Over $137.4 million USD sent to artisans so far!

Artisan Subscription Box

Wool Area Rugs

455 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

+ - Do most area rugs need a pad underneath?

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.

+ - Do area rugs absorb sound?

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!

+ - How do I care for my 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.

+ - Are there eco-friendly area rugs?

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.)

+ - Are any of your area rugs handmade?

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.

+ - What are traditional methods of making area rugs?

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.

+ - What materials are used to make area rugs?

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 Artist

Mario Chavez Handwoven Zapotec rugs and handbags

(36)

"One day I looked around and I could see we were surrounded by art, but people didn't value it enough and poverty was settling into our community."

Latest Update"In 2002, I began to export my handwoven designs with the your help. I always wanted to strengthen the Zapotec culture that I was... read more

Related Articles

Home Decor Tips: How to Create a Calming Meditation Corner

Home Decor Tips: How to Create a Calming Meditation Corner

Meditation is personal time one takes to relax and just be. It is possible to meditate practically anywhere... read more

Father Sun Wool Rug

Father Sun Wool Rug

This spring we have been rearranging things on our back porch. We recently put up a bamboo privacy fence, and... read more

LIGHT OF THE HORIZON ZAPOTEC WOOL RUG

LIGHT OF THE HORIZON ZAPOTEC WOOL RUG

Have you ever been on the hunt for the perfect rug? I feel like I always am. Rugs create such a cozy... read more

More useful facts

Let us help you look smarter!

Wool Area Rugs

To emblazon the wild images of Zapotec battles on the delicacy of wool, to depict the clash of heaven and earth in the fine craftsmanship of a hand-loomed rug, is to transport the stories and myths of the ancients into the modern world. NOVICA’s collection of Wool Area Rugs undertakes just this kind of challenge. Our artisans turn wool into the woven backdrop of fluttering hummingbirds and rolling meadows. An area rug upon which one may casually stand is actually a scene of triumph or the cycle of birth and death. We invite you to explore the imagery on these gorgeous wool rugs and discover the narratives that still live through these art pieces that carefully preserve them. Our pieces come from all over the world, and we select the finest artisans and the best products to bring you the highest quality wool rug that we can find!

The Holiday Catalog

Discover our unique collection of beautiful, handmade objects from around the world, inspired by more than a century of exploration.

SHOP THE CATALOG

Catalog Product Image

Catalog Product Image

Catalog Product Image

Catalog Product Image

Catalog Product Image

Catalog Product Image

Catalog Cover Image