12 Rugs That Will Completely Transform Your Living Space

Low-key, rugs are one of the home's greatest pleasures. Do you know how much homier a space becomes with the perfectly sized area rug under your couch? How much cozier a living room feels? How much easier it is to get out of bed after you've placed a super-soft shag rug next to it? Come on into the world of rugs, the water is fine.

While spending a stupid amount of time at home, I also spent a lot of that time thinking about the stuff I put inside of my home. Living in a rental apartment like I do, for example, means getting creative with how you make the space feel special, and area rugs do a lot of that heavy lifting for you. Only wood floors and tiling can feel cold both on your actual feet and cold as an overall aesthetic.

But a big area rug makes a living space go from clinical to cozy, and all you have to do is purchase that rug! There are a ton of options to choose from, obviously, but there are also a few helpful things to keep in mind before you do. Think about the size of your space: A big rug can make a room feel inviting, whereas one that's too small can shrink it. Similarly, in a small space, a dark color will close the room in, but a lighter, neutral color will open it up.

Think about the foot traffic hitting the rug, too. If it's out of the way and near, say, your bed, which doesn't see a lot of outdoor shoes, you can get away with something light, fluffier, and maybe harder to clean, like a shag rug, since you won't need to wash it as much. If you're shopping for something in a room where people are coming in and out consistently, rugs with cool patterning hide any accidental stains or spills. Look for rug options that are easy to vacuum, too—something woven—or machine washable. Here, we rounded up 12 of the best rugs to get you started.

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