Ok, we planned to tackle our sunroom mini makeover next, but we had to share this quick rug switcheroo first. Readers often ask how we pick room-defining elements like art or the perfect rug. Our answer: there’s no single “right” or “perfect” option. Decorating is more like a buffet—many appealing choices can finish a room beautifully. The upside is you don’t need one magic solution to bring a space together.
Another misconception is that great finds just fall into our laps. Usually we do a lot of digging and chasing down pieces we love. To show how much effort goes into finding a long-lasting, worthwhile item, here’s the play-by-play of our rather lengthy rug hunt.
Why did we need a new rug? Because the old one had become a dirty little secret:
The $70 rug we bought from Lowe’s four years ago had started to deteriorate. The natural jute fibers were breaking down and shedding underneath the rug whenever we walked on it. That isn’t typical of jute—we have other jute rugs that have held up for years—so with a small child in the house we didn’t want to risk airborne fibers or continued mess. Time for a proper replacement.
Which 5 x 8 rug would we choose? Our search felt a bit like the first episode of a dating show: so many contenders, so little time. After “courting” more than 30 rugs and imagining them in our den for years to come, we narrowed the field to five finalists. Here are the contenders.
First up was a celery-and-beige wool rug we spotted at a local lighting and rug outlet (excuse the terrible phone photo).
We liked that it was 100% wool—natural fibers matter to us because we avoid rubber backings and synthetic materials to limit offgassing and chemicals. The colors were soft and serene. We wanted something cushy for when our daughter becomes more mobile, but we were concerned the rug’s half-inch raised pattern might make the ottomans in the center sit unevenly. It was on sale for $200 (down from over $550), so we took a photo and left to think it over. Our ideal budget was under $150, which is a tough target for a large, plush natural-fiber rug.
We visited a bunch more stores—TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Lowe’s, Target, Home Depot—and combed online retailers too. Many options were either too expensive, made from synthetic fibers, too rough underfoot, or simply not our style. Overstock, CB2 and Crate & Barrel’s site turned up nothing that met our full criteria.
Then we remembered a $100 West Elm gift card we had, which could make a nicer rug more affordable. That led us to three more contenders on West Elm. The first had lively color and interest similar to a yellow rug we love in our living room, but it was thinner and not as plush. With the gift card it would have cost $129—tempting, but not ideal for comfort.
The second West Elm option had great pattern and interest, but we worried it would blend into our dark mocha hardwood floors instead of anchoring the den. It too lacked the plushness we wanted, though the price with the gift card would have been reasonable.
The third was a plush, natural undyed wool rug that looked incredibly soft. It was more expensive—$179 after the gift card—and while we loved the texture, it didn’t have the same personality as the patterned options. We didn’t want to swap a textured jute rug for a plain brown rectangle, no matter how cushy.
Feeling a little defeated, we kept digging. Then we discovered that West Elm gift cards can be used at Pottery Barn and even PB Kids and PB Teen. We checked PB Kids and PB Teen without luck, then searched Pottery Barn’s online selection and hit the jackpot.
Online we found a 100% wool 5 x 8 rug that was both soft and full of pattern. The big, modern floral pattern had the right mix of personality and color to work with our cream, tan, and chocolate den palette. Best of all, it was on clearance—only $130 after applying our $100 gift card. When we noticed the rug’s name was Clara Rug, it felt like fate (and yes, that helped seal the deal). Within ten minutes we redeemed the gift card and paid the remaining balance.
Here’s our new favorite rug in place by the fireplace. We also reused some existing lime-hued accessories to tie the look together and add a fresh pop without spending extra:
The hunt wasn’t effortless, but we’re glad we looked thoroughly both in stores and online. We found a rug that met our criteria for price, material, softness, color, and pattern. There are plenty of rugs that could have worked, but this one felt right for our family. If you’re still hunting for the perfect table, lamp, print, mirror, chair, bed, or sofa—don’t give up. Keep searching, set your priorities, and eventually the right piece (or multiple great options) will show up. No matter how particular your checklist might be, persistence pays.
Psst — For more on our rug preferences and rules, check the posts on rug basics and a few debated design topics.