A braided rug is an area rug for use in the home that is fashioned by braiding strips of fabric together. A braided rug can come in any size or color combination, and is available in many shapes such as round, oval, rectangle, and even heart-shaped. You can choose which type of braided rug you like the best: some are flat, having been constructed of flat folded lengths of fabric; while others have some cushioning thickness because they have been made from tubular braids.

A braided rug can complement any home that features a country décor. People have long appreciated the homey, nostalgic charm of a braided rug-and their practicality. A braided rug is reversible, durable, and normally, machine washable. A myriad of different fabrics can go into a braided rug, from the simplest cottons to the finest wools.

In some circles, a braided rug is also called a rag rug. This name comes from the practice of rug makers long ago who ripped apart old clothing to make a new and useful article-in many cases, the braided rug. While for many, the craft of making their own braided rug has all but disappeared, others have embraced making braided rugs as a new-found hobby. Many craft suppliers still provide instructions on how to make your own braided rug, offer braided rug kits, and sell braided rug making supplies.

The braided rug reached the zenith of its popularity between 1890 and 1910 during the Arts and Crafts movement. The decadence during the Roaring 20s took the lowly braided rug out of favor, but by the 1930s and the Great Depression, interest once again accelerated because of economic necessity. Since those times, the popularity of having a braided rug in the home has waxed and waned, depending on an individual's choice of home décor.

Today, people can buy a store-bought braided rug at a furniture store, major retailer, home furnishings specialty shops, or online at rug suppliers. Information is also available for those who want to try their hand at making their own braided rug. Whether purchased outright, or created yourself, a braided rug can add many years of charm and warmth to your home.