We Tested (and Rated!) All the Rugs at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Your Space and Needs

In my opinion, rugs are one of the most challenging decor essentials to shop for online. You have to have a pretty narrow scope already — know what room(s) you’re shopping for, styles you’re open to, and the feeling you want underfoot — in order to approach the thousands upon thousands of rugs on the market. We haven’t even talked about the fact that most of us have budgets to consider as well (if not fully base our decisions around). With that in mind, we’re seeking to answer one of the top questions we get from readers: “Are Pottery Barn rugs really worth it?”

Of course, most big home decor purchases, including sofas and sectionals, dining tables, and coffee tables, aren’t all that easy to commit to sight unseen either, but that’s why we’re here. As your Personal Shopper, we’re visiting the showrooms and stores of your favorite home brands to put all the hard-to-online-shop-for items to the test, from sofas to — you guessed it — rugs. If it was on the store’s floor, it’s on our list. We went, saw, and stepped on every rug at one of Pottery Barn’s New York City locations, and now we’re reporting back to you, dear reader, our honest opinions about them all. Without further ado, read on to find out which Pottery Barn rug is ideal for you.

As one of the premier spots across the country to shop for home decor, Pottery Barn is a reliable retailer. It’s a brand that, overall, has demonstrated its capacity to stay on top of trends and remained true to its best-selling classics and Americana roots. Beyond this, Pottery Barn has its Design Crew, or team of interior design experts across the country, to help with all things planning, logistics, and aesthetics for your home. Not only can you take your pick from virtual, storefront, or in-home meetings with crew members, but they will also listen to your every desire when it comes to your dream space — whether it’s one room or your entire home — and develop custom renderings. Oh, and they’ll do it for free. Yep, free. No need to purchase anything, either (though, yes, you’re probably going to want to).

Lastly, Pottery Barn has an entire collection of high-performance rugs, which is noted by “Easy Care” in their names. While this doesn’t mean they’re machine washable — all of the rugs below are recommended to be spot or professionally cleaned — it means the materials and weaves that make them up are resistant to staining, wear, and tear. In short, blotting away stains is foolproof with the Easy Care rugs, making them among the more family- and pet-friendly options.

• Best for Living Rooms: Capitola Hand-Tufted Wool Rug
• Best for Dining Rooms: Jordie Handwoven Textured Easy Care Rug
• Best for Bedrooms: Prism Handwoven Easy Care Rug
• Best for Kitchens: Heather Chenille Jute Rug
• Best for Entryways: Rafferty Striped Handwoven Rug
• Best for High-Traffic Areas: Haven Braided Jute Rug
• Best for Layering: Chunky Wool/Jute Rug
• Best for Outdoors: Kian Indoor/Outdoor Rug
• Best for Winter: Chunky Knit Sweater Handwoven Rug
• Best for Summer: Cozy Waffle Knit Eco-Friendly Easy Care Rug
• Best for Kids: Microplush Easy Care Shag Rug

The range of rugs carried by Pottery Barn is not limited to this list. Visit the website for more options.

We judged every Pottery Barn rug we found in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5.

Keep in mind: We’ve focused our testing on the rugs’ visual and tangible elements, serving as your eyes and hands in-store rather than simply providing specifications that can be found online. While we’ve supplemented our criteria with a few of these distinguishing details, such as materials (Is it easy to clean? Is it known to last?) and dimensions, we are primarily reporting which Pottery Barn rugs are worth it — for whom, where, and why — with interior design and lifestyle functionality as our priorities.

In-Store Placement: Where was the rug positioned in Pottery Barn? Does the area get lots of foot traffic, like in the front or along major walkways? Is it in an area with low foot traffic, such as back corners or hanging up?

Aesthetic: What decor scheme or mood does it best suit? Does it have bold lines, patterns, or colors? Does it play nice with other decor elements or does it steal the show?

Feel: Is the surface soft to the touch? Or is it roughly textured?

Fluff Factor: What is the rug’s pile height? Is it tufted with long threads or otherwise voluminous? Is the rug flat or thin — in other words, tightly woven with minimal volume?

Versatility: Does it work indoors and outdoors? Can it be layered? Is it reversible? Does it come in a wide range of colors and sizes?

Keep in mind: The Pottery Barn rugs we tested in-store are spot-clean only. Those within the Easy Care high performance collection are, as the name suggests, more resilient to spot cleaning (thanks to their materials). Additionally, while many of the rugs have backings that are resistant to movement, none of the rugs are touted as non-slip. Pottery Barn recommends purchasing a rug pad separately.

What Impressed Us: The artisan craftsmanship.

Created by a team of craftswomen represented by the “Made by Her” project, which teaches artisans new skills, the Capitola rug beautifully represents the hard work that went into it. This rug boasts a low-pile height and latex-coated underside, which make it a safer option in terms of reducing the risk of tripping. Including that it’s a statement piece, this rug is definitely our pick for living and sitting rooms. Get ready for the compliments.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 100% wool
• Cotton canvas and latex backing
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 7 sizes and 3 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The subtle detailing.

The uniform fringe on the ends of the Jordie rug is complemented by the irregularities of the weave’s pattern and its multiple hues. It’s as neutral and rustic as the bulk of Pottery Barn’s rug collection but with subtle detailing that catches the eye and deserves to be placed where it’ll be seen. Its wide bouclé-style weave makes cleanup easy for your vacuum, all of which makes this rug our pick for dining rooms.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 100% polyester handwoven in India
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 4 sizes and 2 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The light reflectivity.

Available in an ivory color as well as a heather graphite, both colors of the Prism rug offer a subtle (but powerful) light reflectivity that brightens up a whole space rather than weighing it down. For rooms with bulky furniture, like bedrooms with headboards, side tables, and dressers, a little extra glow can make a huge difference in the way it feels to be in (or even look at) a space. Don’t let the polyester material throw you off — it’s a soft rug underfoot.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 50% polyester and 50% recycled polyester
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 4 sizes and 4 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The weather-resistant durability.

Jute and chenille are two materials with impressive resistance to the effects of temperature volatility and moisture, making the Heather rug ideal for use in the kitchen. While it lacks a non-slip underside, it does have a synthetic latex backing with traction, is reversible, and is lightweight enough to shake out as needed — a necessity for kitchen rugs. Its wide weave makes vacuuming easy, as well, and its overall rustic design disguises imperfections or makes them part of the rug’s personality.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• Yarn-dyed chenille and jute handwoven in India
• Cotton canvas and latex backing
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 7 sizes and 1 color
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The clean lines.

Sharp edges and natural stripes give the Rafferty rug dimension, allowing it to stand out on its own or layer well with rugs both simpler and busier in design. But really its the made-to-last construction, from its materials to the long-lasting yarn dye and weave, that makes it our pick for entryways. Whether it’s for your front, back, or side doors, this rug’s texture lends the perfect traction for catching and hiding dirt and grime from shoes, but its look also makes it a welcome sight rather than something you’d want to hide. It also is a solid option for layering under plush rugs in living areas or lining high-traffic hallways.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 41% jute, 27% cotton, 22% polyester, and 10% viscose handwoven in India
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 4 sizes and 1 color
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The heavy-duty durability.

The Haven is unfazed by all the usual rug-ruining suspects, from shoes to pets, thanks to its strong braided jute weave and cotton and latex-coated backing. It’s designed to withstand all the activity that goes on in high traffic areas like hallways, entryways, and kitchens — wherever that zone is in your home. Use it as the bottom layer under other rugs to protect those exterior edges, which have higher foot traffic and tend to fall victim to uneven darkening over time.

Other Styles for High Traffic Areas:

• Ryland Handwoven Hemp Jute Rug: The jute and hemp blend of the Ryland rug makes it durable, flexible, and secure in its weave. When it comes to family members with paws that scratch and dig, this rug is resistant to pet wear and tear over time.
• Everleigh Easy Care Tufted Textured Rug: With the traction of its backing, cozy three-dimensional design, lower price, and Easy Care construction, the Everleigh rug is as much made to show off as it is to stay resilient.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 100% braided jute
• Recycled cotton and latex backing
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 4 sizes and 2 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The warmth and versatility.

While jute lends durability, the inclusion of wool in the Chunky Natural Wool/Jute rug‘s weave is a warm and welcome element in terms of both the look and feel. It’s reversible, has a consistent pattern throughout, and is a blend of neutral tones, so it’s ideal for layering indoors. While soft enough to be a top layer, its texture allows it to hold fast to rugs as a bottom or middle layer and complement the details of rugs with bolder designs, allowing them to shine.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 60% jute and 40% wool bouclé weave
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 8 sizes and 5 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The versatility.

Ideal for those areas that have a lot of activity, the lightweight Kian rug works both indoors and out. It’s handwoven from recycled (single-use!) plastic fibers, so it has great traction and clings easily to concrete or other outdoor flooring. Because of the dimension given by the multiple hues and 4 inches of fringe on either end, it looks more like a stylish indoor rug than one that’s prepared to weather the outdoors. So, why not use it in areas that count as both, like patios and porches?

Other Styles for Outdoors:

• Monterey Indoor/Outdoor Rug: Despite its flexibility and subtly textured surface, it is deceptively resistant to weather year-round, easy to wipe or rinse clean, and won’t be uncomfortable underneath bare feet. It looks as good as it feels, and you can feel good knowing it’ll last from season to season.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 100% recycled polyester from single-use plastic
• 1/4-inch height
• Available in 7 sizes and 3 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The coziness.

A personal favorite of mine, the ultra-plush Chunky Knit Sweater rug is a dream for colder months. While it still totally works for warmer weather, the warmth offered by the wool of this rug’s sweater-inspired weave makes it like your floor’s version of cozy flannel sheets, which are popular in winter. Its cotton canvas, latex backing, and overall thickness make it sturdy wherever you place it… and, of course, super comfortable underfoot.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 70% wool and 30% jute handwoven in India
• 1-inch height
• Available in 5 sizes and 3 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The uniqueness.

Another piece with a unique but trending weave, the Cozy Waffle Knit rug is the lightest weight option in the Easy Care collection. Almost like a slightly thicker version of one of our favorite weaves for bath towels and bedding, this rug is breezy and super-soft with a bit of stretch. The honeycomb texture, with its little peaks and valleys, makes this rug very, very cozy without the need for excess volume. Ideal for layering or using solo with a rug pad, the rug’s versatility and uniqueness makes it another star on our list.

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 100% recycled polyester
• 1/2-inch height
• Available in 2 sizes and 3 colors
• Spot or professional clean

What Impressed Us: The feel.

Surprisingly soft for being made of polyester (which shouldn’t still shock me in 2022, but alas), the Microplush Shag rug is another Easy Care option. That’s right — Pottery Barn decided to be the hero and make a shag rug that’s actually easy to vacuum and keep stain-free. While its backing isn’t 100 percent non-slip, it does have a latex backing, making it a more durable and flexible rug overall. For kids’ rooms, it’s a no-brainer. Super cozy, clingy, and durable, it’s one that’ll get (and be able to withstand) playtime activities as well as napping, shedding pets. Oh, and did I mention how deliciously soft it is?

How We Rated It:

Specifications:

• 100% recycled polyester
• Cotton canvas and latex backing
• 1-inch height
• Available in 10 sizes and 3 colors
• Spot or professional clean