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.
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
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
Purpose of the rug
A good door mat in the hallway is not only its face and decoration, but a necessary element to maintain order and cleanliness in the apartment:
- You can leave dirty shoes on it;
- absorbs moisture from shoes;
- collects dirt in one place and facilitates cleaning;
- reduces drafts; serves as an invitation to a cozy home.
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.
Caring for your rug
Proper care of the product extends its service life and maintains a pleasant appearance. To do this you need:
- if the track was purchased by footage, make overlock cuts;
- comply with the instructions supplied with the product by the manufacturer;
- Rubber and latex coatings can be washed every day;
- shake out fluffy carpets regularly and vacuum them as needed;
- Perform wet cleaning with a special brush that washes away dirt and straightens crumpled areas;
- Textile and synthetic products are best cleaned with dry products. Wash no more than 2 times a year;
- treat wool products with antibacterial agents;
- Do not cover the floor with a wet rug. Dampness, mold and fungi form underneath.
The hallway is a place that from the first step creates an impression of the interior of the apartment and the taste of the owners. Therefore, it is important that not a single detail of the interior violates the integrity of style and harmony. A rug in the hallway is a warm and kind greeting to those entering.
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.
Choosing a rug
The main rule for choosing a carpet for the hallway is a harmonious combination with the overall interior of the apartment. To do this, it is worth considering some style features:
- classic - a small narrow or round rug fits organically;
- Provence, retro and country - woven fabric with a bright structure (rough);
- Scandinavian - models in the form of animal skins;
- modern - a one-color or geometric print product.
In a small hallway you need to choose a narrow and long path. You cannot select coverings that match the color of the floor. Choose only a contrasting color. If the walls are plain, then a model with an elegant pattern will do. Otherwise - a smooth product.
To create an individual interior, you should take a closer look at IKEA models or knit them yourself.
When choosing carpeting, pay attention to the uniformity of density. The length of the pile is also important. The longer the pile, the more often you will have to clean the coating to avoid dents. You should choose a product with soft bristles, but it is better to avoid hard bristles.
