I’m a shopping writer – these are the best rugs you can buy

The right rug can really tie a room together. It can bring texture and interest into the plainest spaces, transforming dull hardwood or vinyl flooring into a feature. The best rugs can even fine-tune your room’s acoustics, absorbing sound to create a cozier, quieter space.

With three main types of rug to choose from – area rugs, accent rugs, and runners – and an endless variety of styles, not to mention the ever-increasing number of rug retailers, it can be hard to know how to choose a rug.

To save you time and the trouble of scrolling, I’ve spent hours scouring all the best places to buy rugs to bring you my top picks. These rugs are strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. They’re durable, dependable, and seriously stylish, too.

Whether you’re looking for an indoor or an outdoor rug, a statement piece or a classic pick, I’ve found the rug that’s right for you.

Best rugs 2023

Lenore Printed Chenille Rug

Sizes: Four rectangular sizes, ranging from 2’x3’ to 6’x9’ 
Materials: 100% cotton chenille
Thickness: Flat pile (unspecified)
Machine-washable: No

+Made from all-natural materials
+Bright colors make a perfect accent piece
-Not machine-washable
-Rug pad sold separately

This leopard-print rug offers playful luxury for less, so it’s perfect for shoppers with tight budgets and big ideas for their space. The wild design has been woven in 100% cotton chenille, which should feel soft and sumptuous beneath your feet. With its natural, warm color palette of golds, browns, and burgundies, this rug will make a splash without overwhelming your room.

Anders Ivory Area Rug

Sizes: Seven rectangular sizes, ranging from 2’6”x8’ to 12’x15’
Materials: 100% TENCEL Lyocell
Thickness: Flat pile (0.275”)
Machine-washable: No

+Made from sustainable materials
+Will complement most interior designs
-Unsuitable for high-traffic hallways
-High chance of shedding

This ivory rug will work well in a neutral living room. The design is understated, but never boring: the stonewash effect of the slightly raised threads creates tonal highs and lows. Woven from sustainable synthetic materials, with a slight sheen and a velvety feel, this rug is good for your room and good for the planet. Durable and well-designed, there’s just one drawback: this rug sheds. While the shedding should subside after the first to three months, it will never totally stop.

Impasto Slate Blue Rug

Sizes: 11 rectangular sizes, ranging from 2’x3’ to 10’x14’. Two round sizes, 6’ across and 8’ across
Materials: Polyester with a polyurethane coating
Thickness: Flat pile (0.125”)
Machine-washable: Yes

+Machine-washable
+Sold in 13 sizes
-Thicker rug cover and cushioned rug pad cost extra

If you have a dog, a cat, little ones who like to run riot, or you’re simply prone to slips and spills, this is the rug for you. Ruggable’s Impasto Slate Blue Rug is stain- and water-resistant, and it doesn’t show dirt or pet hair. Better yet, it’s completely machine-washable. Just detach your rug cover from your Ruggable rug pad, included in the price, and put it in your washing machine. It’s that easy to treat everyday stains and spills. For a deeper clean, give your rug a once-over with a vacuum for pet hair. The only downside is the flat pile: this rug is definitely on the thinner side. You can make it softer with a thicker rug cover and a cushioned rug pad, but you’ll have to pay extra.

Rosita Rug

Sizes: Two round sizes, 6’ across or 8’ across
Materials: Hand-tufted wool with cotton backing
Thickness: Medium pile (0.5”)
Machine-washable: No

+Suitable for high-traffic areas
+Made from all-natural materials
-Not machine-washable
-High chance of shedding

Anthropologie’s Rosita Rug is a twist on the trend for round rugs. Curved lines create shapes of rose petals, stems, and leaves, which spill over the edges of the circle to add depth and dimension. This cream rug will integrate seamlessly with most interior designs, and it would work particularly well with your white bedroom ideas. However, it’s pretty high-maintenance. The Rosita Rug is made from natural fibers, so it’s prone to shedding, and it can’t be machine-washed. As a wool rug, it won't work for vegans.

Alisia Stripes Jute Rug

Sizes: Nine rectangular sizes, ranging from 2’6”x6’ to 9’6”x13’6”
Materials: 90% Jute, 10% cotton blend
Thickness: Flat pile (unspecified)
Machine-washable: No

+Suited to high-traffic areas
+Made from natural fibers 
-Not machine-washable;
-Not suited to all spaces

The right runner can liven up all the dead hallway space in your home. It’s a great transitional piece that’s well-suited to high-traffic areas. This Target rug is one of my favorite hallway runner ideas. Each rug has been hand-made by artisan weavers, so there’s plenty of subtle variation to celebrate. With its braided texture and muted colors adding rustic charm, this rug would fit right in with a modern farmhouse. While this runner isn’t machine-washable, it’s designed to pick up dirt. For a quick, everyday clean, simply shake off any excess dirt and dust and give the rug a quick vacuum.

Algora Hand-Knotted Rug

Sizes: Six rectangular sizes, ranging from 2’6”x7’ to 11’x14’
Materials: 100% New Zealand wool
Thickness: Medium pile (0.5”)
Machine-washable: No

+Made from premium organic materials
+Bright colors make a perfect accent piece
-Very expensive
-Not machine-washable
-Unsuitable for high-traffic areas

This statement rug has been hand-knotted from 100% New Zealand wool. With a deep blue base and terracotta, copper, and charcoal accents, this rug is reminiscent of tapestry. With a plush medium pile, it feels soft underfoot, and a one-inch fringe finish adds dimension. This is a rug of the highest quality, and it’s priced accordingly. If you’re looking for an accent rug that won’t break the bank, you’re better off shopping elsewhere. It's also pretty high-maintenance. This rug is unsuitable for pets and little ones and it should never be placed in high-traffic areas. It’s a beautiful luxury, but you can snag a statement piece for much less.

Traverse Stripes Area Rug

Sizes: 12 rectangular sizes, ranging from 3’x5’ to 12’x15’. One runner, 2’8”x8’
Materials: 100% polypropylene
Thickness: Medium pile (0.4”)
Machine-washable: No

+Stain-resistant
+Suitable for high traffic areas
-Not machine-washable

The Mae Traverse Stripes Rug is one of Rug USA’s newest designs, but it’s already one of their bestsellers. It’s easy to see why. The clean lines and geometric designs stand out, but the beige, gray, and charcoal tones blend in. This piece is made from 100% polypropylene. These soft synthetic fibers have been woven to create a rug that’s lightweight and highly stain-resistant. My only complaint is that it’s not machine-washable. You’ll either have to blot the stains and spills yourself, or take it in for professional rug cleaning.

Cape House Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Sizes: Three rectangular sizes, ranging from 3’x5’ to 8’x10’. One runner, 2’6”x9’.   
Material: 100% recycled polyester
Thickness: Flat pile (0.2”)
Machine-washable: No

+Stain-resistant
+Super durable
+Low-maintenance
-Not machine-washable

Burrow works with some of the very best artisan weaving houses in India, so their rugs are made from high-quality materials and woven with traditional techniques. This light gray rug is one of their most classic pieces, and it works just as well outdoors as in. Its lightweight woven construction is vacuum-friendly, and the stain-resistant fibers won’t shed. Super durable and low-maintenance, this is one of the best outdoor rugs around.

Ultra Soft Oval Rug

Sizes: One oval size, 2’6”x5’3”
Materials: Polyester
Thickness: High pile (1.77”)
Machine-washable: No

+One of the most affordable rugs on the market
+Super soft
-Not machine-washable
-Less durable

Walmart has some pretty affordable furnishing picks if you know where to look, and their rug collection is no exception. Even the most expensive rug on their site still doesn’t scrape the hundred-dollar mark. With more than a thousand rugs on offer at Walmart, it can be hard to know what is and isn’t quality, but this oval rug is one of the good ones. Made with your safety in mind, there are anti-skid design features on the underside to save you slipping. It’s perfect for high-traffic areas or kids’ rooms, in particular. With a super-high pile count of 1.77 inches, it’s the plushest pick on our list. It should feel soft and luxurious beneath your feet: just bear in mind it won’t wear so well.

Best rugs 2023 FAQs

Will a rug scratch or damage my floor?

A rug will only ruin your hardwood or vinyl flooring if it isn’t supported by a proper rug pad.

Picking the right rug pad is almost as important as picking the right rug. A rug pad is a thin sheet of material that protects both the rug on top and the floor underneath. It creates friction with the floor to hold the rug in place, preventing skidding and slipping.

If you’re adding a rug to a carpeted space, there’s less chance of damage, but it’s still worth investing in a rug pad to prolong the life of your carpet.

How should I clean my rug?

To avoid the high charges of a professional rug cleaning service, it’s worth learning how to clean an area rug yourself.

For a quick, everyday clean, simply shake off any excess dirt and dust, and then lightly vacuum your rug. Give it a quick spritz with some antibacterial rug freshener, then hang out to dry.

Most rugs can be deep cleaned with rug or carpet shampoo, or a solution of warm water and dish soap in a pinch.

How should I choose the best rug for my space?

There’s no one way of decorating with rugs. With that said, here are a few tips and tricks.

First, consider the space itself, and what you use it for. Runners work best in high-traffic zones like hallways, as they’re designed to pick up dirt before it spreads to other rooms. The right area rug can anchor larger spaces, such as living rooms and bigger bedrooms, while an accent rug can add interest to any space.

Then, consider your color palette, and what you want your rug to do. Rugs in neutral colors will blend beautifully into the background, while rugs with bright colors or bold patterns will make a statement.

If you’re refurbishing a room, you’ll want to brush up on the latest rug trends to make a feature of your floor.

For everyone who wants to design around a rug, but just doesn’t know where to start, interiors tastemaker Tricia Guild has some tips for rugs and runners in interior design.