The Best Area Rugs for Every Style & Budget

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 in. | Sizes: 11 sizes, ranging from 2.25 by 3.75 ft. to 9.5 by 14 ft.

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 in. | Sizes: 13 sizes, ranging from 2 by 3 ft. to 10 by 14 ft.

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 in. | Sizes: 34 sizes, ranging from 3 by 5 ft. to 11 by 16 ft.

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 in. | Sizes: 17 sizes, ranging from 2 by 2.9 ft. to 6 by 9 ft.

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 in. | Sizes: 12 sizes, ranging from 2 by 3 ft. to 12 by 16 ft. (plus the option to customize)

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 in. | Sizes: Seven sizes, ranging from 4 by 6 ft. to 8 by 10 ft. (plus the option to customize)

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 in. | Sizes: Eight sizes, ranging from 4.3 by 6 ft. to 6.58 by 9 ft.

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 in. | Sizes: 16 sizes, ranging from 2 by 6 ft. to 9 by 12 ft.