The best natural fibre rugs to buy, and the differences between them
If you’re struggling to decide what rug to put down in your living room, dining room or bedroom, if you’re tearing your hair out trying to decide whether you should opt for a patterned flat weave rug or a chunky wool rug, never fear: there is a certain type of rug that works in nigh every scheme, every room and for every purpose. That rug is the humble jute rug.
A jute rug, which is often used as a byword for any natural fibre rug, is the perfect choice in rooms that need a little underfoot warmth, without the drama. They are brilliant in high-traffic areas like entryways and hallways thanks to their hardworking, low maintenance natural materials.
What is the difference between sisal, coir and jute?
Should you be looking to invest in one of the market’s best jute rugs, you might have encountered a number of different names for these charming natural fibre rugs. These fibres might look rather similar, but they do behave differently, so you need to check which material suits your household’s needs best.
Jute is derived from the Corchorus plant, a tall flowering plant that grows best in humid climates. It’s flexible, soft and feels better on your bare feet than sisal will. Jute fibre rugs are a better choice for rooms where you may want to sit on the floor or walk around barefoot, such as in a bedroom or living room. However, be warned that heavy furniture will leave irreversible indents in the rug if placed on it for long periods of time.
Sisal comes from African plants like pineapple and agave, which lends it a coarser feel and stiffer texture than jute, seagrass and other alternatives. This also makes them more durable, better suited to heavy traffic areas and the straight fibres tend to be easier to clean. Sisal rugs tends to be less expensive than jute, but come in a smaller colour range.
Coir is made from coconut husks, which means it is not the softest of materials. It can feel quite rough underfoot, so it’s recommended for use in hotels or other commercial spaces, rather than residential ones. However, it is considered the most unassailable of the natural fibre rugs, so if you have a large and busy household, it might be a good pick for you.
Seagrass rugs are made from, as expected, seagrass, which is grass harvested near the sea. They only come in one colour, which is a dark green hue that fades to a brown over time. Seagrass is the cheapest of the natural fibre rugs and so has long been a popular choice for large scale fitted carpet, stair runners and other high traffic areas where the rug may eventually need replacing. The only room a seagrass rug is not suited to is a bathroom as the humidity can cause mould and mildew to grow.
Abaca is made from a tree trunk that has similar qualities to the banana tree. It is soft underfoot, not as durable as sisal and has a slight pearlescent sheen to it. The fibre is thick, meaning the rugs are often chunky with heavy weaves.
Hemp is made from the Cannabis sativa plant and is used prolifically in textiles, biodegradable plastic, paper, food and more. Hemp is slightly more durable than jute but feels rougher on bare feet.
Natural fibre rugs to buy
Where's the best place to buy jute rugs?
Depending on your budget, you have a lot of options here. Most of the best furniture shops on the high street, like John Lewis and La Redoute have great selections of simple jute rugs. If you have an oddly shaped room, you might need a custom made rug. We'd head to Natural Rug Store, where you can select your rug material (choose from coir, jute, seagrass, sisal, wool and sisool, a mix of sisal and wool), border material and colour, alongside your required dimensions. If none of the natural fibre options are quite right, head to our gallery on the best rugs to buy, which includes all types of wool rugs, patterned rugs, silk rugs and more.
