Looking for a new rug? There are plenty of options. With all the materials out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Depending on your lifestyle, your top priority could be how it looks, how durable it is, or how easy it is to clean. It also depends on your decor and personal style, or if you have a preference about texture. Below is a little guidance on how to pick the right rug material to match your lifestyle.
Full House
In a house full of kids and pets, you’ll want a rug that’s up to the challenge. A house with high foot traffic requires durability. With multiple shoes and paws, it’s also inevitable that the rug will get dirty. Look for rug materials that are strong and are easy to clean.
Try:
Polypropylene
Pet and kid friendly, polypropylene is one of the most durable rug materials out there. It’s also stain resistant and simple to clean. Since it’s water resistant, polypropylene can fit the bill for miscellaneous rooms, being suitable for a mud room, sunroom, patio, laundry room, or basement.
Cotton
Flat-weave cotton is easy to clean, durable, and some are even machine washable. With a light texture, cotton can create a soft area for the kids to play and pets to nap.
Sisal
Sisal is a strong material that is sourced from agave plants. Being a natural sound insulator, it’s useful for toning down noisy areas. If you have a lively living room, sisal may be the rug material for you.
Entertainer
If you live in a home with less day-to-day activity but love to host, you can get away with a more delicate material. You’ll also want a sumptuous rug that enhances your home’s style.
Try:
Viscose
Viscose has a silky texture and an elegant sheen. It feels soft underfoot and adds luxury to a room. Viscose works best in homes without kids and pets.
Cotton Chenille
Cotton chenille is a lux and plush material suitable for lower traffic areas. It’s a lovely option for a guest room where you host the occasional visitor.
Polyester Outdoor Rugs
For the outdoor entertainer who hosts cookouts and backyard gatherings, try a polyester outdoor rug. It’s fade and stain resistant so it can handle sunny areas for the daytime and al fresco dinners in the evening. Polyester also comes in a variety of colors to punch up your outdoor space.
Homebody
If your home is your sweet sanctuary, it’s worth investing in a luxurious rug that you’ll love seeing every day. Set up a cozy castle to relax and enjoy.
Try:
Wool
Wool has many amazing qualities that make it a premium rug material. In addition to being durable, it’s also stain, fire, and water resistant. Wool is also soft and fluffy, creating a homey, warm atmosphere. It’s more expensive than other rug types, but if you spend a lot of time at home it will be worth every penny.
On-the-Go
For a busy lifestyle where you don’t spend a ton of time at home, you might be looking for a low-maintenance rug. One that you can run the Roomba on and not worry about. Look for a rug with a low pile height.
Try:
Nylon
Nylon, a synthetic material, is durable and easy to maintain. It’s resilient to rug crush and wear while being soft and comfortable.
Minimalist
Appreciate an airy, modern aesthetic? You’ll want a rug that’s understated and chic. You like simple, but not boring.
Try:
Jute or Sisal
Jute and sisal are natural rug fibers that often come in soothing neutral colorways. With distinctive textures, they add style to a living room without being overbearing. They would complement clean lines and an open space beautifully.
Wool
If you already have a tonal room in neutrals, a wool rug can be the artistic piece to bring in pattern, color, and softness.
Country
Even if you live in the city, you might have a love for rustic aesthetics like farmhouse or cottagecore. Look for natural fibers and rugs that will complement distressed furniture and comfy couches.
Try:
Cotton
Cotton has a relaxed look and a lot of charm. Its lightness would pair well with heavier decor items. In country-inspired kitchens, cotton rugs are great because they are easy to wash.
Seagrass
Seagrass is a natural fiber that has a lovely chunky, natural texture. Its rustic elegance creates a balanced juxtaposition to wood and metals like tin and copper.
Boho
Colors and textures don’t scare you. Global patterns, plants, hanging textiles, and unique accents are things that might fill your home. Being boho is all about a free flowing, unstructured look. However, a rug will be integral to combining all these elements into a cohesive room.
Try:
Wool
Try a shag rug (a rug with a high pile). The fluffy texture fits well in a boho space. If you prefer a low pile, a kilim wool rug in an exciting pattern would be a gorgeous addition.
Jute
Sustainable and eco-friendly, jute has an earthy look and vibe. Its natural texture and color can provide a solid canvas for the other furnishings in the room, and an excellent base for layering other rugs for added texture.
Beach Life
A beachy lifestyle is usually relaxed but active. To emulate a chill, seaside vibe, go for rugs with casual elegance. Consider rug colors in sandy tones and ocean blues.
Try:
Seagrass
Continue the outdoor theme with a natural fiber rug. Seagrass is soft, but its rugged appearance is a nice complement to seashells, rope, glass, driftwood, and other coastal accents. Seagrass is also a durable rug material that could handle a dog buddy.
Polysilk
If the beach really is your backyard, you might be hitting the sand and waves regularly and bringing some of the elements home. Polysilk is known for being a durable rug material. Find one that’s UV stabilized if you have an indoor/outdoor area that catches some sunlight.
Hopefully, these tips will help you find what you’re looking for. Pick the right rug material to suit your needs. Whether fluffy or silky, colorful or neutral, the important thing is that it makes your space feel like home.