How To Pick Out The Perfect Rug For Your Space—And Our Favorites

Discover expert rug shopping and care tips from Revival Rugs' CEO, plus our favorite stylish and functional rugs for every space. The post How To Pick Out The Perfect Rug For Your Space—And Our Favorites appeared first on Haute Living.

May 29, 2025 - 20:45

How To Pick Out The Perfect Rug For Your Space—And Our Favorites

Whether you’re moving homes or are looking to spruce your current one up a bit, shopping for a new rug is not an easy task. It seems like it should be so simple, but rather, there is so much to consider beyond just the look of it. With a little help from Ben Hyman, Co-Founder and CEO of Revival Rugs, we were able to get insider tips on how to shop for a rug, and we also rounded up some of our favorites.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

HAUTE LIVING: What are the most important things you consider when shopping for a rug?

BEN HYMAN: First, measure your room. Second: buy a rug pad. These two surprisingly simple things will make a huge difference in how good your rug looks. Beyond this, you’ll want to think about your needs (washability, durability, size) and your preferences (color, texture, design). Subjectively, you might like the look and feel of certain materials and constructions more than others. In terms of utility, you might require certain characteristics based on your lifestyle—ie whether or not you have kids, pets, or lots of foot traffic. Get a swatch if you’re unsure.

HL: How should you care for a rug?

BH: Here are some general tips —

Use a rug pad! This protects your rug and helps it last longer.
Clean spills promptly
Rotate your rug every so often so it doesn’t get uneven wear patterns from either sun or foot traffic.
Vacuum once or twice a month to remove dirt and grime. Too much vacuuming can wear down the knots and fibers more quickly. Use low power with a non-rotary (no spinning brush) vacuum or suction-only attachment. Every few months, you’ll also want to flip your rug over and vacuum the back to get the grit out of the rug’s foundation.
Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed. Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly.

By material:

Wool: Let it sunbathe once or twice a year. Hang it in the sun for a few hours when it’s hottest, flipping it over midway through to expose both sides to direct sunlight. This sun-bleaching helps further sanitize the wool. It’s a natural method to bleach and deodorize it.
Jute: Jute rugs don’t love excessive moisture—it can make them mold—so keeping them dry is crucial. Sunbathe them if they get very damp.

By construction:

Kilim and flatweave rugs: One thing to know about kilims and flatweaves is that in case of spills, you want to blot the spill until it is dry, but not add liquid. Moisture travels along the fiber, so in rugs with horizontal fibers (like flatweaves), it can get trapped, making it harder to remove stains.
Shag and high-pile rugs: Dust and dirt that accumulate in your rug can erode the fibers over time. The best way to combat this is to take your rug outside and give it a good shake. Depending on how large it is, you may need to recruit a friend to help.
If shaking it out isn’t possible, you can vacuum it instead—just be cautious, and don’t use a rotary vacuum, because it can damage the fibers. Once or twice a month, use the suction attachment gently, from side to side.

HL: What sets Revival apart when it comes to rug shopping?

BH: Our rugs are beautiful, useful, and affordable. We’re a one-stop shop with a wide assortment—so you can get a washable polyester runner for your kitchen, a one-of-a-kind Moroccan rug for the playroom, and a wool shag rug for your bedroom all in one place. We’re thoughtful with our weaves, using traditional techniques with innovative materials. We have studios on the ground in Istanbul, Casablanca, Mumbai, Bhadohi, and Los Angeles, so our rugs are collaborative and globally informed.

HL: What’s your favorite rug and why?

BH: Impossible to choose! Our new thick, soft washable polyester Dapple and Digi collections are so fun and easy to clean. Our channeled wool Ridge rug and custom wool Lithos rug are luxurious. Triplo Strato is pretty sexy. Jute Tulip is elegant. The hand-carded Matta Collection is cozy and sophisticated. Vintage rugs are an integral part of our DNA, so they’ll be a forever favorite.