The key is to look at the material. As Todd Saunders, CEO of FlooringStores, tells The Spruce, “Synthetic rugs are much more affordable and often much more durable [than natural materials]." Unless materials or origin are extremely important to you, it’s easy to find a rug that’s the size and style you really want. We researched affordable rugs, evaluating them on material, size options, color choices, and cleanability. Our top pick, the Jonathan Adler Inkdrop Rug, is a stain- and water-resistant piece with a geometric pattern that livens up a room. Read on for the best affordable rugs to spruce up any room. This top-rated rug is crafted from chenille, a woven fabric that manages to be both sturdy and soft. Like all Ruggable options, this rug is stain- and water-resistant, making it ideal for high-traffic areas in your home. Plus, it’s machine-washable: to clean, simply remove the rug from the patented rug pad and throw it in the washing machine. Just note that this fabric isn’t ideal for cat owners, as felines like to paw and pull at the looped pile. Price at time of publish: $409 for 6 x 9 Part of The Spruce Rug Collection, the Summer Adele Area Rug checks all the boxes. Made with cozy yet lightweight polyester fibers, the rug is both stain- and fade-resistant. Available in two sizes and color palettes, the rug’s classic medallion motif is versatile enough to pair with your existing decor, particularly if it falls into the modern traditional or shabby chic styles. To clean, simply shake it out, vacuum, or spot treat. Price at time of publish: $210 for 7 x 10 But most importantly, the Fab Habitat is “a dream to clean,” which is crucial with outdoor rugs that are exposed to dirt and debris regularly. All you need is a damp cloth or a hose, and your rug will be spotless. According to our tester, Sarah Vanbuskirk, “after multiple washes due to muddy feet, dropped cups of juice, and snack crumbs, the rug retained its vivid color and new look.” Price at time of publish: $124 for 6 x 9 Thanks to its flatweave construction, this rug is on the thinner side: this makes it more lightweight (and therefore easier to transport) but also means that you’ll be able to detect rocks, gravel, and other sharp objects through the material. However, it’s still a solid option that’s easy to clean and holds up well to wear. Plus, it comes in more than a dozen sizes for indoor and outdoor spaces of all sizes. Price at time of publish: $49 for 6 x 9 Crafted from chenille fabric, this runner is both stain- and water-resistant and has a low pile that makes it easy to maintain. It’s available in two lengths, both of which are 2.5 feet wide, to accommodate most standard-sized hallways. If you’re a fan of this style, you can also order this pattern in several rectangular and round area rug sizes. Price at time of publish: $219 for 5 x 7 The Unique Loom Rug is available in two round sizes—6 feet and 8 feet—along with many rectangular sizes. It’s made from durable, stain-resistant polypropylene but still feels soft beneath your feet. Price at time of publish: $208 The rug’s polypropylene polyester material makes it resistant to stains and water. Meanwhile, the low pile height makes it more difficult for dirt and debris to get trapped in the fibers and, therefore, easier to clean. Our home tester, Sarah Vanbuskirk, says the rug can be spot cleaned with water and mild detergent or hosed off for larger issues. Just note that it will take a few days to dry if you do a heavier water wash. Price at time of publish: $166 for 7 x 10
Although the color options are limited to multicolor or neutral, both are versatile enough to work in any space. The size selections are also limited but should work with most children’s spaces. Available in two sizes (24 x 41 inches and 43 x 70 inches), you can choose from three color options: natural off-white, two-tone gray, and two-tone brown. Despite the warmth it gives off, Windward’s sheepskin rugs are surprisingly cool in the summer. Maintaining the rug can be a bit of a chore, as it must be cleaned with a soft bristle brush and shaken regularly. For a deep clean, you’ll want to bring it to the dry cleaner. Price at time of publish: $37 for 2 x 3 This flatweave rug looks great on its own but can easily be layered with another rug to elevate its look. You can choose from 12 size options or request custom measurements to fit your room’s needs. One note: Because jute is such an absorbent fabric, it easily traps odors and debris, so you’ll want to place this rug in low-traffic areas. To clean, wipe gently with a combination of warm water and mild detergent and let air dry. Price at time of publish: $99 for 2 x 3 Each box of YWSHUF’s Self-Adhesive Carpet Tiles includes a dozen 12-by-12-inch tiles, which are available in blue, black, gray, and gray-white. Though color options are limited, you can mix and match to make an intricate design or a classic checkered pattern. To install, just peel the tile from its backing and stick it to a flat and dry surface. Price at time of publish: $22 Saunders adds that these “natural fiber rugs are going to be more comfortable and gentler on your underlying floor, but also harder to clean and less durable.” So in the case of high-traffic areas, like a living room or hallway, synthetic material is the way to go. Keep in mind, however, that the material of choice may impact the cost. Rugs made of synthetic materials, such as polyester, are generally cheaper and easier to maintain than those made of natural materials. But rugs made from more natural, eco-friendly materials will have a low environmental cost.
Size
As a general rule, the larger the rug, the higher the price tag, so think about how small a rug you can get away with using. Saunders tells The Spruce that “a rug should leave a minimum of 3 feet on each side between the edge of the rug and the wall.” You should also consider the floor coverage you are after in a given room. You can use smaller rugs in a living room, for example, if you float the rug and arrange your furniture around rather than on top of it.
Pile
Pile refers to how tall or short the fibers are on a particular rug. Generally, a higher pile rug will be softer but also more difficult to maintain. Prone to flattening from foot traffic and furniture, plush pile rugs are also magnets for dust, dirt, stray hair, and food particles, and tend to shed, meaning they require constant vacuuming and aren’t terribly pet- or child-friendly. “We tend to go for higher pile rugs in living rooms for a plusher feel," says Julia Miller, creative director of Yond Interiors. “Lower pile rugs [are great] for busier spaces, as they are often easier to clean and maintain.” In addition to the feeling and maintenance, the pile also impacts how tall the rug is. Because of this, Miller says paying attention to the pile height ensures you get the right rug in the right space. “If, for example, you have a tight opening between your floor and the bottom of the door, make sure to measure it,” she says.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Leah Rocketto, a lifestyle writer and editor for The Spruce. To select the best picks for your consideration, she sorted through dozens of customer and third-party website reviews, along with insights from The Spruce’s expert product testers. But the most important perk of a rug pad is that it makes the rug last longer. “Without a rug pad, the dirt and silica that settles deep into the rug fibers can rub against hard surfaces and wear down the rug’s foundation,” Hoyler tells The Spruce. For tips on what to look for when shopping for an affordable area rug, Rocketto also consulted with Todd Saunders of FlooringStores, Passerine owner Georgia Hoyler, and Julia Miller, creative director of Yond Interiors.
