The Shaggy Rugs Buyers’ Guide: Helping Comfort Meet Chic in Your Home

Sophisticated softness meets modern style easily with a simple shaggy rug, and their versatility makes them a great choice for any interior design you have in mind. Offering visual interest and appeal as well as a plush underfoot feel, you’ll be treating yourself and your family to a fantastic new feature in the home in the simple act of buying one.

In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we delve into the unique charm of these rugs, exploring the variety of options available to help you make an informed decision. From understanding materials to choosing the right size, shape, and colour, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know. 

The Materials Used in Shaggy Rugs

When it comes to shaggy rugs, the material plays a crucial role in their appeal and functionality. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common materials used:

Wool: Wool shaggy rugs are prized for their natural softness and durability. They bring a luxurious feel and can withstand high-traffic areas, making them a long-lasting choice.

The SheepSkins Hug Peach rug is made from wool:

Polyester: Known for its stain resistance and vivid colouring, polyester shaggy rugs offer a more affordable option. They provide a sleek, shiny texture and are suitable for rooms with moderate foot traffic.

The Extravagance Mink rug:

Polypropylene: Ideal for those seeking practicality, polypropylene rugs are highly resistant to stains and fading. 

The Sierra 9000 Ruby rug is made of polypropylene:

Acrylic: Acrylic shaggy rugs offer a lightweight and cost-effective alternative, known for their wool-like softness and vibrant colour retention. They are ideal for bringing a touch of warmth to low-traffic areas, with a texture that’s both cosy and visually appealing.

The Polar PL95 Yellow rug is made of acrylic:

Getting the Right Size and Shape Shaggy Rug

Selecting the right size and shape of a shaggy rug is very important in harmonising it with your room’s layout and enhancing its overall aesthetic.

Living Rooms: For spacious living areas, a large rectangular shaggy rug can anchor your furniture setup. Ensure it’s big enough so that at least the front legs of your sofas and chairs sit on the rug.

Bedrooms: In warm and comfortable bedrooms, consider a shaggy rug that extends beyond the bed, or opt for smaller rugs on each side for a soft landing in the morning.

Unique Spaces: Circular rugs can soften spaces with lots of straight lines and angles, while runners are perfect for hallways or narrow areas, guiding the flow and adding texture.

Styling Tips

Placement Matters: In open-plan spaces, use a shaggy rug to define specific areas without obstructing the view across the room.

This Nomad Nourison NMD02 Ivory Multi rug perfectly defines this as a seating area:

Complementing Furniture: Match the rug shape with your furniture arrangement – a round rug for a round dining table, or a rectangular rug for a linear sofa setup.

This Serene Grey rug is an ideal example of the latter, as it’s bordered by the sofa, table, and radiator, as well as the home decorations:

Balancing the Room: Ensure the rug is proportionate to the room’s size and doesn’t overwhelm or get lost in the space.

This Royal Nomadic 7611 Rose Cream rug, for instance, sits very neatly in this space:

Exploring Patterns and Colour

The colour and pattern of a shaggy rug can significantly influence the mood and style of a room.

Vibrant Hues and Bold Patterns: Brightly coloured shaggy rugs or those with striking patterns can become the focal point of a room, injecting energy and personality. They work well in spaces that need a visual lift or in rooms with a more eclectic style.

Soft and Neutral Tones: Neutral-coloured shaggy rugs, such as beige, grey, or cream, offer a subtler, more versatile look. They are perfect for rooms where you want the rug to blend with the existing decor or to provide a calming, understated elegance.

Choosing the Right Rug

Room Colour Schemes: Consider the existing colours in your room. A shaggy rug should either complement or thoughtfully contrast with your walls, furniture, and other decor elements.

This Paloma PA01 Zanzibar rug complements the worn features of the wall, while also matching the colour themes present in other areas:

Lighting: The amount of natural and artificial light in your room can affect how a rug’s colour looks. Lighter rugs can brighten a dark room, whereas darker rugs can make a well-lit room feel more grounded.

As an example, this room is well-lit but the Carved Glamour Wine rug offers grounding:

Overall Décor Style: Your room’s overall style should guide your choice. A minimalist room might benefit from a rug with a simple pattern or a solid colour, while a more ornate room could handle a rug with a complex pattern or a mix of colours.

The simple diamonds of the Boho 8280 White Black rug are enough to draw interest without overwhelming the eye:

Where and How to Style Shaggy Rugs

Shaggy rugs are not just for living rooms and bedrooms, their versatility can extend to various areas of the home.

Room-by-Room Guide

Living Rooms: A large shaggy rug can anchor a seating area, adding warmth and a luxurious feel. It’s perfect for spoiling guests with a soft and tastefully curated gathering space.

Bedrooms: Place a soft shaggy rug by the bed for a plush feel underfoot each morning. It’s an instant way to boost comfort and style.

Home Offices: A shaggy rug under the desk can add a touch of comfort and reduce echo in the space, making it feel more inviting.

Dining Areas: Although unconventional, a shaggy rug in the dining area can soften the room’s acoustics and add a unique texture contrast. It’s also worth noting that extra thick rugs with longer pile heights should go somewhere they’re unlikely to be underneath moving furniture, or somewhere food isn’t served or likely to spill.

Get Plush Luxury for Your Home Effortlessly

Whether you’re looking to create a cosy haven in your living room, a plush retreat in your bedroom, or add a soft furnish to your dining area, a shaggy rug is the perfect solution.

At Rugs Direct, we understand the impact a great rug can have on a space. That’s why we offer an extensive range of high-quality shaggy rugs, available in various colours, sizes, and textures to suit a wide array of personal styles and decor themes. From understated elegance to bold statement pieces, our collection ensures that you can find just the right rug to complement your home and express your individual style.

Discover the perfect rug that not only fits your aesthetic preferences but also transforms your space into a more inviting and stylish environment.