How to Place a Rug Under a Sectional Sofa
Area rugs are great additions to any interior design. The right area rug can complement your home decor while elevating your look with warmth and texture. Not to mention, they can protect your hardwood floors (and other floor types) from wear and tear.
The Different Types of Area Rugs
There are several different area rug types, including flatweave, low-pile, medium-pile, and high-pile rugs. The right rug for you depends on your lifestyle and aesthetic. “There are many types of rugs available on the market, and each one has its own unique appearance and benefits,” says Karen Rohr.
Flatweaves
According to Amy Hoban, “Flatweave rugs are made on a loom and can be very slim and flat, which makes them easy to clean and maintain.” However, because they’re so thin, you shouldn’t expect them to offer much cushioning underfoot.
But what you lose in cushioning, you can make up for in maintenance. “They are easier to clean [than other area rug types].” says Amy Youngblood. They also tend to be among the most affordable rugs, thanks to their thin, lightweight design.
Low and Medium Pile
If you’re looking to add a rug to a high-traffic area, such as a kitchen rug, you can’t go wrong with a low-pile rug. “Low pile rugs are made with shorter and tighter loops,” says Amy Hoban. “They have a smooth surface and are great for high-traffic areas as they’re easy to clean.”
Low-pile rugs also tend to be a bit thicker than flatweaves, so they’re a good option if you want the lower maintenance of a flatweave but you don’t want something quite so thin.
High Pile, Plush and Shag
High-pile, plush, and shag rugs are all known for being thick, soft, and comfy, so they feel great on bare feet. “High-pile rugs are made with taller and looser loops and can add lots of texture to cozy spaces if the rug is placed in a living room or bedroom”, says Amy Hoban. However, all of this comfort does come with some drawbacks in the maintenance department.
According to Kevin Francis O’Gara, “High-pile, plush, and shag rugs provide the most cushion, but are the hardest to clean as dirt and crumbs get buried in the pile.” This makes them “better suited for low-traffic areas like bedrooms where they are less likely to attract spills or outside dirt.”
Our Picks: The Best Area Rugs for 2024
Best for Bedrooms: Ladder Stripe Rug
- Brand: Parachute
- Price: Starting at $340
This natural fiber rug is crafted with 35% cotton and 65% wool and features clean lines and a neutral hue that will elevate any bedroom with structure and style. This product showcases impeccable craftsmanship. It's handwoven in India and made in a Fair-Trade-certified factory, ensuring both quality and ethical production practices.
According to Amy Hoban, “The Ladder Stripe Rug is a great statement piece that plays well with the furniture and decor in almost any room. This chunky, wool cable rug has a bold, asymmetrical line design and subtle wool fringe. I love pairing this one with furniture pieces with bold colors.”
Product Specs
- Materials: 65% New Zealand wool and 35% cotton
- Sizes available: 3'x5', 5'x8', 8'x10', 9'x12'
Best Eco: Cape House Rug
- Brand: Burrow
- Price: $429
If you don’t want great style to come at the expense of hurting the environment, then you’ll love this eco-friendly area rug from Burrow. It’s made with 100% recycled polyester using traditional weaving techniques from Burrow’s network of India-based weaving houses.
Speaking of weaves, the rug’s flatweave is adept at resisting stains, snags, and tears, making it ideal for busy households with kids and pets running around. Its two neutral gray hues make it a timeless beauty that will complement just about any look.
Product Specs
- Materials: 100% recycled polyester
- Sizes available: 5'x8', 8'x10'
Best Boho: Kamran Coral Rug
- Brand: Ruggable
- Price: Starting at $89
This Persian-inspired low-pile area rug comes with a thick rug pad so it’ll stay put, and its stunning look is a perfect match for a boho-chic interior. But it’s plenty versatile, so it can go just as well with other aesthetics, such as traditional traditional area rug, Scandinavian, or minimal.
According to Karen Rohr, “The Kamran Coral Rug is perfect if you're looking for a traditional area rug or one with a bohemian aesthetic. One thing that I love is the durability and convenience as it is washable and perfect for families.”
Review: Read our full Ruggable machine washable rug review here
This flatwoven rug has a soft feel, looks gorgeous, and is machine washable, like all of Ruggable’s area rugs. “When it comes to durability, Ruggable is always our top choice. For kid- and pet-friendly homes, they have a lot of great options,” said Rozit Arditi.
Product Specs
- Materials: Polyester
- Sizes available: 2'x3', 2.5'x7', 2.5'x10', 2.5'x12', 3'x5', 4'x6', 5'x7', 6'x9', 8'x10', 9'x12', 10'x14', 6' Round, 8' Round
Best Washable: Stripe
- Brand: Revival Rugs
- Price: Starting at $79
Ruggable isn’t the only brand with gorgeous washable rugs. This power-loomed rug from Revival Rugs is also machine washable and stain-resistant, making it ideal for high foot traffic areas and busy lifestyles.
It features a medium-pile design made out of 100% recycled polyester, creating an eco-friendly rug out of synthetic fibers. And it’s OEKO-TEX certified, which means it’s been tested and proven to be free of harmful levels of toxic substances.
Product Specs
- Materials: 100% recycled polyester
- Sizes available: 10 different sizes available
Best for Living Rooms: Gwyneth
- Brand: Amber Lewis x Loloi
- Price: Starting at $79
Handcrafted from 100% wool, this high-pile soft rug features a subtle Moroccan motif and an ultra-soft design that invites you to curl up and instantly makes any living room cozier.
According to Amber Lewis, “The Gwyneth offers a series of understated neutrals in a soft pile that feels at once refined and relaxed.”
If you like high-quality area rugs at a reasonable price, you can check out other rugs from Loloi as well. “Loloi offers a variety of styles and multiple colors at a medium price point,” says Amy Youngblood. “You can find some beautiful wool area rugs on their website.”
Product Specs
- Materials: 100% wool
- Sizes available: 2'-0" x 3'-0", 2'-9" x 8'-0", 4'-0" x 6'-0", 2'-9" x 12'-0", 6'-0" x 9'-0", 8'-0" x 10'-0", 8'-6" x 12', 10'-0" x 14'-0", 11'-6" x 15'
Best for High-Traffic Areas: Matilda Goad & Co. Tufted Plaid Rug
- Brand: Anthropologie
- Price: Starting at $88
Designed by Matilda Goad & Co. exclusively for Anthropologie, the Tufted Plaid Rug showcases an innovative design with a playful floor covering that features a delightful plaid pattern and an eye-catching scalloped border.
This tufted wool rug with a cotton backing is perfect for high-traffic areas, making it an excellent addition to your dining room. To keep it in place and protect your floor, using a rug pad underneath is recommended to prevent slippage and ensure your rug stays put.
Thanks to its durable design, this rug is easy to vacuum, making it simple to keep clean. Shedding is normal for natural fiber rugs and should subside after regular vacuuming for 6-8 weeks. The dynamic, textural pattern created by the cut-and-loop pile will look nice in any setting, and to maintain it, you must rotate it periodically for even wear and blot spills immediately.
Product Specs
- Materials: Tufted wool with cotton backing
- Sizes available: 2'x3', 3'x5', 8'x10', 5'x8', 9'x12', 2.5'x9'
Best Modern: New Zealand Wool Runner Rug
- Brand: CB2
- Price: Starting at $199
Introducing the Asti Black and White Hand-Tufted New Zealand Wool Runner Rug, a masterpiece in contemporary style. Designed by Bryn Namavari, this unique design features a deep black pile broken up by white patterns, which adds visual interest to any space. Made from rich New Zealand wool, it ensures exceptional softness with a pile height of 0.25 inches, making it the perfect rug for modern homes.
Due to the hand-tufted technique, each rug is unique. Although shedding may occur initially, it will subside over time. To keep this rug looking its best, regular vacuuming and professional cleaning are recommended.
Product Specs
- Materials: 100% New Zealand wool, 100% cotton backing
- Sizes available: 2.5'X8', 5'X8', 6'X9', 8'X10', 9'X12'
Best Outdoor Rug: 1188 Eco-Friendly Outdoor Rug
- Brand: Outer
- Price: Starting at $346
Gorgeous and eco-friendly, this outdoor rug is exactly what you want underfoot in any outdoor space. It’s made from 100% recycled PET plastics, which not only makes it sustainable but also durable. PET plastics are naturally stain resistant and won’t fade in the sun.
Of course, this beautiful area rug also comprises a palette of colors that will shield dirt like a pro but rocking an overall neutral hue that will truly look great anywhere. And all you have to do to keep this outdoor rug looking great is occasionally vacuum it and give it a good scrub.
Product Specs
- Materials: 100% recycled PET plastic bottles
- Sizes available: 5'x8', 8'x10', 9'x12'
- Free shipping
Best for Hallways: Off White Chunky Jute
- Brand: Rugs USA
- Price: Starting at $42.95
This 100% jute rug will add equal parts texture and warmth to your hallway all the while protecting your floors. Jute is also known for being thick and durable, so it’s stellar for high-traffic areas like busy hallways.
This area rug fits perfectly in a hallway alongside any piece of furniture. It's ideal for those who pay attention to details and want to create a welcoming ambiance even with a small rug. Whether you're looking to complement your existing decor or add a touch of style, this rug comes in a variety of sizes and colors, ranging from cream and tan to sage and burnt orange, making it easy to find the right match for your color scheme.
Product Specs:
- Materials: 100% jute
- Sizes available: 12+
Best for Pets: Soraya Trellis
- Brand: Ruggable
- Price: Starting at $89
If you have pets at home, then you don’t need us to tell you how tough it can be to protect your rugs from cute but dirty little paws. But you won’t have to worry about protecting this area rug since you can just throw it in the washing machine whenever it gets dirty.
In addition to being machine washable, the rug comes in eight hues, with each rocking a Moroccan-inspired diamond pattern that will effortlessly conceal dirt between washes.
Product Specs
- Materials: Polyester
- Sizes available: 2'x3', 2.5'x7', 2.5'x10', 3'x5', 4'x6', 5'x7', 6'x9', 8'x10', 9'x12', 6' Round, 8' Round
What You Need to Know to Choose the Best Area Rug for Your Space
How Big Should an Area Rug Be?
The right size for your area rug depends on your needs and space. For instance, if you’re looking for doormats, then you probably only need two to three square feet. But if you want to fill a large space with style, then you’ll need a larger area rug for the job.
But just how large? According to Karen Rohr, “The general rule of thumb is that the rug should be large enough to extend beyond the perimeter of the furniture in the room. For example, if you have a coffee table and two armchairs in your living room, the rug should be big enough to accommodate all pieces of furniture.”
“The general rule of thumb is that the rug should be large enough to extend beyond the perimeter of the furniture in the room."
Using this technique provides definition for your design: “This will help create a border that defines the space and prevents the furniture from floating in the middle of the room.”
When contemplating new rugs for your space, it’s always best to take measurements, but “Common sizes are 8x10 or 9x12,” says Amy Youngblood. “If you want to fill up a large space with an area rug, there should be about 18 inches of bare flooring between the edge of the rug and the wall.”
How to Match a Rug to Your Interior Design Style
Area rugs offer a world of possibilities when it comes to complementing your interior design. “If you already have multiple colors in your space,” suggests Amy Youngblood, “opt for a more neutral rug. If you have a more neutral color scheme, find one with a bold color.” This approach can provide eye-catching contrast to your design while making it feel more dynamic and defined.
An accent rug is also a great way to add personality to a subdued or pared-back look. “If you’re more of a minimalist,” says Amy Hoban, “an accent rug can provide a vibrant color and add some texture to the space.”
Regardless of your aesthetic leanings, it never hurts to “invest in a classic, well-made rug that can remain the same as your home decor evolves,” says Kevin Francis O’Gara. “Moroccan rugs tend to be more graphic and contemporary, while Turkish rugs are more detailed and traditional.” Meanwhile, Persian rugs have high knot counts that can make them incredibly durable. But the right rug for your space is one that looks great while meeting your unique lifestyle needs.
Read more: The Best Places To Buy Rugs Online
How Do You Tell the Quality of a Rug
The last thing you want to do is invest in a beautiful new rug only to find that it falls apart or shows wear and tear much sooner than you’d expect. Fortunately, you can avoid these pitfalls by ensuring you invest in a high-quality area rug.
Amy Youngblood recommends that you, “look at the knots per square inch,” to determine quality. “The higher the number of knots, the higher the quality.” You should also, “Examine the construction of the rug,” advises Karen Rohr. “Make sure that the seams are tight and that the backing is securely attached.”
Another quality indicator is how the rug is made. According to Kevin Francis O’Gara, “High-quality rugs are handmade, so look for labels like “hand-knotted” and “hand-tufted” to distinguish these artisan products.”
Finally, consider the materials the area rug is made out of. “Natural materials increase the quality of the rug, such as wool, silk, and cotton rug,” says O’Gara.
