that's right, it's Etsy: Large, affordable rugs and how to find them
An Etsy rug guide (plus my favorite Moroccan rug dealer)
Before we get into rugs, I’ll admit this slightly shorter post is to cover my tracks for a longer one I’m working on (call me a tease - it involves Nancy Meyers), and I’m spending farrr too long on it.
In the meantime, who doesn’t love a good rug?
A big plus when hiring a designer is our trade discount - some rug vendors offer us as much as 60% off. I only mention this because many rugs you see in a designer’s space on Instagram are an unattainable price point for most (in NYC, I quoted rugs that would retail 48k, not kidding) - the interiors version of a beauty influencer not admitting to the nose job.
Of course, there’s cheap polyester rugs all over the internet… let’s do better.
Etsy is a goldmine for large, affordable, natural rug options to both the layman and designer, but can be overwhelming with thousands of sellers to choose from. To narrow it down, I’ll start with a checklist on where to begin and then we can hurtle into Etsy sellers I trust.
Feel free to leave me a comment if there’s a specific topic or item that you’d be interested to hear more on in the future. I’m a little on the picky side when it comes to selecting pieces for our home, but it comes in handy with my career choice and I hope you find it helpful here.
What to consider
Fiber content: Look for wool, jute, a jute cotton blend… any natural fibers to avoid the shiny synthetic look. I know many will recommend synthetic rugs for their durability but I don’t believe that’s entirely true, and I’ve listed the cons of synthetic fibers in your home (and closet) in my previous post.
Size: If possible, aim for your rug to be about 10” from each wall or at least under the front feet of your furniture. Rugs are an investment but right up there with lighting and paint colors if you let them work their magic. Choose the right size and they’ll carry the whole room.
Color: Think about how much pattern and color you have in your room already and how the rug will balance or complement it.
Detail images and reviews: ALWAYS always always request a sample if you can. Images online can be deceiving and I can’t stress enough how important it is to see how the colors react in your space before purchasing. But most Etsy sellers don’t offer samples so look closely at their images, request more images, and read reviews on how accurate their images are and if they can be a trusted source. There are excellent honest rug sellers on Etsy as well as some who reproduce Moroccan rugs cheaply and badly, so it’s important to check their background.
Placement location: Avoid long pile rugs in kitchens, hallways, entries, and dining areas so you’re not worried about muddy shoes or food falling. Tuareg mats are best for entry and dining areas, being super durable with a blend of leather and reed that age well with wear over the years. That or jute rugs that cost even less and are easily replaced and less likely to show crumbs. Just make sure the rug is big enough to fit underneath both table and chairs when they’re pulled out to avoid damaging the edges.
If you’re placing a colorful rug in a sunny spot, consider the fact it may fade over the years. In this case, creamier Berber rugs might be best (which Etsy is a great source for).
Shipping: Account for import taxes being added to rugs being shipped from sellers overseas.
Where to find rugs on Etsy
I know fellow designers who flock to Etsy for rugs because the middle man is cut out and the deals and quality are just as good as what you’d find in store. The thing with Etsy is FINDING them. The app doesn’t make it easy to find them so you have to dig and of course vet them as you go. A few key words for the search bar are: wool, gabbeh, Moroccan, hand-knotted, tuareg mat, kilim, Turkish, vintage rug, chunky loop, Scandinavian, rag rug, berber…
Below are Etsy rugs I love with their link, vendor, and pricing captioned. If you gravitate towards one, click into the link and then the vendor to explore their shop. I like to scroll down a bit too and see what Etsy recommends that’s similar. This is exactly how you’ll find yourself down a rabbit hole, so make sure you fav/heart them as you go. You can then look back on your favorites and purchase the rug that best fits your home.
Happy hunting!
* Favorite Moroccan rug vendor noted at the bottom of this post.
My Moroccan rug hookup
A little on the pricier side, but always negotiable with high quality service and authentic Moroccan rugs. Rug pads won’t be included, so order those off Amazon, and feel free to ask him to cut a rug down to a specific size. The vendor’s contact info is in his Instagram bio. If you’re looking for something particular, ask him and I promise you’ll be flooded with options.
