The best rugs to buy now to make your space feel chic yet cosy, for all styles and budgets

Finding the best rugs in a world of endless options – from Amazon rugs to berber style rugs, Persian rugs and non-slip cotton rugs – can be somewhat tricky.

Thankfully, amongst our travel planning and deciding what to wear every day (the answer is always: loungewear), our brains – and finances – have some time to focus on our interior design. That means you’ve likely got 381429 mood boards going, have finally settled on an overarching style, and probably invested in some dreamy new furniture. Now, it’s time to make a statement with a brand-new rug.

Whether you’re a homeowner or a small space renter, a colourful rug is an easy win if you’re looking to transform any space at home for a relatively low price. A rug is a centrepiece, and the impact that a stylish rug can make shouldn’t be underestimated. The best rugs are a foolproof way to bring colour, texture and character into your home. So whatever style of rug you opt for, consider it a form of artwork for the floor that will make yourself and guests feel right at home.

What type of rug do I need?

It’s a great idea to firstly decide what you’re looking for in a rug; is it to protect the flooring, for durability, or aesthetic pleasure?

Shaggy rugs are often thickly piled, they feel great under the feet in bedrooms, but they are tricky to clean. Patterned rugs are a great look for hallways; there’s a huge variety, they’re purse-friendly, but be warned, pattern-fashion moves on quite quickly. Sheepskin or cowhide rugs are a trendy addition to a dark room – and if you don’t fancy going for the real deal, there are plenty of faux styles available.

Wool rugs, one of the most popular choices, are naturally stain-resistant, easy-to-clean, and sustainable – but do tend to fall on the more expensive side. Another option is to hunt down a vintage rug; filled with personality, they’re a quick update to any rooms that lack a little soul and thanks to the McGee’s on Netflix’s Dream Home Makeover, there’s lots of vintage rug styling to take inspiration from.

Where should I put a new rug?

A rug will instantly update any room in your house – besides a living room and bedroom, consider placing large rugs in your dining room and kitchen for a more homely feel and replacing your bath mats with a washable rug for a modern look. Rugs look great on top of a hardwood floor, but they can also be layered on top of carpet to give a room that ultra-cosy feel. We’ve found the best outdoor rugs, rugs for living rooms, rugs for kitchens, rugs for bedrooms… you get the idea.

How do I pick the right size rug for the room?

The bigger the better, especially if you’re picking out a modern rug for the living room or bedroom. Where possible in the living room, a rug should fit comfortably under all of your living room seating and your coffee table. In the bedroom, ensure the rug is big enough to fit under your bed, and ideally, it should be on display equally on either side of your bed. If you’re following Feng Shui when buying a new rug, remember the golden minimalist rule: rugs should not be touching any walls.

After more interiors content? Check out our pick of the best desks for small bedrooms, the best coffee tables to elevate your living room, and the best bed frames for your bedroom. Let’s not forget the kitchen; this way for cutlery sets, kettles, coffee machines, and smoothie makers. Fancy a glass of wine (non-alcoholic or otherwise)? This way for our edit of drinking glasses. 

Keep scrolling for our full edit of the best rugs rugs from our favourite retailers to elevate your space.