We originally planned to tackle our sunroom next, but we couldn’t resist sharing this rug switcheroo first. Readers often ask how we pick room-defining pieces like the right art or the perfect rug. Our short answer: there’s no single “right” formula. Designing a space is more like a buffet—you can choose from many delicious options and still end up with a room you love. The good news is that multiple solutions can finish a room beautifully.
Another common misconception is that great finds simply land in our laps. In truth, we usually do a lot of digging to track down items we love. To show how much searching can go into finding the best deals and long-lasting pieces, here’s the play-by-play of our long rug hunt.
Why a new rug? Frankly, the cheap $70 jute rug we bought four years ago had started to break down. Natural jute fibers were shedding and loosening beneath the rug every time we stepped on it. That’s not typical for jute—we have other jute rugs that have held up far better—but with a toddler in the house we weren’t comfortable with particles shedding into the air. It was time for an upgrade.
Choosing a replacement 5 x 8 rug felt like a design reality show: so many options and so little time. After “courting” more than 30 rugs and imagining them in our space, we narrowed the selection to five finalists.
Our first find was a celery-and-beige wool rug at a local outlet. We loved that it was 100% wool—natural fibers without rubber backing are a priority for us because they avoid synthetics and potential off-gassing. The soft, serene palette appealed to our sense of calm. We also wanted something plush since our daughter will appreciate a softer surface when she’s more mobile. One concern: the rug’s slightly raised design might make two storage ottomans sit unevenly. The outlet price was tempting—about $200 marked down from much more—but we hoped to find something closer to $150 if possible.
We continued shopping at a variety of stores—both in person and online—including discount retailers and big-box stores. Most options failed on one of our must-have items: either they were too expensive, made of synthetic fibers, too rough underfoot, or simply didn’t match our style. Online searches at several retailers also came up empty-handed.
Then we remembered a $100 gift card to a retailer and decided to see what we could find. That led us to three more contenders. The first had personality and color and would have been affordable after applying the gift card, but it wasn’t plush enough. The second had great pattern and interest but risked blending into our dark wood floors instead of anchoring the den. The third was a soft, natural-wool option that felt luxurious, but it leaned toward a neutral look that might not bring enough personality to the room.
At that point the search felt discouraging. Each finalist hit some marks but missed others—either cushioning, pattern, or color. Then we checked other stores that accepted the gift card and found ourselves on a different site with more inventory. There we discovered a 100% wool 5 x 8 rug that was both cushy and full of pattern. Its large floral design felt modern and playful, and the colors would complement our cream, tan, and chocolate den palette.
Best of all, the rug was on clearance and fit perfectly within our budget once we applied the gift card. And as a coincidental bonus, the rug’s name matched our daughter’s—Clara—which made the decision feel even sweeter. Within minutes we applied the gift card and purchased the rug, delighted to have found something that met so many of our requirements.
Now the new rug lives happily by the fireplace, and we used existing accessories in a soft lime hue to tie the look together without buying anything extra. The hunt wasn’t effortless, but it was worth it. We’re thrilled with a rug that scored well for price, material, softness, color, and pattern.
Are there other rugs that would also look great in our den? Absolutely. But we’re happy that we found the Clara rug and that the process—though not always easy—led to a choice we truly love. If you’re hunting for your own perfect piece, don’t despair: stay persistent, refine your criteria, and you’ll increase your chances of finding something that feels just right for your home.