Emily Henderson
Ah, I love rugs. When I got my jute rug, I would stand on it barefoot, sinking my toes into it for a glorious foot massage. Is that weird? Don’t answer that. Some rugs are just perfect for certain things. Today, I’m giving you an area rug guide, according to an interior designer. Spoilers: I’m the interior designer. Tah-dah!
What to Consider When Selecting an Area Rug
I think where most people go wrong is they just look at the pattern and size. If they like it and it seems a good size, they get it. If you want a rug that will last, there are some things to consider first. That’s why I’m giving you this area rug guide! To find the perfect rug for your needs, ask yourself these questions:
- what size should it be in relation to the room and furniture?
- what kind of traffic does the space have?
- will there be stains? (ie: dining room)
- will there be pet hair (or accidents)?
- what furniture will sit on top of it? (ie: an office chair with wheels)
- how often do you plan on vacuuming?
- is it near a bright window that would cause the color to fade?
- how plush would you like it to be? (the more plush, the more difficult to keep clean)
- is it purely decorative or must it be functional? (ie: a decor piece under the bed vs a rug for a baby’s tummy time)
Area Rug Guide
1. Woven/Rag
Urban Outfitters
What is it?
A woven rug is just what it sounds like…materials are woven together to form a rug. A rag rug uses the woven technique, but with “rags” (pieces of cloth). Rag rugs can be DIY’ed with old t-shirts, even! That would be a fun family project to make a unique piece for your home.
Pros:
- Super durable
- Nice texture and pattern (especially neutrals!)
- feels nice underfoot
- can be used under chairs
- easy to find and clean messes (aka they don’t disappear into the fibers)
Cons:
- can be slippery if used without a mat underneath
- too casual for many styles
- slow drying
Great for:
- dining
- office
- bathroom
- hallway
- mud room
- high traffic
- kids’ rooms
2. Low Pile
Lonny
What is it?
A low pile rug means that its fibers are looped tightly and are shorter in height.
Pros:
- super durable
- great under furniture, even office furniture
- easy to clean
- fast drying
Cons:
- hair sticks to them and you need a vacuum with a brush attachment to collect it all
- once the fibers wear down, it’s like a bald spot
- not plush
Great for:
- LITERALLY EVERY SPACE
- layering
3. High Pile
All Sorts Of
What is it?
A high pile rug means that its fibers are looped loosely and are taller in height. A high pile rug can be a shag rug, or it can just be an ultra plush rug. It’s important to note that not all high pile rugs are shag rugs; a shag rug is simply one type of high pile rug.
Pros:
- comfy
- chic
- luxe
- great for nurseries and bedrooms
Cons:
- fibers get matted down over time
- drops and spills will disappear into fibers making it hard to clean
- attracts dust and dirt (unless in a clean space like a nursery)
Good for:
- nurseries
- accent rug under a vanity
- bedrooms
- well kept living rooms
- low traffic, clean areas
4. Flatweave
Jenni Kayne
What is it?
A flatweave rug is made of fibers and not wool and is created without the typical knotting technique. As a result, it is, you guessed it…flat! It therefore traps less dirt and allergens and doesn’t shed. Popular styles of flatweave rugs are Dhurries and Kilims.
Pros:
- doesn’t shed
- soft underfoot
- great price for a great pattern
- goes with almost any style
- super durable
- easy to clean
- great for kids
- great for layering
Cons:
- soft but not plush
- can be slippery without a mat underneath
Good for:
- every room
- high traffic areas
5. Shag
Majorel Design
What is it?
A shag rug is a type of high pile rug in which fibers are tall and loose. Fibers can be thin or pelted. A popular faux fur shag rug is the Flokati. This area rug guide suggests that you stay far, far away from shag rugs and here’s why…
My Opinion
I dislike traditional shag rugs. I know, I’m sorry! But opinions aside, let me tell you about shag rugs–specifically the cons so that you will be on my side (kidding). I have some stories to tell you because this area rug guide also includes mistakes I’ve made and learned from.
Living in New York City, I have had to change my decor to suit my lifestyle and location. What do I mean by this? Well, when I first moved here, I thought I could have a white bedroom rug. LOLOLOLOL. I’m still laughing at that one.
When you live in a city, keep in mind that you will track that very city into your home. Despite your best efforts, the dirt, the dust, the smoke, and everything outside will come inside. Including wasps sometimes; that was a fun day for me.
We bought a gray shag rug from IKEA in 2012. I was ready to part with it within the year. Not because it wasn’t great quality, but because of sanitary purposes. It realllly bothered me how much invisible nastiness was hidden in between those innocent looking fibers. The fibers started to take on kind of a sticky texture; like I could feel the dirt.
And this is without even doing anything to the rug! It literally just sat there dying a slow death everyday. We vacuumed, were vigilant about spills and messes, and it didn’t even matter. And when it was vacuumed, the fibers started to come untwisted, essentially giving the rug a frizzy hairdo. Like, who wins this game???
Sure, a shag rug is comfy. But, those rug fibers will eventually start sticking together and look like a matted wet dog. Think of it like mascara: 1-2 coats will beautifully separate your lashes but more than that will clump them up and give you spider lashes. The rug fibers are like your lashes; they will clump, girl! But then if you vacuum too much, your rug will have frizzy hair. You can’t win.
Pros:
- comfy
- looks plush and “homey”
- very on trend and bohemian
Cons:
- attracts dirt
- traps debris, dust, and allergens
- can get nasty
- hard to clean
- hard to vacuum
- hard to dry
- fibers get matted up
Great for:
- HELL.
- ok fine, this could be good in a bedroom or nursery
6. Jute
Juniper Studio
What is it?
A jute rug is woven from natural vegetarian fibers (the same ones used to make burlap), making for an earthy and organic style.
Pros:
- natural fiber
- nice texture and weave
- nice feel underfoot
- easy to spot debris
- affordable
Cons:
- sheds
- not good under chairs that roll
- not for high traffic areas
- slippery without a mat
Great for:
- low traffic areas
- layering (place a smaller flatweave or vintage rug over it)
- on trend boho vibes
7. Hide
Hunker
What is it?
A hide rug is made from animal hide. For ethical reasons, I don’t use hide rugs or any material that comes from an animal like leather or suede. If you like the look, I suggest using faux hide. They are much more affordable and don’t harm any animals.
But also consider that by using faux hide, you are perpetuating the idea that using an animal’s skin as decor is okay. So think about the cause and effect this one purchase has. Personally, I do not think that an animal has to die for me to have a decor piece; but that’s just me and I respect your own opinion.
This area rug guide will not feature any pros or cons for the hide rug, because I do not think it should be used in decor at all.
8. Outdoor
Jewel Marlowe
You know I loooove using outdoor rugs indoors. The other day, I was watching Jewel Marlowe’s instastories and learned she used an outdoor rug in her latest One Room Challenge!
What is it?
An outdoor rug is made of synthetic fiber. It is tightly woven and made to withstand outdoor elements. They have come a long way and are not as stiff as you might imagine, therefore suiting interiors as well as exteriors.
Pros:
- cleaning
- no stains
- fast drying
- easy to spot debris
- super durable
- fun patterns
- won’t discolor or look worn
Cons:
- not plush
Great for:
- high traffic
- kitchen sink
- bathroom
- dining area
- playroom
- mud room
- areas with lots of sun that might fade pigments
- outdoors (lol, duh)
- indoor/outdoor spaces like sunrooms and enclosures
9. Vintage
Flea Market Fab Store
Ahhh, vintage Moroccan rugs. Really, is there anything better? In the last year, I’ve learned a lot about sourcing vintage rugs. Kelly Mindell, of Studio DIY, is always posting vintage rugs she loves.
If you scroll through her blog, you’ll see many posts to take a deep dive through. She’s the ultimate vintage Moroccan rug lover and owner, so I trust her sources and guidance. Do a little digging and see what rugs she links, where they are from, and the prices she pays. She knows her stuff.
What is it?
For vintage traditionalists, something can be labeled as vintage if it is over 15 years old (the older the better). This includes the gorgeous Moroccan and traditional vintage print rugs. A popular style now is the vintage overdyed rug. This is merely a style, but does not reflect the age of the rug.
Pros:
- worn in
- beautiful patterns
- super plush
- very unique
Cons:
- not for high traffic in order to preserve quality
- needs to be treated with care
- higher cost
Great for:
- low traffic
- bedrooms
- nurseries
So, I started writing about sourcing vintage rugs, but that deserves its own post. I am creating an entirely separate post on sourcing affordable vintage Moroccan rugs, so stay tuned! It will include links and all.
Did you learn something from my area rug guide? Hopefully I made the mistakes and did the learning so that you can buy the perfect rug for yourself and your needs. What type of rug is your favorite? Do you disagree with anything I said in this area rug guide?
-Kristen
More inspiration…
