Home rug buying guide

Rugs can be used to add style, practicality and comfort to the home. Use our guide to find the right rug for you.

Different types of rugs

A good place to start is by considering whether you want a plain or patterned rug as this will narrow down your choice of material and finish. If you're really stuck on what style you want, we've picked out a few rugs that best fit with popular decor themes.

Four varieties of rugs rolled and stacked near a wall in a garden.

Which rug is the best for you?

Let's take a look at different styles of rugs.

Plain rugs: Plain doesn't mean boring. A block colour makes a texture stand out and opens up a few more material options, like shaggy and sheepskin.

Patterned rugs: Whether you go for a traditional rug pattern or a more contemporary rug design, they'll create a focal point and are a quick and easy way to transform the look of a room.

Modern & glam: Love the luxe look? Champagne, blush, and mink are key colours here, with equally opulent finishes like crushed velvet and faux fur.

Classic & country: We are channelling cosy country cottages when we picked out these lovelies. Neutrals or warming reds come to mind and check prints of course feature.

Scandi & simple: Grey, mustard, more grey. Block colours and a few playful prints feature in our collection of rugs inspired by Scandinavian style.

Your favourites

Rug size guide

What size rug do I need?

Considering a new rug? A 60x100 cm might be just right for smaller spots or entryways. Perhaps a 80x150 cm could cosy up a favourite nook. A 100x100 cm square rug often works well in tidy, compact areas. For a touch of comfort in living spaces, think about a 120x170 cm, or go larger with a 160x230 cm or 200x290 cm to beautifully complement bigger rooms.

Explore and see what suits your space!

Shop by size

Shop by shape

Round rugs

Make your space look bigger.

Habitat x Scion Mr Fox Printed Rectangular Rug.

Rectangular rugs

Tie your room together.

Habitat Faux Shaggy Novelty and Animal Shaped Rug.

Novelty and animal shaped rugs

Add uniqueness to your space.

Habitat Octo Flatweave Cotton Runner in Orange Colour.

Runners

Protect your floors in a stylish way.

Looking for colour options?

Argos Home Shimmer Cut Pile Woven Grey Rug.

Sophisticated brown rugs

Habitat 60 Levi Wool Rug by Margo Selby.

Colourful rugs

Rugs by room

Looking for a rug for a particular room? We'll help you find the right size, material and construction to suit the space.

Habitat Mid Century Mini Geo Rug - Grey & White.

The best type of rug for the living room

Your living room or lounge is likely to be one of the busiest rooms in your house. To avoid wear, choose a durable material, like polyester or wool.

How to position your living room rug

Birds eye living room diagram showing small rug placed under coffee table.

If you just want something that is a bit decorative and more of a comfort for your feet, opt for a smaller rug that sits centrally in your room.

Birds eye living room diagram showing medium rug placed under front legs of all sofas.

If you've got a smaller room where furniture is up against the walls, opt for a rug that sits underneath the front two legs of your sofas.

Birds eye living room diagram showing large rug placed under all furniture.

If you have a large room with a 'floating' seating area, pick a rug that is big enough to sit underneath all of the key furniture.

Habitat Recycled Cosy Plain Shaggy Rug in Blue.

The best type of rug for the bedroom

You're likely to be walking around with bare feet, so the texture is important. Soft rugs with a longer pile and shaggy effects are ideal for the bedroom.

How to position your bedroom rug

Birds eye bedroom diagram showing two runners on either side of the bed.

If your bed is up against a wall, have a small runner on either side of it, for added comfort when you get up in the morning.

Birds eye bedroom diagram showing small rug placed at the end of the bed.

Another option you could try is to place a smaller rug at the end of your bed. This is really handy if it's a well used walkway in the room to prevent carpet wear.

Birds eye bedroom diagram showing large rug placed underneath bed and bedside tables.

If you have a sizeable bedroom, try picking a rug that sits underneath the front of your bedside tables, and spans your entire bed.

Habitat Scandi Leaf Geo Rug - Teal Blue.

The best type of rug for the dining room

For the dining room, pick a rug that's wider than your table, with a bold pattern or decoration around the border, to really make the space pop.

How to position your dining room rug

Birds eye dining room diagram showing small rug placed under dining table.

If you want to spruce up your dining area but don't have much space, try a smaller rug that sits beneath the dining table and the chairs when they're tucked in.

Birds eye dining room diagram showing medium rug placed under dining table.

If you have a bit more space to make a statement, choose a rug that will sit beneath your table and chairs, even when they're pulled out.

Birds eye dining room diagram showing large rug placed under dining table.

Go big and bold with a rug that fills most of the dining space or room. These are better suiting to larger dining areas that have 6 or more seats.

Rugs for other areas

Hallway rugs

Hallways tend to be high traffic areas where shoes may be worn, so pick a runner or rug with a shorter pile for a more durable and easy-clean option.

Habitat Plastic Woven Green & White Outdoor Rug.

Outdoor rugs

Give your garden or deck a quick luxurious makeover with a stylish rug. It's an easy way to spruce up your space, protect the floor from spills, and provide comfort to your bare foot.

Habitat Lion Face Circle Yellow Kids' Rug.

Kids' room rugs

Rugs in kids' rooms are an inexpensive way to protect your flooring from food, toys, stray felt tip pens... Opt for colours or characters that match their decor.

Texture & materials

Habitat Skandi Brush Marks Rug - Black & White.

Wool rugs

Add flair to your home with our stylish, cosy wool rugs. Choose from polished prints and patterns or bold colours to liven up any space. Our range of short cut pile wool rugs suits every room.

Habitat Plain Cosy Recycled Cut Pile Rug.

Synthetic rugs

Synthetic rugs, made from materials like polyester and nylon, are tough and stylish. Perfect for busy areas, they come in lots of styles and textures. Plus, they're easy to clean and great for allergy sufferers.

Habitat Braided Jute Flatweave Natural Rug.

Natural rugs

Natural material rugs, like cotton and wool, are durable and cosy, with wool providing excellent insulation and texture. Blending with synthetic fibers like polyester makes them easier to maintain.

Origins Jute Border Woven Cut Pile Jute Rug.

Jute rugs

Get closer to nature with a jute rug. Made from dried plant fibers, these eco-friendly rugs bring a natural touch to your space while providing durability and comfort. A stylish and sustainable choice for any room.

Homemaker Melrose Villa Medallion Short Pile Rug.

Short pile/flatweave rugs

Short pile or flatweave rugs have tightly woven or closely cut fibers, making them less fluffy but very durable and easy to vacuum. Ideal for high-traffic areas, they showcase intricate designs and are perfect for busy households.

Long pile/shaggy rugs

Long pile or shaggy rugs, with their plush, soft fibres, provide ultimate comfort but can be tricky for pets and harder to vacuum. Great for cosy reading nooks or glam rooms, they add warmth and style to any space.

Jargon buster

Let's lay down the terminology...

Pile: If you were to stroke a rug, you'd be stroking the pile. The longer the pile, the shaggier the rug.

Hand-made: Part of the rug is crafted by hand. It doesn't necessarily refer to the whole rug - machines may be used for some parts of the process.

Hand-tufted: A popular and affordable method of making a rug where yarn is stitched onto a backing and fixed in place by a layer of durable material.

Hand-carved: Describes a technique where the pile of the rug is cut to different levels to produce a decorative pattern.

Measuring for your rug

Measuring correctly for your rug makes ordering easy, and prevents taking home a rug that's unexpectedly too large or small. The dimensions of each rug we sell are shown in the product information.

Grab a tape measure...

...and some newspaper or masking tape, mark out the size of the rug you want to buy where you will position it. This lets you see how the rug will fit with the rest of your furniture. Clever eh?

Most of our rugs come tightly rolled so it's easier for you to take home or have delivered. All you need to do is unroll and position in its new home.

At first wrinkles and curling are to be expected. Smooth out as best as you can and leave for a day. The fibres will relax, leaving you with a perfectly presented rug.

Corners still curling up? Fold them under for a day so that the curve is bent the opposite way. This helps the corners to settle in their place.

Many rugs have a non-slip backing sewn into them to prevent the rug moving on wooden flooring. Some woven rugs don't have a backing, but you can purchase a separate underlay to stop movement and wrinkling.

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