Rug materials explained: wool, jute, synthetic and more

The material of a rug affects how it feels underfoot, how it wears and how easy it is to keep clean. Here's how the most common rug materials compare, so you can choose for the room you have in mind.

Wool

Wool is a natural fibre that's soft, warm and naturally resilient: the fibres spring back after being walked on. It's a classic choice for living rooms and bedrooms. Wool rugs can shed loose fibres when new, which settles down with regular vacuuming. Our range includes hand-tufted wool rugs from Asiatic London.

Jute and natural fibres

Jute brings a natural, textured look and is often woven flat or in chunky braids. It suits relaxed, Scandi and coastal schemes. Jute is coarser underfoot than wool and isn't ideal for damp areas such as bathrooms. Spills should be blotted quickly. Jute blends, often combined with softer fibres, give the look with a gentler feel.

Synthetics: polyester and polypropylene

Synthetic rugs are generally easy to care for, colourfast and often more affordable. They suit busy family rooms, hallways and children's rooms. Many high-pile and shaggy rugs are polyester, which gives a soft, plush feel. Some synthetic rugs are designed to be machine washable, which is a real help with pets and young children; check the product details and care instructions.

Viscose and blends

Viscose gives a silky sheen and is often blended with other fibres for a luxurious look. It's best in lower-traffic areas, as it can mark and is more delicate when wet. Always follow the care label.

Comparison

Material	Feel	Good for	Watch out for
Wool	Soft, warm, springy	Living rooms, bedrooms	Some shedding when new
Jute	Textured, natural	Relaxed living spaces	Coarser feel; avoid damp rooms
Polyester / polypropylene	Varies from flat to plush	Family rooms, kids' rooms, hallways	Can flatten under heavy furniture
Viscose blends	Silky sheen	Low-traffic rooms	Delicate when wet

Pile height and weave

Flatweave: thin and flat, easy to vacuum, good under dining tables where chairs slide.
Low pile: practical for busy rooms and hallways.
High pile and shaggy: deep and cosy underfoot; best where you'll sit or stand barefoot, such as beside a bed.
Hand-tufted: a dense, textured pile, often in wool, with patterns that stand out.

Our indoor rugs come from Asiatic London, Livabliss and Dutchbone, in wool, jute, flatweave, high pile and machine-washable designs.

Which material for which room?

Living room: wool or a hard-wearing synthetic.
Bedroom: soft wool or high pile beside the bed.
Dining room: flatweave or low pile so chairs move easily.
Kids' rooms and homes with pets: washable or easy-care synthetics. See rugs for kids' rooms.
Outdoors: only rugs made for outdoor use. Browse outdoor rugs.

Once you've chosen a material, check the size with our rug size guide and learn how to clean and care for a rug.