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The best area rugs bring a transformative element to your space—no expensive remodel or challenging DIY project required. The most challenging part about getting a new rug, in our opinion, is the actual shopping.
And with so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose just one—not to mention all of the different styles you might be looking for. If you have pets or kids, you’ll want to lean toward an option that can handle (or hide) messes and vacuum easily, like a machine-washable, low-pile, or stain-resistant rug. If you’re looking for a rug to place in a high-traffic area of your home like your entryway, durability and a soft underfoot are key—especially if you’re a bare-feet household.
All things considered, we’ve gone ahead and taken some of the guesswork out of online shopping for your next carpet. In our buying guide, you’ll find a curated selection of top picks from some of our favorite brands (in addition to other great options that score high design marks in our books). Each review contains an AD editor’s testimony as to what makes each rug stand out, how they use it in their space, and what’s something buyers should keep in mind. After all, the last thing you want is an online purchase that feels like you’ve had the rug pulled from under you.
Shop Our Top Picks For The Best Area Rugs:
- Best Budget Rug: Joanna Gaines x Loloi Charlie Accent Rug, $44 from Amazon
- Best Low-Pile Rug: Pottery Barn Merrin Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, $509 from Pottery Barn
- Best For Busy Floors: Anthropologie Hand-Tufted Sculpted Daisy Rug, $598 from Anthropologie
- Best For Pet Owners: Castlery Cora Wool Area Rug, $649 from Castlery
- Best Jute Rug: Revival Hart Jute Rug, $499 from Revival
- Best Shag Rug: The Citizenry Mina Hand-Knotted Beni Ourain Rug, $1,439 from The Citizenry
- Best Splurge Rug: Armadillo Cable Rug, $2,000 from Armadillo
- Best Color Options: Nordic Knots Grand Rug, $895 from The Expert
- Best Rug For Families: Tumble Harlow Washable Rug, $539 from Tumble
[Editor’s note: These rugs are available in a variety of sizes and/or shapes. If you’re looking for something smaller, larger, or in a different shape, click through to the product, and you’ll most likely find the best rug size for you.]
Best Budget Rug: Joanna Gaines x Loloi Charlie Accent Rug
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“Let’s just get down to brass tacks: This rug is cute. With chocolate brown stripes set on a light charcoal gray background, it’s fairly neutral but still has some personality. It’s perfect for a home without a lot of conflicting colors and patterns (though I will note that it’s available in several other colorways). Designed by Joanna Gaines, it’d look very at-home in a space sporting her signature farmhouse style, a cozy cabin, or a Scandinavian space.” — Rachel Fletcher, commerce director
Specs
- Materials: 100% polyester
- Pile Height: 0.25 inch
- Sizes available: 5'0" x 7'6"; 2'3" x 3'9"; 2'6" x 7'6"; 3'6" x 5'6"; 7'9" x 9'9"; 8'6" x 11'6"; 9'3" x 13'
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not washable. The instructions say it can be hosed dry, which is handy! You can also wipe it clean with a damp cloth and hang it dry. It’s also recommended that it be vacuumed without a beater bar.
Keep in mind
Something I really love about this rug is that it’s made with recycled materials. Yes, it’s polyester, but it really doesn’t look or feel like it—I totally thought it was wool when I first rolled it out in my space. And that fact makes it way more affordable than similarly styled rugs that are 100% wool. That said, it’s definitely on the thinner side, so I’d highly recommend a rug pad or backing of some sort.
Best Low-Pile Rug: Pottery Barn Merrin Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
“Moving into my boyfriend’s apartment has also meant that a revamp of his former bachelor pad is underway. (It would be unfair to say that he didn’t try with his decor though—a headboard AND footboard? Good job, hun.) One of the first things we decided to tackle was the living room and this Pottery Barn Merrin oriental rug was the perfect choice to blend both of our styles: charming and chic, without being too busy or overtly feminine. The chambray multishade we chose has slight hints of grayish blue embedded in beige but still feels like a neutral grounding the room, which leads me to believe this would work in many different setups. A side note: The delivery team was super helpful and unpacked/set up the piece swiftly, moving any furniture out of the way and placing everything back to its original spot!” — Rebecca Grambone, AD social media manager
Specs
- Materials: 100% wool
- Pile height: 0.25 inch
- Sizes available: 5' x 8'; 6' x 9'; 8' x 10'; 9' x 12'; 10' x 14'; 12' x 18'; 2.5' x 9'
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not washable. Vacuum regularly and/or shake, blot spills immediately with a white cloth, professional rug cleaning recommended as needed.
Keep in mind
This rug is definitely on the more delicate and thinner side than what I am used to—I would keep this in mind before purchasing. It’s extremely soft; however, I would not describe it as being plush. Luckily we haven’t had any spills or accidents yet and have not had to experience the cleaning process. But since it is a bit delicate, I am assuming that this might not be a simple task in the future, especially since the site recommends professional rug cleaning. Overall, I would choose this rug more for style than practicality reasons.
Best For Busy Floors: Anthropologie Hand-Tufted Sculpted Daisy Rug
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“The faux marble floors in my apartment posed a dilemma in finding an area rug: What balances visually against a busy background without being boring? The answer—a simple color palette that loads up on texture. With hand-tufted floral details, this emerald green beauty brings three-dimensional intrigue to a monochromatic design. The color is reminiscent of faux grass, which I think adds a subtle, campy element to my space—almost as if I could plop a plastic flamingo on top of it and it wouldn’t look out of place. That small taste of humor behind an otherwise unassuming rug makes me smile every time I step into my living room.” — Lauren Arzbaecher, AD commerce producer
Specs
- Materials: Wool, hand-tufted
- Pile Height: High-pile (0.55")
- Sizes available: 2' x 3'; 3' x 5'; 8' x 10'; 5' x 8’; 9' x 12'; 2.5' x 9'; 10' x 14'
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not washable. Vacuum with the beater bar off, using a high-pile setting; blot spills immediately with a clean, absorbent white cloth (professionally clean for best results).
Keep in mind
This rug sheds a lot. The contrast of the dark green fibers against my light floors made the accumulation particularly noticeable. Anthropologie notes that the shedding will subside after around two months with regular vacuuming, though I still see a fair bit of shedding even after having had the rug for that long and running a robot vacuum once or twice each week.
Best For Pet Owners: Castlery Cora Wool Area Rug
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“My living room has a lot of colorful accents, so I gravitated toward this rug as a solid, neutral-but-not-boring option to balance out the space and separate my living space from my dining area. After years of walking across my old flat-weave rug, the plushness of this 100% wool, handmade creation is a major upgrade. The smallest size (5' x 8') is perfect for the room, and I love the subtle fringed edges. This rug isn’t overly heavy (I carried it up to my fifth-floor apartment with only a moderate amount of sweat) but it feels well-made and sturdy. It laid flat immediately upon unrolling, without any pesky curled edges.” — Lizzie Soufleris, AD visuals editor
Specs
- Materials: 100% wool blend
- Pile Height: 0.5"
- Sizes available: 5' x 8'; 7.5' x 9'; 9' x 12'
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not washable. Vacuum clean regularly using low suction and less pressure, spot clean only with water and mild soap. Periodic professional cleaning is recommended.
Keep in mind
As Castlery notes on their website, this rug is prone to shedding at first. So far, it hasn’t been visually apparent: I’ve just had to empty out my vacuum a little more frequently due to wool build-up. I worried that my two cats would destroy anything even remotely shaggy, but I have yet to see any evidence of their frequent scratching. In fact, they’ve abandoned some of their favorite spots to lounge on this soft, squishy rug!
Best Jute Rug: Revival Hart Jute Rug
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“I love a jute rug as a neutral, durable, area rug. This one softened up a multipurpose guest room/office that’s frequented by cats who enjoy clawing the furniture, a.k.a. this rug can handle some claws and not look worse for the wear. This large, affordable rug is the perfect way to add texture to a space without dominating the design, and it seems incredibly durable.” — Zoë Sessums, AD senior digital design editor
Specs
- Materials: 100% natural, unbleached jute
- Pile Height: Flatweave, approximately .2" thick (5 to 6mm)
- Sizes available: 2' x 3'; 3' x 5'; 4' x 6'; 5' x 8'; 6' x 9'; 7' x 7'; 8' x 10'; 9' x 12'; 10' x 14'; 12' x 16'; 2'6" x 9'; 2'6" x 12
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not machine washable. The rug should be cleaned with a non-rotary, low-powered vacuum. It cannot be dry-cleaned or steam-cleaned. In case of spills, the liquid should be blotted with a paper towel or cloth. Jute is very absorbent, so it should be kept away from excessive moisture.
Keep in mind
The rug took about a week to lay completely flat on the floor—I had to place heavy books on the corners to keep it from curling up. Also, since it was folded instead of rolled, the creases of the folds took a couple of weeks to flatten out. It’s pretty hefty, but I could manage carrying the 8' x 10' rug up three flights of stairs on my own.
Best Shag Rug: The Citizenry Mina Hand-Knotted Beni Ourain Rug
“This rug stood out to me because it features some colors I don’t typically see paired: A rich rust and soft pink—I happen to have two macramé leaves on my living room wall with that exact palette, so it was kismet. I love the rune-like figures, and it pulls off the look in a way that’s really elegant and unexpected. I’ve never had a shag rug before, but it’s so soft that I sometimes ditch my sofa and sit directly on it.” — Charlotte Collins, AD features editor
Specs
- Materials: 100% wool
- Pile Height: 1.5 inches
- Sizes available: 6' x 9'; 8' x 10'; 9' x 12'; 10' x 14'
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not machine washable. Vacuum lightly at least once a week using only low suction and no beater brush, more frequent vacuuming will help prevent shedding. Avoid placing rugs in prolonged direct sunlight as this can cause fading. Rotate your rug every three to six months to prevent excessive wear and fading in one area.
Keep in mind
It sheds! It doesn’t shed as much as some other rugs I’ve had, but it’s definitely something to be aware of. Apparently this is to be expected: The site info on the rug explains that shedding is normal in the first six months. Use a rug pad for this one or it will slide around a bit. This may be typical for shag rugs, but it feels a bit challenging to clean. I vacuum it once or twice a week, but because of its pile height, I’m never 100% confident that it’s totally clean…. However, I really love the look and feel of it, so I’ve been able to overlook the drawbacks.
Best Splurge Rug: Armadillo Cable Rug
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“This high-end rug, which is made by Australian B-Corp brand Armadillo, uses a soumak weave—a flatweave technique that yields a chevron pattern. I ordered the Chambray color, though it also comes in Bisque, a rusty shade, and Jade, an earthy sage. The rug body is composed entirely of Italian and Argentinian wool, and there’s a small strip of white cotton fringe on the ends. These rugs add dimension to a space, but quietly—so maximalists, this may not be the one for you. They work well for most other decor schemes, though, whether you lean minimalist, organic, or eclectic. Because it’s a tight weave, this seems like a great pick for a higher-traffic environment.” — Lila Allen, AD PRO associate director
Specs
- Materials: Wool
- Pile Height: Flatweave
- Sizes available: 5'7" x 7'10"; 6'7" x 9'10"; 8'2" x 11'6"; 9'10" x 13'2"
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not machine washable. Water-based spills (think juice, coffee, or even pet accidents), can be cleaned with water; you’ll want to use a gentle detergent for any oil-based spills. For that, Armadillo sells their Barefoot rug cleaner, which is safe for natural fibers like wool. Armadillo has a pretty helpful guide to cleaning your rug on their website.
Keep in mind
There were zero surprises on the unboxing—the rug looked and felt exactly as it was presented online. Unlike other wool rugs I’ve had, this one has mercifully shed very little, outside of a few tufts of fiber on the edges every once in a while. Given the flatweave construction and the fact that it’s a solid-ish shade, it can show dust and dirt faster than some other rugs. Be prepared to vacuum often—though, doing that helps maintain the health of your rug long-term anyway. (This may be less of an issue with lighter colors, like Seed or Calico.)
Best Color Options: Nordic Knots Grand Rug
“The Grand Rug from Nordic Knots was originally chosen for my living room, owing to minimal aesthetic but with an interesting shot of color—something I find is surprisingly difficult to achieve. I dropped into the new SoHo store in New York to pick up a few sample options, which handily are 8x8 free swatches (available to take home or order online) and settled on the Pale Green. The tone and saturation strike a great balance, but I am most impressed by the weight and texture of the pile which is dense and compact, feels luxurious underfoot, and holds shape with heavy furniture on top.” — Lisa Aiken, Condé Nast executive fashion director
Specs
- Materials: 100% Wool
- Pile Height: 0.5"
- Sizes available: 2.5" x 9"; 5" x 8"; 6" x 9"; 8" x 10"; 9" x 12"; 10" x 14", custom sizes available
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is not machine washable. Vacuum only and professional care required for stains.
Keep in mind
The weight of the rug is one of my favorite things, but laying it yourself is something to be aware of—it’s certainly not easy to maneuver. Similarly, the depth of the pile doesn’t rebound if furniture is moved and it can be noticeable for days or weeks. The website warns of shedding but I haven’t had any experience of that.
Best Rug For Families: Tumble Harlow Washable Rug
“Tumble’s whole business model is creating rugs for everyday family life. This means making rugs that are machine washable and that can handle the wear and tear of kiddy shenanigans. One of the key ways the brand achieves making these kinds of sturdy home decor is by pairing their rugs with a nonslip pad that affixes to the material. They come in four or so puzzle pieces that then slot together and tuck into these pockets on each corner of the rug. I thought this construction was smart, but I particularly loved the pattern of this rug. I got the sage and natural colorway and felt really drawn to how the pattern and colors struck a fine balance between subtly neutral with just colorful enough.” — Megan Wahn, BA and Epicurious associate commerce editor
Specs
- Materials: 100% polyester
- Pile Height: 1/8" high
- Sizes available: 9' x 12'; 8' x 10'; 6' x 9'; 5' x 7'; 3' x 5'
Cleaning and care instructions
This rug is machine washable. You’re supposed to use a cold cycle and then dry on low heat.
Keep in mind
I hadn’t realized the nonslip pad was a key part of the rug’s construction and I couldn’t really utilize it since I could move or lift my bed enough to get the foam pieces in place. I ended up ditching the foam cushioning and just rocking with the rug itself—which looks lovely in my space. The rug is quite thin and not using the foam cushioning means you lose any, well, cushioning with your rug. Still it accomplishes the job of making my room look less bare and more cozy.
More Area Rugs We Love
Here you'll find even more fluffy rugs, some made with synthetic fibers (read: a breeze to clean), hand-knotted beauties, and choices for every color palette imaginable. Think: High-quality, well-reviewed, aesthetically pleasing picks in a variety of styles, textures, and price ranges.
This high-quality, flatweave rug is a minimalist’s dream that would look equally lovely in a living room, loft, or dining room. Seen here in sand, it’s also available in granite (a light gray).
Placing a rug in a high-traffic area? Consider a machine washable rug. Here’s how it works: Most washable rugs are designed to be paired with a nonslip rug pad. The pad gives them the necessary cushion and comfort, but the top layer (the actual rug) can be popped off and tossed in the washing machine as needed. If your household has little kids or pets, that can mean a lot of wear and tear for your area rugs—and knowing you can refresh them easily can provide a lot of peace of mind. This low-pile pick was designed by Hema Persad and is part of AD’s collection with the brand.
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Article supplies both indoor and outdoor rug options, as well as unique options like this rustic staple. The natural cowhide will feature striking variations in pattern, color, and texture, which means each of these rugs is absolutely unique.
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We’re still not tired of the checked pattern—see Aarica Nichole’s green check rug in her Dallas home for inspiration—and this best-selling beauty makes a bright and bold addition to your space. The handmade, wool rug is inspired by the checkered weavings crafted by nomadic tribes in Morocco. The Etsy shop Moroccan Berber Touch, has an extensive lineup of similar rugs in every color you can imagine (and they also make custom rugs).
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There’s nothing quite like a shag rug to create an inviting, warm atmosphere in your family room. Case in point: This neutral trellis rug with a plentiful pile height that’s cozy, casual, and feels great underfoot. Since its made from polypropylene, a nonwoven textile, it won’t absorb any messes so its great for a pet- or child-filled home.
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It’s hard to choose a favorite textile from the team at interior designer-beloved Beni Rugs. Known for their collabs with high-profile designers and tastemakers like Athena Calderone, Colin King, and Tom Delavan, each rug is made-to-order by hand in Morocco and has the distinctive flair of a custom piece. These rugs are made of 100% wool–no synthetic fibers here–and come in a wide variety of styles and pile heights.
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This contemporary beauty, another of the best area rugs for living rooms, has a little bit of everything: an aesthetically pleasing blend of go-with-everything tones, such as cream, gray, and brown; an eye-catching mix of low- and high-pile (up to 1.25 inches high); and even tassels for a little extra flair.
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Safavieh’s natural fiber collection features thick, beautifully textured rugs made of jute. Strong, sustainable, and derived from plants, this handwoven sage pick makes for the perfect rug if you’re looking for something earthy and calming. It’s available in other colors, including brown, gray, natural, rust, ivory, and purple.
Check out this Persian rug from West Elm. The sustainably sourced, velvety soft, low-pile rug is available in seven shades, including cayenne, midnight, and iron (pictured).
