Wool, silk and the fibres in a fine rug

Two rugs with the same pattern can feel completely different underfoot, and the reason is almost always the fibre. Knowing a little about what a rug is made of helps you choose one that suits how you actually live, not just how it looks in a photo.

Wool: the workhorse

Wool is the backbone of most good rugs, and for good reason. It's naturally springy, so it bounces back from furniture and footsteps. It resists dirt and holds dye beautifully, which is why wool rugs keep their colour for decades. It even resists the odd spill long enough for you to blot it. For a family room, wool or a quality wool blend is almost always the right call.

Silk and silk-sheen: the shimmer

Silk, and the silk-sheen fibres woven into many fine Persian rugs, are what give a rug that liquid glow that shifts as you walk past. Run your hand one way and the pile looks light; the other way, dark. That play of light is part of what makes a fine rug feel alive. Silk-touched rugs are best in lower-traffic rooms where their sheen can be admired rather than trampled.

Blends and heat-set fibres

Many of our rugs use durable heat-set fibres and wool blends engineered to give the look, density and longevity of a traditional rug at a price a family can live with. Done well, these wear superbly and are easy to care for, which is why they've become the sensible choice for busy homes.

The best fibre is the one that matches your room. A glowing silk-touch piece for the formal lounge; a tough, springy wool blend where life actually happens.

How to care for each

Whatever the fibre, the basics are the same: vacuum gently with the pile, keep strong direct sun off the colours, rotate the rug once or twice a year, and blot spills immediately rather than rubbing. Our full care guide walks through it. When you're choosing, just tell us the room and we'll point you to the fibre that fits. Browse the rugs.