotec wool rug, 'Tequila Sunrise' (4x6)
By Isabelle
Wonderful rug !
The shipment was very quick (3 days to Europe). The colors are absolutely stunning and the quality is really excellent : very tightly and solidly wooven. Initially I was very reluctant to order online because I was afraid the colors would be duller than presented. Actually they are even more beautiful in reality. Also because the rug was meant to warm up the atmosphere of a more modern home, I was not sure it would go along with a more modern style. Indeed it looks wonderful, the whole room was instantly brightened up ! (Warning : for European delivery, please check for amount of additional customs tax, I had to pay 88 Euros for France. But the rug is worth them.). The only regret I have is that the rugs are not available in different sizes, I would have loved to have a choice from S to XL for every rug. And most important : thank you Mr Ruiz for bringing the beauty you create with talent and passion into homes all around the world. !
Zapotec wool rug, 'August Sun'
By Barbara
Makes me happy every day
I received a gift certificate and used it to get this rug. It is one of the best presents ever. I put it in the entry hall in my house - a traditional Japanese house! It gets a lot of traffic, including pets, and it has held up perfectly. It washes easily (in cold water) and looks as good as the day it arrived. The colors are bright but not gaudy. It goes very well with the naturals of the Japanese house and I get compliments from visitors all the time. I was a bit worried about the fact that it was wool, but now I think the wool was the best choice. I love this tug - it makes me happy every time I come and go.
Featured Artist
"I especially like diamond motifs, as they represent a kind of maguey coat of arms seen at Monte Albán. They exemplify my Zapotec heritage."
"Hola! My name is Alberto Ruiz García and I'm from a town in Oaxaca dedicated to weaving. I am the fourth generation of my family to practice... read more
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