Our Favorite Rugs of All Time

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Those who think decor items are optional, you might be able to argue your case elsewhere, but not here. While furniture is downright necessary—like bed frames, couches, luxury sofas, and accent chairs—I get why you see you can live without floor lamps and throw blankets. There is one item though that is a non-negotiable when it comes to decor: an area rug. Walking into a bare room with nothing to offer as the centerpiece is just downright shameful—and not to mention less cozy. If you're one of those people who doesn't own one yet, you've landed in the right place. Or if you have an area rug, but you hate it, you've also landed in the right place.

Navigating any sort of home shopping online can be overwhelming. There are the looming questions of, how does it feel? What's the size really like? Is this actually good quality. Not to mention the amount of options, brands, and price points is just a clusterfuck across the Internet. We're here to sort through the masses and answer those questions for you.

Our team got together to do what we love most: test out and review home products. In fact, a lot of these are some of our latest Esquire Home Award 2024 winners. Here is a definitive list of the 10 best area rugs you could possibly buy, all reviewed and tested by us.

Stripe Washable Rug

There are no words to describe how much this rug blew me away. I have fuzzy rugs, luxury Moroccon-made rugs, kitchens rugs, but I have always been skeptical about washable rugs. Is something you can put in the washing machine really that good? In this case, yes. Revival Rugs makes a large variety of choices, but I opted for this one because I wanted something simple, easy to clean, all while having a more luxe look. This one ticks all the boxes for a surprisingly low price. I have it in the camel color and it looks much more expensive than it really is. —Krista Jones, Commerce Director

Gute Wool Rug

Generally, I recommend against buying a rug with an eye-catching pattern. Why would you want your guests staring at your floor? This option from Layered doesn’t just break that rule; it destroys it completely. In a neutral colorway and with a pattern that feels as natural as the veins in a stunning marble, this hand-woven, 100 percent wool stunner doesn’t merely warm up a room—it makes any old room feel like home. (And just wait until you feel it underfoot.) Read more about it in our Home Awards. —Madison Vain, Digital Director

The Rug

Some rugs just have it. A plush, underfoot cushion. A heft that makes them feel permanent. A color that blends seamlessly into any room. Welcome to life with Thuma's sustainably-made signature rug. It's hard to imagine a room this doesn't work in, but I am thrilled to have it in one of our bedrooms. It's luxurious enough to lay on (good for those, like me, with kids) but also easy enough to clean to not stress about little kids destroying it. But wait, before we go, only one warning: The pile on this baby is so high, it's hard to image a door that can open over it. It's so plush you'd be surprised it's actually from 50 percent recycled water bottles! —M.V.

Shay Wool Kilim Rug

Woven, low-pile rugs can be a gamble. They’re great if you want a beachy texture and an organic feel, but not so much if you’re looking to cozy up a space. This handwoven Quince Rug somehow feels warm in the winter and cool in the summer; it’s soft under bare feet, and the color (we have it in blue) is dynamic. The price point, frankly, makes no sense. —Kelly Stout, Articles Director

Sheepskin Accent Rug

Every single word you want associated with your home (warm, inviting, plush, textured, natural, luxurious) applies to this product. As a bonus, it doesn’t take up much space, and it’s not all that expensive, but it will—without question—totally transform whatever area you put it in. What more could you want in a decor flourish? —M.V.

Checkerboard Bath Mat

A bath mat doesn’t have to be a crumpled-up piece of damp terry cloth in the corner of your bathroom. It can also make a statement, feel comfortable, and—get this—even repel water. Lulu and Georgia is known for its beautiful rugs, and this awesome collab—made with one of its best designers, Sarah Sherman Samuel, and featuring a checkerboard print—just brings a little something extra to your space. I went for the long one to cover a large bathroom, and it’s become one of the most complimented items in my home. —K.J.

Fortification Rug

Beni Rugs is a name that should be on your radar. The quality is top-tier and the styles are chic and unique. Nothing has ever looked better sitting in my home. The brand combines the ancient handwoven craft with fun designs and cool collabs (from designers who also made this list, Colin King and Athena Calderone) all while being accessible to shop. After launching, the brand became more involved in manufacturing in a fair-trade environment. The new Beni Studio in Morocco is where they design, weave, and sell all under one roof, employing and educating a team of local women. When it came to putting one front and center in my living room (the most prominent spot in any home), I went for this color-block choice, because the neutral yet somehow bold colors made just enough of a statement without overpowering anything else in the room. I wish I could translate through the screen how incredibly soft and cozy this rug is. —K.J.

Amyra Hand-Knotted Area Rug

It’s easy to identify a bad rug. It sheds. It’s hard under the feet. It gets frayed. Sometimes it’s just ugly. I’ve had them all—most recently at the exact same time. A great rug is harder to notice, because a great rug blends in. Plays a supporting role to your couch or your bed or your dining table. This Amyra Hand-Knotted Area Rug from the Citizenry is 100 percent wool, making it well suited to your living room (especially if you’re a shoes-off family) but even better suited to your bedroom. The detail is subtle and stunning; the varying pile heights have a charming way of catching the daytime light, adding a sense of dimension you didn’t realize your room was missing. The Citizenry’s rugs are made by hand and meant to last a lifetime—you’ll be glad when yours does. —M.V.

Pappelina Mono Reversible Rug

Pappelina rugs are machine washable and made entirely of plastic—and now that you know that, I bet you’re expecting something flimsy. Not so! These rugs have real spring to them, and feel great underfoot. Mine’s holing up in my kitchen, but it would do just as well (maybe even better?) out on a patio. —M.V.

Eros Hand-Knotted Area Rug

I hate contemporary furniture paired with a contemporary-style rug. It bores me! I don't want to live in an IKEA showroom. I want a rug with an old-world feel, but I can't afford to go buy a Georgian kilim abroad. I need something that looks the part and can get shipped to my home without a crazy customs tax.

The answer? This Persian-inspired rug from CB2. The tight weave and sharp designs look as good as the $5,000 rugs I go window shopping for in Manhattan. And, underfoot it feels phenomenal, as good as anything on this list, I'd bet. Maybe one day I'll have enough money to travel and buy it a sibling rug in real life. Until then, this is filling the hole in my heart. —Luke Guillory, Commerce Editor

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