The Best Area Rugs for Every Style & Budget

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A compilation of modern, jute, and wool options to spice up your space.

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Real Simple / Henry Wortock

A great rug can instantly transform your space, adding texture, color, or coziness to any room. Whether you're seeking a plush shag rug for your bedroom or a durable mat for the entryway, there's a rug fit for every style and need.

To determine the best options, we tested over 130 rugs in our Des Moines lab and at home, evaluating them on quality, texture, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. For expert insight, we tapped four interior design experts: Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer of CW Interiors, Erin Gates, designer and founder of the blog Elements of Style, designer Max Humphrey, and Andi Morse of Morse Design.

This rug is durable, pretty, and easy to clean.

It may slide off a non-skid pad.

This rug stood out for its stylish design, easy maintenance, and impressive durability, making it our favorite out of all the area rugs we tested. When we put it next to our bed, we found that it added a lovely warmth to the space and provided a comfortable landing for our feet in the morning. Quite frankly, we have no complaints. In fact, we're even considering getting other sizes for different rooms in our home.

While the flat, matte material isn't very plush, the low pile makes it suitable for high-traffic areas. It didn’t show wear after clawing it with a pet brush or walking on it, and the cleaning process was a breeze. Our vacuum glided over the rug with ease and effortlessly removed coffee grounds and other debris. Since it doesn’t come with a non-skid pad, you may want to add one to keep it secure, though we noticed that the rug seemed to slide right off it when we did.

In addition to its functionality, we also love the rug's vintage-inspired style. Its faded look exudes an antique feel, and no two rugs are exactly the same, adding a touch of individualism to your space. While this choice may not be ideal for those seeking a more vibrant aesthetic, the distressed look might even reduce the appearance of wear and tear over time—after six months of use, we've noticed no matting, staining, or changes in texture.

Material: Polyester | Pile: 0.13 inches | Sizes: 11 sizes, ranging from 2.25 by 3.75 feet to 9.5 by 14 feet

It's super easy to keep clean, thanks to its removable cover that can be thrown in the washing machine.

The border stitching is very visible.

Whether you have children running around the house or furry friends nearby, a washable rug certainly makes life easier. Ruggable's Kamran Rug stood out in our testing due to its impressive stain resistance. It’s crafted from polyester and features a water-resistant, polyurethane barrier. During our stain test, we were able to eliminate 95% of the red wine stain and 100% of the coffee stain. The dry dirt vanished completely after vacuuming, and there was no visible proof that there had ever been dirt, coffee, or wine on the surface.

Even after enduring two months of use—and a few rounds of cat vomit—this rug has maintained its appearance beautifully. If you’re still not convinced, the rug also comes with a removable, washable cover that can be easily detached for cleaning and reattached to the rug pad, making it a great choice for mess-prone households.

We found the rug’s fibers to be dense, soft, and consistent throughout, with no shedding even after clawing the rug. The rug pad kept the rug securely in place in our testing, and it didn’t shift at all when we kicked it with our foot or vacuumed it. We also appreciated how the rug lay completely flat and was easy to smooth out on our own.

Note that the border stitching is very visible when it catches the light, so if that would bother you, you may want to explore other options. Still, we think this rug’s durability, stain resistance, and soft texture make it an excellent pick. Plus, since it comes in 13 sizes, including areas, runners, and rounds, you can easily find an option to suit your space.

Material: Polyester | Pile: 0.13 inches | Sizes: 13 sizes, ranging from 2 by 3 feet to 10 by 14 feet

It’s durable and easy to clean.

It’s a bit slippery and may require a non-slip pad.

Between scratching and shedding, pets are inherently messy, and pet owners need a rug that is durable and easy to clean. Luckily, Safavieh’s Crystal Collection area rug checks all the boxes. It's available in seven colors, each featuring a unique medallion design that complements various home decor styles. While the ribbed fiber isn't particularly plush, it is still moderately soft. We noticed that the rug’s edges curled upward, and it felt a bit slippery underfoot, so we recommend adding a rug pad beneath it.

The rug excelled during the scratch test, as the pet brush didn’t pull up any fibers or leave any visible scratches on the material. It performed similarly well during the cleaning test: We removed 98% of the coffee grounds with one pass of the vacuum, and we eliminated 97% of the chocolate syrup stain with ease. It has held up well throughout six months of use, with its heaviness keeping it secure as we clean or walk over it. Chalk stains came up effortlessly, and we have yet to notice any changes in vibrancy. Given its durability and easy cleaning, this would be a good, long-lasting pick for those with pets at home.

Material: Polypropylene | Pile: 0.25 inches | Sizes: 34 sizes, ranging from 3 by 5 feet to 11 by 16 feet

It comes in various sizes and colors, making it a versatile accent for any space.

The high pile can become slightly misshapen after vacuuming.

If you want a versatile, furry accent rug to spice up your space, consider this decorative faux fur option from Ashler. Despite its soft material, we were amazed that the rug didn’t shed when we ran our hand over it. We were also impressed by the rug’s durability, as its slip-resistant suede leather bottom prevented it from shifting when we walked on it. The rug is still soft to the touch, even after six months of use, with no changes in texture or quality.

The accent rug performed surprisingly well in our vacuum test, so long as we kept one foot on the opposite end to secure it. We removed all the coffee grounds on the high vacuum setting, and none of the furs got stuck in the vacuum bin. Given the rug’s high-quality construction, we believe it would work well in high-traffic areas. It was slightly misshapen after vacuuming, but it eventually returned to its original state. After rubbing the chocolate syrup stain twice, approximately 80% came out.

Available in 24 colors and 17 sizes, this rug is versatile enough for any room or area. It also doesn't cost very much at all, so you could purchase multiple colors and sizes to swap in and out. We think the rug’s soft surface could serve as a cozy pet bed, stylish accent rug, or comfortable chair cushion.

Material: Faux sheepskin fur, suede non-slip backing | Pile: 2.8 inches | Sizes: 17 sizes, ranging from 2 by 2.9 feet to 6 by 9 feet

It’s easy to clean and doesn’t slide around the floor.

It doesn’t lay completely flat.

Crafted from durable, braided fabric, this jute rug is ideal for indoor and outdoor use. The low-shed, biodegradable material has a natural appearance that complements outdoor environments. It can stand alone or be layered under other rugs for a more stylized look. That said, we noticed it didn't lay flat and continued to flip up at the corners despite trying to keep them down. Regardless, we appreciated that the rug did not slip or shift around after walking on it.

The fabric looked slightly roughed up after clawing it with the pet brush, but the texture was a bit rough initially, so the difference wasn’t too noticeable. Since the material is coarse, we wouldn't recommend walking on this rug with bare feet. Even so, the rough texture contributes to its durability, allowing it to withstand six months of use with no changes in quality. We've found that the corners occasionally curl upward, which the manufacturer warns may be do to moisture, but it hasn't bothered us much. Given its coarse feel, we think this rug would be well suited for a mudroom or outdoor area where you would typically walk with shoes on.

Though the rug was rougher than the others we tested, it was also much easier to clean. The vacuum picked up the coffee grounds impressively well, leaving behind no residue, though some of the rug’s fabric made its way into the vacuum bin, as well.

Material: Natural jute | Pile: 0.2 inches | Sizes: 12 sizes, ranging from 2 by 3 feet to 12 by 16 feet (plus the option to customize)

It has a high-quality feel and adds a subtle pop of color to your space.

The dense material is stiff, and liquid stains may be hard to remove.

If you’re in search of a stylish statement piece, consider adding this decorative wool rug to your home. We found the ombre coloring perfectly muted, offering a subtle warmth to any space. It is also one of the most dense rugs that we tested with fibers closely packed together, resulting in a high-quality feel. The dense texture felt stiff, but it wasn’t scratchy.

After scratching the rug with the pet brush, a small ball of fibers came off. Once we vacuumed the scratched area, however, we could hardly tell where the fibers came from. The vacuum also suctioned up the coffee grounds effortlessly in our testing. After using a cleaning solution and blotting the chocolate syrup stain, we removed only 65% of it, and there was a noticeable mark where it had been. Due to the fairly high pile, removing pet hair proved a bit difficult, though our pet rake simplified the process.

The rug held up well after walking on it, and its low pile makes us expect it to be suitable for high-traffic areas. Since the fibers are stained throughout, not just on top, the color is designed to stay vibrant over time. We're big fans of the ombre pattern, which is subtle enough to blend into our decor while still adding a pop of color to our space.

Throughout six months of use, the rug hasn't endured much wear and tear. We've noticed a bit of shedding and encountered some difficulty removing pet hair, so we wouldn't recommend this for households with pets. However, we don't plan to replace this rug anytime soon. It's is on the pricier side, but if you want a high-quality rug to add a pop of color to your bedroom or playroom, it’s worth the buy.

Material: Wool | Pile: 0.3 inches | Sizes: Seven sizes, ranging from 4 by 6 feet to 8 by 10 feet (plus the option to customize)

The checkered pattern is fun and fresh.

It doesn’t have skid-proof backing and may be difficult to clean.

This checkered shag rug adds contemporary flair to any living space and is available in seven colors. We were impressed by its dense, soft pile, which remained consistent throughout the entire rug. It also laid completely flat without curling at the edges.

After using a pet brush on the rug, we noticed a slight lightening and fuzziness in that area. The high pile sank down a bit after repeated walking, but it didn’t look worn and maintained its overall appearance. The lack of non-skid backing made it slide easily during our testing, so we recommend adding a mat beneath it to keep it secure.

Though the manufacturer claims the rug is stain resistant, we were disappointed by its performance in this category during our lab tests. Vacuuming the rug was relatively easy, although we did need to make a few extra passes due to its high pile. However, when removing the chocolate syrup stains, we had to blot four times until the stain stopped coming off on our paper towel. Once we completed the process, the stain was 95% gone, leaving only a shadow.

Despite its performance in our lab tests, the rug has has held up surprisingly well long term—it looks plush and fluffy after vacuuming and has endured no stains, matting, or discoloration throughout six months of use. Still, due to the lack of stain resistance and the high pile height, we feel this rug would be better suited for low-traffic areas like a bedroom or living room rather than a kitchen or entryway.

Material: Polypropylene shag | Pile: 1.3 inches | Sizes: Eight sizes, ranging from 4.3 by 6 feet to 6.58 by 9 feet

The durable polypropylene material is lightweight and well suited for outdoor use.

Liquid stains may be difficult to remove.

The right rug can enhance any outdoor space, and the Unique Loom Outdoor Border Area Rug is a great addition to any deck or patio. We found the rug incredibly easy to fold and carry, so much so that you could even use it as a picnic blanket.

It didn’t bunch up at all when we walked on it or dragged a plant pot over it, making it suitable for navigating around outdoor furniture. However, in terms of comfort, the rug left something to be desired. We were able to feel rocks beneath it in our testing, and the rough texture was a bit harsh on our bare feet. Even so, the rug’s tough feel and low pile make it suitable for outdoor use, where you’d likely be wearing shoes anyway.

We were impressed by the rug’s durability, thanks to its flexible, polypropylene material. This fabric is resistant to mildew and mold, so we expect it would fare well in inclement weather conditions. Even after four months of use, the rug maintained its high-quality feel.

Cleaning the rug was simple, too, as we were able to remove dry dirt with a broom and vacuum without leaving any damage. We did struggle to remove the barbecue sauce stain, though, which persisted even after continuous blotting.

Material: Polypropylene | Pile: 0.17 inches | Sizes: 16 sizes, ranging from 2 by 6 feet to 9 by 12 feet

Our top pick is the Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Jules Oriental Area Rug due to its lightweight design, ease of cleaning, and low pile, all of which make it suitable for high-traffic areas. If you’re seeking a outdoor option, the Unique Loom Border Area Rug is another durable choice to consider.

We've tested over 130 different area rugs to date, assessing them based on quality, texture, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. We first inspected the rugs after leaving them open and laid out for two weeks.

We examined the density and thickness of the pile as well as the texture and softness and noted whether there were any loose threads. We evaluated how flat the rug lay on the floor, looking for any curling along the corners or edges.

Next, we tested each rug's durability. With our bare feet, we walked across the rugs, examining their plushness and cushioning. For the rugs that came with a rug pad or non-skid backing, we pushed them with our feet to see how easily they slid or if they stayed in place.

On the bottom left corner of each rug, we took a pet brush and brushed it similarly to how a dog or cat might claw it. We did this aggressively for 10 seconds. If we noticed any significant damage, we stopped before the 10-second mark and noted how many seconds elapsed when we saw the damage.

Our next test helped us evaluate ease of care. Next to the abraded area, we sprinkled 1 teaspoon of coffee grounds into the carpet fibers. We vacuumed the region, observing how well the vacuum removed the grounds. For the rugs undergoing the stain test, we applied 1/4 teaspoon of chocolate syrup near the edge of the rug.

After letting the stain sit for five minutes, we wiped the excess syrup with paper towels. If the stains didn’t lift from the dry paper towel, we saturated the area with a DIY stain remover and let them sit for a few more seconds.

We wiped up the stain remover and blotted it with a paper towel again, observing how much effort was required to remove the stain, how much of the stain we successfully removed, and how saturated the stain was. For long-term insights, we took the rugs home to evaluate their durability after two and six months of real-world use.

Real Simple / Henry Wortock

When determining the right size rug for any space, there are a few factors to consider. First, think about the furniture in the room you’re shopping for, and make sure you measure your space and know the layout of the room.

“A good rule of thumb is to aim to have at least the front-facing legs of each piece of furniture sitting on the rug,” Humphrey says. “But if you can, it’s even better to have all legs of all furniture sitting on it.” For a dining room, Gates says that all four legs of the dining chairs should remain on the rug, even when pulled out. In addition to making the room look larger, Gates says that adding a correctly-sized rug can anchor your space and make it feel more grounded and cohesive.

For a bedroom, your rug should ideally run a bit more than halfway under your bed, ending right before your nightstands. Gates admits that this can be tricky for certain bedrooms—especially ones that are long and narrow—and recommends looking for brands with custom sizing options. Lots of rug brands have handy sizing guides on their sites as well to make it easier to help visualize specific rug sizes in your room.

Rugs are made with many different materials, all of which have pros and cons depending on your budget, preferred location, decor style, and desired longevity. One of the most common materials is wool, one of Morse's favorites.

“It's soft underfoot and great at insulating cold rooms, as well as being easy to clean and usually designed to withstand years of wear and tear,” she says. Wool rugs are great for high-traffic areas of your home like entryways, living rooms, and hallways. Keep in mind that wool rugs tend to be more of an investment compared to other materials and aren’t good at absorbency, so they shouldn’t be in an area with a lot of moisture.

If you’re on a budget and want an easy-to-maintain rug, cotton is a good choice. Lots of flatweave rugs are made from cotton, like dhurries and kilims, and you can generally find cotton rugs that are also washable. The biggest con is longevity—while cotton rugs are easy to care for, they can often start to fade and wear down over time, making them best for more relaxed areas of your home, like a bedroom.

If you’re looking to add texture to your space, natural fiber options like jute or sisal are excellent choices. These materials are usually pretty hardy and often a favorite choice for hallways or entries, but they can be hard to get stains out of, so you have to make sure to treat spills immediately.

Other budget-friendly rug materials are synthetics like nylon, polypropylene, and polyester. You can find synthetic rugs in lots of style options, and they’re often used for indoor/outdoor rugs. “Polypropylene indoor/outdoor rugs are so easy to care for because you can practically just hose them off,” Gates says, adding that she likes using indoor/outdoor rugs for clients with pets and kids. Depending on the specific synthetic material, however, they might not feel as cozy and luxe as a wool rug and can be more prone to damage compared to other materials.

When choosing a rug, consider what pile height works best in your home. Generally speaking, if a rug’s height is less than 0.25 inches, it’s considered a low pile, 0.25 to 0.5 inches is a medium pile, and over 0.5 inches is considered plush or high pile.

While some plush rugs, like shag, feel cozier and luxe, they may require more care and vacuuming than thinner rugs. “If you're looking for a plush, cozy rug for a nursery or playroom where you'll often be on the floor, you want a higher pile,” Gates says. “If it's a high-traffic area, a lower pile is ideal because it's easier to clean.”

Humphrey notes that while choosing the ideal pile height depends on use and setting, a low- to medium-pile rug is always a safe bet for a higher-traffic area, as it tends to wear better.

Before you buy, think about where you plan to place the rug. You may need to rotate plush rugs more often if there’s heavy furniture sitting on them so that the fibers don’t get permanently crushed under the weight of the legs. It's also worth considering how often you vacuum. Jute, wool, and shag rugs tend to shed more, though regular vacuuming can help minimize that downside.

Gates also explains the importance of placement relative to doors: “You should take note of the space between the bottom of a door and the floor so that the door can swing open easily without running into the rug."

Certain materials are easier to care for than others, so you should consider how much time and effort you are willing to invest in the upkeep of your rug. Each brand has its own care instructions, so it's important to check the specific guidelines for your rug to ensure its longevity.

If you're looking for a fairly low-effort maintenance option, consider a low-pile rug made of polyester or polypropylene. Low-pile rugs are typically easier to clean than high-pile rugs because a vacuum can glide over the tight weave without getting caught. Plus, hidden crumbs and debris are less likely to become trapped in the material. Some rugs, like Ruggable's Kamran Rug, also come with a machine-washable cover, allowing you to do a quick refresh when needed.

AllModern Ovid Rug: This rug added a vibrant touch to our space, and its low pile proved incredibly easy to clean. However, it's a bit too thin for our liking, and we noticed some fraying at the six-month mark.

Safavieh Milan Shag Accent Rug: We love the soft, plush feel of this rug, especially for its budget-friendly price. Just keep in mind that debris and smaller particles can get caught in the high pile, so it may require some extra maintenance.

Ikea Vedbäk Rug: If you're looking for a traditional accent rug, this one is a great choice. We were particularly impressed by how easy it was to clean—during our tests, liquids stayed on top of the rug instead of soaking in, and we managed to remove the entire chocolate syrup stain. However, we did notice some ripples in the middle of the rug, so we'd recommend adding an anti-slip pad to keep it in place.

Rifle Paper Co. Provence Joliette Power-Loomed Rug: We were impressed by this rug’s durability and how easily we were able to remove the coffee grounds and chocolate syrup stain. While the rug’s low pile makes it suitable for high-traffic areas, we found it slippery, even after adding a rug pad beneath it.

Rugs USA Dotted Diamond Trellis Nursery Area Rug: This rug’s simple geometric design stood out to us, and it performed well during our stain-removal test. Even so, the material frayed when we scratched it with a pet brush, making us question its durability.

Real Simple / Henry Wortock

When choosing a rug, Gates says that pet owners should first consider the ease of cleaning and the weave. She recommends avoiding viscose, jute, sisal, and silk, which stain easily. Though these materials may not necessarily reduce the rug's overall quality, they may be less suitable for dirty paws and tracked mud.

Along with stain resistance, durability is another factor, as looser weaves may snag more easily. Gates says rugs with a tight weave are ideal because dogs and cats are less likely to get their nails stuck or snagged.

Gates says that indoor/outdoor rugs made with polypropylene are generally easy to clean, and vintage/antique rugs are, too, because the patterns are often dense with saturated colors that hide stains and dirt. Humphrey notes that low-pile knotted rugs tend to have long lifetimes.

High-pile rugs, like shag rugs, require a bit of extra care because dirt can easily get embedded in the longer fibers. Still, they aren't necessarily difficult to clean—they just need a bit more time.

Determining a rug’s quality is largely dependent on your objectives and preferences. However, there are certain factors that can make one rug stand our from another.

"When it comes to a high-quality rug, the two most important factors are construction and material," Woolsey says. Humphrey says that you can deduce a rug’s quality by the materials and how it’s loomed, tufted, or knotted, adding that handmade/bespoke rugs are the most valuable.

Gates says the cost of a rug is dependent on its size, construction, materials, and customization. If you want a more budget-friendly option, she recommends checking out rug showrooms, which often offer in-stock choices at cheaper prices.

“One thing we often tell clients is to not sacrifice size based on price—a lot of consumers end up buying a smaller (too small) rug because it's a little bit less expensive, but we find it's worth it to spend a bit more to have a rug that's the right size,” Gates says. Humphrey adds that you should expect to pay at least $1,000 for a quality rug: "Price typically doesn’t lie—you get what you pay for."

This article was written by Jamie Fischer, a shopping writer for Real Simple. To find the best area rugs, we tested more than 130 different area rugs, assessing them based on quality, texture, durability, ease of cleaning, and value.

For insight, we tapped four experts: Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer of CW Interiors, Erin Gates, designer and founder of the blog Elements of Style, Andi Morse of Morse Design, and interior designer Max Humphrey.

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