Wool, Silk or Cotton: A Guide to Rug Materials

Wool

The timeless choice: naturally resilient, soft underfoot, and forgiving of spills thanks to its lanolin. A quality wool rug can last generations.

Silk

Prized for its luminous sheen and the fineness it allows in intricate designs. Silk is more delicate and best suited to low-traffic, ceremonial spaces.

Cotton

Lighter and more affordable, cotton is often used in flatweaves and washable rugs. It is easy to clean but less plush and durable than wool.

Many of the finest pieces blend fibres — a wool pile on a cotton foundation, or wool highlighted with silk — to balance durability and beauty.