The border you select for your Sisal Rug can make all the difference to the finished project. It's like deciding on the perfect frame for a beloved piece of art – the right choice enhances the overall aesthetic, but it also adds that essential touch that defines your rug as uniquely yours.
At The Natural Rug Company, we've carefully curated a selection of border materials that not only complement our Natural Plant Fibre Rugs but also cater to different interior styles and practical considerations. From the luxurious soft feel of Cotton Chenille to the classic hardwearing charm of Leather, each border type brings its own character to your chosen Sisal Rug or Runner.
We have a helpful Border Guide to give you the basics, but sometimes the best approach is to dive right into our Sisal Rugs Gallery to see the huge array of possibilities.
Lets have a look at each border type and see what each can add to your new rug!
Cotton Borders for Sisal Rugs: Soft, Durable, and Stylish Options
Cotton borders remain one of our most popular choices, and it's easy to see why. Available in Chenille, Herringbone, and Striped variations, cotton borders offer both durability and versatility. Cotton as a material has proven itself as a versatile material that is lightweight and versatile.
Cotton is soft, durable and has a smooth look to its fibres.
Create Cozy Spaces with Cotton Chenille Rug Borders
Cotton Chenille is one of my favourite materials because of how luxurious it feels over time. When set down it will soften a little and that results in a decadent effect for a Bedroom or Living Room Rug. Paired with a neat Small Boucle C Rug Material and you’re sure to have every visitor asking who your interior designer was!
Cotton Chenille comes in a range of colours from Honey hues to Stone Greys and the whole range is really tuned into Natural tones. The white cotton flecking really adds a warm softness that feels amazing underfoot.
As an example, the product below juxtaposes that soft and light border with a dark and elegant rug material to create a contemporary feel.
Cotton Herringbone Rug Borders: Timeless Patterns for Every Style
Cotton Herringbone is a range with a vast array of colours (29 in total!), but what really makes it stand out is its distinctive chevron design. In the standard 5.5cm border thickness there is a perfect alignment of the arrows running up the rug middle of the border along the rug's edge and that effect really draws the eye.
Paired with a Herringbone Rug Material, this effect can be compounded and works to lengthen the appearance of any interior space. A flawless option that makes it particularly well suited to hallways and narrow living rooms.
Coupled with a Boucle or Basketweave Rug Material it can provide a compelling contrast of textures. It is this contrast that can turn a rug into an interior focal point!
In the example below, this Oriental Platinum Sisal Rug has a chunky weave and contrasts with the Cotton Herringbone Border to create a dance of textures.
Upscale Your Rug with Linen Borders: Sophistication Meets Durability
There's something inherently sophisticated about Linen Borders. Whether you opt for Twill, Basketweave, or Bouclé; Linen brings a refined texture that works beautifully with Sisal's natural appeal.
Linen, in contrast to Cotton, tends to be the more hardwearing of fabrics. It is naturally more rustic and firmer. It is also more stain-resistant.
Linen Boucle Rug Borders: Versatile Elegance with a Polished Finish
Starting off with Boucle, this neat and uniform weave pattern has a real lustre to it. The key here is the looped yearns. Colours range from greys to browns with a few yellows. The effect is a polished looking border that works well with materials that have a natural sheen such as Seagrass and Sisal weaves like Oriental and Divine.
Choosing to contrast the uniform straight design with something like a broad Herringbone Weave is a great way to thrill the eye.
I've used Linen Boucle many times, but most recently it was for a cosy reading nook. The client remarked that the Boucle pattern looked like tiny bookshelves - something I hadn't actually consciously noticed!
Below is an example of the tonality that can be achieved with Linen Boucle. Here Linen Fawn mixed with Light Ash forms a contemporary choice that would well suit a Living Room or Study, but it would work particularly well on a staircase as a Sisal Runner.
Linen Basketweave Rug Borders: Rustic and Impactful for Natural Décor
If you're after a Rustic look with Sisal Weaves such as Malawi, you'll not go wrong picking up one or two samples of Linen Basketweave to decide between. Basketweave is one of the thicker fibre weaves and that profile lends itself to impact.
That said, just because a border initially strikes you as coarse, you'd be missing a trick if you didn't consider pairing this weave with a material such as Sisal Divine. What quality the border has on its own is toned down by the softness of the intricate Sisal fibres and the result transforms Linen Basketweave into a twin of Divine's weave pattern. The result? A pairing you can see below, one that can sit alongside floral prints and antique furniture.
Linen Twill Rug Borders: Stylish Diagonal Weaves for Your Home
In the world of interiors colour is one of the most crucial elements of design, so having more choices can only be a good thing! Like Cotton Herringbone, Linen Twill has a stunning array of different options. 22 in all!
I once selected a Rug Border colour based on a client's childhood Teddybear, for their own child's nursery, proving that inspiration is timeless and can be taken from limitless possible places. Each influence adds to the story of a space.
There are browns, beiges, greens, oranges and blues all the way through to dark greys and red... with that much variation, it makes for a compelling choice for a border. You're sure to be able to match the accent colour in a scheme to one of these beautiful hues.
Here the diagonal weave leans the eye when it reaches the rug edge.
Below a Boucle Weave (a mix of tight loops, open loops, and small knots) is paired with a subtle green of fresh Grain. The effect is a pairing of strength and structure. This compliments without competing for attention with the core focus being the honey ginger rug material colouring.
Luxurious Leather Borders for Rugs: Timeless Elegance for Your Space
When it comes to adding a touch of luxury and character, our leather borders are unmatched. Available in Antique, Heritage, and Standard finishes, leather borders age beautifully, developing a rich patina over time.
With 100% Natural Hides used, there will be seams in the border - roughly every 40-120cm - these are hallmarks of the authenticity of the materials used.
Easy to maintain with a simple leather cream and resistant to spills, these borders will stand the test of time and age with poise.
Plain Leather Borders for Rugs: Simple, Timeless Sophistication
The smooth plain leather border is all about saying that it is the colour and texture of the rug which is the main feature of the pairing. Here a river of colour is allowed to frame the rug material and pair with the tones within. The sheen of the leather can be matched with a silver Sisal to add a flash of interest, or else paired with a darker Sisal, giving the look of polished minerals.
A good example below is our Herringbone Flint Sisal. Using that blue/black mineral tones from which the material gains its name, the border's navy blue colour compliments it wonderfully and makes a stunning accompaniment to any modern room.
Antique Leather Rug Borders: Luxurious Borders with Timeless Patina
The Heritage/Antique Leather border is all about refinement and sophistication. These borders have a patina that develops and enhances over time bringing out a soft sheen between veins of tonal variation like the threads in marble.
Utilising these types of leather can be a perfect accompaniment to a Victorian Study, or to a Minimalist Studio because they seem to radiate an artful prestige.
Leather Tobacco is the first colour that springs to mind when I picture leather. A familiar colour that draws forth a familiar nostalgic quality in clients I've worked with, even those with the most ultra-modern of spaces. Paired below with an Old Heritage Sisal, the combination proves that some materials are universal.
How to Choose the Perfect Sisal Rug Border for Your Home
When selecting your border, consider these key factors:
Room Usage: High-traffic areas might benefit from more durable options like Leather or Linen.
Existing Décor: Consider your room's colour palette and style – the border should complement rather than compete with existing elements.
Maintenance Requirements: Some borders, like leather, develop character over time, while others maintain their original appearance with proper care.
Light Levels: Remember that Natural Light can affect how your border colour appears throughout the day. Pick up samples and test them at various stages of the day and under your room's artificial light to get a sense of it at all hours.
The Most Durable Rug Borders: Cotton, Leather, or Linen?
A Note on Practical Considerations
When it comes to durability, each border type has its own characteristics. Cotton borders offer excellent wear resistance, making them ideal for busy family homes. Linen borders bring a sophisticated look while maintaining practicality, and Leather borders, while requiring occasional care, offer outstanding longevity and develop a beautiful lived-in appearance over time.
The most hardwearing will be Leather, but Linen and Cotton come in very close behind.
All of our borders are rated Heavy Domestic, that means every single one is suitable for Heavy Traffic areas and even on staircases!
Single vs. Double Rug Borders: How to Choose the Best Option for Your Sisal Rug
When people ask me what Border would look best on their chosen Rug Material I usually reply 'Why stop at one?'
The truly bespoke is the Rug with the most options that you have decided. Size, Rug Material, Border Material... add another Border Material and you have a Rug that is uniquely your own.
You can have a Double Border (5.5cm/5.5cm), thereby maximising your options for accent colours and even a Double Narrow Border (5.5cm/3.0cm) meaning a balance of the outer design to sit perfectly. You can find out more in our helpful Border Guide.
The Non-Standard is the Truly Bespoke
At The Natural Rug Company, we understand that sometimes a standard border just won't do. That's why we offer Non-Standard Binding Options to ensure your rug is as unique as your space.
Round Rugs
Round rugs are a fantastic way to soften a room's aesthetic and create a focal point that stands out. Whether you need a round rug for a cozy reading nook or to accentuate a piece of furniture, our skilled artisans can create the perfect round rug tailored to your exact specifications.
Whipped Edges
For those seeking a clean and seamless finish, our whipped edges offer an elegant solution. This technique involves wrapping yarn around the edge of the rug to create a durable and attractive border. Whipped edges can be matched to the rug’s color or contrasted to add a subtle yet striking detail.
Advanced Bespoke Options
If you haven’t found a border that catches your eye or have something specific in mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our skilled workshop can bind your rug in a diverse range of fabrics, ensuring a truly bespoke creation.
Custom Sourcing: If you’ve located a material you love, we can often source and stitch that border onto the rug material of your choice.
Personalized Assistance: Need help tracking down the right color or pattern? Our extensive trade contacts allow us to source according to your needs, ensuring the perfect match for your vision.
Taking advantage of this bespoke service is straightforward. We provide full estimates and samples for your consideration before any work begins, ensuring complete confidence that the final product meets your specifications.
Explore our non-standard binding options to create a rug that is truly one-of-a-kind. Contact us today to discuss your ideas and let us help bring your vision to life.
Finishing Touches
Remember that your choice of border isn't just about aesthetics – it's about creating a rug that feels right for your space and lifestyle. Whether you're drawn to the casual elegance of linen or the rich character of leather, your border selection helps tell your home's story. At The Natural Rug Company, we're always here to help you explore these options and find the perfect combination for your space.
After all, it's these finishing touches that transform a beautiful Sisal Rug or Runner into a truly personal piece that you'll cherish for years to come. Whether you're creating a cosy family room or a sophisticated formal space, the right border can help you achieve exactly the look and feel you're after. Why not start your journey to finding the perfect Rug by looking at our specially curated Sisal Rug Selection, you’re sure to find some powerful inspiration.
留言