Ideas + Advice

How Tos

How to Pick the Best Material for an Area Rug


Picking out the best material for your area rug doesn’t have to feel daunting. Here, we’ve laid out the most popular types of rug materials – and how to choose the best one for your space.

Leather Rugs: Leather rugs are often woven with wool or cotton to balance both comfort and durability.

For ‘Tough & Durable’

These rugs are made from tough, organic materials that will stand up against high foot traffic.

Jute Rugs: Common in both indoor and outdoor rugs, jute is a rough plant fiber that feels both soft and durable to the touch.
Seagrass Rugs: Also common in both outdoor and indoor rugs, seagrass is a long grass plant found along ocean coasts and even carries natural antibacterial properties.

For ‘Soft & Cozy’

Best for areas designed for comfort and lounging, rugs with these soft materials will cozy up any space.

Cotton Rugs
: Cotton rugs are soft and easy to clean – and one of the most affordable rug material options on the market.
Wool Rugs: Offering perhaps the coziest feel of all rug materials, wool also provides insulating properties – especially helpful for the colder months.
Hair on Hide Rugs: Hair on hide rugs offer a luxuriously buttery-smooth finish – and invite a natural beauty into the home.
Common synthetic fibers include polyester, polypropylene, rayon (artificial silk), nylon and viscose.

For ‘A Little Bit of Both’

For a balance between cozy and strong, consider the versatile texture of a synthetic rug, designed to soften up any space – no matter the volume of foot traffic.


Synthetic Rugs
: Synthetic rugs are manufactured to give the same luxurious softness as natural materials – for a fraction of the cost. 

Watch: Rug Materials, Explained

Featured Products

7'8"X10' Fiber Rug | Modern Blue Taupe Muted Stripes | Rectangle | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya

$154
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 7'8"X10' Fiber Rug | Modern Blue Taupe Muted Stripes | Rectangle | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook
CLEARANCE Item

5'3"x7'3" Rug-Grid Zora Slate By Surya

$139 was $295
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 5'3"x7'3" Rug-Grid Zora Slate By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

9'X12'3" Fiber Rectangle Rug | Blue Taupe Muted Stripes | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya

$250
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 9'X12'3" Fiber Rectangle Rug | Blue Taupe Muted Stripes | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

7'8"x10'3" Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Aqua And Grey | Low Pile | Abstract | Rectangle By Surya

$167
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 7'8"x10'3" Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Aqua And Grey | Low Pile | Abstract | Rectangle By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

5'X7' Fiber Rug | Modern Black Ivory | Rectangle Geometric | Indoor Low Pile By Surya

$65
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 5'X7' Fiber Rug | Modern Black Ivory | Rectangle Geometric | Indoor Low Pile By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

7'8"x10'3" Rug | Modern Grey Cream Fiber | Rectangle | Abstract | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya

$175
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 7'8"x10'3" Rug | Modern Grey Cream Fiber | Rectangle | Abstract | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

6'6"X9' Rectangle Rug-Modern Blue & Taupe Muted Stripes Fiber | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya

$135
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 6'6"X9' Rectangle Rug-Modern Blue & Taupe Muted Stripes Fiber | Indoor | Low Pile By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook
CLEARANCE Item

5'X7'6" Rug-Moray Charcoal & Cream By Nate Berkus + Jeremiah Brent

$146 was $350
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 5'X7'6" Rug-Moray Charcoal & Cream By Nate Berkus + Jeremiah Brent as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

7'8"x10'3" Fiber Rug | Modern Dark Multicolor | Rectangle | Abstract | Indoor | Low Pile | Layering By Surya

$195
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 7'8"x10'3" Fiber Rug | Modern Dark Multicolor | Rectangle | Abstract | Indoor | Low Pile | Layering By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

10'x14' Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Aqua And Grey | Low Pile | Abstract | Rectangle By Surya

$329
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 10'x14' Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Aqua And Grey | Low Pile | Abstract | Rectangle By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

9'x12'3" Fiber Rug-Global Grey Rectangle Chevron Indoor | Low Pile By Surya

$250
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 9'x12'3" Fiber Rug-Global Grey Rectangle Chevron Indoor | Low Pile By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

6'6"x9' Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Stripe Grey And Tans | Low Pile | Rectangle By Surya

$134
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 6'6"x9' Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Stripe Grey And Tans | Low Pile | Rectangle By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

9'x12'3" Fiber Rug-Traditional Botanical Light Greys And Creams | Low Pile | Rectangle By Surya

$395
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 9'x12'3" Fiber Rug-Traditional Botanical Light Greys And Creams | Low Pile | Rectangle By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

7'10"X10' Fiber Indoor/Outdoor Rug-Denim & Orange Muted Modern | Low Pile | Oriental | Rectangle By Surya

$175
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 7'10"X10' Fiber Indoor/Outdoor Rug-Denim & Orange Muted Modern | Low Pile | Oriental | Rectangle By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

12'x15' Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Aqua And Grey | Low Pile | Abstract | Rectangle By Surya

$392
This item qualifies for Free Parcel Shipping
Get the 12'x15' Fiber Rug-Modern Modern Aqua And Grey | Low Pile | Abstract | Rectangle By Surya as soon as May 28 - Jun 01
Quicklook

— More Great Articles —

Related Categories

Read the Latest

Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.