I get it — a white rug feels like a risky choice. It might be beautiful, but you might find it impractical, or even unnecessary, especially if you have kids or pets. But that's where you're wrong. With the right expertise, a white rug becomes not only possible but encouraged. Trust me, I'm a style editor.
Some of the best rugs are white rugs — plush, snowy pelts; crisp ivory runners; cozy cream-colored shag carpets. If you can find an option that's machine washable, you're set. And if not, the right material or pattern will do. And even if you can't track that down, you can display the rug in a room with minimal foot traffic. No stains, just vibes.
"White rugs can transform a space, offering a sense of purity and tranquility that enhances both aesthetic appeal and mental well-being," says Christiane Lemieux, founder of modern luxury brand Lemieux et Cie. "Materials like wool, nylon, polyester, sheepskin, and hair-on-hide or cowhide are popular choices for white rugs due to their ease of cleaning and durability. Wool, with its natural stain resistance, and nylon, known for its resilience and easy maintenance, are particularly suited for high-traffic areas. Polyester offers a budget-friendly option that resists fading and stains."
Overall, "the neuroaesthetic benefits of white include its ability to create a calming environment, reduce visual clutter, and promote a sense of spaciousness, making white rugs an excellent choice for fostering a serene and inviting atmosphere in any room," she continues.
With Christiane's insights in mind, I've rounded-up 12 gorgeous white rugs of different sizes and styles for you to peruse. Though I haven't tried these rugs myself, I shop for a living — my finger is on the pulse of the interior design landscape, and I know what brands to buy and recommend. In other words. I've researched and reviewed and read-up so you don't have to. If, like me, you love aesthetics as much as quality, this is the contemporary edit for you.
White Runners
Price: $48.99
Size: 2'2" X 6'
If an affordable pick is what you're after, Safavieh is an excellent brand to shop. Available at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more, its well-made and well-priced pieces are perfect for design-forward homes on a budget. This ivory-colored runner has a tonal design that would disguise subtle marks and stains (important for a white rug, especially because you can't throw this one in the wash), plus its low pile is non-shed and machine-woven from durable fibers.
Customers seem happy too; with an overall 4.4 star rating across 15,000 reviews, rest assured you're getting bang for your buck.
Price: $112.99
Was: $290.59
Size: 2'3" x 13'
The first thing I noticed about the Assar was its 4.7 star rating and 32,000 customer reviews; that kind of feedback (and positive feedback, at that) is quite rare for for a retailer like Wayfair (i.e. one with more SKUs than I could count). Not to mention its 61% off right now.
This solid rug has a plush, high pile — so only buy if you like that pillowy feeling under foot. I'd love to see a rug like this in a nursery, where cozy comfort is ideal.
Price: $299
Size: 2.5' x 12'
I love Pottery Barn. It boasts an instantly recognizable elegance unlike any of its counterparts. Such timelessness is on display here, with the Prism Handwoven Performance Rug. Without customer reviews, it's difficult to suss out the individual quality of a piece. But Pottery Barn is known for its high-caliber construction; if its from here, I wouldn't worry.
White Area Rugs
Price: $479
Was: $599
Size: 3'6" x 5'6"
If you're not familiar with Loloi, now is the time for an introduction. Their rugs are quality, stylish, but most importantly, affordable, especially in a world full of expensive options. I love the linear tonal design of the Barkley; its simple but looks like it would add the perfect bit of dimension to a room.
Price: $374.25 with code BDAY24
Was: $499
Size: 6' x 9'
People tend to avoid white rugs because they worry the color isn't practical for busy and full homes. But what if you could wash the white rug? Such is the case with the Polar White Plush Rug from Ruggable. This beauty is water-resistant, stain-resistant, and machine-washable. A little dirt won't hurt!
Customers have described the piece as "plush, beautiful, and washable."
Price: $199
Was: $399
Size: 5' x 8'
The Avery has the right bit of texture and a purposely-distressed look that would expertly hide wear and tear. Unlike other white rugs, I think you could stick this in a high-traffic area without any problems. Plus, the sale right now is too good to pass up. $200 off!
White Round Rugs
Shag material
Price: $35
Size: 3' round
From brand Unique Loom, the solid shag area rug boasts a 4.8 out of 5 star rating — and it's just $35. I mean, you have to see it to believe it! If the white colorway doesn't do it for you, there are plenty of additional hue options, including grass green and lilac.
Price: $130.04
Was: $396
Size: 6' x 6' round
Once again, we find ourselves face to face with a Safavieh rug, in perhaps a testament to its prevalence and quality. Better yet its on mega-sale right now at just $130. It has a short pile height, so great for high-traffic spots, as well as a chic, country-style, concentric circle pattern. AND it's wool, which is an easy material to clean.
Price: $119
Although perhaps intended for a kids room or nursery, I think the unique sunburst style construction of this off-white rug is mature enough for a adult bedroom or home, too. I especially love the hand-tufted crochet lace trim — it's unlike anything else on the market (at least that I have seen). Just be sure you really like it; it's final sale and therefore not returnable.
Novelty White Rugs
Price: $129.95
Size: 3'6" x 6'
This best-selling faux sheepskin pelt is plush and soft — and, perhaps most importantly, washable, so you can keep the white color looking as luscious and crisp as the day you first bought it. Of the 23 customer reviews, 22 are 5-star and is 4-star. That's a pretty good (read: exceptional) spread.
Price: $149
Size: 3' W x 5' L
Perfect for kids or just a touch of personality in the living room, this cloud-shaped rug is fair trade, machine washable, and crafted from 100% polyester fur. It's also made from over 80 pieces of plastic bottles, making it a purchase you can feel good about making.
Price: $58.99
Was: $67.99
Size: 3' x 3'
The Deyon rug is perfectly imperfect — because sometimes, straight lines and edges are just too boring. I also really love the ivory color and embedded zebra-like pattern. "This was the fun I was looking for," wrote one customer.
How do I keep a white rug clean?
It's the question on everyone's lips — if I do go for a white rug, how in the world do I keep it clean? For the machine-washable options on this list, that answer is quite obvious. But what about otherwise?
"People tend to be terrified at the idea of having a white rug and trying to keep it clean," Olma Fuentes, principal and founder of Deni + Dove Interiors, tells me. "Put a white rug in your home and watch how many people call you 'brave' and 'daring.'"
"But the truth is that they’re not any more difficult to maintain than a colored rug," she continues. "The key to keeping a white rug looking clean and pristine will be in the material selection, since certain fibers are more durable and impervious to dirt than others. For example, wool and jute are excellent choices if you’re considering a white rug because they are both easier to clean and are better equipped at resisting stains compared to other synthetic materials.”
From a cleaning product standpoint, Olma uses "Folex Instant Carpet Remover to get rid of any stubborn stains on my white rugs, and found that it works just as well on removing stains from upholstered furniture.”
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