Everyone loves a good rug. From natural to geometric to tribal to plush to vintage to Moroccan, rugs help define a space, they feel great on the feet, they bring warmth and comfort to a room, they’re grounding and they can be incredibly beautiful. 

The obsession with Swedish hygge (have you heard of it?) is still strong. Nesting is in. So when it comes to interior design, great rugs have never been more essential!

But when you think of buying a new rug, do any of these words come to mind: Persian, investment or even “oh no”? It doesn’t have to be that way! 

Despite their reputation for being considerable expenditures, when it comes to splurging vs. saving to get maximum impact for minimal input in interior design, rugs are actually one of the items that I recommend saving on. You can get high-quality, durable and stylish rugs quite affordably these days. 

You just have to know what to look for and where to shop.

Some of my favourite rug retailers are Wayfair Canada, Crate & Barrel and RENWIL. You can also find some great rugs at IKEA.

And in terms of what to look for:

✨ Flat-woven rugs stand the test of time better than the high-pile kind 

✨ High-pile rugs can be very beautiful and cozy in places like bedrooms, living rooms and kids’ playrooms — they’re great in smaller doses (smaller-sized area rugs) 

✨ Choose high-quality materials, such as cotton or wool (rather than materials like polyester or viscose/rayon)

✨ Natural fibers such as sisal and jute are also great options — they’re in style and inexpensive 

✨ Always invest in a good rug pad for underneath a rug, for increased comfort and less slip 

✨ Make sure you pick the right size (here are some great tips)

So when it comes to rugs, I recommend to save — but to save smart! Go with flat-woven for more durability, natural materials for their affordability and stylishness, use a rug pad to bring increased comfort to a rug and make sure to measure twice before jumping on a great deal.