We Tested (and Rated!) Every Rug at CB2

If you’re on the hunt for a new rug to complete your space, then you probably already have a list of popular retailers to browse. Although it might not be the first brand to come to mind, CB2 should be on your list — especially if your style leans bold and contemporary. CB2’s rug collection is full of gorgeous designs, natural materials (most are made of wool), and rich colors, which makes it easy for you to find the perfect statement piece to anchor whatever room you’re decorating.

To make the shopping process easier, we visited a Manhattan CB2 store as part of our Personal Shopper series, where we check out all of a retailer’s wares in a specific category and give you our professional opinions. For this edition, we got up close and personal with seven of CB2’s rugs, including plush, neutral options and vintage-inspired flatwoven designs. Although there are more to check out online, the seven bestsellers we saw comprise a nice range of styles and budgets.

CB2 is part of the Crate & Barrel family, and is known for being more contemporary and trend-focused than its sister brand. While Crate & Barrel’s rugs are typically more neutral and classic, CB2’s collection includes rugs with geometric patterns, bold colors, and design features like fringe and tufting (although more basic options are available too). CB2 also does a ton of collaborations with top designers, so its offerings tend to have a more curated vibe.

We’ve done a few other Personal Shopper trips to CB2, focusing on sofas, beds, coffee tables, and dining tables, and our editors have CB2 products in their own homes. Although it’s not a budget brand, it’s still more affordable than many modern furniture retailers, and is one of our top recommendations if you’re shopping for design-forward pieces that make a statement.

We judged every rug from CB2 based on the following criteria:

• In-store placement: Where was the rug positioned in the store? 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 on the wall?
• 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: 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. Although 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 rugs from CB2 are worth it — for whom, where, and why — with interior design and lifestyle functionality as our priorities.

Each CB2 rug in this article was tested by Home Projects Editor Sarah Everett, who covers Before & Afters, DIY projects, and design trends for Apartment Therapy. She joined Apartment Therapy in 2020 as an editorial assistant, and has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Sarah’s notes: The Leonore Rug is soft, plush, and cozy — a perfect area rug for barefoot comfort in bedrooms and casual lounge areas. It was displayed on a hanging rack at the CB2 store, and it felt amazing to touch, thanks to the soft wool construction and thick 0.6-inch pile height. Although the high pile certainly feels luxe, it will shed the first few months (a guarantee of any wool rug), and pet owners should be prepared for pet fur getting trapped in the longer fibers.

It’s available in three solid colors: warm white, sepia brown, and faded teal. While all three are good options, I particularly loved faded teal and sepia brown, the latter of which has a slight patina to it that makes it look almost vintage. I think the warm white would show dirt too easily, so the teal and brown are safer options (CB2 recommends this rug for medium-traffic areas). In all, this is a fantastic rug choice for any space that needs extra warmth or coziness.

Specifications: 

• Material: Wool
• Sizes: 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’, 9’x12’, 10’x14’, 12’x15’
• Pile Height: High
• Colors: 3

Sarah’s notes: When it comes to softness, though, nothing beats the Anders Rug. This is easily the softest rug I’ve ever touched, thanks to the Tencel lyocell, a semi-synthetic, silk-like material that is made from the pulp of certain trees. It’s a popular material in bedding and clothing, thanks to its incredibly smooth feel, but you can also find it used in other products, like rugs.

The one downside of Tencel lyocell is that it requires a little extra care, and rugs made with it are more prone to damage. CB2 recommends this rug for medium-traffic areas, and I personally think it would be best for bedrooms to amp up the cozy factor.

Also keep in mind that I noticed the rug showed where I dragged my hand across it, so I think it will likely show marks from vacuuming, furniture, and footsteps. Still, I’ve never felt a rug as soft as this one, and I love that it comes in five interesting colorways.  

Specifications: 

• Material: Tencel Lyocell
• Sizes: 2.5’x8’, 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’, 9’x12’, 10’x14’, 12’x15’, 13’x18’
• Pile Height: Medium
• Colors: 5

Sarah’s notes: The Asti Rug has a casual, linear design that feels contemporary and eye-catching. It was on display in the CB2 store as part of a living room setup, so I got to see how it holds up in a high-traffic area (although it’s probably seen more foot traffic from a few months in the store than most rugs see in a few years in a home).

Although CB2 recommends using it in medium-traffic areas, I do think that it’s proven that it can be placed in particularly busy spaces, like family rooms, entryways, and even, possibly, covered porches. (CB2 doesn’t recommend this; it’s just my own observation.)

Its dark coloring hides dirt exceptionally well, although it has a fuzzy, almost scratchy feel that easily collected fuzz, hair, and debris in the store. Again, it’s worth noting that the foot traffic in a store is not comparable to that of a home, and I’m not sure how often this rug is vacuumed. I believe that the fuzziness and debris collection would not be as distinct in a home setting with regular care — but people with pets should probably consider a different option.

Specifications: 

• Material: Wool
• Sizes: 2.5’x8’, 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’, 9’x12’
• Pile Height: Low
• Colors: 1

Sarah’s notes: The Henry Rug has a plush-yet-firm feel, thanks to the high pile height and wool construction. It’s best for medium-traffic rooms, and I can see it working particularly well in a bedroom, living room, or home office, depending on the color you choose. I saw both the black and white and blue colorways, and really liked that they both have a subtle speckled design — although the black and white’s was more distinct. 

The black and white version is mostly white, but has short black fringing on the ends, which makes it look particularly modern. That fringe detail makes me like the black and white better than the blue color, which does have fringe but in the same color as the rest of the rug.

On the other hand, the black and white model would probably show dirt and stains more easily compared to the blue. (It’s also available in charcoal and green hues, although I didn’t see those options in the store). Overall, I think this is a stylish, modern rug that nicely balances softness and structure.

Specifications: 

• Material: Wool
• Sizes: Sizes: 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’, 9’x12’, 10’x14’, 12’x15’, 13’x18’
• Pile Height: High
• Colors: 4

Sarah’s notes: If you like the look of a vintage rug but don’t want to spend time hunting for the perfect one, consider CB2’s Pascala Rug instead. It has a beautiful, vintage-inspired pattern and rich colors, whether you choose the black, copper, or taupe colorways.

The low pile height and darker colors make it particularly suitable for high-traffic areas, and I could definitely see this rug anchoring a family room. Just keep in mind that it’s not very soft — it has a woven texture (plus long fringe on the ends) that makes it feel closer to a real vintage rug.

This is one of two CB2 rugs I saw that boasts a hand-knotted construction (the other is the Allure), which means each rug is one-of-a-kind and takes much more time to make than hand-loomed or machine-made rugs. Therefore, the quality is incredible — but it also costs more, and this rug is indeed the most expensive I saw. Still, I think it’s worth it for its character and craftsmanship.  

Specifications: 

• Material: Wool
• Sizes: 2.5’x8’, 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’, 9’x12’, 10’x14’
• Pile Height: Low
• Colors: 3

Sarah’s notes: For a little dose of drama, consider the Larso Rug. While it’s available in two colors (black and white), I recommend the black for those luxe vibes. It has a two-tone design with a raised, textured pattern that gives it more dimension — it kind of reminds me of cut velvet.

The non-raised parts sit flat on the ground, while the raised sections have a medium pile that feels soft and cozy. Unlike the other CB2 rugs, this one is made from a combination of cotton, wool, and polyester, making it more affordable than the all-wool rugs.

The dark coloring will easily hide stains and dirt, although I did notice some fuzzies on the sample I saw. (The store didn’t have a full-size version in stock, so I checked out a 12” x 12” sample.) I think it would work in a home with pets. Overall, it’s a striking, tactile rug with a design that is sure to add depth and drama to any space. 

Specifications: 

• Material: Cotton/wool/polyester
• Sizes: 2.5’x8’, 5’x8’, 8’x10’, 9’x12’
• Pile Height: Medium
• Colors: 2

Sarah’s notes: The Allure Rug features a bold, contemporary floral pattern designed in collaboration with House of Heras, an Australian designer who specializes in textiles and wallpaper. It’s available in two colorways (copper and green), both of which I got to see in person.

Either option is truly statement-making — especially because the rug is hand-knotted by master craftsmen, so each is unique and made with extra care. It feels soft for a woven rug, with a relatively flat pile that looks like it would be easy to vacuum.

The colors are rich and almost autumnal, creating a cozy, laid-back vibe that’s ideal for family rooms. The unique design could work in pretty much any room, though — I can see it adding some drama to a dining room or bedroom, especially if you add a thick rug pad underneath to make it feel plusher. The only drawback I can think of is the long fringe, which may wear over time.

Specifications: 

• Material: Wool
• Sizes: 2.5’x8’, 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’, 9’x12’, 10’x14’
• Pile Height: Low
• Colors: 2