Whether you’re into the Scandi vibe, adore boho-chic, or prefer contemporary colors, an area rug will take center stage. It's one of the best pieces of decor for unifying a space and amplifying any color palette and/or aesthetic you have. This is particularly true if you’re restricted to the plain white walls of a rental or stuck with furniture that doesn't quite showcase your style. Adding a rug will bring character and flair to your home while respecting your landlord’s rules.
You won’t have to push past your own budget either. Surprising? Yes, rugs are usually expensive and something you may have previously chosen to go without. But if you buy one on Amazon, you can cover up your cold floors for less. Bringing both a cozy feel for winter and a decorative touch to your home, you’ll be amazed at how convenient, cheap, and chic they are.
Be it a large rug for your living room, a mini one for beneath your bed, or a runner to go along the corridor, you can find it on Amazon. There are many to choose from, but we’ve done the shopping for you and found our favorites, including plain, printed, checkered, and chevroned.
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Many rentals will come with hardwood floors, which can feel (and look) cold. A faux fur rug is one of the easiest ways to get your home cozied up for fall and winter. No more walking on chilly floors or having to layer on loads of blankets — just add instant warmth with a long-pile option. This one comes in over 20 colors, too.
From one of our favorite Amazon furniture brands, this geometric rug is a great way to add interest to a room without overwhelming it. Pick out a color based on your room's palette and watch your space instantly come together. Talk about an easy style upgrade!
If mid-century modern is your favorite style, then this contemporary take on the classic diamond rug is for you. Pair with tan colors and metal finishes and you're sure to have the space of your dreams. That being said, it's simple and timeless enough to complement most home schemes.
For some texture and a little boho flair, we love how this lattice rug will bring character and charm to an otherwise basic space. Made of polypropylene, it's safe to say this rug will last through high-traffic areas — perfect if you have pets, live in a studio, or share a small apartment.
How cute is jute! This circular area rug will work perfectly for any small space. Need to separate your eating and living areas? Done. Practical and pretty, the braided texture fits nicely into rooms that embrace a casual, coastal, or Scandi-themed look. Even better, it's eco-friendly.
We said we'd give you checkered, and this bold chessboard rug is the best way to bring drama into any space. Versatile in its black and white palette, it'll work with all furniture, no matter where or how you place it. In fact, this one is suitable for outdoor areas, too.
Our love for distressed abstract rugs is still going strong; if it doesn't look like a cozy version of an oil painting, we don't want it. This kind of print is ideal for busy parts of your home as it won't run the risk of looking overly worn. The colors of this one are muted but still fun enough to bring life to your room.
A colorful rug is the simplest way to inject brightness into a monochrome room. And don't be afraid to go bold — throw down a rainbow rug like this one, live with it for a while, and if the technicolored life still isn't for you, simply swap it out. Though we have no doubt you'll end up loving this contemporary one.
Everyone loves a Persian rug. Classic and timeless, they'll adapt to suit your style, no matter how many times it changes. This one from Unique Loom has many colors and sizes to choose from, but we love the bright orange option. Working with plain walls and no art? This rug is worth investing in.
How we chose these Amazon rugs
Louise is our shopping expert and is always on the lookout for good-looking, low-cost pieces for your home, be it a new bedding set, a throw to go with it, or even some furniture from your favorite Amazon retailers. Either way, she knows what to look for and when. She rents a flat with friends, which means she knows the ins and outs of making a house a home, within renter rules and landlord guidelines:
"Rugs are a great way to add your personal style to any space, be it small or large. If you're renting in particular, they're the perfect alternative to redecorating or investing in more permanent makeovers. When choosing these rugs, I made sure they would offer the style upgrade your space deserves, whether you're wanting to go for a boho-vibe, love contemporary colors, or prefer a more traditional look. These rugs have all been highly rated on Amazon, with tons of reviews complimenting them for their value for money. A rug for under $200, that'll transform my house? You best believe it."
How to choose the Amazon rug for you
It may sound fairly simple, and whilst we've curated a nice nine rugs for you to choose from, they come in a great range of sizes and color options too. So aside from working out your budget, make sure to know what style and size you're after as well when you're considering how to choose a rug. Here are a few things to think about:
Price: It's getting towards the colder months, and while we understand you might not want to spend too much on a new rug, bear in mind they can be a worthwhile investment when it comes to heating your home. It's true: a deep pile rug or a faux fur option can do wonders for warming up your room. If you're a renter, it's likely you have hardwood floors, which can contribute to how cold your home is. Instead of racking up your energy bill, put more into buying a cozy rug this winter. Otherwise, make sure you're paying for quality. You want a rug to last you more than a few months, of course, so ensure it's durable and made from premium materials.
Style: We may have mentioned the vast array of rug styles out there. Think Persian, jute, rattan, abstract, checkered...the list could go on. Therefore, we'd suggest first thinking about color and what other design elements you have in your house. Pairing it with the color scheme you have going will work to unify the space.
Size: Arguably the most important thing to get right, make sure your rug is big enough for the floor you're looking to cover. Are you needing to zone an area? Perhaps you're wanting to place one at the end of the bed, under your dining table, or in the center of your living space? There are circular, rectangle, and runner variations to measure.
Should a rug be wider than the couch?
If you're wanting to zone out your lounge area, then having your rug wider than your couch will help to keep the space concise. There's a general recommendation to have your rug at least 6–8 inches wider than your couch on either side. This rule will help you pick out the size you require. Run the length of your couch and add on this amount, twice.
Keeping your couch within the rug space is also a way to cozy up the area without having to add too many soft furnishings.
