We Tested (and Rated!) All the Rugs at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Your Space and Needs
Table of Contents
Best Statement Maker: Channing Persian-Style Hand-Tufted Wool Rug
Best for Dining Rooms: Jordie Handwoven Textured Easy Care Rug
If you ask us, rugs are one of the most challenging decor essentials to shop for online. You have to have a pretty narrow scope already — know what room(s) you’re shopping for, which styles you’re open to, and the feeling you want underfoot — in order to approach the thousands upon thousands of rugs on the market. We haven’t even talked about the fact that most of us have budgets to consider as well (if not fully base our decisions around). With that in mind, we’re seeking to answer one of the top questions we get from readers: “Are Pottery Barn rugs really worth it?”
Of course, most big home decor purchases, including sofas and sectionals, dining tables, and coffee tables, aren’t all that easy to commit to sight unseen either, but that’s why we’re here. As your Personal Shopper, we’re visiting the showrooms and stores of your favorite home brands to put all the hard-to-online-shop-for items to the test, from sofas to — you guessed it — rugs. If it was on the store’s floor, it’s on our list. We went, saw, and stepped on every rug at a couple of Pottery Barn’s New York City locations, and now we’re reporting our honest opinions about them all. Without further ado, read on to find out which Pottery Barn rug is ideal for you.
Why Pottery Barn?
As one of the premier spots across the country to shop for home decor, Pottery Barn is a reliable retailer. It’s a brand that, overall, has demonstrated its capacity to stay on top of trends and remained true to its best-selling classics and Americana roots. Beyond this, Pottery Barn has its Design Crew, a team of interior design experts across the country, to help with all things planning, logistics, and aesthetics for the home. Not only can you take your pick from virtual, storefront, or in-home meetings with crew members, but they will also listen to your every desire when it comes to your dream space — whether it’s one room or your entire home — and develop custom renderings. Oh, and they’ll do it for free. Yep, free. No need to purchase anything, either (though, yes, you’re probably going to want to).
Lastly, Pottery Barn has an entire collection of high-performance rugs, which is noted by “Easy Care” in their names. Although this doesn’t mean they’re machine washable — all of the rugs below are recommended to be spot or professionally cleaned — it means the materials and weaves they’re made of are resistant to staining, wear, and tear. In short, blotting away stains is foolproof with the Easy Care rugs, making them great family- and pet-friendly options.
The range of rugs carried by Pottery Barn is not limited to this list. Visit the website for more options.
The Criteria
We judged every Pottery Barn rug we found in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5.
Keep in mind: We’ve focused our testing on the rugs’ visual and tangible elements, serving as your eyes and hands in-store rather than simply providing specifications that can be found online. Although we’ve supplemented our criteria with a few of these distinguishing details, such as materials (Is it easy to clean? Is it known to last?) and dimensions, we are primarily reporting which Pottery Barn rugs are worth it — for whom, where, and why — with interior design and lifestyle functionality as our priorities.
In-Store Placement: Where was the rug positioned in Pottery Barn? Does the area get lots of foot traffic, like in the front or along major walkways? Is it in an area with low foot traffic, such as back corners or hanging up?
Aesthetic: What decor scheme or mood does it best suit? Does it have bold lines, patterns, or colors? Does it play nice with other decor elements or does it steal the show?
Feel: Is the surface soft to the touch? Or is it roughly textured?
Fluff Factor: What is the rug’s pile height? Is it tufted with long threads or otherwise voluminous? Is the rug flat or thin — in other words, tightly woven with minimal volume?
Versatility: Does it work indoors and outdoors? Can it be layered? Is it reversible? Does it come in a wide range of colors and sizes?
Keep in mind: The Pottery Barn rugs we tested in-store are spot-clean only. Those within the Easy Care high performance collection are, as the name suggests, more resilient to spot cleaning (thanks to their materials). Additionally, while many of the rugs have backings that are resistant to movement, none of the rugs are touted as non-slip. Pottery Barn recommends purchasing a rug pad separately.
Every Editor-Tested Rug at Pottery Barn
Best Antique Style: Julianne Hand-Tufted Rug
Julianne Hand-Tufted Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$499
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What impressed us: The eye-catching paisley print.
There’s no need to go digging through a flea market to find a rug as charming and unique as the Julianne. It has all the best qualities of an antique piece — old-world print, solid hand-tufted construction, weathered finish — without the questionable stains and smells. It was also one of the softest rugs we viewed, which you might not expect from such a flat, low pile floor covering. In essence, the Julianne rug leaves nothing to be desired.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Viscose, cotton, wool and polyester
Recycled cotton fabric and synthetic latex backing
Available in 2 sizes and 1 color
Spot or professional clean
Best Low-Maintenance: Kendall Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Kendall Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$639 (was $799)
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What impressed us: The intricate knotting and rust color.
Rust is having a moment. Once relegated to the cooler months, we’ve been seeing the color in more and more collections year-round, so the Kendall rug naturally stood out to us. Despite its trendy hue, this timeless pick will never go out of style, and its small-scale pattern will add subtle texture to any room. If you’re not a fan of bronze, the rug also comes in a forest green color and charcoal shade. Although the Kendall is thin, it doesn’t feel like a mat, perhaps thanks to its medium pile. When we felt it, it had a durable quality, and its motif will help temporarily disguise stains.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool hand-knotted in India
Rug pad recommended
Available in 4 sizes and 3 colors
Vacuum or professional clean
Best Statement Maker: Channing Persian-Style Hand-Tufted Wool Rug
Channing Persian-Style Hand-Tufted Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$699
Buy Now
What impressed us: The bold colors.
Whether you’re looking to brighten up a low-energy room or add a statement piece in front of the fireplace, the Channing Persian-style rug is your best bet. Unlike a lot of the delicate prints that many Pottery Barn rugs sport, this one features a large-scale, hand-tufted motif that’s impossible to ignore. The rug is both medium pile and of medium softness; you might even find its fibers to feel a bit coarse until you break it in. We especially love the rich colors of the Channing rug for the fall and winter months.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool hand-tufted in India
Recycled cotton and synthetic latex backing
Available in up to 5 sizes and 2 colors
Spot or professional clean
Most Versatile: Luciana Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Luciana Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$999
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What impressed us: The vintage-inspired pattern and drapey feel.
Another great rug for layering, the Luciana makes a statement without taking over the whole room. See, it has an incredibly intricate hand-knotted pattern, but its tan and navy color scheme prevent it from looking too bold. This mat-like rug has a drapey quality that’s even more impressive when you take into account how tightly pulled the knotting is. We did notice some shedding, but this should diminish with regular vacuuming. So long as you get a rug pad, the Luciana would make a wonderful addition to high-traffic areas, even the kitchen or dining room.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool hand-knotted in India
Rug pad recommended
Available in 4 sizes and 4 colors
Vacuum or professional clean
Best for Living Rooms: Capitola Hand-Tufted Wool Rug
Capitola Hand-Tufted Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$399
Buy Now
What Impressed Us: The artisan craftsmanship.
Created by a team of craftswomen represented by the “Made by Her” project, which teaches artisans new skills, the Capitola rug beautifully represents the hard work that went into it. This rug boasts a low-pile height and latex-coated underside, which make it a safer option in terms of reducing the risk of tripping. Including that it’s a statement piece, this rug is definitely our pick for living and sitting rooms. Get ready for the compliments.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool
Cotton canvas and latex backing
Available in up to 11 sizes and 7 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best Large-Scale Pattern: Demitria Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Demitria Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$999
Buy Now
What impressed us: The piped edges and large medallions.
Even though the Demitria rug was tucked away under a dining table in the store, there’s no way to hide its prominent Turkish-inspired pattern. It’s available in a tan and black color scheme, but we were pretty taken with the cool blue version we saw. The thin rug’s hand-knotted construction is quite scratchy, but you’ll rarely find soft rugs to be the most durable. The piped edges are a nice touch, and although a rug pad is recommended, we didn’t find that this pick curled up at the corners the way some other rugs did. The wide size range is also something to note.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool hand-knotted in India
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 9 sizes and 2 colors
Vacuum or professional clean
Best for Dining Rooms: Jordie Handwoven Textured Easy Care Rug
Jordie Handwoven Performance Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$479 (was $599)
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What Impressed Us: The subtle detailing.
The uniform fringe on the ends of the Jordie rug is complemented by the irregularities of the weave’s pattern and its multiple hues. It’s as neutral and rustic as the bulk of Pottery Barn’s rug collection but with subtle detailing that catches the eye and deserves to be placed where it’ll be seen. Its wide bouclé-style weave makes cleanup easy for your vacuum, all of which makes this rug our pick for dining rooms.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% polyester handwoven in India
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 5 sizes and 2 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best for Bedrooms: Prism Handwoven Easy Care Rug
Prism Handwoven Easy Care Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$399
Buy Now
What Impressed Us: The light reflectivity.
Available in an ivory color as well as a heather graphite and taupe, all colors of the Prism rug offer a subtle (but powerful) light reflectivity that brightens up a whole space rather than weighing it down. For rooms with bulky furniture, like bedrooms with headboards, side tables, and dressers, a little extra glow can make a huge difference in the way it feels to be in (or even look at) a space. Don’t let the polyester material throw you off — it’s a soft rug underfoot.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
50% polyester and 50% recycled polyester
Synthetic latex cotton backing
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 6 sizes and 5 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best for Kitchens: Heather Chenille Jute Rug
Heather Chenille Jute Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$399
Buy Now
What Impressed Us: The weather-resistant durability.
Jute and chenille are two materials with impressive resistance to the effects of temperature volatility and moisture, making the Heather rug ideal for use in the kitchen. Although it lacks a non-slip underside, it does have a synthetic latex backing with traction, is reversible, and is lightweight enough to shake out as needed — a necessity for kitchen rugs. Its wide weave makes vacuuming easy, as well, and its overall rustic design disguises imperfections or makes them part of the rug’s personality.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Yarn-dyed chenille and jute handwoven in India
Synthetic latex cotton backing
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 7 sizes and 2 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best Cozy: Etta Performance Handwoven Shag Rug
Etta Performance Handwoven Shag Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$399
Buy Now
What impressed us: The subtle dotted pattern.
The full Etta rug wasn’t on display at any of the Pottery Barn locations we visited, but we did view a swatch of it, which was just cozy as you’d imagine. This rug, along with the Nicolette and Reeva rugs (more on those later), is one of Pottery Barn’s newest accessories. Although the rug is plush and high pile, it’s not overly soft, which means it’s also not likely to shed or sustain serious wear and tear. We also appreciate its tightly woven edges and the fact that its fibers are 100% recycled. Although the rug is a simple ivory in color, we were taken with its inky dot print, a low-key but appealing element.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% recycled polyester
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 5 sizes and 3 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best for High Traffic Areas: Haven Braided Jute Rug
Haven Braided Jute Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$319 (was $399)
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What Impressed Us: The heavy-duty durability.
The Haven is unfazed by all the usual rug-ruining suspects, from shoes to pets, thanks to its strong braided jute weave and cotton and latex-coated backing. It’s designed to withstand all the activity that goes on in high traffic areas like hallways, entryways, and kitchens — wherever that zone is in your home. Use it as the bottom layer under other rugs to protect those exterior edges, which have higher foot traffic and tend to fall victim to uneven darkening over time.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% braided jute
Recycled cotton and latex backing
Rug pad recommended
Available in 6 sizes and 3 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best High Pile: Alex Handwoven Performance Rug
Alex Handwoven Performance Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$599
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What impressed us: The long, soft fibers and sheen.
The Alex rug is kind of like the Microplush shag rug, which we saw first, in that it’s white and incredibly fluffy. But this find has much longer fibers that tend to shed, so we recommend it for people who own heavy-duty vacuums. It wasn’t until we got pretty close to it that we noticed a slight sheen on the rug’s fibers, meaning it’s not totally matte. Despite the Alex’s high pile, its base is quite thin, so this is another one you’ll want to get a rug pad for. And it goes without saying the rug is plenty soft, but not like a blanket. It’s wooly but stands up to daily usage, making it a great pick for kids’ rooms.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% polyester
Rug pad recommended
Available in 4 sizes and 1 color
Vacuum or professional clean
Best for Layering: Chunky Natural Wool/Jute Rug
Chunky Wool/Jute Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$499
Buy Now
What Impressed Us: The warmth and versatility.
While jute lends durability, the inclusion of wool in the Chunky Natural Wool/Jute rug‘s weave is a warm and welcoming element in terms of both the look and feel. It’s reversible, has a consistent pattern throughout, and is a blend of neutral tones, so it’s ideal for layering indoors. While soft enough to be a top layer, its texture allows it to hold fast to rugs as a bottom or middle layer and complement the details of rugs with bolder designs, allowing them to shine.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
60% jute and 40% wool bouclé weave
Available in up to 12 sizes and 7 colors
Rug pad recommended
Spot or professional clean
Best for Outdoor: Kian Indoor/Outdoor Rug
Kian Indoor/Outdoor Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$399
Buy Now
What Impressed Us: The versatility.
Ideal for those areas that have a lot of activity, the lightweight Kian rug works both indoors and out. It’s handwoven from recycled (single-use!) plastic fibers, so it has great traction and clings easily to concrete or other outdoor flooring. Because of the dimension given by the multiple hues and 4 inches of fringe on either end, it looks more like a stylish indoor rug than one that’s prepared to weather the outdoors. So, why not use it in areas that count as both, like patios and porches?
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% recycled polyester from single-use plastic
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 12 sizes and 5 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best Rustic Style: Reeva Handwoven Rug
Reeva Handwoven Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$699
Buy Now
What impressed us: The faded finish.
As we noted, the Reeva rug is one of Pottery Barn’s newest offerings. We viewed it in a subtle beige and light blue colorway. It also sports a faded, vintage-inspired finish, though these features fail to hide the rug’s intricate floral pattern. The rug is thin and low pile, but you might find its fibers to shed a bit at first. After a couple of passes with your vacuum, however, the Reeva will feel like it’s been in your home for years.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
52% wool and 48% viscose
Recycled cotton and synthetic latex backing
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 11 sizes and 5 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best Handcrafted: Nicolette Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Nicolette Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$799
Buy Now
What impressed us: The sturdy hand-knotted construction.
You might not think it, but Pottery Barn does carry one-of-a-kind pieces, and the Nicolette rug is a prime example. That’s because each one is handmade using a traditional hand-knotting technique, which takes up to four weeks to complete. This is even more impressive up close, as you can see all the tiny, individual knots that make up the rug’s beautiful geometric motif. The Nicolette comes in six vibrant colorways and is of medium softness. As a result, it’s versatile and durable enough to go in just about any area of the home.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool hand-knotted in India
Rug pad recommended
Available in up to 10 sizes and 6 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best for Spring: Kennedy Persian-Style Hand-Tufted Wool Rug
Kennedy Persian-Style Hand-Tufted Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$399 (was $499)
Buy Now
What impressed us: The soft but dense fibers and striking floral motif.
Florals for spring might not be groundbreaking, but they are timeless. The Kennedy rug was easily the most striking floral rug we viewed, of which there were many. That could be because most of its stems and blossoms are clearly outlined, so they stand out regardless of whether you pick this piece up in charcoal or baby blue. Although the rug is dense and medium pile it is still quite thin, so you could confidently place it next to a door without fear of it snagging.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool
Recycled fabric and synthetic latex backing
Available in 3 sizes and 1 color
Spot or professional clean
Best for Fall: Oaklynn Handwoven Wool Rug
Oaklynn Handwoven Wool Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$799
Buy Now
What impressed us: The surprising softness and cool-toned color scheme.
From afar, the Oaklynn rug is a beautiful blue tapestry that calms the senses. Up close, it’s a stunning mix of blue, brown, and a light, rusty pink. It felt slightly scratchy but soft when we ran our hands over it, and its thin construction means you could seamlessly layer this piece over a heavier floor covering (it would look gorgeous paired with one of Pottery Barn’s jute rugs). We would recommend this number to those who gravitate toward white or otherwise light-colored furniture. The blue contrasts nicely with softer tones, giving the surrounding space a heavenly aura.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% wool
Rug pad recommended
Available in 4 sizes and 3 colors
Vacuum and spot or professional clean
Best for Winter: Chunky Knit Sweater Handwoven Rug
Chunky Knit Sweater Handwoven Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$599
Buy Now
What Impressed Us: The coziness.
A personal favorite of mine, the ultra-plush Chunky Knit Sweater rug is a dream for colder months. Although it still totally works for warmer weather, the warmth offered by the wool of this rug’s sweater-inspired weave makes it like your floor’s version of cozy flannel sheets, which are popular in winter. Its cotton canvas, latex backing, and overall thickness make it sturdy wherever you place it… and, of course, super comfortable underfoot.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
70% wool and 30% jute handwoven in India
Recycled cotton and synthetic latex backing
Available in up to 11 sizes and 4 colors
Spot or professional clean
Best Coastal Style: William Jute Rug
William Jute Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$479 (was $599)
Buy Now
What impressed us: The small weave and navy hue.
Pottery Barn’s designers are masters when it comes to jute rugs. We saw so many of them on the floor, each one with its own intricate details that set it apart from the others. But the William stood out for a very obvious reason: its deep navy hue. The color makes this pick feel more coastal than others, and it’ll serve as a nice anchor piece for your living space. The William does appear to trap debris, but because it’s thinner than the other jute rugs, it’s less of a hassle to shake off and vacuum. The rug’s edges also tend to curve upward, so be sure to get a rug pad for it.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% jute
Rug pad recommended
Available in 3 sizes and 1 color
Vacuum or professional clean
Best for Kids: Microplush Performance Shag Rug
Microplush Performance Shag Rug, 5' x 8'
Pottery Barn
$499
Buy Now
What Impressed Us: The plush feel.
Surprisingly soft for being made of polyester, the Microplush shag rug is another Easy Care option. That’s right — Pottery Barn decided to be the hero and make a shag rug that’s actually easy to vacuum and keep stain-free. Although its backing isn’t 100% non-slip, it does have a latex backing, making it a more durable and flexible rug overall. For kids’ rooms, it’s a no-brainer. Super cozy, clingy, and durable, it’s one that’ll get (and be able to withstand) playtime activities as well as napping and shedding pets. Oh, and did I mention how deliciously soft it is?
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
100% recycled polyester
Cotton canvas and latex backing
Available in up to 9 sizes and 4 colors
Spot or professional clean
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
