A rug is a woven piece of cloth that covers a floor, providing warmth, comfort and protection from hard surfaces. It is usually smaller than a carpet, which is installed from wall-to-wall and often shows elaborate designs. Rugs can be found in all rooms of the house, but it’s important to follow general rules when arranging them.
One of the biggest differences between rug and carpet has to do with size: A rug is typically smaller (4 feet by 6 feet or less) than a fitted carpet. Also, a rug is a single woven piece while a carpet is typically a carpet that is composed of many individual pieces woven together.
The origin of the word is disputed, but linguistics experts have concluded that it came from the Old Norse term rogg (“rough entangled hair”). By the 1400’s, rugs were beginning to replace velour as floor coverings in Europe.
Rugs are usually made from natural or synthetic fibers and are woven in a variety of styles. They are more practical than flooring that is glued or stuck to the floor because they can be easily removed and replaced if they become worn or damaged.
Some rugs are made of natural, renewable fibers such as silk, wool and cotton while others are manufactured from man-made fibers like nylon or polypropylene. The choice of material will depend on the location of the rug: For example, a rug in the kitchen should be stain-resistant to avoid food spills; and a rug in a child’s bedroom needs to be durable to withstand constant foot traffic.
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Yimobra Bathroom Rugs Non Slip Washable - Ultra Soft Absorbent Chenille Bath Mat, Quick Dry Shaggy Floor Carpet for Tub Shower, Gray Home Decor Accessories, 24x17 Inch
$8.49 (as of January 14, 2026 09:52 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
DweIke 4x6 Leopard Print Rugs for Living Room, Machine Washable Area Rug for Bedroom, Non-Slip Low Pile Animal Cheetah Carpet with Rubber Backing for Dining Room Kitchen Home Decor, Dark Brown
$34.97 (as of January 12, 2026 06:40 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
WondRg 2x3 Beige Washable Area Rug for Entryway Neutral Soft Non Slip Small Carpet Low Pile Vintage Distressed Door Mat for Entrance Bathroom Bedroom Indoor
$19.99 (as of January 12, 2026 06:40 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Yimobra Memory Foam Bath Mat, Super Soft Absorbent Bathroom Rug Non Slip, Quick Dry, Machine Washable Floor Carpet for Tub Shower, Home Decor Accessories, 24x17, Grey
$9.99 (as of January 14, 2026 09:52 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
DweIke Washable Area Rugs for Living Room, 4x6 Soft Bedroom Rugs, Geometric Print Non-Slip Modern Rug, Stain Resistant Throw Carpets for Office Nursery Dining Room Home Dorm Decor, Colorful
$34.99 (as of January 12, 2026 06:40 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
OLANLY Thick Memory Foam Bath Mat Rug 30x20, Extra Soft Absorbent Bathroom Rugs, Quick Dry Bath Mats, Non-Slip, Machine Washable Carpet for Bathroom, Tub and Shower, Home Decor Accessories, Grey
$9.49 (as of January 14, 2026 09:52 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)