Stylist Picks: Top 5 Natural Fiber Rugs

Seagrass is the best natural fiber for a durable and long-lasting rug. It’s an aquatic plant, making it a strong, non-porous rug material. Because it grows in salty underwater meadows, it’s tough enough for a high traffic area, like your entryway or mudroom. Keep in mind: because of its tighter weave, seagrass isn’t the softest option for a natural fiber rug.

That being said, I love the large crisscross of this rug’s basket weave. A more distinct pattern might be distracting, but this weave doesn’t really draw your eye down. The natural fibers kind of disappear into your floor, so it’s perfect for a muted base. The rug is also finished with a border, which helps it feel contained. If you’re looking for a color pop, this seagrass rug also comes in borders with contrasting colors.

What I love about this jute rug is that its weave feels natural yet controlled. It has an effortless elegance, which can be difficult to achieve when dealing with organic materials. Natural fibers can be harder to manipulate than a factory-made synthetic fiber, but this rug embraces its imperfections. The direction of the weave is consistent, with a beautiful nubby, knotted texture.

I really admire that the weave isn’t too tight or too loose. But you should anticipate for this jute rug to have loose threads and shed a bit more than a more tightly woven natural fiber rug. This rug is the ideal option for someone who wants the effortless appeal of natural fiber, but in a bolder shade.

Discover the benefits of this rug type in our guide to Why You Need a Jute Rug.

When I style with jute rugs, I usually go for a natural edge. This rug is the perfect example because the weave doesn’t have a defined direction. Natural fibers aren’t manmade, so they won’t be the exact same every time. You’re not going to get straight lines and you’ll see more irregularities. Because this rug will be one-of-a-kind, it’ll have a little unique variation in color and evenness. This rug has that warm, tropical shine you expect from woven jute. It’s meant for someone looking to embrace a more relaxed interior, like you see in boho style.

This is the natural fiber rug you want when you’re walking barefoot. It’ll feel softer than one with a lumpier weave. Its shorter fibers also allow for easier cleanup, which is convenient if you have pets or kids. Its small weaved pattern makes it so that there’s a noticeable texture, but it doesn’t draw your eye down. It’s simple, but not dull. There’s nothing too busy or distracting in the rug’s design, but that doesn’t mean it’s not pretty or sophisticated.

For a space that feels more polished, this natural fiber rug has a finished edge to help tell that story. The border helps frame your space. Basically, the size of your rug defines how big your room appears. The smaller the rug, the smaller the room feels. The bigger the rug, the bigger the space feels.

For more on this material, see Why You Need a Sisal Rug.

Natural fibers can have a coarse, straw-like texture. Not this rug. It has a thick, plush, cushy profile. Its tight weave not only makes it soft and durable, but its chunky pattern can also act as a statement piece. It’s not a subtle pattern, but it comes without color variances or having to commit to color.

This natural fiber rug actually has different colorways, so you can find which earth tones works best in your space. The jute’s subdued color would pair well with a leafy, woody palette. Think natural shades of green, like sage, as well as different shades of white, tan, brown, etc. You might avoid anything too bright.

Remember that if you have pets there’s a good chance their claws will snag in a rug like this. Just like other natural fiber rugs, you’ll experience some shedding. You’ll also want to opt for a rug pad to prevent this rug from bunching or shifting, especially on wood floors.