You see them most days - in shopping centers, offices, and chances are there are a few in your home. So familiar, they feel like a modern invention but actually, they aren't modern at all. It all began in Central Asia in the 3rd millennium BC, moved to Spain in the 10th century, and finally made its way to the remainder of Europe in the 18th century. To what do I refer? None other than the humble carpet, or rug as some refer to it.

A carpet is basically a floor covering, and can be made using weaving looms, textiles, or even natural materials such as grass. Rugs, on the other hand, are made with the same materials but by hooking or braiding, among other methods. So, what are the differences between the types of rugs, and which is most suitable for your family?

You have probably come across area rugs most often, as they are the most common type of carpeting. These rugs often have colorful designs on them, and are made by machine. They are not normally a custom made product, and are usually found in many different shapes and sizes. This is due to the ease with which they are manufactured.

Certain kinds of carpet can also be used outside the house. Outdoor rugs are probably the most long lasting of the lot, given that they are designed to withstand the weather. However, depending upon the material it is made of, an outdoor rug should be changed every few years.

Runners are used to decorate a table or a shelf and are best suited to narrow areas like halls, tending to be lengthy and narrow in size. They can be colorful with different patterns varying according to the place of their manufacture.

You can cover your stairway with a piece cut from a roll or a runner which are often made from softer materials. The modern stair carpet are made form durable materials as they suffer more wear and tear due to repeated movement.

There's also the wall-to-wall carpet. It's also called the fitted carpet, as it is designed to cover a complete area of floor permanently. They commonly are very thick, allowing them to be more comfortable and also offer soundproofing from the floors above and belowbelow. However, because of this, it is more difficult to clean than other carpets, and sometimes trap dust and mites.

For people who want something different in their home they could go for oriental rugs which are made in places like China, Vietnam, Turkey and Iran. Authentic oriental rugs are made by hand knotting or hand weaving.

With so many types of carpets, there's bound to be one that's perfect for your circumstances.