What types are there?
Depending on the material used, hallway rugs come in 4 types.
Rubber mats
Rubber is a surprisingly practical material. It is easy to clean, lasts a long time, and does not require special care. But all the advantages are crossed out by one serious disadvantage: appearance.
Rubber mats look ugly; this is the case when one small element can ruin the entire design of the room. The second drawback is that the rug with cells is high, there is a possibility of constantly tripping over the edge at the exit.
Shaggy rugs
The pile surface has the opposite advantages and disadvantages of rubber. They look aesthetically pleasing, decorate the entrance area, and depending on the material of the pile, they can be laid in corridors made in different styles.
But a carpet with a pile gets dirty much more, and cleaning it is inconvenient and takes a long time. The second disadvantage is getting wet during use. A wet mat “shares” moisture with the floor - this is safe for tiles and high-quality linoleum. But as a coating for laminate or parquet, it is better to choose the following option.
The photo shows a jute mat
Rubber backed carpets
This type combines the advantages of the first two types: they have a beautiful appearance and protect the floor covering from moisture. But washing is inconvenient because of the lint: besides, unlike ordinary fabric ones without a rubber base, bedding cannot be washed in a machine.
In the photo there is a mat with a rubber backing
Foam door mat
Let's start with the negative side: cheap PVC mats look the same as they cost - cheap. But if you set a goal, you can find more expensive analogues on sale that will fit well into any modern interior.
The advantages of PVC are obvious: it does not get wet, does not allow water to pass through (unless there are special holes), does not slip, practically does not change during operation, and provides convenient cleaning. The only question remains regarding environmental friendliness: it is based on synthetic, not natural fiber, which, if not processed correctly, can release caustic substances into the air.
Types of rugs
Depending on what functions the rug in the hallway is intended to perform, there are different types of such products:
Runners are very long rugs that cover the entire size of the hallway or almost the entire size. They most often have a large pile and are very soft in texture. Thanks to this structure, they perfectly retain moisture and dust, not just street dust.
Absorbent. These hallway rugs have a rubberized base and a top layer of special soft material. Thanks to rubber, the mat adheres well to the floor and does not allow moisture to pass through.
And the top coating absorbs it perfectly and collects dirt and dust. This option is easy to clean. The only drawback is the very high cost.
Rubber mats. They do not absorb moisture at all. It is convenient to clean dirt on them, and they do attract dust, but do not absorb moisture, so this type is better in dry weather.
Heated mats. The thing is very convenient not only for drying shoes and warming them up. Pets love to rest on these rugs.
Wallpaper for the hallway - a choice of stylish models, pros, cons and bright ideas for use (100 photos and videos)Small hallway - stylish design ideas, modern design ideas and expanding the functionality of the hallway (120 photos and videos)
Shelf in the hallway: examples of stylish organization ideas and design options with shelves (125 photos)
Rugs are limited. They have sides and in wet weather water simply collects in them. They are made of rubber and stick well to the floor. After the moisture has completely drained from the shoes, you can simply drain it, and care is limited to light washing.
These are just some of the options for modern hallway rugs.
Tips for choosing material
To choose one from the 4 listed options - durable, beautiful, easy to care for - you should take into account the operating conditions of the mat, personal preferences, and interior style.
Residents of arid, warm areas, where rain is rare, need a rug to trap sand and dust from their soles. You can lay a regular fabric bed, which will need to be shaken or vacuumed from time to time.
For regions where there is dirt even in winter, options with rubber composition are suitable: at least coconut fiber on a rubber base.
In terms of personal choice, it’s more about cleaning: are you ready to wash your door mat once a week? Or would you prefer to machine wash it regularly? Or maybe you just want to rinse in the shower?
The photo shows a rough rug made of natural coconut
Rules for caring for a rug
The label of any rug always contains recommendations for its care; try to follow them to extend its service life.
Any carpet, including the hallway rug, needs to be looked after. This is necessary to maintain an attractive appearance and extend the service life of the product. All products with lint should be shaken out and vacuumed regularly, this should be done at least twice a week.
Rubber and silicone mats need to be kept free of water. To do this, they are first blotted with a dry cloth, then wiped dry.
You can wash rubber carpets with soap, but to wash pile mats you need to use special shampoos for carpets.
Rugs should only be washed by hand; a clean product should not be wrung out. It is better to let the water drain from the mat and then hang it to dry.
Improper care can lead to unpleasant odors and even mold. Be sure to dry the mat and do not let the water stagnate.
The right hallway rug will decorate your home and make it cleaner. Change your rugs depending on the season and care for them according to our recommendations.
What is important to consider when selecting external characteristics?
The color of the hallway rug reflects not only beauty, but also practicality. Light models in the autumn slush, for example, will quickly turn into unaesthetic rags. Too dark, especially fleecy ones, will attract dust, hair, and specks. It is better to give preference to a neutral or medium-saturated color palette.
Size and shape are equally important. To make it easier to understand what dimensions of carpet are suitable, walk in dirty shoes onto a clean floor and carry out the standard operation of removing and putting on shoes, running from the entrance to the storage area, mirror, hanger. Any lesion found at the end of the procedure should be covered.
If you and your family members are used to putting on and taking off their shoes right next to the front door, a small option is enough. In a house with an elongated hallway, where cabinets, shelves, and banquettes are stretched lengthwise, it is better to lay out a long rug: this way, after putting on your shoes, you can walk to the cabinet with keys or gloves.
The choice of color or size can be limited within a logical framework, but the design issue is purely individual. Plain, colored, with inscriptions, square, longitudinal, semicircular, round - look for those that you like and are suitable for renovation in the hallway!
In the photo the length of the carpet to the shelf with shoes
Characteristics of rugs
In order to prevent dust and dirt from entering the room in any weather, dirt-proof mats are placed at the door inside and outside.
The mat that is placed outside is not intended to be particularly beautiful; it is required solely for cleaning shoes. The inside of the rugs is arranged a little differently and has different functions.
In addition to complementing the interior of the hallway, such rugs also help clean shoes and shoes are often left on them.
Read: Ceiling in the hallway: types, finishing options, materials. Mistakes in the design of the ceiling in your hallway. Interesting solutions and beautiful photo ideas for the interior of the hallway
In wet weather, softer products are used that can absorb moisture and wipe dirt off shoes. Bristle mats can also be selected, which do a particularly good job of cleaning snow, dust, and dirt.
You shouldn’t expect bristle rugs to get rid of moisture, since they don’t absorb it and are almost always made of plastic.
You can place an additional soft mat of a larger size under such products. In snowy or rainy weather, the water will gradually drain and be absorbed into the mat more softly. A wide range of rug models can be found from IKEA.
Care instructions
To clean the rug quickly, you should know the material from which it is made:
- Fabric (homespun, knitted, sewn) are machine washable.
- The cellular ones are turned over, shaken off (the sand is removed with a vacuum cleaner), dipped into a basin, and dried.
- Fleecy ones are washed under strong pressure; if dirt remains, a stiff brush will help.
- Foamed ones are cleaned with a soft brush, soaked and washed by hand, washed under medium pressure of water.
- Heated mats require dry cleaning: sprinkle with a special powder or soda, wait, and remove with a vacuum cleaner along with the dirt.
If you can’t remove stains, a fabric stain remover or a special carpet cleaner will help. The latter is available in the Vanish, Grass, Unicum, Bagi line.
Examples in the interior
They say that the hallway is the face of the house. Then the rug is the face of the hallway. This is the first thing you or your guests see when entering the apartment: therefore, at a minimum, the externally chosen design should be liked and evoke warm associations.
Each style has its own recommendations for choosing a design: in Scandinavian style, for example, products made from coconut coir, bamboo, jute with various prints and inscriptions look advantageous.
The photo shows a Scandinavian-style hallway
In apartments in the minimalist style, plain (gray, beige) products are laid without additional decorations.
An aged, grunge painting, for example, in the form of a stained British flag, would be appropriate in a loft.
For the Mediterranean style there is a completely unusual option - stone. It is durable, easy to clean, and looks original.
Door mats should be practical and aesthetic: now you know how to choose an option that combines both qualities.
