10 Best Area Rugs for Hardwood Floors to Complete the Room
Updated: Nov. 16, 2023
Add a dash of style to the room of your choice with the best area rugs for hardwood floors.
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Finding the best area rug for hardwood floors to warm up your space can be a fun challenge. When shopping for the right fit for that room you have in mind, consider the size, style, material, price and cleaning requirements—and don’t forget to draw inspiration from your space.
“Decide whether your space craves something traditional or contemporary, abstract or boho, and then see what colors are available,” says Yoselin Castro, senior interior designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. “This will help you keep the design direction really clear.”
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Geometric Area Rug
This cool area rug from Ruggable is thicker and softer than other Ruggable rugs. This machine-washable option comes in two color options and a variety of sizes. Plus, you can choose a standard rug pad or a cushioned rug pad for ultimate comfort to protect your hardwood flooring. The geometric pattern and lines bring visual interest and a contemporary design to your favorite room.
Mary Henn/Family Handyman
Washable Area Rug
Named one of our best washable rugs for homes with kids and pets, this low-pile area rug adds elegance to your space. It has a blend of cool and warm hues, so it’s an ideal accent against rich hardwood floors.
“I put this rug in my bedroom and love it—and so do my dogs,” says associate shopping editor, Mary Henn. “Luckily, it’s super easy to vacuum and spot clean. It’s also machine washable, so it will hold up in high-traffic areas.”
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Luxury Wool Area Rug
Another easy-care, washable area rug choice is this stylish wool rug from Pottery Barn. But you don’t have to sacrifice luxury for convenience with this one. It’s hand-woven from 100% yarn-dyed wool, guaranteeing uniqueness and quality. Inspired by a landscape of plowed fields, this low-pile rug hides dirt while also adding a touch of dreamy, plush comfort to your home.
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Hand-Knotted Area Rug
This beautiful Nahla rug from the Ralph Lauren Collection is hand-knotted and an investment for a lifetime. Ali Hafezi, vice president of Babash Rug Services, an American Society of Interior Designers Industry partner, says these types of rugs should only be cleaned by a professional. But because it’s hand-loomed, it will last a long time with proper care.
From a stylistic perspective, Hafezi says, “The weaving style and horizontal accents throughout work to blend the rug into the hardwood while the vivid colors work to set contrast against darker hardwood.”
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Vintage-Style Area Rug
The Kamran washable rug from Ruggable delivers a rustic, vintage feel with an affordable price tag. But don’t let its classic style fool you—it has the modern technology of being machine washable. So this farmhouse-inspired rug is another smart choice for rooms that see a lot of foot traffic.
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Moroccan Area Rug
Moroccan rugs are often neutral in tone and classic in pattern, so they fit in seamlessly into almost any room and design scheme. This Moroccan tasseled rug comes in a whopping 13 different sizes, including a huge 12-foot-by-18-foot option for that giant room you’re having trouble styling. It also comes in a variety of colors, but our favorite is the off-white for a simple, yet elegant, look.
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Shag Area Rug
Hafezi says shag rugs are a good idea because they’re classic, versatile, relatively inexpensive and work on dark- and light-toned hardwood floors. This shag rug from Ruggable comes in four light colors and five different sizes. Best of all? It’s machine washable!
“As a bonus, the rug remains versatile across different settings, so you can move it around into just about any situation if you decide on something else in the future,” Hafezi says.
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Jute Area Rug
This jute rug from West Elm is functional and durable, and it can feel like a fresh choice compared to more traditional rugs. It’s important to note that a proper rug pad is absolutely essential for a jute rug, because its rough fibers can scratch hardwood surfaces, etching away the finish and driving dirt and stains into the wood. Once you snag one, you’re all set to lay this textured pick out.
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Kids’ Robot Area Rug
This rug stands up to high traffic, can be spot-cleaned and is bright and cheery—the Robot Party Rug takes home top marks for kids! You can get it in multi-colored and black and white, a round or square shape and low- or medium-pile height. (Psst—the premium medium-pile height makes for a soft, cushy place to play on the floor!)
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Snake Design Area Rug
This Ruggable rug in collaboration with designer Jonathan Adler makes a bold statement in any part of your home. Bonus: It’s washable, stain-resistant and water-resistant. Adler is known for his cheeky, bold designs, and this statement snake rug comes in beautiful emerald green, standout sapphire and a chic neutral. It’ll have guests doing a double take wherever you lay it.
Sources:
- Yoselin Castro, senior interior designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors
- Ali Hafezi, vice president of Babash Rug Services
Originally Published: October 29, 2021
