Coir
Manufactured from the fibrous husks of coconut shells, coir (pronounced COY-er) is an extremely durable natural fiber that is used in the manufacture of ropes, sacks, brushes, floor mats, doormats, tiles, rugs, and carpet. By itself as a floor covering, coir is a rough fiber which is why it is often used as a walk-off mat at entrances to homes and buildings. But the coir fiber has natural elasticity and can be woven into richly textured, hard-wearing rugs that have an organic beauty and rustic look. Most of our coir weaves are blended with sisal to increase stability and all are great for high-traffic areas.
As previously mentioned, coir is incredibly tough and durable. Our store design clients look to coir for bringing natural beauty into a retail space while still standing up to heavy traffic. And for a commercial or hospitality space, a Poona walk-off mat brushes dirt off shoes and wears like iron.
For our residential customers, a coir wall-to-wall carpet warms up a living room, pairs well with many design styles, and provides a great foundation for layering other rugs on top. A coir runner is tough enough for stairways and hallways, and a custom coir area rug is a soothing and handsome addition to a home office or study. Read our "What Size Rug Do I Need" resource to learn more about custom area rugs. Coir is also mold and mildew resistant, hypoallergenic, noise-insulating, and relatively inexpensive compared to other natural flooring options.
Coir is a renewable resource and can be harvested from the same tree’s coconuts year after year. The production of coir is still primarily by hand and therefore does not have the same environmental impact that many mass-produced flooring and carpets do. The fibers themselves are also biodegradable and compostable. We take pride in offering eco-friendly flooring choices. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.
A coir rug is fairly easy to maintain and doesn’t show dirt. Regular vacuuming will prolong the life of this fiber and help contain shedding fibers. Exposure to sunlight may result in fading, so rotating your rug regularly helps as well as using shades or curtains that block the sun’s rays. We also recommend a walk-off mat (like a thick one made from coir) upon entry to your home and a no-shoes-in-the-house policy.
As with all-natural fiber rugs, staining is a concern. But coir has a darker tone that can more easily hide stains and the durability of coir means it is wear-resistant. For an added layer of protection, you may choose to apply Sisal-Guard, a spray-on sealant for natural fiber rugs and carpet that will act as a barrier to reduce the risk of staining. All of our weaves come with guidelines for care and maintenance that are accessible under the Care tab on each weave page. For more general care guidelines, please visit our Care Guides page.
Coir is a favorite neutral and has a timeless texture. Imagine a countryside villa, filled with stories from antiques and oil paintings, and the familiar bouclé weave of a coir-sisal rug to fill the room with warmth and elegance. Or an urban loft enhanced by the natural fibers and organic beauty of coir. Our Contract Coir or our easy-to-install Contract Coir Tiles complement rustic or urban design styles by softening hard elements like brick, metal, or exposed lumber, or by enriching the organic feel of a beach house or urban residential oasis. Our coir-sisal blended weaves are available for wall-to-wall installation or to create your own custom area rug.
Although a coir mat is often placed just outside a door, coir is not considered an “outdoor” material. It is water-resistant, but regular exposure to rain, sun, and other weather will lead to the coir’s deterioration. The ideal placement for these versatile natural fiber rugs, carpet, and tiles is indoors: in living rooms, dens, offices, hallways, entryways, stairways, boutique shops, or other commercial settings where durability and a natural aesthetic is required. We offer many other options for outdoor floor coverings—browse our outdoor or woven vinyl collections.
If you want to learn which rug material is right for your lifestyle, how to select the right size rug for your space, or how to buy a rug online, head over to our blog post Rug Buying Guide - Everything You Need to Know for a deep dive.