15 Under $150: Area Rug Roundup

There are several things I love shopping for when it comes to “finishing touch” pieces for our home. Light fixtures, artwork, accent furniture, decor… the list goes on. Perhaps one of my favorites, though, is area rugs.

Does that make me sound totally boring? Probably. Allow me to explain though: Despite watching The Big Lebowski a hundred times over in my teenage and college years, I never really realized how much The Dude probably meant it when he said that his stolen area rug had really “tied the room together.” How heartbroken he truly must have been.

Because guys… finding the perfect area rug is no easy feat.

I can’t tell you the number of times, in the process of putting together a room, that I’ve rolled out a brand new rug only to stand back, aghast at just how much the rug did NOT tie the room together. Like, at all. Even despite the hours upon hours it took me to decide on said rug. A rug can make or break a room, okay? The Dude doesn’t lie.

Here’s another thing about area rugs: They are not cheap. In fact, especially if you’re buying them brand new, they can often be one of the most – if not the most – expensive items in the room.

The days of my life I have spent searching for the perfect area rugs has paid off quite well, though, as I’ve discovered a few places for trendy, quality options at affordable prices. And now I can share them with you!

Here are some area rugs I’ve had my eye on or purchased recently, each at $150 or less, and linked below are where I found them:

Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15

As you can tell from above, some of my go-to places for decently priced rugs include Rugs USA, Overstock, Amazon, Target, Urban Outfitters, and Cost Plus World Market. Additionally, many of these retailers offer free shipping as well as major sales throughout the year. I haven’t purchased any just yet from Etsy or eBay, but have heard they’re great sources to consider, too. IKEA is also a great option for large, affordable rugs!

Caring For Your New Rug

A few additional things I’ve learned about rug care over the past few years:

Know What You’re Buying: Most sites offer important product details – including the materials used, and care and keeping of the rugs – under their product descriptions on their site. I’ve also gained a lot by reading through customer reviews! Some sites, like Rugs USA, have discussion board-like areas where users can ask questions specific to a certain rug – like “does this unravel easily?” or “how does this hold up to spills?” – and purchasers can respond to said questions.
Invest in a Mat: Rug mats are key for keeping them in place and adding a little cushion, especially if they’re going on top of hardwood floors. We’ve used options similar to this and this in our home.
Make Them Last: They require regular upkeep, especially depending on the material they’re made of. You’ll want to regularly flip and change their direction to reduce wear and tear – especially if they’re thin, or made of a material like jute. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for any loose threads, so you can snip them or sew them back before any unraveling begins.
Clean Them Up: Keeping them clean can be tricky, and it all depends on the material they’re made of and what kind of cleaning they require – a small stain versus a deep shampoo, for example. Check out some tips for cleaning area rugs here.
Let Them Breathe: While a weekly vacuum, shaking, or lint-rolling takes care of a good amount of dust and hair, airing them (and the mats) out every few months is really beneficial for the rug, your floors, and your allergies! A couple of times a year, I’ll give each them a good vacuum, then hang them outside (a clothesline, fence, or porch railing will do) and beat them with a broom to get out any lingering dust. I’ll then spray them with bacteria-killing spray (like Febreze, Gain, or essential oil concoctions like these) and let them bake in the sun and/or wind for several hours, flipping them halfway through. While they’re airing out, I like to give the floors where they sit a good scrubbing, too, before bringing them back inside.