I Tested Every Rug at West Elm and Pottery Barn — These Are the Best Pet-Friendly Ones

published Oct 22, 2024
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Mint green TV room with green velvet couch and dark wood furniture

As a pet owner, you might often feel like you can’t have nice things. I’m sure you’re happy to sacrifice your ability to keep flowers in the house for the sake of your cats or that you’re more than willing to buy a new bath mat because your puppy had an accident on your old one. But the imposed limits on how you decorate your space can still feel burdensome. This is especially true for rugs. You might naturally gravitate to plush, shaggy rugs that make your living room feel infinitely cozier, but they’re usually not the most practical for homes with pets. Luckily, we’ve tested dozens of rugs from West Elm and Pottery Barn for our Personal Shopper series, and each retailer has a handful of stylish easy-care models that would suit your space perfectly. Below, you’ll find our favorite ones, including an indoor/outdoor option! These picks will prove easy to clean and maintain, no matter what kind of mess your furry friend gets into.

1 / 8
West Elm
$399.00

Not too long ago, I deemed West Elm’s Lumini rug the best one for every household thanks to its versatility and low-maintenance construction. It's relatively easy to clean and a breeze to style, thanks to its subtle pattern. Whether you live alone with your pet or in a bustling household, you can't go wrong with this pick.

2 / 8
Pottery Barn
$479.00
was $599.00

Here’s a tip that’s pretty obvious: Any rug labeled “performance” or “easy care” is going to be your best bet. If you're looking for one to place in an area that tends to be messy on occasion, such as the dining room, look no further than the Jordie rug. Its wide bouclé-style weave makes cleanup easy for your vacuum, and the texture also adds visual interest.

3 / 8
West Elm
$249.00

This vintage-inspired floor covering proves that you can, in fact, have an intricate-looking rug even if you own pets. The Tuspa is a shed-resistant, low-pile marvel that’s made for high-traffic areas. We love its faded design and subtle orange hues, which play well with both light and dark furniture tones. And, if your pets get the zoomies, they won’t create snags on its surface.

4 / 8
Pottery Barn
$399.00

Aside from the fact that it's partially made from recycled plastic bottles, this handwoven rug is cool because it has a slightly reflective surface (hence the name “Prism”). Also, because of its flat weave pattern, this floor covering is super easy to vacuum and will withstand heavy foot traffic, not to mention cleanups of pet accidents.

5 / 8
West Elm
$299.00

Not only is this sunset-inspired rug breathtaking in real life, but it’s also made of strong nylon yarn that doesn’t shed and proves easy to vacuum. We deemed it West Elm’s best rug for home offices; just picture your dog or cat curled up at your feet while you type away — working from home just got a whole lot cuter.

6 / 8
Pottery Barn
$399.00

Jute is one of the sturdiest materials out there, so it’s a no-brainer when it comes to homes with pets or small kids. In addition to adding a rustic touch to your hallway or kitchen, the Heather rug is also lightweight, so you can even shake it out from time to time. What’s more, its inconsistent texture will make any snags or imperfections virtually unnoticeable.

7 / 8
West Elm
$399.00

Rugs that can be used both indoors and outdoors are naturally resistant to a lot of elements. So, it stands to reason that pieces like the Framed Arrows rug will withstand any wear and tear your pets try to inflict on it. The rug’s desert vibe will warm up your living area or patio, while its flatweave construction allows you to hose it down for regular maintenance. (For another great outdoor option, we also recommend Pottery Barn’s Kian rug.)

8 / 8
Pottery Barn
$479.00
was $599.00

Contrary to popular belief, you can own a shag rug if you have pets, and the Alex is a great example of that. It’s white and very fluffy, so we wouldn’t recommend it for people with puppies that still need training, but its high pile is still constructed to stand up to everyday use. If you have a pet who loves to lounge around as much as you do, you’ll both love this ultrasoft pick.

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