I Didn’t Expect to Love IKEA’s New STOCKHOLM Rugs This Much

I am firmly in the camp that IKEA’s most underrated gems are its stylish, affordable, high-quality rugs. I’ve owned a few myself, and my fellow Apartment Therapy colleagues have reviewed literally hundreds of rugs and carpets made by the iconic Swedish retailer over the past decade (including new releases!). I’ve also read reviews from design pros who use IKEA’s rugs for clients.

One of the reasons IKEA’s rugs stand out, even to designers, is the fact that their designs are mostly hand-woven. Printed rugs are generally more budget-friendly, and most machine-washable styles also tend to be printed — but in my experience, woven rugs just tend to look and feel a bit more luxe. So when I noticed a new addition to the rug section on my recent visit to the store, I was thrilled. As part of their STOCKHOLM line, IKEA is currently selling not just one, but two gorgeous woven area rugs. 

These IKEA STOCKHOLM rugs are handmade, flatwoven styles made from 100% wool. They’re available in two of IKEA’s largest standard rug sizes: 5’7” x 7’10” as well as 7’10” x 11’6”. Both designs feature bright, on-trend colors and patterns, and are also reversible. When one side becomes worn, you can simply flip the rug over to extend its life. 

Designed by Paulin Machado, the STOCKHOLM rugs are simply stunning. The first, with its geometric design, perfectly marries deep shades of orange and brown with light blue accents (which sounds a lot busier than it looks, actually). Yes, it’s a bold rug, but the square and checkered designs help balance each color, resulting in a perfect palette. You could design an entire room based on the colors in this one rug. 

The second patterned rug first caught my eye in the showrooms, where I was drawn in by its rich green hue and contrasting white stripes. It wasn’t until I actually saw the rug hanging, however, that I realized the design actually depicted a beautiful grove of birch trees! This subtle, whimsical detail made this rug a real standout piece for me; and I can confirm after reviewing these in person that they really do feel like high-quality rugs.

IKEA’s STOCKHOLM rugs are truly unique designs, and great conversation-starters. Starting at $400, these rugs are a great choice for someone in need of a larger rug for a high-traffic area — although you probably wouldn’t want to tread on them barefoot, as they’re not the softest. Reviewers do note that these rugs’ composition are on the thinner side, so don’t forget a rug pad — but they were purposefully designed this way. It allows for the reversible design, but also makes it easier for them to be cleaned (and to move furniture around).

Beyond some of the verified IKEA reviews regarding the rug’s thinness, a few others disclose that excessive moisture can lead to color transfer or bleeding. But most reviews were positive, with one shopper perfectly summarizing: “This rug is bold and stunning. My dark wood dining chairs and wood buffet look so good with it. Everyone who has come over has complimented it and said how much it grounds the space.”

Buy: IKEA STOCKHOLM 2025 Rug, starting at $399.99