Look up, close your eyes, and ask the heavens: Is it even possible to write about the best rugs without it? Drop line from Big Lebowski? (Obviously not.) Fortunately, it doesn’t really matter. What He does What’s important is finding you, dear reader, the best area rugs, bath rugs, runners, rug mats, and shag rugs in the game. If you’ve never gone carpet shopping before, you might be a little shocked by the labels, but rest assured you’re paying for quality. (Plus, we’ve got some great affordable options, too.) We skipped the questionable materials that comprised last year’s common bedroom rugs and swapped out some of our favorite pieces across the web.
We have washable rugs, living room rugs, kitchen rugs, dining room rugs, stain resistant rugs, and everything in between. So, join us in our quest to decorate your floors with beautiful fabric and, finally, tie the room together.
The best carpets, at a glance
Are you looking for something specific?
Best rug for the bedroom: Nordic Knots Grand Rug
“Before owning this rug, I had a simple, inexpensive, medium-pile rug from a brand that also sells meatballs,” Gerald Ortiz, Feverqueen The trade writer recommends style, he says. “Needless to say, the difference is huge. Cheaper carpets made from synthetic materials look, well, artificial, This all-wool rug feels naturally soft and comfortable under my feet. In fact, my luxurious Sherpa house slippers don’t get much wear these days because the Nordic Knots Grand rug looks so good. In the bedroom, it’s the perfect rug to start your sleep routine and the best thing to feel when you first get out of bed in the morning. You will have to deal with some shedding for the first couple of weeks (like any handmade rug), but it will be smooth sailing after that. My only word of warning? Dark colors appear EverythingSo choose a lighter color unless you like vacuuming every other day.
Best Runner Rug: Revival Dahl
“Runner rugs are difficult for brands to install because they are often in high-traffic areas, so they need to have enough heft so they don’t slip or slide and they need to be intricately woven so they don’t look or feel compressed at any time.” Feverqueen Assistant merchandising manager Ali Finney recommends it, he says. “This rug adheres flawlessly, staying in place without giving much away when people walk on it.” Hand-knotted in India, you can’t go wrong with this stunning runner.
Best Bath Rug: Quiet Town Home Reyes Night Ride
“Quiet Town has really great options when you don’t want a boring old bathroom rug, and you can choose from a standard size or a runner if you have a more open space,” says Feeney. “I tried the brand’s Reyes bath mat, which worked perfectly in the gold-and-black tiled bathroom in my home. It did a good job of absorbing water from coming out of the tub. When it started showing signs of wear, I could put it in the washing machine and it came out like new “
Best Outdoor Rug: West Elm Woven Indoor/Outdoor Rug
“I never thought I would need an outdoor rug, but my new place had a spacious patio designed for outdoor entertaining,” Tyler Chen, Feverqueen “Associate Trade Editor Recommends,” he says. “The ground itself is kind of ugly, so it was nice to cover it with something that would add a little more interest – and hide the bird droppings. My only problem with it is that the corners aren’t really flat, and unless you weigh it down, the wind can blow it away, so I always have to go outside to straighten it out.” Fortunately, you can use this rug indoors as well, and its durable and easy-to-clean construction makes it the best choice for people with pets as well.
Best Entryway Rug: Citizenry Asha Handwoven Runner
Well, if I had an entryway in my little apartment in Brooklyn, this is where I would put this beauty. However, the handwoven Asha tablecloth from The Citizenry performs the same function under my Ikea shelves, and looks great with almost any interior aesthetic. It is also available in two different sizes and is made from 100% New Zealand wool. Pro Tip: This sucker can definitely use a carpet pad, as it’s a little slippery on hard floors.
Best Under Desk Rug: Quince Sullivan Hand-Tufted Wool Rug
Quince seems to do it all these days, surprisingly Soft leaves And futuristic French printing presses to Linen pants, Carry-on bagsAnd (of course) carpets. This hand-tufted wool rug from Sullivan was perfect for placing under my girlfriend’s desk, but we ended up moving it under our kitchen table instead, where it was the focal point of what we call the “dining room” in our small apartment. Low pile and 100% pure wool construction feels great underfoot and doesn’t slip on hardwood floors. Plus, it’s available in five sizes and three easy-to-match colors.
Best Washable Rug: Revival Shell
If you’re looking for value, you can’t go wrong with Revival’s Shell Rug. Available in four colors and 11 different sizes, you’ll be hard pressed to find a space and aesthetic that doesn’t match this rug. I personally keep an evergreen version of this bad boy under the coffee table in my living room, and I don’t feel the slightest bit of guilt when I knock over pots of seriously saucey pasta onto the couch, because I know when the inevitable spills and stains happen. If that happens, I can just throw the entire rug into the washing machine easily. They are also incredibly soft, and you can place them on your carpet pad as per your requirement for a one-stop carpet shopping experience.
Best Area Rug: Crate & Barrel Orly Ivory Wool-Blend Area Rug
When it comes to larger rooms, the Orly Wool Blend Textured Ivory Area Rug by Crate & Barrel is a hit—and one of the brand’s best-selling rugs. With six color options, six size options, and New Zealand wool construction, you can’t go wrong outfitting your living room with this bad boy. And since area rugs tend to be a larger investment, you can order samples—which ship for free and can be returned online or in any store for a full refund—to make sure you’re happy with your color choice, and it feels good to touch.
Best Shag Rug: Rugs USA Maren Hazy Swirls Rug
Shag: He’s back. You probably already know that, but what you may not know is how good (and affordable) some of the shag rug options are today. The Maren Hazy Swirls rug from Rugs USA is available in five different shapes – oval, rectangle, runner, square, and round – and in different sizes for each, making it an easy choice for any space. The high pile is comfortable enough to sleep on, and the materials are OEKO-TEX certified, which has also been tested for hundreds of harmful substances.
Best Dog Rug: Nerissa Teal & Gold Tufted Rug Architectural Digest
Let’s be real: Your dog runs the show in your house. To please your four-legged master, we recommend purchasing the Nerissa Teal & Gold Tufted Rugable Architectural Digest Nerissa Teal & Gold Tufted Rug. The rug cover is 100% machine washable, waterproof, stain-resistant, and interchangeable, making it perfect for any accidents, spills, or fur buildup. Here’s how it works: When it’s wash day, just remove the cover from the pillow and place it in the washer and dryer. Then, just turn it back on again, And voila– Completely clean carpet, ready for your dog to mess up again.
Best Rug Pad: RUGPADUSA Quilted Protective Rug Pad
Most rugs are only as functional as their rug pads – and if you don’t plan on hanging them over your wall tapestry pattern (which is sick), we recommend moving on to this protective rug pad. The natural rubber backing keeps your rugs in one place, preventing slipping in high traffic areas, slipping, and wrinkles, while the quilted top adds soundproofing and insulation to your floors. It’s also available in four thicknesses and more dimensions than we could ever hope to list.
What to consider when buying a rug
When you’re shopping for a new rug, there are a few factors to consider.
- Size and shape
First, you need to determine your ideal rug size and shape – yes, that means breaking out the old tape measure and taking some specifications. - Look and feel:
Next, you’ll need to figure out what you want your rug to look like: Are you interested in natural fibers like the ones that make up a jute rug? Do you want to use a flat or hand-knotted fiber rug? Are you looking for something easy to vacuum? These are the questions you should ask yourself. You also don’t want it to clash with your other home decor, which is why you should take into consideration pile height, multiple color options, and shape. - Where to shop:
Don’t be afraid to skip the big-box stores like Home Depot and Wayfair, either — there are plenty of DTC brands that have high-quality rugs in stock. - price:
When it comes to price, look for value: If the rug of your dreams is an expensive, hand-woven Moroccan rug, that’s great — but there are plenty of brands that offer great value at affordable prices.
