Is a rug a must-have? It’s a frequent question in home décor, and we’re here to help you decide. Adding a rug to your space is a simple, effective way to make it feel more refined. Rugs don’t just add personality and warmth—they also reduce noise. The advantages are countless, from boosting comfort to giving a room a whole new vibe. We think everyone should have a rug, and here’s why!
Do I Need A Rug?
Oushak Rug, Colorful Vintage Turkish Floral Pastel Large Oversized Area Rug
Check out our list of the top 15 reasons you’ll want a rug in your home!
1- Comfort
Comfort is essential when you’re at home, and a rug is one of the easiest ways to make your space even cozier.
A thick, plush rug offers cozy, cushioned flooring, especially helpful on hard surfaces like wood or tile. For a natural touch, wool rugs provide incredible softness and comfort. If natural fibers aren’t ideal for you, consider polypropylene rugs as a fantastic synthetic choice—they’re soft, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain.
2- Ground a Room
Using a rug to frame your room is one of the best design tricks. Area rugs help ground a space, balancing wall décor and furniture while adding wonderful texture. This creates a cozy, welcoming feel.
A rug that’s aligned with your furniture can bring a cohesive feel to the room. Try placing it along the sofa front in the living room or centering it under the dining table. The beauty of rugs is their flexibility, so feel free to experiment. Before starting, read our guide on rug placement for some top tips.
Unique Persian Vintage Rug, Shades of Burgundy Maroon Red Modern Oriental Floral Antique Heriz Inspired Area Rug
3- Warmth
Rugs make excellent insulators, helping to keep your home cozy and warm, especially during colder months. This not only boosts comfort but also creates a welcoming atmosphere for your guests.
A popular tip for keeping larger rooms warm is to use an area rug; these rugs cover most of the floor space, helping to distribute warmth evenly across the room. So, if you’re wondering, “Do I need an area rug?”—consider it, especially if a cozier living room is what you’re after. Another perk is that area rugs can help lower heating costs, as they reduce heat loss through floorboard gaps, keeping your space warmer for longer.
To keep your space as warm as possible, choose a thick rug with a high tog rating. Wool and cotton rugs are an excellent choice, as they’re soft, durable, and great insulators. Additionally, rugs with a dense pile, such as shaggy styles, effectively trap warm air within the fibers. Adding a rug pad underneath can further enhance insulation. A helpful tip: place a thick rug beside your bed to stay warm and cozy as you step out of bed each morning.
Green Oushak Rug, Vintage Turkish Eclectic Floral Pastel Large Oversized Area Rug
4- Design/ Style
For anyone interested in interior design who loves to play with color and print, the question of whether you need a rug should be an easy one! Absolutely, you need a rug! Rugs are a perfect way to express your unique style and introduce character to your home. Whether your taste leans toward bold designs, minimalist décor, or earthy colors, rugs can invigorate your space.
These days, you can find a wide range of rug designs, giving you a huge selection to choose from. While this variety is exciting, it may feel overwhelming if you're not sure what style suits you best. Be sure to look at our tips for picking the right rug style for your space. Another unique way to enhance your interior design with rugs is by hanging them! There are numerous stunning and intricately designed rugs that would work perfectly as wall art, adding a creative flair to your room.
Ola Persian Heriz Red & Blue Medallion Rug
5- Cover Imperfections
At times, your room may have flaws you'd prefer to conceal effortlessly. For instance, if your hardwood floor is scratched or your tile has chips, a rug is an efficient and effective way to mask those imperfections. One of the biggest advantages of area rugs is their capability to cover expansive areas easily. If you're renting and the existing flooring doesn’t suit your style, a rug offers a convenient solution for covering it. So stop wondering, "Do I need an area rug?"—give it a try; you’ll be surprised by the difference they can make!
Oushak Rug, Muted Turkish Vintage Floral Faded Pastel Large Oversized Runner Rug
6- Safety
One significant advantage of rugs that shouldn’t be overlooked is their safety value. Thick rugs can provide cushioning in case of falls, reducing the likelihood of injury. This feature is especially beneficial for households with young children who are prone to running and tripping.
If you have a baby in the house, the cushioning provided by rugs is a valuable consideration. Since babies tend to fall while learning to walk, having a plush, thick rug is an excellent way to keep them safe.
You may wonder, "Do I need a rug in the bathroom?" Our answer is, why not? Bathroom rugs can also help prevent injuries by giving you a place to dry your feet after a shower. It's essential to have a rug in the bathroom, as bathroom floors tend to be hard and slippery when wet.
If you have concerns about your rug causing trips, look for one that features an anti-slip backing to hold it securely in place.
Modern Oushak Rug, Pink Bordered Vintage Turkish Pastel Colorful Oriental Inspired Area Rug
7- Add Color Tones
If you’re looking to refresh a room with a new color scheme, one of the advantages of a rug is that it allows you to do this easily without the need for painting or renovating furniture.
Replacing a rug is an easy and usually budget-friendly method to refresh the color scheme of your room. Consider exploring rugs by color to find shades that catch your eye. You might opt for a vibrant, colorful rug to make a bold statement and introduce contrast to your space, or you could select a rich, dark rug to create depth and a cozy atmosphere.
Bright, small rugs make a wonderful addition to children's rooms as their tastes and styles are likely to shift as they age. A key benefit of area rugs in kids' bedrooms is that they create a cozy atmosphere while introducing vibrant colors. If your child enjoys blue, consider a blue rug; or if they love purple, check if a purple rug would work well in their space.
Sila Turkish Gold Orange Brown Rug
8- Absorb Sounds
One of the most useful advantages of a rug is its ability to control sound. Unlike hard flooring, rugs absorb sound, providing a level of soundproofing. They also minimize noise from movement, making footsteps and sliding chairs quieter. For optimal soundproofing, choose a thicker rug paired with a rug pad.
Blues Modern Oushak Rug, Shades of Blue Vintage Turkish style Colorful Area Rug
9- Rug Replacement
You might already love the idea of rugs and have several in your home, but instead of purchasing more, it could be time to refresh your collection with some replacements. Unfortunately, rugs aren’t indestructible. Over time, they can get stained, worn out, and accumulate allergens. A worn, dirty rug can detract from the look of your space, while one that has gathered allergens may trigger sensitivities in those who are allergic.
If you need to replace a rug, it’s beneficial to take the time to browse through your options to select one that will last as long as possible. For example, if you’re swapping out a rug by the front door that will likely collect muddy footprints from shoes or paws, look for a washable rug to ensure its longevity. It’s also important to consider the size; you may find yourself wondering, “Would a runner work here?” or “Should I choose an area rug?” Different rug sizes are better suited for different areas in your home.
With proper care, you can extend the lifespan of your rug. Regular vacuuming is essential, and when it comes time to clean, be sure to use suitable cleaning solutions that won't harm the fibers.
Considering the many practical and stylish advantages that rugs provide for everyone in the family, they are undoubtedly worth the investment. We hope you feel inspired to upgrade your space with a rug, so take a look at our range of beautiful, high-quality options for every area.
10- Add Light to Dark Rooms
If your room is feeling a bit dull or dark, adding a rug can provide a vibrant burst of color or a needed source of light. A key benefit of area rugs is their capacity to instantly brighten a dim space due to their substantial size. Choose a color that leans toward the lighter end of the spectrum, as darker hues can absorb light. If you already have a darker carpet, layering a rug on top can introduce additional texture to the area. One of the major advantages of rugs is their versatility; they can help hide dark carpets while adding warmth and brightening the overall ambiance of a room.
Dala RugVintage Pink Navy Blue Rug
11- Upgrade Décor
Rugs come in an endless variety of colors, designs, materials, shapes, and sizes—and that's certainly a good thing! The benefits of rugs touch on many aspects, but the most significant advantage for interior design is that there is literally a rug for every style of home décor. So, whether you favor bright and bold aesthetics, love to blend prints and patterns, or seek a rug that adds texture to a neutral palette, adding a rug is a fantastic way to bring cohesion to your furniture and décor.
12- Welcoming Guests
When pondering the question, “Do I need a rug?”, try to envision yourself as a guest in your home. Picture stepping onto a long, sturdy runner and then sinking your feet into a soft, shaggy rug in the living room. Rugs can create a welcoming atmosphere for guests, making your home feel more inviting and comfortable.
Of course, you might occasionally have muddy shoes on it, and a guest’s dog could leave a little dribble, but all of that is easily overlooked when you're curling up with your friends on the couch!
13- Cleaning
Has your dog shredded your newspaper, or did your partner accidentally stain it with red wine? No worries! One significant advantage of rugs is how easy they are to clean. With a rug, all you need to do is vacuum it or throw it in the washing machine. “Washing machine?!” you might exclaim. Yes! We offer a variety of washable rugs that come out fresh after a good 60-minute wash. To discover more benefits of washable rugs, check out our blog. After all, washing a rug is much cheaper than replacing a wine-stained carpet! Regular rug cleaning also helps to quickly remove dust, gather up shedding fibers, and maintain its plush texture.
14- Protect Your Floors
If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood floors—whether inherited or installed yourself—you understand the costly upkeep they demand. Regular polishing, occasional sanding, and the worry of scratches can contribute to your daily stress. One of the advantages of area rugs is that they help safeguard large sections of your hardwood floors.
Place area rugs in high-traffic zones where your hardwood floors might suffer wear and tear, like entryways or kitchens. Runners in narrow hallways or on landings can also help reduce shoe scuffs and protect your floors from dirt brought in from outside. And definitely steer clear of plastic floor protectors!
Blues Modern Oushak Rug, Shades of Blue Vintage Turkish style Colorful Area Rug
15- Allergies
Did you know that rugs can actually help reduce allergies? Contrary to the common belief that carpets and rugs worsen allergies, they serve to trap allergens in your home and act as effective air filters. By capturing dust, pollen, and other particles that would otherwise circulate in the air, rugs improve your indoor air quality. Just wash your rug after a season of high pollen!