Choosing the best rugs can be overwhelming with so many rug styles available, but we’re here to help. This guide should answer your questions about how to choose an area rug and help you find the best rug size, quality, and style for your indoor space.

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Tip: For information about choosing an outdoor rug, check out our guide on Picking the Best Outdoor Rug for Your Patio.

What Size Area Rug to Choose

The size of your space and furniture layout are the two main considerations when choosing the best rug size. If you’re unsure or between sizes, verge on the larger side for a final look that feels thoughtful instead of haphazard.

Extra Small: For smaller spaces, extra small area rugs measure at 70cm x 140cm

Small: Standard small area rug sizes are 90cm x 150cm

Medium: Medium sizes are 140cm x 200cm

Large: Large rugs can be found at 170cm x 240cm

Round/Square: Round or square rugs are available with diameters from 90cm to 300cm. Novelty rugs including animal hide rugs come in many shapes and sizes.

Runner: Runners are long rectangular rugs that typically have a width of 60cm – 90cm and range in length from 120cm to 300cm+

For a more detailed look at area rug sizing, check out our guide on How to Choose the Right Rug Sizes.

What Area Rug Qualities Are Best?

A rug’s material, make, and pile height (thickness) determine its durability, washability and vibrance. To find the best rugs for your space, think about the qualities you value most.

For an in-depth rundown of all the different types of area rug, check out our guide on Rug Materials for Every Style.

Holds up to High Traffic

Rugs are made to be walked on, but some are better for it than others. The most durable rug options are handmade, especially hand-knotted or flat weave wool, sisal, bamboo slat, seagrass, hemp and polypropylene/olefin rugs that are either flat pile or medium-flat pile. Hand-knotted wool rugs can last long enough to be passed down through generations.

Material

• Wool
• Sisal
• Bamboo Slat and Seagrass
• Hemp
• Polypropylene/Olefin

Make

• Hand-Knotted
• Tufted
• Looped/Hooked
• Flatweave

Pile Height

• Flat
• Medium (on the flatter side)

Avoid: Over time, shag or high-pile rugs will flatten underfoot, especially synthetics. Silk and viscose rugs are too delicate to stand up to wear.

Feels Luxurious Underfoot

Soft rugs can add comfort as well as style to your floors.
The best rugs in terms of softness are made of silk, wool and cotton or cotton chenille. Viscose feels similar to silk. Faux fur feels as soft as real animal fur. Tufted and looped/hooked rugs are plushest. Thicker piles will feel comfier underfoot, but soft flat piles include silk, viscose, and microfiber rugs (usually made of polyester).

Material

• Wool
• Cotton/Chenille
• Silk
• Microfibre
• Viscose
• Faux fur

Make

• Tufted
• Looped/Hooked

Pile Height

• Medium (on the thicker side)
• Thick
• Shag
• High-Low

Avoid: Braided rugs or rugs made of natural fibres like jute, sisal, bamboo, seagrass, hemp and some synthetic fibers can feel more rough and firm than soft and cosy.

Stands up to Stains

Messes and spills happen. For these rugs, they’re no big deal.
Cotton and synthetic materials can often be machine washed. Wool, polypropylene/olefin and polyester are mostly stain resistant. Bamboo slat and seagrass rugs resist stains and are easy to wipe down. Low-pile and flat woven rugs are the easiest to spot treat and clean because they retain less water than thicker piles.

Material

• Wool
• Cotton
• Bamboo Slat and Seagrass
• Polypropylene/Olefin
• Polyester

Make

• Flatweave

Pile Height

• Flat Pile

Avoid: Jute and sisal can irreversibly stain. Silk, viscose, and faux furs stain easily and are difficult to clean. Animal hide rugs require careful maintenance to remain in good, clean condition.

Can Handle Humidity

Excessive moisture in the air can be a killer to some rugs, but not these.
Many synthetic rugs are considered the best rugs for indoor/outdoor locations for their ability to handle moisture and repel mildew. Tight, flat weaves and lower piles are less absorbent than thicker makes.

Material

• Polypropylene/Olefin
• Polyester
• Nylon
• Bamboo Slat and Seagrass

Make

• Flatweave

Pile Height

• Flat pile
• Medium pile (on the flatter side)

Avoid: Wool, Silk, jute and sisal can all be mildew-prone in moist conditions. Higher piles and thicker constructions will absorb humidity.

Makes a Statement

A bright rug can bring a minimally designed room to life.
Wool, cotton, silk, polypropylene/olefin, polyester, nylon and viscose rugs are all the best rugs for colour and vibrance because they can all be brightly dyed. Synthetic fibers are fade-resistant in sunlight. Sheepskin and cowhide rugs’ natural patterns are chic and eclectic. Power loom and hand-knotted styles including Oriental and Persian rugs as well as flat woven rugs including kilim and dhurrie styles are vivid and intricate. High-low pile rugs are uniquely textured.

Material

• Wool
• Cotton
• Silk
• Polypropylene/Olefin
• Polyester
• Nylon
• Viscose
• Sheepskin
• Cowhide

Make

• Power Loom
• Hand-Knotted
• Flatweave

Pile Height

• High-low

Avoid: Natural fibers like jute, sisal, bamboo slat, seagrass and hemp don’t dye well and thus can typically only be found in limited designs and solid earth tones.

How to Style an Area Rug

Choosing the best rugs for your home is a matter of taste, but if you’re not sure how to style yours, here are some ideas.

Neutral Room, Statement Rug

Consider a high-contrast pattern or thick pile in a more neutral room. Shags, bold geometric prints, Orientals and Persians can be the star of the show.

Neutral Room, Quiet Rug

Monochromatic rooms can also benefit from a rug with the same colour palette that features a subtle pattern or texture. Neutral flat weaves and natural fibre rugs like jute, sisal, seagrass and hemp are the best rugs for rooms like these.

Bold Room, Quiet Rug

A solid, neutral-colour or natural-fibre rug won’t take away from a bold design. A solid rug in the secondary colour of your room’s palette will contribute to a cohesive look.

Bold Room, Statement Rug

If you have a dramatic style, go all in with the rug you love. Bright, large patterns and thicker piles tend to be the most eye-catching styles.

Not Sure?

That’s ok! Stick with the standbys: stripes, solid colour or neutral natural fibre rugs. Think of it as a starter rug, and look for simple, more affordable options.

Tip: Layering rugs is a great way to elevate a room’s design. If your room allows it, experiment. Mix and match shapes, sizes, thicknesses and patterns for a look unique to your space.

How to Care for an Area Rug

For tips on how to clean your area rug, read our guide.