The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Rug You'll Love, for Any Room in the House

When you're decorating a room, the list of furnishings you need to complete the space can seem almost endless. But a rug isn't just one of the many things you need to budget for—it's actually the foundation of your room, decor-wise, and pretty necessary for life at home, when you consider that rugs help muffle sounds and warm up your floors. "Rugs take up a large portion of the visual space in any room, and therefore are one of the most important design decisions you can make," designer Timothy Whealon tells House Beautiful.

That's exactly why you shouldn't save your rug purchase for last. In fact, if you can, you should find a rug you love before you buy anything else. "Ideally, the rug is the first thing you would purchase for the space," Sylvie Johnson, artistic director at Merida, says. "This way you can build the rest of the room around the color and shape of the rug."

So, how do you find just the right rug? It may be tempting to buy the first one you like, but there are a lot of factors to consider before you make that purchase—especially since rugs can get pretty pricey. This buying guide will help you narrow down your options until you find a rug that anchors your space and provides you the function you need.

Rug-Related Terms You Need to Know

First things first: If you're not super familiar with how rugs are made or what kind of rug you should look for, you'll want to get to know a few basic terms. These will help you understand the construction of the rugs you're considering, as well as to get an idea of what they'll feel like underfoot.

• Pile: The raised surface of a textile. Pile height refers to the length of the material that makes up the pile, so the higher the pile is, the thicker and plusher the rug will be.
• Yarn: A strand of material comprised of fibers, used in weaving.
• Warp: The vertical yarns that make up the base of a woven rug.
• Weft: The horizontal yarns that are woven through the warp to make a woven rug.
• Backing: A fabric on the back of a rug that helps it keep its structure. Not all rugs have a backing, depending on their weave and construction.

Material Matters

One of the most important things to consider when you're shopping for a rug is the material it's made from. Rugs can be made from natural fibers or synthetic, man-made fibers, and there are several popular options in each category. The material you choose affects the feel, the price, the durability, and how easy it is to clean. Read on about the different materials you'll find on the market, and as you're shopping, consider where you're placing it and what works best for your lifestyle.

Your Guide to Natural Fibers

Natural fiber rugs are a great option if you're willing to spend a bit more on a rug that's as durable and long-lasting as it is beautiful. While these aren't all of the options out there, these are the most popular natural materials you'll find when rug shopping:

• Wool: Wool is an all-around, designer-favorite natural material. Why? It's not just because it's super cozy—it's durable and has scales on the fibers that hide dirt, making it clean easily, and it's naturally fire-retardant, according to Kyle Corey, VP of floor coverings for Kravet. Johnson also notes that wool rug fibers contain lanolin, which is a natural stain repellent. For these reasons, wool rugs can be placed just about anywhere.
• Sisal: Sisal rugs have a beautifully beachy, boho look, but they're also quite durable. According to Johnson, they're great for high traffic areas since they're tougher and more resistant to wear. The only issue to note: since sisal rugs absorb liquids, they tend to stain easily when spills occur, so keep that in mind when you're considering placement—e.g., you might want to avoid the dining room or the kids' room.
• Silk: If you want luxury, go with a silk rug. It's quite soft, and shiny—which makes it great for detailed designs. Not to mention, it's the strongest natural fiber out there. But according to Bahram Shabahang, co-founder and designer of Orley Shabahang, while silk is super strong, but not the easiest to clean. A silk rug is a better investment for, say, the main bedroom or a formal living room, and should be avoided in areas where spills are a concern. It's also likely to be the most expensive option.
• Cotton: Cotton rugs are another soft option, and according to Annie Selke, founder and chief vision officer of her eponymous rug brand, they're also easy to clean and affordable. So, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly natural fiber that can stand up to stains, cotton might be a good bet for you. The downside? Cotton doesn't hold up quite as well as the others, so you'll probably experience more wear over time than with other natural materials. And since cotton is moisture absorbent, you'll still want to take care of spills quickly.