When most people think of floor coverings, often it’s the old, scratchy surfaces that spring to mind. Today’s floor cover choices, however, have evolved into stylish, eco-friendly textures that can add character to your floor’s appearance.

Choice and quality in floor coverings are infinitely better and much kinder to the feet, with jute, paper, seagrass, sisal and wools, along with a rejuvenated coir, now on the market and each with a different character, texture and style to suit any home.

Not only are these simple and rugged floor coverings good looking, but according to floor covering Lisa Ralling, because they come from renewable sources they’re also environmentally friendly. "They are totally biodegradable, and that includes the natural rubber backing, acid-free dyes and the natural bindings, which you can choose to have," she says.

Natural fibres come from different sources and offer different qualities in weaves, patterns and colours. "Jute, which is made from the jute plant, is limited in its colours and is not as hard wearing, but it’s soft underfoot," explains Lisa. "Coir is a cheaper product, but people like it because it has a darker look and is longer wearing. Sisal is made from cactus fibre, and has a lot more colour and weave differences," says Lisa. When it comes to lifespan of these fibre materials, both coir and sisal are stronger than jute and can be expected to last at least 12 to 15 years. Jute has longevity of about half that time.

When it comes to natural fibre rugs, there are several ways you can have them finished. Popular choices include leather or fabric textures, or turned edges with a rubber underlay. "This is where the edges are turned back and glued, like a hem," says Lisa. "With the rubber underlay, it helps to give a much softer feel underfoot." Self-edging is probably the most popular, though, where the same product is used to edge the rug.

Natural textiles can work well in any space, from the kids’ rumpus room to the dining room, and they also have the advantage of being kind to allergy sufferers. Both coir and sisal contain fibres that repel dust mites. It is, however, essential to regularly clean your natural floor coverings: "like all carpets, it is important to vacuum regularly. Although the tight weave means that the dust can’t collect as easily, you still need to look after it."

Get the most out of your floor coverings by talking with an expert in your area: