No matter how you shake it, some things just don’t mix. Like kids and fancy rugs. Pets and fancy rugs. Wine and fancy rugs. Let’s face it, you just cannot have a kid and simultaneously invest in uber-expensive, delicate rugs. As much as I hate to admit it, they will get ruined.
Unfortunately, after making a few luxe rug buys myself, I’ve lived to tell the tale that if you have a toddler and/or a cat with claws, it’s much smarter to buy your rugs with durability in mind…even beyond the playroom.
Luckily, there are a a good number of retailers and designers that make virtually indestructible rugs that don’t skimp on great design. Check out my favorite picks in the slideshow.
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Durable Rugs for High Traffic Areas
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Ziggy Chevron Indoor/Outdoor Rug
I've been digging the details on this Ziggy Chevron Indoor/Outdoor Rug from Shades of Light. Not only is the pattern playful, but because it's designed to live outdoors, it can transition from the family room to the porch or bathroom (while staying tough on tears and being water resistant).
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Rhapsody Wool Woven Rug
One of my all time favorite durable rugs right now is Dash and Albert's Rhapsody Wool Woven Rug, which is available at Layla Grace for $112--$2,152. Rarely can you find a super chic, colorful design that's bold, beautiful, and (truly) able to live anywhere in the house without fear of spills and tears. (I only wish I had the guts to place it on my main stairs, like in the photo.) The bold pink, purple, and red tribal-inspired diamond design adds traction and style to any room of the house.
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FLOR Tiles
Back in the day, I used FLOR modular carpet tiles when I styled pop-up shops and events for corporate clients. I totally fell in love. The company offers so many styles, colors, and pile lengths that the world is really your oyster when it comes to designing a durable space. Once you select your FLOR, you can easily wash or replace one tile that has become soiled. I noticed that some of the newer styles are designed so you can barely see the tile seams. FLOR is a total godsend for any family-friendly house.
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Chevron Indoor / Outdoor Rug
Chevron rugs are nothing new to the market, but non-fading, washable, mildew-resistant chevron rugs are an entirely different story. Part of Ballard Designs' indoor/outdoor collection, this graphic chevron line looks just as (indestructibly) great on the front porch as it does in the living room, as shown. Prices range from $19.99--$349.
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Jellybean Rug
I've long had my eyes on the Jellybean Rug, $299--$799, by Land of Nod. (In fact, my sister just bought it for her newborn's playroom and finds herself totally transfixed by the plethora of dots while nursing.) And that's why it's so great. While this rug has a durable quality and lofty hand, there's also such busy detail to this design that small stains and spills will be almost impossible to spot.
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Overdyed Oushak Rug
If you're big on the Oushak rug look but could live without the several thousand dollar price tag, this rug is for you. Made from sturdy polypropylene and woven with a short pile, this Overdyed Indoor Area Rug from Overstock is ideal for a high-traffic area such as your family room or living room. It maintains that faded and overdyed look of its pricey Oushak cousins but will keep you headache free when kids, cats, and wine-swinging parents come to frolic on it.
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Anissa Jute Rug
The Magical Thinking Anissa Jute Rag Rug, $89 for the 3x5 size, combines the insane durability of jute with the sought-after versatility of a multi-colored woven rug, making it perfect for playrooms, mudrooms, or any high traffic area where you want to add a sunny pop of color. Available at Urban Outfitters, it also comes in a great runner-length size.
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Faux Hide Rug
How can an animal hide rug be durable, you ask? Well, guess what...this little rug is quite the trickster. It's completely faux! No animals were harmed in the making of this chic little accent piece, but if that's not nice enough, there's an added bonus: Its poly-fiber blend is way more durable than true hide. Just think about the interior design doors this opens for parents who are always afraid to add magazine-worthy design to kid-trafficked places. It's available at Urban Outfitters for $159-289.
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Indoor/Outdoor Southwest Rug
Another durable Urban Outfitters find is the Faded Kilim Indoor/Outdoor Woven Rug, $89--$1,299. Totally on trend with its pastel palette and cool, Southwest vibe, this pretty piece would be soothing and sweet in a nursery, but can also stand up to the big (fountain-like) spills and thrills that are so common with tiny ones.
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Diamond Woven Rug
A decorator's best friend, The Diamond Woven Rug by Dash and Albert is not only indoor/outdoor, but it's also created to conceal spills. The "diamonds within diamonds" pattern works against the eye to conceal soiling in any high traffic room or outdoor living space. Plus, it's completely reversible, water resistant, fade resistant, and easy to wash. It's available on Garnet Hill, $43--$562.
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Vintage Area Rug
This teal Vintage Area Rug by Safavieh, $45.99--$909.99, also has that uber-expensive overdyed look but is reasonably priced AND completely hose washable due to its indoor/outdoor construction. It's available at All Modern.
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Multi-Dot Rug
Finally, an earth-friendly, stain-resistant rug that bursts with (just enough) color that it won't look chaotic against all your kids' toys. The Multi Dot Rug by Pottery Barn Kids is made from recycled plastic (called PET). PET polyester uses less energy to produce than virgin polyester, keeps plastics out of landfills, and is resistant to stains, fading, and mildew. Talk about putting a spring in your step! The 5x8 is $299; 8x10 is $599.
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Denim Rug
Denim is the name of the (indestructibility) game here. Made of recycled denim, mixed with soft wool, and put together by hand, the Harper Denim Rug is not only casually chic and soft underfoot, but it's also incredibly durable. The gorgeous variations in blues are a result of randomly mixing stonewashed, dark, and vintage washes, which means means that no two rugs are exactly alike. It's available at Serena and Lily.
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Marina Indoor/Outdoor Rug
If you're not exactly looking to make a statement with your rug but still want something durable and soft underfoot, I'd definitely suggest the Marina Indoor/Outdoor Rug by Ballard Designs. (I used it at my entry ALL of last winter, and it never looked stained or gross despite all the ice, snow, and salt that entered my home.) The Marina rug is so soft you won’t think twice about kicking your shoes off and getting down low for some floor time with your kids or pets. (In fact, I'm already considering buying another for a finished basement project.)
