It’s no secret that the right area rug can really bring an interior design full circle. It’s also no secret that a good area rug is an investment — one that will likely be front and center within your home for several years. But, what happens when summer rolls around? Do wool, or any other kind of heavy rugs for that matter, stay out? Or, do they need to be rolled up until the season is over? Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut answer — and in the end, it all comes down to choice. To help determine whether or not you’d prefer to leave your area rugs as is, or, switch them out for lighter ones, let’s cover some factors to consider. 

Why The Heavy Rugs Are OK to Stay

First, let’s talk about some reasons why your wool or other heavy rugs are perfectly acceptable all year round, including summer. 

Area Rugs Maintain the Temperature of the Entire Room

Most people think that heavy rugs emit heat, therefore, making a room too warm in summer. This, however, is not the case. If you have quality area rugs that are made from natural materials, they actually bring balance to the temperature within your home. 

Area Rugs Absorb Sound

Summertime usually entails gathering together with friends and family more frequently. This, of course, means more noise from both foot traffic and conversation. Area rugs are a great way to mitigate that. In fact, area rugs can reduce noise anywhere from 30%-70%. The fibers in rugs, especially thicker ones, ‘catch’ and disperse the sound waves, which prevent them from bouncing off to other rooms like they would on bare concrete or hardwood floors. 

Area Rugs Offer Additional Comfort

In the warmer months, we’re often more inclined to go barefoot. And while the cooler floor might feel nice underfoot, it doesn’t mean that our feet don’t appreciate some extra padding now and then. This is where those heavier rugs come in handy. 

What You Could Do To Lighten the Look

Should you decide that you’d like a “lighter” look for summer, there are a couple of things you could do. One would be to simply roll your heavy wool rugs up until fall or swap them out for rugs made of materials that seem to reflect the season a bit better whether it be due to the colors and patterns of the rugs or the materials themselves. 

Rugs that might be more suitable for the summer months can include: 

• Rugs that have lighter colors or brighter motifs, which reflect the summer mood. 
• Rugs constructed of lighter, natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, jute, sisal, and seagrass. Keep in mind, however, that there are times when silk and cotton rugs might be mixed with synthetic fibers. Regardless, they’ll feel and look fresher for the season. 
• Rugs made from lighter synthetic fibers, such as olefin, polypropylene, polyester, or some kind of blend. Not only are most rugs made of these fibers durable and stain-, fade-, and moisture-resistant, several can be used for outdoor spaces as well. 

If you decide to keep the rugs you have out, you can always change up some of your home decor to fit the season. And, when the time does come to replace any of your rugs, you may want to consider opting for one that you find suitable for all seasons.

Take this gorgeous Berlize, for example. It’s featured here in a natural gray. It’s a 100% handwoven wool rug that is in just the right color to work with all seasons. 

Cutting Corners Has Rugs for All Seasons

When the time comes to shop for a new area rug, we have just what you need. Our area rug selection is one that will allow you to find the perfect floor covering to match your personal style. Whether you’re in need of a hand-tufted wool rug or one that’s made of a blend, there’s sure to be something that will look amazing in your home.