I am a rug addict. Brendan recently told me I should become a rug dealer and I've got to admit, I definitely considered it for a few minutes (rugs, pillows, decor... how fun would that be?!). But alas, I remembered I have a mortgage. Le sigh.
One of the questions I get most often is my favorite sources for rugs. I get that, and the other house question we've all wondered to ourselves at one point or another: "how difficult is it to (fill in the house project) yourself?" Spoiler alert: it's almost always more difficult than you think BUT you're also capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for, so you should do it anyway! And if you get lost or buried, hey, there's always a Youtube video to help you fix it.
Back to rugs. Before we jump in to sources, let's take a high level look at some of the key elements of rug selection.
Material
Wool. These rugs are typically made by hand and hence have a higher price tag, but they are so worth it! Wool holds color well, although it will fade over time if in direct sunlight. It also cleans quite nicely when there's a spill/accident (hello, children and four legged friends). Wool rugs are usually very soft and feel lovely under foot. It's an excellent material option for something you want to hold up well over time.
Silk. This material is luxuriously soft and can display crisper detail than a wool rug. But what you gain in texture, you lose in durability. Silk stains easily so it's best reserved for lower-traffic spaces.
Cotton. A more affordable option relative to wool or silk, cotton rugs are a fantastic option when you're on a budget. Unfortunately cotton tends to fade more quickly over time.
Jute/Sisal. I adore jute and sisal rugs - they add incredible texture to a space and can often be purchased at an affordable price point. And bonus points - these rugs are typically made sustainably with low to no usage of harsh chemicals! Jute and sisal can sometimes be challenging to clean depending on the final texture and they do often 'shed', which are both important things to consider when deciding on your rug's location and traffic level.
Synthetic. This is my least favorite rug material category. While synthetic materials such as nylon, viscose and polypropylene offer an affordable price point, they can look cheap and typically aren't very environmentally friendly (these materials don't break down easily and some are even made from petroleum).
Style
There is such an enormous range of rug types and styles, it's hard to categorize them all! Some of my favorites are Oushak, Afshar and Persian Shiraz rugs. This website does an excellent job outlining how rugs are named and highlighting the differences between styles, take a look!
Size
Have you ever walked in to a living room and the space just feels... off? I'd be willing to bet 9 out of 10 times it's because the rug is the wrong size. Accurate scale makes all the difference. For a living room, I typically like to see the front legs of the sofa and accent chairs on the rug. Most living rooms will require an 8x10 or 9x12, but if you have a small space you may be able to get away with 6x9. If you come across a smaller or uncommon sized vintage rug that you can't live without, consider layering it over a jute rug to fit the size of your space appropriately. This also may seem obvious, but I'll say it anyway: MEASURE. You may think a certain size will look great but don't trust the images in your head. Measure it every time to ensure your scale is correct - you'll often be surprised at what makes the most sense!
Sources
Now on to the goods. Here are a few of my favorite sources for rug shopping! I've tried to include sources for all price points but keep in mind that beautiful rugs are an investment - one you'll be happy with for years to come!
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