Step On It — The 12 Best Rugs Are the Style Zeitgeist (Underfoot)
Want to know what the culture looks like right now? This edit of 2025’s best rugs offers a bird’s-eye view of the current state of style


For every trend swirling in the zeitgeist, of which there are many, there’s a rug for that. Right now, it’s everything from icy baby blue (the new darling of the fashion industry) to tiger print (slightly sleazy, very cool, and a feline cousin to the leopard that had a chokehold on interiors just a few years back). Add in the revival of antique styles — think Brussels-woven botanicals circa 1700 — and the take-home is clear: what’s underfoot is just as trend-driven as what’s on your body.
Swapping out your tired old carpet for one of these of-the-moment rug trends isn’t just a design choice — it’s a style signal. It says: I’m tapped in. I know exactly what’s going on. And in an era where trend cycles move faster than ever, a rug is an unexpectedly low-effort way to stay current. While replacing a sofa (especially if you live in a third-floor walkup like I do) might feel daunting, rugs are low-lift, relatively affordable, and wildly effective at shifting the energy of a space.
And yes — even as a style editor, I know that looks aren’t everything. You might recall in Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009), when Rebecca Bloomwood discovers her stunning "score" of a sample-sale coat is actually polyester. Not happening here. My job is to point you to where to buy rugs that not only look good, but hold up — no pilling, no shivers, no buyer’s remorse.
So the next time you step outside and clock the sartorial prowess of the pedestrians — or scroll past the impossibly chic people on your feed — you can rest easy knowing you’re already one step ahead. Because you’ve got trends you can actually step on.
Why we love it: The impact of a great abstract painting — underfoot
Sizes available: 36" x 24.5"
Material: Wool
This impeccably executed, three-dimensional design isn’t a Rorschach test — but it could be. With sculptural raised elements and a rich palette of tonal beige and chocolate, this graphic abstract rug delivers visual depth in every sense. It’s a true hero piece, ideal for compact spaces where you want maximum impact with minimal effort — try it under a side table or as the anchor of an entryway.
Why we love it: A whisper-soft, deeply zeitgeist pastel that’s surprisingly versatile
Sizes available: 5'11" x 8'10", 6'7" x 9'10", 8'2" x 11'6", 9'10" x 13'1"
Material: Wool
The icy baby blue in question. You’ve seen it carpeting Miu Miu boutiques, popping up in fashion showrooms, and on the feeds of your favorite design-led influencers. It’s become something of a cool-girl color signature — but almost no one gets it right in rug form. Layered’s La Palette collection nails it. This blue rug’s soft but self-assured tone plays beautifully with chrome, and sings when paired with bold reds or burnt orange.
Why we love it: Multipurpose, timeless design — for floors or walls
Sizes available: 3'9" x 5'6", 5" x 7'6", 7'6" x 9'6"
Material: Polyester
The Hollyhock rug is the crown jewel of Drew Michael Scott’s (@lonefoxhome) collaboration with Joon Loloi, inspired by a genuine 18th-century Verdure tapestry he sourced for his own home. And yes — you can absolutely hang it. (Drew encourages it.) But with its low pile height and high durability, it also holds up beautifully in high-traffic zones. Verdure might be trending, but this one’s timeless — as evidenced by its perfect 5-star rating.
Why we love it: Natural, handwoven, and quietly graphic
Sizes available: 3' x 5', 2'6" x 7', 5' x 8', 8' x 10' 9' x 12'
Material: Jute
Quince makes a little bit of everything, and often makes it best. This 4.5-star-rated jute rug is hand-braided by artisans in India and built to endure. Shed-resistant and strong enough for high-traffic areas, it’s ideal for busy living rooms and hallways. The understated diamond motif nods to classic floor tile, adding just enough geometry without competing with the rest of your space. Bonus: it layers beautifully with rugs in other materials, should you want to mix and mismatch.
Why we love it: Feline swagger that anchors a room
Sizes available: 8' x 10', 10' x 12', 12' x 14'
Material: Wool
The coolest cat in interiors right now is easily the tiger. A fiercer, more kinetic cousin to leopard (and a natural offshoot of the “Mob Wife” aesthetic), tiger print has more bite, more movement, and pretty major room-commanding energy. Tigris by Nordic Knots — originally designed for Tase Gallery — perfects the prowling pattern. Go for the bold rust-toned version (pictured), or opt for a softer beige if you want your wild side slightly subdued.
Why we love it: A playful clash of geometry and color that somehow works
Sizes available: 2' x 3', 2'6" x 8', 2'6" x 4'6", 3'6" x 5'6", 5' x 8', 6' x 9', 7'6" x 9'6", 8' x 11'
Material: Wool and cotton
Why pick a favorite color — or shape — when you can have all of them? Urban Outfitters’ Geo Rug makes a case for maximalist creativity with a “mixed everything” design that sounds chaotic but reads cohesive. It’s not subtle, but it is balanced — and a genius way to wake up a tired space. Pair with quiet neutrals (browns, blacks, oatmeals) and let this one do all the talking.
Why we love it: Sartorial sensibility, in rug form
Sizes available: 6' x 9', 8' x 10', 9' x 12', 10' x 14', 12' x 15'
Material: Wool
OG fashion influencer Aimee Song’s collab with Lulu and Georgia is full of hits, but the Amalfi wool rug is a standout. In a rich terracotta tone with flowing, organic patterning, it’s a love letter to the Italian coast. It plays well with warm woods, soft creams, lush greens, and (as Aimee’s collection suggests) even a hit of cool-toned violet. Fashion logic, applied to your floors.
Why we love it: Elegant, airy looks with real-world resilience
Sizes available: 2'3" x 3'9", 3'6" x 5'6", 5' x 7'6", 7'9" x 9'9", 8'6" x 12', and more
Material: Wool
The Francis Rug from Chris Loves Julia x Loloi looks delicate, but lives like a champ. I can say this with confidence: I own it. After a year in a high-traffic NYC apartment, it still looks brand new. (Not bad for something underfoot daily.) The classic, low-contrast palette makes it endlessly versatile, while the stain-resistant fibers hold up to dirt, city grime, and the occasional spill. Over a thousand five-star reviews back me up.
Why we love it: High-impact contrast from a globe-trotting design icon
Sizes available: 2’ x 3’, 3’ x 5’, 4’ x 6’, 5’ x 7’, 6’ x 9’, 8’ x 10’, 9’ x 12’, 10’ x 14’, and more
Material: Polyester with a polyurethane water-resistant barrier
Ruggable’s collab with interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard is a certified Livingetc favorite — and this stylized serpent design is precisely why. The slithering snake motif feels straight out of a woven tapestry at The Met Cloisters: classic yet edgy and unmistakably bold. Even better? It’s also a fully washable rug. For high contrast and maximum impact, pair with ivory upholstery and pared-back silhouettes.
Why we love it: Mesmerizing linework with a silk-like sheen
Sizes available: 5'7" x 7'10", 6'7" x 9'10", 8'10" x 11'10"
Material: Wool and viscose
This rug brings a hint of Soho House polish into your own space. Its abstract tricolor linework, made from a mix of wool and strategically placed viscose fibers, creates a subtle, luminous sheen, especially under natural light. It’s soft, sculptural, and quietly dazzling. Style it in a sunlit room and let it do what it does best: glow.
Why we love it: Minimalism meets eclecticism, by Arvin Olano
Sizes available: 3' x 5', 4' x 6', 5' x 8', 6' x 9', 8' x 10', 9' x 12', 10' x 14', 12' x 15', and more
Material: Wool and viscose
Can a rug be both restrained and full of personality? Arvin Olano thinks so. His Petra Rug for Rugs USA proves the point with mixed pile heights and a high-low border that defines the space without overwhelming it. Available in a range of neutral tones, it delivers the luxe detailing you’d expect from a high-end showroom — at a fraction of the price. No wonder it’s earned a 4.4-star rating across 60+ reviews.
Why we love it: A softer spin on animal print that still feels unexpected
Sizes available: 2'6" x 8', 3'6" x 5'6", 5' x 8', 2'6" x 12'
Material: Wool
Another animal print — this time in fawn. Inspired by the delicate spotting of woodland creatures, this subtle, speckled motif has moved from cushions to clothing (I may or may not own the skirt) and now — onto floors. The classic sandy version is lovely, but the grey feels fresher: slightly stranger, slightly chicer. Available in a wide range of sizes and backed by a 4.6-star rating, it’s a pattern that plays nice — without fading into the background.
FAQs
How Do I Choose the Best Rug?
It's not actually the looks you should focus on first. From choosing a living room rug to the best rug for any space in your home, it all starts with the material. Where your rug lives, how much foot traffic it sees, and how often it’s exposed to water, dirt, or wear all affect its longevity, and all trace back to fiber.
Wool, while pricey, is the gold standard: durable, naturally stain-resistant, and (when done right) timeless. Cotton is more budget-friendly and low-maintenance, with a soft, breezy feel. Jute and sisal bring organic texture and are great for messier zones like dining rooms. Synthetics like nylon are designed for durability in high-traffic areas, while silk — another luxe option — is best reserved for low-touch spaces like bedrooms or sun-drenched reading corners. It’s stunning, but highly delicate.
Once you’ve picked your material, move on to size and pile height. (If you’re not sure how big your rug should be, we answer the important question: How big should your living room rug be?) Medium pile strikes a balance between softness and practicality, while high pile is plush but higher maintenance — best for bedrooms or quieter corners of the home.
The real answer? The “best” rug is the one that works for your space, your lifestyle, and your thresholds for chaos and coffee spills.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Rugs?
The best time to buy a rug is the very moment that your space feels like it needs a little something, without committing to a full-blown renovation.
But if you want to score big, timing matters. The best rug deals usually hit between November and February — think Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and post-Christmas markdowns leading into New Year clearances, when retailers make space for spring collections. These are key dates for discounts, especially on styles that skew more seasonal.
However, you can score big on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and other Holiday weekends with many retailers offering big sales across multiple categories.
What Is the Most Durable Rug Material?
Durability generally comes down to two camps: natural vs. synthetic. The former tends to be pricier, but the differences go well beyond cost.
Wool is the gold standard of natural rug fibers — a sustainable material that's naturally stain-resistant (thanks to lanolin), and easy to clean. “It’s the most durable naturally sourced fiber,” says Eleanor Dykes of Riviere Rugs. It’s especially ideal for high-traffic areas like living rooms.
That said, don’t discount synthetics. Materials like polyester, PET, and nylon offer impressive durability at a lower price point. “Nylon or PET yarn is highly durable, but they are man-made fibres,” Eleanor notes.
They’re often stain-resistant, washable, and kid-friendly — but they’re not always the most sustainable. If that matters to you, it’s worth factoring into your decision.
You’ve got the rug — now learn how to make it work for you. Our guide to decorating with rugs covers the placements, pairings, and pro-level tricks that separate the stylish from the just… carpeted.
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Formerly covering fashion at L’Officiel USA, style maven Julia Demer brings her love of design to Livingetc’s world of interiors. As the title’s New York-based Style Editor, Julia's work reflects a sharp eye for detail and an innate passion for aesthetics. Her journey began with a strong foundation in design, honing her craft at renowned establishments like The Row and even establishing her own eponymous fashion brand. Julia’s design background is evident in the way she thoughtfully curates shopping edits, always maintaining a focus on emerging trends while preserving timeless sensibilities. For Julia, fashion and interiors go hand in hand, reflecting her lifelong commitment to perfecting the art of style.
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