Rugs and circulation zones

A rug has two enemies, wear from friction (shoes, slips, furniture being moved) and moisture (rain water, food splashes). The busier a zone, the more both enemies attack.

The professional rule, adapt the type of rug to the use of the zone. Fragile rug (wool, silk, viscose) in calm zones. Resistant rug (jute, sisal, polypropylene) in circulation zones. No rug at all in critical zones (entrance, in front of the door, bathroom exit).

Identify the zones.

Calm zones. Under the sofa, in the bedroom (around the bed), in the reading corner. You stay still there, you do not walk through constantly.

Circulation zones. Corridors, in front of the sofa (circulation side), between the dining table and the kitchen, stairs.

Critical zones. Entrance (shoes, rain, grit), in front of the front door, exit from the bathroom (moisture), exit from the kitchen.

Choose the rug according to the zone.

For calm zones (wool, viscose, silk, boucle).

Fragile but sublime rugs. Luxurious effect, soft to the touch. Reserved for places where you walk little, you sit. Reference brands, Tibetan Lama, Beni Ouarain, Maison Sarah Lavoine, Toulemonde Bochart.

For circulation zones (jute, sisal, polypropylene, flat-woven wool).

Solid rugs, resistant to footfall, easy to clean. More rugged aesthetic but very contemporary. For corridors, passages, stairs. Brands such as Tikamoon, IKEA Lohals, Maisons du Monde.

For critical zones (doormat, waterproof rug).

At the entrance, a thick doormat that absorbs water and dirt. In front of the bathroom, a dedicated easy-wash rug. No "decorative" rugs in these zones, they will not hold up.

Durability tips.

Non-slip underlay. Essential under any rug on parquet or tile. Prevents slipping and protects the rug.

Rotate the rug every six months. Ensures even wear and extends the rug's life by several years.

Clean regularly. Vacuum on delicate setting for wools, brushing for sisals.

Pierre Yovanovitch often combines two layered rugs. A large sisal rug on the floor (resistant), and a finer Berber rug placed on top in the conversation zone (aesthetic). The sisal protects, the Berber decorates.

For family homes, the implicit professional rule, wait until the children are grown before laying light wool rugs. Resistant rugs (jute, sisal) are the norm in the meantime.

In industrial lofts and large open rooms, rugs serve to define zones of use. Rug under the sofa for the conversation zone, another rug under the dining table for the dining zone. The material adapts to each zone.