I Test Rugs for a Living and Found a “Beautiful” Option That Makes Your Space Look Bigger

I’ve had to furnish and decorate my fair share of small spaces over the years, so I’ve learned a ton of tricks for making the most out of a little room. Taking advantage of vertical space and relying on storage furniture has been a huge help, but I’ve also found that the right decor can make your tiny home look bigger and brighter, too. I love how a rug can “trick the eye,” and when I found the Rugs USA x Carmeon Hamilton Collection, I was immediately inspired by the Caly Modern Bordered Wool Rug.

One of the descriptions of interior designer Carmeon Hamilton’s Rugs USA collection is “texture with intention.” It uses different textiles, weaving, and patterns so that “every design plays with depth, movement, and tactile appeal.” The Caly Modern rug certainly satisfies that. It’s made of 100% wool and available in three colorways, and its variations in texture put a fresh spin on classic striped and bordered rugs. 

The Caly rug’s structured design creates a clear separation between your covered and uncovered flooring, so you can use it to set apart a section of a room that you want to stand out, such as living room furniture or a dining table and chairs. It’s available in up to seven sizes, ranging from 3’ x 5’ to 9’6” x 13’6”, with the Sage Green color offering the most sizes and a runner option. One thing to keep in mind is that, depending on foot traffic and your specific rug’s handmade construction, the rug may naturally shed for up to three months due to its wool make.

I chose the beige Caly wool rug because it combines elements from the other two colorways to form a beautiful contrast of dark and light neutrals. The 7’6” x 9’6” option was also perfect for the space I had to work with, as I’d be placing living room furniture on top of it. Because the living room is so small, the rug seemed to “expand” the space because the seating area now stood out on its own. It also added texture, warmth, and depth to the room, which felt pretty cold and uninviting before. The rug really helped to unify the furniture so it didn’t feel thrown together, too.

As far as shedding goes, I can confirm that my Caly rug shed quite a bit in the beginning, but it reduced over time. My rug is in a high-traffic area and gets vacuumed regularly, so any loose fibers get picked up without an issue. In my opinion, the shedding isn’t all that noticeable unless the wool gets on your clothes, which is how I realized it was happening (as someone who loves to sit on the floor). It’s nowhere near a dealbreaker for an otherwise cozy and beautiful rug that has truly elevated my small space.

Buy: Caly Moderned Bordered Wool Rug, 5’ x 8’, $219 (normally $376)