The 21 Best Places to Buy Rugs of 2023, Vetted by Us
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Our picks include vintage sellers, affordable retailers, and everything in between.
Real Simple / Brian Kopinski
The right rug can tie a room together, adding warmth, texture, and style to your space. But with so many options, shopping for a rug can be daunting. One designer’s advice? Look for rugs at several retailers. “Start at a store with a variety of rugs to get a feel for what you like,” says Christine Zippert, principal designer at CC Zippert Interior Design Studio. “Once you’ve narrowed down the styles and colors that feel right, visit vendors that specialize in that style.”
To streamline your search, we surveyed our staff on rugs they ordered from various retailers, using their insights to vet 20 popular brands for variety, quality, value, and customer experience. We evaluated 12 additional rug brands using the same criteria to select our final 21 retailers. Plus, we tapped three interior designers for their expert insight on choosing a rug.
Ruggable
What Stands Out
The store’s stylish, machine-washable rugs are great for parents, pet owners, and avid hosts.
What Could Be Improved
The rugs come in two pieces, which some may find tricky to reattach post-wash.
Ruggable got the highest number of positive responses in our survey. At Ruggable, you can find over 2,500 rugs—and all of them are machine-washable. Each rug has two pieces: a non-slip pad and a washable rug cover. To clean your rug, peel off the cover and toss it in the laundry. According to our respondents, getting the cover back on the pad isn’t always easy, but the inconvenience is worth it: These washable rugs are a game-changer, especially if you have kids, pets, or frequent house guests.
The rugs come in many sizes and styles to suit your space, and while most of them are flatwoven, there are some high-pile rugs to choose from. All U.S. orders ship within 1–2 weeks, and Ruggable offers free standard shipping on most orders. Unfortunately, Ruggable charges a $25 processing fee on returns, but our respondents found customer service generous and easy to reach when needed.
We tested the Kamran Rug in our lab and declared it the Best Overall washable rug, but other rugs we recommend based on our survey are the Verena Rug and the rugs in the Jonathan Adler collection.
Price Range: $89–$1,049 | Shipping: Free standard ground shipping | Return Policy: 30 days
Rugs USA
What Stands Out
It's budget-friendly, and many of the rugs are stain-resistant and machine-washable.
What Could Be Improved
Quality can vary.
If you’re outfitting your home on a budget, Rugs USA is a great place to shop. The store sells over 4,000 rugs, with many costing less than $100. Our respondents loved the durability of the rugs and appreciated the quality materials, like jute, wool, and performance fabrics. Plus, hundreds of them are machine-washable and stain-resistant.
Though Rugs USA offers a massive selection, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. And thanks to constant sales and discounts, you can often score a deal. (At the time of writing, more than 1,600 rugs are marked down.) To top things off, the store offers free three-day shipping and accepts 30-day returns. Keep in mind that one respondent, who reordered the same rug several times, noticed inconsistencies in quality. Despite this minor drawback, the customer service team quickly addressed the problem.
Some of the rugs recommended in our survey are the Easy Shag Lattice Area Rug, the Bordered Solid Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug, the Indoor/Outdoor Diamond Trellis Area Rug, and the Beautiful Rose Bouquet Area Rug.
Price Range: $29–$7,958 | Shipping: Free | Return Policy: 30 days with return shipping fees
Rugs.com
What Stands Out
It sells over 74,000 rugs, which ship for free in 24 to 48 hours.
What Could Be Improved
Despite the filters and visual search tool, there are still lots of options to sift through.
Rugs.com has one of the biggest rug selections around. While many of our favorite stores offer thousands of different rugs, Rugs.com lists over 74,000. That variety may sound overwhelming, but none of our respondents had trouble finding a rug to suit their home because it's easy to filter by style, price, room, and more. You can even use the visual search tool to find a rug you love and discover similar styles.
Rugs.com also takes the guesswork out of shopping online. When our respondents ordered rugs, they arrived looking just like the photos—with the colors as vibrant, prints as bold, and textures as plush as they were online. Shipping is also shockingly fast: Rugs ship within 24 to 48 hours, at no cost. The store accepts free 30-day returns on most items—after 30 days, they charge a restocking fee.
Rugs mentioned in our survey include the Modern Classical Rug, the Monte Carlo Rug, and the Washable Yara Rug.
Price Range: $14–$141,079 | Shipping: Free | Return Policy: 30 days
Wayfair
What Stands Out
The store sells over 40,000 on-trend rugs, and most cost less than $175.
What Could Be Improved
Quality varies, sometimes dramatically.
Wayfair is a great place to score a deal on a stylish rug. The online retailer sells over 40,000 rugs—so many that you have to commit to a rug type before you can start shopping. The store’s rugs are available in on-trend prints, colors, and weaves that match almost any decor style. And they consistently offer great value: While prices range from $12 to $187,000, most Wayfair rugs cost $175 or less.
According to our respondents, Wayfair’s rug quality varies. Some shoppers were blown away by the value, scoring budget-friendly rugs that never stained or faded. Others ended up with rugs that shed or felt thin—but they still found the quality fair, given the low prices. Wayfair also offers generous shipping and return policies: Orders over $35 ship for free, and you can return most items within 30 days, though you might have to cover return shipping costs.
Rugs recommended in our survey include the Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Jules Area Rug, the Foundstone Performance Rug, and the Magnolia Home By Joanna Gaines x Loloi Sinclair Machine Washable Area Rug.
Price Range: $12–$187,000 | Shipping: Free 2-day shipping on orders over $35 | Return Policy: 30 days
Amazon
What Stands Out
There are over 100,000 rugs and rug-related products—often with free, fast shipping and 30-day returns.
What Could Be Improved
With so many options, it helps to know what you want before shopping.
With over 100,000 rugs on offer, Amazon has the most variety of any retailer on our list. The store sells rugs at every price point, with options that cost less than $25 to those that cost $10,000 or more. With all those options, you can find rugs in virtually any size, shape, or style—though it helps to know what you’re looking for. Amazon also has a vast selection of rug pads, grip stickers, and carpet cleaners, making it a great one-stop shop for all your rug needs.
Our respondents think Amazon’s greatest strength is its return and shipping policies. While many rug brands have lengthy shipping windows and pricey return fees, Amazon offers free two-day shipping and free 30-day returns on many items. One respondent even proudly “hacked” the system, ordering a brand-name rug through Amazon to get it shipped faster.
According to survey insights and our own rug testing, some of the best finds from Amazon include Safavieh Crystal Rug, the Safavieh Tucson Rug, the MaxRugrs Machine Washable Area Rug, the nuLOOM Brielle Machine Washable Rug, and the Unique Loom Outdoor Border Area Rug.
Price Range: $6–$17,452 | Shipping: Free 2-day shipping for Prime-eligible items | Return Policy: 30 days
Target
What Stands Out
You can take advantage of convenient in-store returns.
What Could Be Improved
Most rugs are typically made of synthetic materials, like polyester and polypropylene.
Target pairs the convenience of a department store with the curated feel of smaller brands. With collections from top-notch designers, like Joanna Gaines and Justina Blakeney, Target’s in-house brands offer some of the most well-priced and well-designed rugs you can find. The store sells over 18,000 rugs in on-trend colors, prints, and styles—mostly in synthetic materials. And most of its large area rugs (8 by 10 feet) cost between $100 and $300, making it an affordable place to shop.
Unlike some other brands on our list, Target also has in-store locations. Shoppers love this because it makes returns hassle-free. In addition to offering free 90-day returns on most items, Target lets you bring your returns into the store. That means you don’t have to worry about rolling up your rug, stuffing it back inside its original packaging, or covering costly shipping fees.
Target rugs that were mentioned in the survey or tested by us include the Project 62 Eyelash Woven Shag Rug, the Threshold Vintage Distressed Rug, and the Safavieh Asteria Evoke Rug.
Price Range: $15–$5,000 | Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $35 | Return Policy: 90 days
Floyd
What Stands Out
The store’s rugs are soft, stylish, and sturdy enough to withstand spills.
What Could Be Improved
The rugs are more expensive, with prices starting at $236.
Floyd doesn’t offer an extensive selection of rugs, but the rugs it does sell tick every box imaginable. One survey respondent swears by the brand: After six months of searching, they found a Floyd rug (the Flow Rug) that was stylish, versatile, and great at concealing dirt and pet hair. The soft-yet-sturdy rug even proved easy to clean, holding up after a family member spilled a bowl of soup on it.
All of the rugs are made of quality materials, like Indian cotton, New Zealand wool, and recycled yarn. Plus, the brand’s sleek design ensures its rugs are easy to decorate with. While the rugs are pricey—with 3-by-5-foot carpets starting at $236, and standard shipping maxing out at $299, it’s ultimately worth the buy. Keep in mind that shipping can take several weeks, though one respondent circumvented the wait time by picking up their Floyd rug in person.
Price Range: $236–$1,245 | Shipping: Fee of 12% of order value; $299 max | Return Policy: 30 days with 10% restocking fee
Revival Rugs
What Stands Out
The store specializes in unique rugs, with thousands of handmade, vintage, and one-of-a-kind rugs.
What Could Be Improved
All returns include a restocking fee.
While many rug stores sell mass-market favorites, Revival Rugs specializes in unique finds. The store’s rug selection is big with over 3,600 options on offer, but most of its rugs are one-of-a-kind. If you want a handmade or vintage rug unique to your home, Revival is an ideal shopping destination.
Naturally, these rugs are slightly more expensive, with a price range of $99 to $5,879. One respondent noted that Revival’s vintage rugs are more budget-friendly than what you might find at other sellers. Plus, the store offers free 7- to 10-day shipping and 30-day returns (though it charges a $20 restocking fee). And don’t be shocked when your rug arrives in a small box: Revival carefully folds its rugs instead of rolling them, making shipping cheaper and unboxing easier—all without damaging the rug.
Rugs that we've tested that are not one-of-a-kind include the Dawn Ombre Wool Rug, the Shell Washable Rug, the Bootcut Washable Rug, and the Hart Jute Rug.
Price Range: $99–$5,879 | Shipping: Free | Return Policy: 30 days with $20 restocking fee
World Market
What Stands Out
You can easily shop online or in person, and many rugs are available for same-day pickup.
What Could Be Improved
The store charges shipping fees, and doesn’t let you filter for in-stock options when shopping online.
World Market offers a curated selection of on-trend rugs, and we love that the store makes it easy to shop online or in person. On World Market’s website, you can find more than 300 designs, including woven bath mats, jute area rugs, and sturdy outdoor carpets. And while a handful of those rugs are exclusively sold online, most are available in World Market’s stores—and most are also eligible for same-day pick-up. (One respondent took their rug home the day they ordered it.)
World Market’s rugs come in a range of cozy textures and striking prints and are generally affordable, with prices ranging from $15 to $1,200. The store also offers free 60-day returns on most items but charges variable delivery fees on every order and doesn’t let you filter for in-stock options when shopping online.
We've tested one World Market rug: the Iman Washable Rug, which we found to be highly stain-resistant.
Price Range: $15–$1,200 | Shipping: Varies depending on order value; starts at $8.95 | Return Policy: 60 days
Walmart
What Stands Out
The store sells thousands of rugs at affordable prices and gives you 90 days for returns.
What Could Be Improved
When shopping online, you have to filter by subcategory before you can browse any rugs.
Like any big-box retailer, Walmart wins on variety, price, and convenience. The store sells thousands of rugs—so many you have to filter by size, type, or style before you can start browsing. Its rugs come in every color, print, and material imaginable, with options ranging from $10 to $13,000. Many of the rugs are budget-friendly, with thousands of options under $100—and hundreds under $50.
Walmart also offers 2-day shipping on most items, waiving shipping fees when you spend more than $35, and many of its rugs are available for same-day pickup. The store also has one of the most generous return policies; Walmart gives you 90 days to make returns. If you lose your receipt, you may still be able to get a refund in the form of a gift card.
We've tested and recommend a few different Walmart rugs, particularly from the retailer's collection with Better Homes & Gardens (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by Real Simple’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith): the Better Homes & Gardens Arches Hi Low Area Rug, the Better Homes & Gardens Abstract Machine Washable Area Rug, and the Better Homes & Gardens Striped Outdoor Rug.
Price Range: $10–$13,000 | Shipping: Free on orders over $35 | Return Policy: 90 days
AllModern
What Stands Out
It's Wayfair's more stylish cousin, but still has more budget-friendly styles.
What Could Be Improved
Since the store specializes in modern design, it doesn’t offer much variety.
AllModern is a great place to find a sleek rug on a budget. The store is a subsidiary of Wayfair, so it sells hundreds of stylish rugs at affordable prices. But it has a distinctly modern selection to shop from, making it a favorite among minimalists and mid-century fanatics. Because of this, AllModern’s rug selection is smaller and more curated than Wayfair’s—making it especially easy for fans of modern design to find rugs they love.
While AllModern’s rugs are generally sleek and contemporary, they come in various sizes, shapes, and materials. And style-wise, they run the gamut: You can find statement-makers in bold prints and bright colors or versatile rugs in neutral shades. Prices generally range from $33 to $5,300, with most rugs costing $200 or less. And like Wayfair, AllModern offers free shipping when you spend more than $35. They also accept 30-day returns on most items, only charging return shipping fees.
We've tested three AllModern rugs that we highly recommend: the Ovid Rug, the Machine Washable Hand-Woven Wool Area Rug, and the Walker Performance Shag Rug.
Price Range: $33–$5,300 | Shipping: Free on orders over $35 | Return Policy: 30 days
Annie Selke
What Stands Out
The store sells stylish rugs in bright colors and fun prints and offers many custom sizes.
What Could Be Improved
Most of the rugs are not suited to high-traffic areas.
Annie Selke has a great selection of rugs, with nearly 800 options in woven wool, soft cotton, and sturdy polypropylene. And while those rugs range in size and style, many come in the charming colors and playful prints Annie Selke is known and loved for. Take note, though, that we think Annie Selke's wool rugs are better suited to lower-traffic areas like bedrooms, as we found that they didn't hold up as well in testing. On the other hand, we did test two other rugs that we do recommend: the Herringbone Handwoven Cotton Rug and the Folly Handwoven Indoor/Outdoor Rug.
The store’s rugs cost between $19 and $9,678, but you can also score customized rugs for $16 to $49 per square foot. They are available in dozens of colors and patterns, but since they’re made to order, you can’t return them. The store accepts 30-day returns on most other items, though they may charge a 15% restocking fee. And it ships most items in just two days, offering free shipping when you spend more than $350.
Price Range: $16–$9,678 | Shipping: Free on orders over $350; $15 shipping fee otherwise | Return Policy: 30 days, with possibility of 15% restocking fee
Lulu and Georgia
What Stands Out
It's a hotspot for designer-friendly styles.
What Could Be Improved
Shipping is expensive.
When we asked interior designers about their favorite places to buy rugs, one gave Lulu and Georgia a shoutout. “Lulu and Georgia has really good options—[especially] for vintage rugs,” says Tanya Stone, principal designer at Tanya Stone Interiors. And our research backs that up: Of the 775 rugs the store sells, more than 200 are vintage and one-of-a-kind. The store’s non-vintage options are still incredibly stylish, and a handful are also machine-washable.
Most of Lulu and Georgia’s rugs are sleek and understated. They come in neutral colors, on-trend prints, and luxe materials. We like that there are options for every budget, with prices ranging from $39 to $15,539. Most in-stock items ship within 5 to 7 days, though shipping fees start at $8.95 and increase with order cost.
Price Range: $39–$15,539 | Shipping: Varies depending on order value; starts at $8.95 | Return Policy: 60 days
Beni Rugs
What Stands Out
The store’s rugs are beautiful, customizable, and hand-woven from quality wool.
What Could Be Improved
Shipping takes at least 10 to 14 weeks, and all sales are final.
Beni Rugs specializes in splurge-worthy rugs, which come in striking prints, beautiful colors, and luxurious textures. These rugs are hand-woven from top-quality wool, and many are customizable—you can hand-pick the size and colorway of your rug and add tassels along the edges.
Naturally, these rugs are expensive. The cheapest options start at $454 and the most expensive can run up to $7,900. That said, Beni Rugs folds shipping costs into its rug prices, so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees. The main drawback of this retailer is its shipping period—because the rugs are made-to-order, they take 10 to 14 weeks—and in the winter, they can take even longer. Plus, all items are final sale. These downsides are inconvenient but inevitable (given the customization and hand-woven quality).
Price Range: $454–$7,900 | Shipping: Free | Return Policy: All items are final sale
Cicil Home
What Stands Out
The store sells a small selection of rugs in unique shapes and neutral colors.
What Could Be Improved
There is a long shipping window (3 to 6 weeks), short return window (7 days), and refunds are only offered for store credit.
With about a dozen rugs on offer, Cicil Home has one of the smallest rug inventory sizes on our list—but it’s a great place to find a unique rug to complement your space. Many of the store’s rugs come in unusual shapes (think swooping scallops and arched curves) and are woven from natural materials like wool and jute.
Each rug comes in just a few colors—usually, light gray, dark gray, and beige, and prices range from $169 to $6,216. The store also sells custom-size rugs for about $30 to $34 per square foot, which are available in the same shapes and colors as the other rugs in the store. While these custom-size rugs are final sale, the store accepts 7-day returns on other rugs in exchange for store credit. And every rug—custom or otherwise—is sewn by hand and made to order, so shipping usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks.
Price Range: $169–$6,216 | Shipping: Free | Return Policy: 7 days for store credit only
Etsy
What Stands Out
The marketplace lists over 1 million rugs, and it’s a go-to for vintage options.
What Could Be Improved
Product quality, prices, and shipping and return policies vary from seller to seller.
One interior designer we spoke to loves shopping for rugs on Etsy. “There are so many wonderful Etsy sellers who source and curate vintage rugs,” says Christine Zippert, principal designer at CC Zippert Interior Design Studio. “You can also find some incredible deals through wholesalers.” Etsy offers over 1 million rugs, including thousands of vintage and customizable options. This vast selection means you can find rugs in various colors, prints, and styles. You can also shop at any price point, finding rugs for as little as $15 or as much as $50,000.
All that variety makes searching more tedious and time-consuming. And since Etsy is a marketplace of independent sellers, shipping and return policies vary from store to store. Zippert also recommends doing some due diligence as you shop: Check product images and descriptions for damage (and other caveats) before committing to a rug.
Price Range: $15–$50,000 | Shipping: Varies by store | Return Policy: Varies by store
Crate & Barrel
What Stands Out
The store offers free design consultations, room visualization tools, and quick-ship filters.
What Could Be Improved
Prices are high, and the selection is smaller than some other retailers.
Crate & Barrel is a go-to destination for sleek decor, and its rug selection—containing about 300 items—doesn’t disappoint. The store’s rugs are made of top-notch materials like wool, jute, and performance fabrics. And while most of them are sleek and versatile, there are enough rich colors and bold prints to satisfy daring decorators.
Crate & Barrel rugs are fairly expensive, with prices from $70 to $6,500. And while the store offers free shipping on some items, the deal doesn’t seem to apply to its rugs. Still, Crate & Barrel takes the stress out of online shopping: You can schedule a complimentary consultation with its in-house designers or use its View in My Room tool to envision different rugs in your space. You can also filter for in-stock, quick-ship, or pickup-friendly products to minimize shipping delays and get your rug faster.
Price Range: $70–$6,500 | Shipping: Varies depending on order value; starts at $15 for rugs | Return Policy: 30 days
Birch Lane
What Stands Out
It's a great place to find traditional rugs on a budget.
What Could Be Improved
Since the store specializes in traditional design, it may not have something for every decor taste.
Birch Lane is Wayfair’s traditional offshoot, specializing in classic furniture and decor at budget-friendly prices. At Birch Lane, you can choose between 1,100 rugs in floral patterns, rustic plaids, and other classic prints. The rugs are available in a range of colors and materials, and best of all, they come in many sizes so once you settle on a rug you love, you can find an option that fits your space.
Birch Lane’s rug prices range from $29 to $4,156, with hundreds of options available for $100 or less. And like the rest of the Wayfair family, the store offers 2-day shipping on most items—waiving shipping fees when you spend more than $35. It also accepts 30-day returns on most items, only charging you for return shipping fees.
Price Range: $29–$4,156 | Shipping: Free on orders over $35 | Return Policy: 30 days
eCarpet Gallery
What Stands Out
The store exclusively sells handmade rugs, including thousands of vintage and semi-antique options.
What Could Be Improved
The store charges 20 percent restocking fees on some returns.
eCarpet Gallery exclusively sells handmade rugs, which are woven in countries across the world. Of the nearly 30,000 rugs available, a handful are vintage, and thousands are semi-antique (50 to 100 years old). The rest are handcrafted from materials like wool, cotton, and silk. And all of the rugs—new and old—are available in striking colors and eye-catching prints.
Though the rugs are luxurious, they don’t break the bank—eCarpet’s prices range from $63 to $5,450, and the store offers free 2-day shipping on most of its rugs. To qualify for a free return, your rug can’t be oversized (12 feet by 15 feet or bigger), and you have to request a return within seven days of receiving it.
Price Range: $63–$5,450 | Shipping: Free | Return Policy: 30 days for non-sale rugs with 20% restocking fee
1stDibs
What Stands Out
The store sells nearly 100,000 rugs—many are vintage, antique, or pre-owned.
What Could Be Improved
Shipping and return policies vary from seller to seller.
Shopping at 1stDibs is like visiting a museum, except you can take the art home. While the online marketplace is best known for its antique furniture, it also sells about 100,000 rugs. Over half of these rugs are antique or vintage—with hundreds pre-dating the 1800s. We also love that they come from all over the world: You can find silk tapestries from 18th-century Europe, vintage shag carpets from Scandinavia, and hand-knotted Moroccan rugs that are made to order.
While prices range from $39 to $3.2 million, most rugs cost $5,000 or more. Keep in mind that shipping and return policies vary from seller to seller—some have free shipping and 30-day returns, while others charge for shipping and consider all sales final. To simplify your search, 1stDibs lets you filter by “free shipping” or “returnable items only.” Click both, and you still have thousands of rugs to sift through.
Price Range: $39–$3.2 million | Shipping: Varies by item | Return Policy: Varies by item
Rugs Direct
What Stands Out
The store’s on-trend rug selection includes designer, machine-washable, custom-size, and one-of-a-kind options.
What Could Be Improved
Though the store offers free shipping, it charges a $7.95 handling fee (or a $39.95 oversized item fee) on all orders.
Rugs Direct sells over 10,000 rugs, and its selection is packed with great finds. Browsing the store, you'll recognize on-trend rugs from brand names, like Justina Blakeney and Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines. You can also find hundreds of machine-washable rugs, handmade picks, and custom-size options.
To help you sift through all those options, Rugs Direct built a handy rug finder quiz and a room visualizer tool. Though its prices range from $4 to $30,885, most rugs are under $600. Plus, the store offers free 1- to 2-day shipping on most orders, though it charges a $7.95 handling fee or a $39.95 oversize fee (if your item is extra-large). It also offers 30-day returns on most items, charging you only for return shipping.
Price Range: $9–$30,885 | Shipping: Free, plus a $7.95 handling fee or $39.95 oversize fee | Return Policy: 30 days
Our Selection Process
To find the best places to buy rugs, we surveyed our staff on rugs they purchased from various retailers. Out of the 42 responses we received, we got in-depth insights on 20 different retailers.
To ensure we could fairly compare different retailers, we prioritized binary answers and multiple-choice questions. We asked respondents to rank retailers on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the best) in seven key categories: product variety, shopping experience, product information, delivery experience, rug quality, rug value, and overall retailer value. We added context to avoid inconsistencies, so a 5 out of 5 means the same thing, no matter who’s answering. Finally, we averaged these responses to create an overall score for each retailer.
In addition, we took a look at the many rugs we have tested (89 to date!) and evaluated standouts based on quality, durability, texture, ease of cleaning, and overall value. To source the few retailers that we haven't tested ourselves yet, we consulted interior designers for their top choices and used our own market knowledge to recommend smaller yet still impressive retailers.
How to Shop for Rugs Like a Pro
Variety
When shopping for rugs, variety is a blessing and a curse. As Zippert notes, options are great when you don’t know what you’re looking for. Before you narrow your search, get a feel for different rug styles and price points because sifting through thousands of options can be time-consuming and overwhelming.
Smaller stores offer a different strength: “Shopping at boutique stores with curated selections [lets you] focus on specific styles,” says Stone. If you’re at the right store, you can find what you want faster.
In general, we think Zippert’s strategy is a good one. Start by browsing big stores with many options before zeroing in on smaller stores that sell your favorite styles.
Shipping
“Paying attention to shipping policies, windows, and costs is crucial when buying rugs online,” Stone says. That’s because shipping costs and timelines are rarely consistent from brand to brand.
If you’re shopping on a budget, watch out for shipping fees. While nine of our favorite brands offer free shipping, five only offer it when you surpass a spending threshold (anywhere from $35 to $350). The rest charge between $4.99 and $299 for shipping, and some add oversize fees for extra-large rugs.
Shipping policies also matter if you’re decorating on a deadline. Many of our favorite brands ship in-stock rugs in just two days. But other brands can take 14 weeks or longer to ship. These long shipping windows are common with made-to-order rugs.
To make life easier, a few brands on our list let you filter by quick-ship or in-stock rugs. And several have in-store locations, which you can visit for same-day pickups. Sometimes, you can even find rugs from smaller brands for sale at big-box retailers. One respondent took advantage of this, buying a brand-name rug from a big-box store to get it shipped faster.
Return Policy
Even if you’ve done your research, sometimes a rug doesn’t look how you thought it would in your space. Nine of the people we spoke to—or 21% of respondents—ended up making a return. And since return policies vary widely from brand to brand, it’s worth reading the fine print before purchasing.
First, check how long the return window is. Many retailers have a 30-day return window, while others offer 60 or 90 days. Some retailers don’t accept returns at all. Then, check for hidden return fees. Of the 21 retailers on our list, only five explicitly offer free returns. Many charge potential restocking fees, and several expect you to cover return shipping costs.
If you’re not paying attention, these costs can add up. “If you got a deal on a large rug, you may end up spending as much on [return] shipping as [you did on] the rug itself,” Zippert says, speaking from personal experience.
And if you bought from a store with in-person locations, you can often take your returns directly there. This trick saved one respondent time and money: Instead of carefully repackaging and shipping their return, they brought their rolled-up rug right into the store.
Questions You Might Ask
How do you know what size rug to get?
Start by measuring your room and subtracting three to four feet from the length and width to find your ideal rug size. However, if you’re trying to designate a smaller zone or layer your rugs, focus on the area your furniture takes up. Rugs USA suggests leaving six to eight inches of rug overhang around the largest piece of furniture. “If a rug is too big, it overtakes the entire room, throwing off the aesthetic of the design," says Samantha Pappas, principal designer at Samantha Pappas Interior Design. "If it is too small, the room can feel small and off balance.”
What should you consider when buying a rug?
When buying a rug, consider what kind of space it will live in. If it’s in a high-traffic area like the kitchen or entryway, Pappas recommends a durable, flatwoven runner. But if your rug is in the bedroom or living room, a high pile rug with soft materials like wool can create a cozy feeling. Second, consider the material of the rug, as flat-weaves, like jute and sisal rugs, will be much more durable and wear-resistant than a shag or wool area rug.
How much should you expect to spend on a rug?
Rug prices can vary vastly. Pappas recommends setting your budget first and searching within that range. “There’s a quality rug at every price point,” she says. “You don’t need to splash out on a custom model.”
The smaller the size, the less you can expect to spend. At retailers like Target and Wayfair, an 8-by-10-foot rug averages between $200 and $300, while you can find doormat-size rugs for as little as $50. However, on sites like Birch Lane and Beni Rugs, larger area rugs can cost you over $1,000.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Lindsey Lanquist and Kate McGregor. To find the best places to buy rugs, we surveyed our staff and vetted 20 popular rug brands for variety, quality, value, and customer experience. We also assessed additional rug brands based on our own rug testing and market knowledge. We also tapped three interior designers—Christine Zippert, principal designer at CC Zippert Interior Design Studio, Tanya Stone, principal designer at Tanya Stone Interiors, and Samantha Pappas, principal designer at Samantha Pappas Interior Design—for expert advice on buying a rug.
Related: The 6 Best Places to Shop for Outdoor Rugs
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