Andrew Martin Rug Guide
How to Guides | 05.02.2024
Learn about our different rug styles and how to chose the perfect one for your home, with design and function in mind. Read about the various rug sizes and use our size guide to help you find the best rug for your space.
Neutral tones
Made from organic materials such as jute and wool in a range of neutral colourways and subtle patterns, our new natural rug collection will bring a layer of warmth and comfort into your home.
Persian-inspired
Persian rugs are renowned worldwide for their exquisite craftsmanship, intricate designs, and rich cultural heritage. They are handwoven carpets produced in Iran and are considered some of the finest and most luxurious rugs available.
Photo: Mogul Rug
Photo: Jessamine Rug
Berber
Berber rugs from Morocco are renowned for their unique beauty, cultural significance, and craftsmanship. These rugs are handwoven by Berber women primarily from the indigenous tribes of the Atlas Mountains and other regions of Morocco.
Outdoor
From bold patterns to muted textures, these outdoor rugs effortlessly bridge the gap between nature and comfort, making a statement that transforms your alfresco moments into an oasis of sophistication. Step into a world where outdoor living meets timeless design, and let our rugs redefine the way you experience your open-air spaces.
Photo: Bard Rug
Photo: Always Greener Blue/Green Rug
Care Instructions
Wool - While they are quite stain and water repellent, they need gentle handling when cleaning. In the first few weeks of use, you will see some naturally occurring, light shedding of wool fibre. Simply vacuum your rug without a brush attachment and this will cease.
Cotton - Ideal for kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms, cotton rugs are easy to look after and can be brushed or vacuumed.
Polyester, Acrylic, Nylon & Polypropylene - The easy care fibres of synthetic rugs are particularly durable, so you can brush or vacuum the surface as necessary. Synthetic shaggy rugs can flatten over time.
Viscose - As a semi-synthetic material, a viscose rug should be handled carefully. They can be damaged by moisture, so better suited to lower traffic areas and cleaned with a hand brush or vacuum with a nozzle attachment.
Natural Fibres - Made from eco-friendly plants and grasses, natural fibre rugs are very durable making them ideal for high traffic areas like hallways, or areas where moisture and spills are more likely, like kitchens, dining rooms and conservatories. They can be brushed or vacuumed.
Chenille - Chenille rugs can be made from cotton or synthetic fibres, and are designed to mimic the luxurious softness of silk which makes them more delicate, and not suited to areas of high traffic. They can be carefully cleaned with a hand brush or vacuum fitted with a nozzle attachment.
Rug Techniques
While it's one thing to produce and dye the yarn, the true beauty a rug lies in its construction. Throughout the centuries cultures and civilisations from across the globe have contributed their own style of producing rugs, with a number of these designs still in evidence in our collection today alongside pieces that use the latest manufacturing processes.
Knotted: Often slightly more expensive due to their labour intensive production process, knotted rugs are a worthwhile investment thanks to their strength and durability. Traditional Middle Eastern rugs are a classic example of how using different coloured threads can create complex patterns, with the quality of a knotted rug determined by the thread count per square inch - the higher the number of knots, the more intricate the design.
Tufted: Comfortable under foot, tufted rugs are crafted by punching strands of wool onto a stretched canvas frame before finishing with a fabric backing to hold the pile in place. Hard-wearing over time, the soft feel and smooth texture of a tufted rug is perfect for projecting complex patterns and designs - think unusual shapes, painterly lines, and bright, contrasting colours.
Woven: Crafted either by hand or using a traditional loom-weaving process, woven rugs are often made from a cotton blend that not only makes them long-lasting but also more affordable. The neat alignment of threads make woven rugs ideal for reproducing geometric patterns - a tight weave allows for a greater level of detail, both in terms of the pattern and the mix of colours, while using thick strands of material can provide an interesting texture that stands out.
Rug sizes
Looking for the best Andrew Martin rug for your space? Use this handy chart below to find the perfect fit. Featured here are our ever-popular Burton sofa, Sherpa chair, Raffles coffee table and Katia side table, all scaled in proportion to the rugs underneath.
