I must admit I am kind-of a rug snob. I blame it on my design background and working in a high-end design store. I worked for a design firm for 18 years. I was the store buyer and manager for about 8 of those years. Part of my job was to go to markets and meet with the vendors and manufacturers of the products we were buying. I got to see the process of a sofa made from start to finish, starting with the fabric design process and manufacturing. I also got to see how rugs are made. And since I bought for a high-end store I wouldn’t even look at machine made rugs or synthetic materials.
Now my eyes are little more open to ALL rugs and price points since I am not in that design store. I have helped clients select rugs that are machine made and they are turned out so pretty! Hand Knotted Rugs are gorgeous and are meant to last a lifetime- but some of us don’t want to keep rugs a lifetime. We want affordable rugs we don’t feel bad if we want to change them after a couple years- that is why machine rugs are ok in my book!
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can offer about rugs is to GET THE RIGHT SIZE! You want your rug to be the piece that connects your furniture together. Always have the front of the sofa legs ON the rug and at least the the front of the chairs or settee that you have grouped in the room. I typically start with a rug when designing the room. Then I pick pillows, sofa everything from that. You can find my rug sizing tips HERE.
I am sharing my favorite rugs I have come across lately! What I think of OUR rugs. Tips for cleaning Jute Rugs and a couple of rugs we are deciding on!
Jute Rug / Natural Fiber Rug Options-
(Keep reading for my Jute Rug Cleaning Tips)
#1- Jute Rug with a backing- HERE- Handcrafted of 100% natural braided jute with a chunky basketweave texture, features a cotton backing that eliminates shedding and prevents slipping like a built-in rug pad. Available in standard and floor runner sizes
#2- Jute Rug with border HERE– Tightly Woven for minimal shedding
#3- Jute- Inspired FLOR Tiles HERE. I think this is a great way to go for a high-traffic area or with pets. They come in 1’x1′ tiles that you can easily remove when you need to clean one or replace it.
#4- Jute Rug HERE– made with 100% hand loom made product using a mixture of two different textures of natural jute yarn. This is softer jute rug. I have a friend who has two of these and loves them. Others have said that they have had issues with them shedding. I think it just really depends on the batch you get!
#5- Jute Rug HERE– This is our rug! It has been soft for kids to play on and yet very durable. We only have issues with it shedding on black pants- what you will see with any jute rug. Overall we loved it I would buy it again!
#6- Jute Rug HERE– I included this Jute Rug because it is a bleached jute that is tightly woven. Not a lot of loose fibers, but not on the super soft side either.
Affordable Black Rug Options-
#1- HERE 5×7 $121 /// #2- HERE 5×7 $299 /// #3- HERE 7×10 $500 /// #4-HERE 5×7 $165 /// #5- HERE 5×10 $180 /// #6- HERE 5×7 $412
Affordable Outdoor Rug Options-
#1- HERE 5×8 $249 /// #2- HERE 5×7 $59 ///#3- HERE 5×7 $59 /// #4-HERE 5×8 $149 /// #5- HERE 5×8 $309/// #6- HERE 5×7 $125
Affordable Colorful Rugs- 
#1- HERE 7×10 $578 // #2- HERE 5×8 $1000 (this is one we have)/ #3- HERE 5×8 $799 ///#4- HERE 8×10 $1300// #5- HERE 5×7 $84 /// #6- HERE 5×7 $185
#1- HERE /// #2- HERE /// #3-HERE I have this one! Layered with THIS one ///#4- HERE /// #5- HERE /// #6- HERE /// #7- HERE
Review on the rugs we have-
I personally have really liked this rug. It does not shed- only if you wear black you will notice loose fibers on your clothes. But other than that it is great for the price too! Finn did get sick on it and I cleaned it with vinegar and water. It still smelled so I used baking soda on the top. It absorbed the smell but it left a yellow stain, totally bleaching it out and gave it a chemical burn. Even using too much water on a jute could do that as well. I received A LOT of tips from all of you on how to clean it- which I should have asked BEORE I went to town with the baking soda. Also any kind of vomit has the risk of creating a permeant damage from the acid
Jute Rug Cleaning Tips
Avoid–
Hydrogen Peroxide- that is a big NO also- it will take out the color as well, it is a type of bleach. And a lot of water- this could also discolor the jute
Try-
Before you clean it is best to test on a small area that is hidden these were the tips that came from Professional Carpet Cleaners and tips I got over and over-
Club Soda
Capture Capet & Rug Dry Cleaner
Clean with a Green Machine (but clean the entire rug)
Enzyme Cleaner
Help picking a new rug!
After the cleaning and the bleaching of the rug we are in the market for a new rug. Kevin wants a completely different rug and I am ok with that. Below is what we have it narrowed down to! Please give us your thoughts! (we will put this one in our unfinished basement).
#1- THIS $299 5×7 Retro cream and gold ///#2- THIS Vintage inspired blue- /// #3- THIS white and black /// #4- THIS Worn Green
We have had THIS rug for about two years. While I love the look of it we haven’t loved that little crumbs or Lego pieces fall into the cracks. It just takes a little more time to vacuum. This rug would be great in a bedroom and actually after writing this I think we will move it to our bedroom!
I think we will put it in here! We have really liked THIS jute rug in with the diamond pattern, it is soft also and doesn’t shed. (We could put this rug upstairs).
I love the look of this rug- it has gotten darker from wear. I recently cleaned it with THIS carpet cleaner and it made a big difference. I would get a carpet cleaner with a lighter rug. You can find this exact rug HERE and HERE is a similar black.
** I recommend a rug pad under every rug. You can find them HERE or you can go to your local carpet store and have them cut one to size- that is the best place to get a really thick rug pad.
Hope that helps you in your search for the perfect rug!
Thank you for all your wonderful rug advice! Ive had my on your bedroom rug for awhile. I would like to layer it over our existing wall to wall carpet but am afraid it will “creep” or “travel”. Do you have any suggestions to keep that from happening? As for you living room, I vote for #2. Since you have a neutral room, a little color would be fun!
I love that rug! There are rug pads that “grip” they do help! I linked some on amazon or bed bath beyond has them- they look like a waffle pattern
I pinned this to return to when I buy a new rug.
I vote #2, it is beautiful!
I love your current rug, it was actually one that I wanted to get, but ended up with the WE one.
I like #2 for your space!
Thanks for the tips. I like #2 to add some color. BTW , love your blog especially the question and answer section.
Oh I just love this room with your existing rug-but change is fun. I’m more partial to #4. You wouldn’t consider another jute rug in there? Well I know you can’t do any wrong so I’ll be looking forward to what you choose.
I love the 3rd rug you posted for your living room!!
Hi! I absolutely love your home! Thank you for the rug tips!! I am currently looking for a outdoor rug to place under my outdoor dining set. Are these rugs to small for my 6 piece set?
My vote is for #1.
If you have the space I would do an 8×10 under a 6 piece set….
Thank you!
Love this post! I love all your choices, but I vote for 2,1,4,3 in that order! So fun! Can’t wait to see what you pick!
I’m going against the majority and voting for 1 or 4. I like neutral and adding color with pillows or accessories that can be changed out more easily and less expensive.
Your home is one of my favorites so I’m sure whatever you choose will look awesome!!
Shellie
I vote for #2 and in second place #4. Thanks for all your many tips and all that you share.
#3!!!
I think rug #2 would look amazing in your space!
I bought your current rug and love it. I could totally see #1 in your room or #4. Any of them would look great!!
Great rug tips! I like all the options…but I think #4 will look best with your pink piano and will play off the wallpaper nicely. Number 3 is awesome but I think it might be hard to keep nice looking in such a busy space.
Nancy
Go with #2! I’m a blue lover anyway, but I think it would be a lovely addition to your more neutral room. And it looks like it has enough neutral hues in it to go well with your two accent chairs!
Thankyou for this incredibly helpful post! I vote #3 or #2 …isn’t that so helpful 😂
My vote is Number 1 because it looks like it would be so soft on the feet, love the colour and is so Hygge to me. I can’t wait to see which one you choose.They are all really great!
Hi Brooke,
This was a very informative post. I know you like black and white and while I do, I’m really drawn to some color and consider blue a neutral. My favorite is #2. I also like #4, especially when I opened the link, but I think the the smaller pattern of #2 will work better overall in your room. It has some warm tones in it and from a practical standpoint, will probably show the least amount of wear. I had a jute rug once and it worked for a while, until we had a pet get sick on it.
Rug #2! Beautiful and very forgiving. I have learned, living with 2 handsome (kind of messy) fellows and a big furry pup, a rug with a slightly busy pattern… easy to steam vac is a good thing. I know whatever you guys choose will be perfect. Looking forward to the re-do!
I think #2 would look lovely in your space !
#2
3!! 😍😍😍
I always look forward to your blog! Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks! I love rug #2 IF you’re two chairs were lighter. Sooo my vote is for rug #1! The pattern is playful, light and airy. I also think would help lengthen the space. Happy Hump day!
I agree- I am worried about the chairs with that blue rug….
and thank you!
I vote for 4!
I think #2 is the most forgiving rug for life with small kids, but fresh the price! Lol maybe I’m just cheap when it comes to buying rugs that I know we’ll be replacing in a year or two, depending on which animals ruin it first, the 2 dogs or the kids!! 😂 I love RugsUSA.com!
Geesh not fresh. Oh this phone and autocorrect!!
I say #2, love the soft blue!
I vote for rug #2!
I’d pick #1. It seems to go with your decor. #2 is similar to what you had before so even though I like it I’d say no. #4 seems too south western for your house, and #3 seems too busy. I’m sure whatever you pick it’ll look great.
I like #1.