Published May 2024 | Updated April 2026
Buying a rug online can be intimidating—how do I know which rug material is best for my needs? Will it match my home décor style? What size rug should I order? This guide is designed to help you navigate the process and help you find the perfect rug.
About This Guide
We’ll walk you through the considerations and steps to take to find the ideal rug or carpet for your home, from sizing and layout to materials, performance, and finishing details. You’ll also find resources for ordering, delivery, and care.
Start Here: 4 Easy Steps to the Right Rug
- Choose your room and the right material for how you live → Jump to The Right Material by Room
- Determine the right size and layout for your space → Jump to Sizes & Layouts
- Consider durability and performance needs → Jump to Rug Materials
- Complete your rug with borders and finishing details → Jump to Borders & Finishing
Selecting The Right Material By Room
A rug and a room should be in collaboration, each one enhancing the other. An entryway rug is an invitation that serves as a functional piece and a stylish statement. A bedroom is transformed into a haven with the right rug. Below are our suggestions for the best rug material for each room of the house.
Choosing by room is only the starting point. Explore how materials shape performance, comfort, and long-term wear in our in-depth guide, How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Each Room →.
Living Room
The living room is the hearth of the home, a gathering place where we relax and socialize.
We Recommend: Wool, Sisal, SynSisal®, TENCEL®, Jute, Seagrass
Why: Durable, inviting, and suited to layered living spaces
image: KOCHI | aloe
Dining Room
A flat weave rug brings graceful styling and ease of cleaning to a much loved space.
We Recommend: SynSisal®, Stain-resistant Sisal, rPET
Why: Low-profile, easy-care surfaces that handle spills and chairs
image: SALT SPRING | gray
Bedroom
A haven of rest deserves a comfortable, beautiful foundation.
We Recommend: Wool, SynSisal®, rPET, Jute, Abaca
Why: Softer textures create a quieter, more restful environment
image: FAT CAT | silver
Kitchen
Often the busiest room in the house, a kitchen needs hard-working materials.
We Recommend: Polypropylene, Woven Vinyl, rPET
Why: Durable, non-absorbent, easy to maintain
image: SYNTHESIS | midnight
Entryway
First impressions are important. Make a stylistic as well as sensible choice in the entry way.
We Recommend: Woven Vinyl, Polypropylene, Coir, rPET
Why: Strong, texture-rich materials that manage dirt and wear
image: CAMBRIDGE | burnt umber
Stairway
Stair runners take a beating while cushioning feet and absorbing sound.
We Recommend: SynSisal®, Wool, Wool & Sisal Blends
Why: Structured weaves that absorb sound and hold up over time
image: ASTORIA | smoke
Hallway
A hallway runner adds a pop of color or design element to an often overlooked space.
We Recommend: Sisal, Seagrass, Wool, SynSisal®
Why: Resilient materials that maintain appearance in high traffic
image: CORNWALL | black
Office
Inspiration and productivity go hand in hand, so make your office an impactful space.
We Recommend: SynSisal®, Carpet Tiles, Sisal, Wool, Seagrass
Why: Balances performance with a clean, professional aesthetic
Outdoor Spaces
Create synergy in outdoor spaces like patios, sunrooms and porches with a custom outdoor rug.
We Recommend: Woven Vinyl, rPET, Polypropylene
Why: UV-stable, easy-care materials designed for exterior use
image: TERRA SAHARA | coconut
Looking for more information on designing outdoor living spaces? Head over to Embrace Outdoor Living Spaces With the Perfect Rug for more guidance.
Selecting the Right Size Rug
The size of a rug dramatically influences the dynamics of a room. A living room rug that’s too small can feel uninviting and temporary, while a rug that’s too large can overwhelm the space and draw attention away from your furniture.
Proportion matters—between the size of the room, your furniture layout, and how the rug is oriented within the space. Below are a few key guidelines to help you find the right balance. For diagrams and more detailed layouts, both our What size rug do I need? post or Rug Size Guide are excellent resources.
- Standard vs. Non-standard: Most rugs are sold in standard, set sizes and may not suit for your space. A custom size allows for a more precise, tailored fit.
- Frame: In living rooms, rugs should extend 6–8 inches beyond the sofa on each side, with front legs ideally on the rug. Leave 18–24 inches of exposed flooring to define the space.
- Measure Twice: Measure carefully, and use painter’s tape to outline the rug size on your floor to visualize the footprint.
- Room Size vs. Layout: Rug size should respond to both the room and the furniture. An open concept space needs a map—an area rug defines the gathering space and should be proportional to the furniture layout as well as the size of the space.
- Orientation: A rug should echo the dimensions of the space it is in. If the room is long, orient your rug lengthwise.
A made-to-measure custom area rug provides a unique accent to every room and is the ideal solution to the limitations of a standard-sized rug. All of our rugs are made to order—from classic layouts to customized shapes or runners. Bespoke finishing options and detailed craftsmanship paired with our finely curated assortment of weaves will bring your vision to reality.
Rug Materials
Below is a brief introduction to common rug materials, with links to explore each in more detail. For a more complete overview, see our Guide to Rug Fibers.
Natural Fibers
A natural fiber rug is crafted from plant or animal fibers, offering distinctive texture, subtle variation, and a sense of warmth. Its organic character works easily across a range of interiors, from relaxed to refined. While natural materials bring depth and authenticity, they do require more thoughtful care than synthetics—so it’s worth understanding each fiber before making a selection. Follow the links for a deeper look at each.
- Sisal, Seagrass, Jute, Coir, Abaca & More → Compare natural fiber rugs
- Wool → Explore modern wool rugs
- TENCEL™ → Learn about Jacaranda & TENCEL™ rugs
We always recommend ordering samples of your favorite natural weaves and colors to test out in your home.
Questions to ask yourself: How does the fiber feel? How does the color change depending on the lighting in the room? Will the height of the pile interfere with opening & closing doors? Order Samples here.
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers include manufactured materials like nylon, polypropylene, ECONYL®, woven vinyl, poly silk and polyester. Rugs made from synthetic materials are durable and easy to clean which is why they are often suitable for both commercial and residential settings. They also offer many of the same stylistic advantages of their natural counterparts, including a variety of colors, patterns and textures, plus softness underfoot.
- SynSisal® → Learn more about this sisal-look line crafted from ECONYL®
- Polypropylene, Polyester, Nylon → Explore synthetic materials
- Commercial & High-Traffic Use → Explore materials suited for hospitality, commercial, or heavy-use spaces
Rug Materials Comparison Grid
A pdf version of this table is viewable here.
| Material | Usage | Durability | Texture | Cleanability | Sustainability | Design Versatility | OK for Pets? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sisal | Indoor | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Coarse | Dry Clean Only | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Neutral Palettes & Myriad Textures | Owner’s Discretion |
| Jute | Indoor | Low to Medium Traffic | Thick & Soft | Dry Clean Only | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Natural Foundation, Texture Rich | Owner’s Discretion |
| Seagrass | Indoor | Medium to High Traffic | Smooth & Firm | Limited Stain Resistance | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Natural Foundation, Texture Rich | Owner’s Discretion |
| Coir | Indoor | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Coarse | Dry Clean Only | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Natural Foundation, Texture Rich | Owner’s Discretion |
| Wool | Indoor | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Soft | Naturally Stain-Resistant, Cleanable | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Array Of Colors, Patterns & Styles, Soft Texture | Yes |
| Leather | Indoor | Medium Traffic | Smooth | Professional Cleaning | Natural Material | High End, One Of A Kind | Owner’s Discretion |
| Abaca | Indoor | Low to Medium Traffic | Thick & Soft | Professional Cleaning | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Luxe, Natural Foundation | Owner’s Discretion |
| SynSisal® | Indoor | High Traffic, Contract Grade | Soft | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Upcycled, Made From Recovered Materials | Classic Sisal-look & Versatility, Home or Business | Yes |
| Polypropylene | Indoor/ Outdoor* | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Smooth | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Synthetic, Not Natural | Array Of Colors, Patterns & Styles, Soft Texture | Yes |
| Woven Vinyl | Indoor/ Outdoor | High Traffic, Contract Grade | Smooth | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Synthetic, Not Natural | Hard Wearing, Subtle Colorations, Everywhere Foundation | Yes |
| Poly Silk | Indoor/ Outdoor* | Medium to High Traffic | Soft | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Synthetic, Not Natural | Wool-like Feel, Subtle Colors, Patterns & Styles | Yes |
Borders & Finishing Details
Area rugs usually need a finished edge to complete the look and prevent the rug from unraveling. Woven vinyl rugs and some tightly constructed carpets like tretford® Roll can be cut cleanly and used without a border. But in general, an area rug will need a border.
Below are the most common border options.
- Cloth: A traditional finish for an area rug. Cotton, Linen, Leather or Polyester in an array of colors and textures. Reveal width ranges from 1” to 3 ½” and does not change the overall rug size.
- Serged Edge: Yarn is wrapped continuously around the edges to secure and stabilize the rug. Durable and offers a discreet finish. Serging yarns chosen to match weave color.
- Hand Serged Edge: A beautiful, hand-finished version of serging available on select wool and poly silk rugs. Requires additional lead time.
- Infinity Edge: A clean, minimalist finish used on select natural fiber rugs and SynSisal®, creating a minimal, tailored edge.
Which border is best for an outdoor rug?
For a rug that lives outdoor or if you have a busy household, we recommend a polyester border or a serged edge.
What finishing details do I need to choose for a custom rug?
If you select a cloth border, you may need to choose corner and stitching styles—such as mitered vs. lapped corners or top stitch vs. hidden stitch. Options vary by weave.
For a more detailed look at rug borders and binding options—including mitered corners—visit our guide Rug Serging vs Binding: What’s the difference?.
Helpful Resources
Explore these helpful resources to guide your rug purchase, from selecting the right pad to understanding care and ordering options. Each topic links to more detailed information to support your decision.
Do I really need a rug pad?
How do I order a custom rug or broadloom carpet?
Rug Shipping Guide or Shipping & Delivery
Preparing for Your New Rug
Care & Maintenance
Rug & Carpet Glossary
Order Samples Today
See the colors. Feel the fibers. Free shipping on samples.
2 comments
Dear responder
How can I have a product catalog of Sisal?
regards
Thank you for your interest in sisal rugs and carpet products. We do not have a printed catalog for our sisal rugs, but we hope that our website sisalcarpet.com will help you in your research.
Thank You,
Christy