Here are the best places to buy rugs online
We found the best online rug stores for durable materials, easy returns and styles that work in real homes.
- Rugs are an important home decor element that can tie a room together, add coziness, and reduce noise.
- Before purchasing a rug online, consider the required size, color, pile height, material, and woven style.
- The article highlights top online retailers for rugs, including Wayfair, Ruggable, and Rugs USA.
When decorating a space, we tend to think of larger furniture pieces, such as a couch or dining room table, before floor coverings, but rugs are equally important. Whether you have hardwood flooring, tile or carpet, a rug ties everything together and adds an overall layer of coziness to a space, while also reducing noise in high-impact areas.
Shopping online for rugs might seem challenging, but online retailers like Wayfair, Rugs USA, and Ruggable make it easier than ever. Before browsing, make sure you have a clear understanding of the size you need (not every rug is available in every size) and color story. Also consider the pile height—aka, how tall the fibers stand up—and woven style you’re looking for, whether that is hand-tufted, hand-knotted, or machine-made. Understanding the kind of material you desire can also help you narrow down your selections. For more splurge-worthy textiles, consider natural fibers like wool, and for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and kids, a synthetic rug is the easiest to keep clean.
With so many options available, we’ve narrowed down the best places to buy rugs online to seven retailers we trust.
Best places to buy rugs online
- Best overall place to buy rugs online
- Best budget-friendly rug store
- Best for washable rugs
- Best for wool and natural-fiber rugs
- Best for vintage and one-of-a-kind rugs
- Best for outdoor rugs
- Best for fast shipping rugs
Best overall place to buy rugs online: Wayfair
Whether you’re completely redecorating a space or need a piece to tie everything together, Wayfair is one of the best places to shop for home decor—including area rugs. The retailer offers a wide variety of rugs, ranging from sleek and modern to funky and fun, as well as plenty of outdoor rug options, too.
Shipping and Returns: Free shipping on most items over $35; 30-day returns
Best budget-friendly rug store: Rugs.com
If you haven’t found the rug of your dreams yet, you’ll likely find it on Rugs.com. The retailer is known for its thousands of budget-friendly rugs that span all styles and purposes—from kitschy and quirky to sleek and stylish. It’s also seemingly always running a sale, so you can get the best deals year-round.
Shipping and Returns: Free shipping; 30-day returns
Best for washable rugs: Ruggable
Ruggable is known for its collection of washable rugs, as well as unique designer collections and brand partnerships, like its collaboration with Winnie the Pooh and Jonathan Adler. These washable rugs are particularly great for high-traffic areas and homes with children and dogs.
Shipping and Returns: Free shipping; 30-day returns (processing fees may apply)
Best for wool and natural-fiber rugs: The Citizenry
The Citizenry is an excellent place to shop if you’re drawn to more natural materials such as wool and jute, and is known for its 100% handmade rugs. It’s also one of the most sustainable options for rugs, with ethically produced and fair-trade heirloom quality designs.
Shipping and Returns: Shipping rates vary (and some rugs require a white-glove delivery); 30-day return
Best for vintage and one-of-a-kind rugs: Etsy
If you love a good vintage rug find, Etsy is a great place to look. The marketplace is popular amongst vintage and antique resellers, in addition to designers selling handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. While supply is limited, it’s a fun place to virtually treasure hunt for your next home textile.
Shipping and Returns: Varies, depending on the shop
Best for outdoor rugs: Rugs USA
Finding affordable outdoor rugs isn’t always easy, but Rugs USA has a reliable selection of different styles to choose from, whether you’re shopping in season or not. The retailer’s outdoor rugs include a variety of materials, too, including some washable outdoor rugs.
Shipping and Returns: Free ground shipping; 30-day returns
Best for fast shipping rugs: Amazon
Amazon is, of course, another marketplace worth checking out, especially since the retailer offers such a vast selection of brands and styles. Prime members also benefit from free and fast shipping, which is great when you need something ASAP.
Shipping and Returns: Free with Amazon Prime; 30-day returns
What size rug should you buy for a living room, bedroom or dining room?
The size of your rug depends largely on the size of your room and furniture pieces to make everything feel anchored. As a rule of thumb, look for rugs that are large enough for at least the front legs of larger furniture pieces (such as a couch) to touch and reach between 18 and 24 inches from furniture edges. If you’re looking for a rug for your bedroom and want to place one directly under your bed, an 8x10 rug is great for queen-sized mattresses, whereas a 9x12 rug is preferred for king-sized mattresses. When in doubt, you can always tape out the areas of your room that you wish to be covered by a rug and then measure that tape.
What's the best rug material for pets and kids?
If you share your home with pets and kids, you need a durable rug that can withstand the wear and tear. Look for low-pile designs that are stain-resistant and washable. While wool rugs are a nice investment for your home—and can last decades—the material isn’t ideal for pets and children. Rugs made of synthetic materials are typically stain-resistant and easier to clean (plus, they’re more affordable, too).
Do you need a rug pad?
Rug pads are recommended for safety and comfort, since they can prevent slipping and cushion the soles on hard flooring. In addition to comfort, the added cushion is also ideal for rug longevity, since the cushion protects it from wearing down. Rug pads can also make it easier to vacuum, as they help keep rugs from buckling.
How do you clean and maintain rugs?
To keep your rug clean, spot clean spills by blotting with a towel and then applying a soapy mixture of mild dish soap and warm water (you can also use vinegar) to the area. Make sure to avoid saturation and instead lightly dampen the area. When vacuuming, make sure your vacuum is set to high pile to prevent the rug from buckling or getting sucked into the vacuum. For investment and vintage pieces, it might also be worth seeking professional help. These rugs might require this level of cleaning every 1 to 2 years to help remove embedded dirt and allergens.
What's the difference between hand-knotted, hand-tufted and machine-made rugs?
Hand-knotted rugs are rugs made by artisans who individually knot fiber on the loom, creating a durable and long-lasting textile. Hand-tufted refers to rugs that are made by hand with a tufting gun, which is a tool used to punch yarn through a cotton canvas. Machine-made rugs are created by automated machines, making the process of weaving a rug more efficient and allowing the ability to produce them at a larger scale. Hand-knotted rugs tend to last the longest of the three, though the cost of labor, quality, and overall longevity comes with a higher price tag compared to machine-made rugs.
USA TODAY Shopping is always covering all the best deals and drops, so be sure to sign up for text alerts, check us out on Flipboard, follow us on TikTok, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to stay updated!
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.