Buying rugs can be stressful! There are so many places to shop and so many options, colors and styles to choose from. And you really don’t want to go wrong with the rugs because flipping them can be a little tricky. I have a hard time making decisions, so if I have too many options, it’s very overwhelming for me.
That said, while I sometimes order and hope for the best, I love getting recommendations from trusted friends and seeing what a rug looks like in their home makes it even easier for me to make a decision.
Since I get asked about my own rugs all the time, I thought it would be helpful to show you several of my rugs in one place! I can show you the styles and sources of rugs we’ve actually purchased and had in our (or my daughters’) homes for the past few years. I’ll share carpet photos with linked sources below (I’ve collected as many as I can that are still available).
I’ll skip vintage rugs and one day we can talk about finding vintage in a separate article, but now I’m going to share our new rugs and styles that are currently available.
I’ll also share additional mat options that I like at the end.
A few places where I bought new rugs:
Other places to look would be Ballard Designs, Birch Lane, Lulu & Georgia, Urban outfitters, Joss & Main, H&M Home has great affordable rugs, Rifle Paper Co (we have a new rug on the way that we’ll be sharing this spring!). I’ll add more sources here as more ideas come to mind.
Tips for choosing rugs:
Area rugs can add a lot to a space. You can choose a neutral or natural fiber rug that will add texture and comfort without becoming the star of the room, or you can use an area rug to add more color or pattern to a space.
As for which rug size to choose, I like to use runners (longer, narrower rugs) in hallways and near the kitchen sink. They are more affordable, add softness and color, and are easy to move around the house or change at will. And a smaller rug can be layered by the door with your doormat, or add a fun look to a powder room.
If you like a change of rug, smaller rectangular rugs can be layered over larger textured rugs, that way the smaller one can be replaced when you want a change!
Most living rooms look better with larger area rugs that can bring together all the main pieces of furniture in the conversation area. At the very least, your rug should be large enough for the front legs of your furniture to rest on the rug. But every room is different and the rules are meant to be broken. When making decisions, also consider your own rugs, room layouts, doors, walkways, and furniture groupings! Plus, if you have dogs like us, you might prefer some of the new indoor and outdoor rugs and washable rug styles! They can be much easier to clean.
Mats we have:
The one above is a “comfort” mat with non-slip padding on the bottom – the perfect fluffy mat to have over your kitchen sink! It’s easy to wipe clean and is even machine washable. The pattern is really pretty too. We got it in both sizes (the top one is the larger one), we used the smaller one on our doorstep. PS- if you’re looking for a rug like this in a different pattern, it’s the same rug in a solid textured beige color, and this one is striped.
Looking for more rug suggestions? See the posts below, and follow our new Instagram @theinspiredroomstyle and check out the “Rugs” highlight for the rugs we’ve been loving lately. We will also share more in a future blog post!
More posts:
Ultimate roundup of outdoor rugs
My Honest Thoughts on Rugged Rugs (and Favorite Designs)
Inspired by: Blue patterned statement rug (sources in article)
