Well ...
... rugs are not the "investment" they used to be because of plastics.
Prior to WWII, a rug was wool, and often hand-loomed or hand-woven. Room-sized rugs were really the domain of the rich; very few households of average means could afford them (this is why so many modest homes had those country-look "braided" rugs or "rag" rugs). The only other floor surfaces were hardwood or linoleum (or even leather).
Today, however, with cheap nylons and other petroleum-based polymers, carpeting is now pretty much the norm. CHEAP carpeting. All chemicals. Which is why many people need to "air out" the house for a few days before actually living with their new synthetic carpeting, because of the fumes. And while the majority of the chemicals are offgassed in those initial days, those carpets are offgassing toxic fumes over their entire lifetimes. Very unhealthy.
Wool, however, is a "living" fiber -- organic -- constantly capturing airborne pollutants and holding them (until, of course, you vaccum or wash the fibers). One of the best air purifiers in a room, believe it or not, is a large wool rug.
But ... they're expensive. My white textured wool "room-sized" rug in the bedroom (11x14) was priced at $11,000 six years ago. So there are many of us who still see our rugs as investments.
