A Guide to Natural Fiber Rugs


Today you guys are getting the first look at the living room in our new home. Well at least a small part of the space.ย  I know, I know…this has been a long time coming. It’s just that I’ve been focusing my attention on the master bedroom, the bathrooms, and then the kitchen, and this room hasn’t received hardly much love.ย  But I’m happy to say that it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. And the first thing on the list? A new rug!

From the start, I knew I wanted to go with a natural fiber rug in this room. I’m a big fan of these rugs because they’re often durable, affordable, and neutral. This makes them a natural fit for high-traffic areas in the home. Plus, I love the look of them. They give a beachy/casual vibe, which allows me to make bolder choices when it comes to accessories and knick-knacks. So from day 1, I knew that a natural fiber rug was right for this space.

The only problem? Which natural fiber rug to choose.

Our Guide to Natural Fiber Rugs

I did A LOT of research, and read tons of online reviews before I made my decision. And I figured I should share all of that newfound knowledge with you. So if you’re looking for a natural fiber rug, here’s my own little guide when it comes to buying.

What is a Natural Fiber Rug?

Natural fiber rugs are woven from fibers extracted from plants. They’re often durable, affordable, and neutral. 3 of the most popular natural fiber rugs are jute, seagrass, and sisal. Here’s the difference between each one.

Jute Rugs

Jute Rug Guide

Rug 1 // Rug 2 // Rug 3

  • Pros: Soft Texture. Good for bedrooms or medium-traffic areas. Most affordable option.
  • Cons: Least durable and can unravel in areas.

studio-mcgee-jute-rug copy

Image via Studio Mcgeestudio-mcgee-jute copy

Images via Studio Mcgee

I’m a big fan of jute rugs, and have one in our kitchen and at our back door. They’re just so darn budget-friendly. So if we spill on it or it gets some wear and tear, we can replace it without feeling like we threw our money out the window. Plus, I love the texture it can add to a space. Unlike sisal & seagrass, jute rugs aren’t always “bound” on the edges. This means you can have a different look or shape, like ones with shaggy edges or loops on the end.

Sisal Rugs

Sisal Rug Guide

Rug 1 // Rug 2

  • Pros: Durable. Has a clean & bright appearance.
  • Cons: Can stain easily. Can be a bit slippery, so definitely a “no-no” on stairways.

Caseys-Living-Family-Room-PillowsSisal rugs are another awesome option. In fact, the rug in our apartment was sisal and we absolutely loved it. The only bad part is the stain factor. They say even water can leave a stain on a sisal rug. So that’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re shopping around.

Seagrass Rugs

Seagrass Rug Guide

Rug 1 // Rug 2 // Rug 3

  • Pros: Stain resistant and durable. Repels liquid. Great for high-traffic areas.
  • Cons: Coarse texture, so not very soft underfoot.

thistlewood-farms-seagrass-rug Image via Thistlewood Farmsthistlewood-farms-jute-rug-bedroomImage via Thistlewood Farms

And finally, there’s seagrass. I really love the look of seagrass, especially when it’s a rug with a beige/tan border. Plus the fact that it’s so incredibly durable is a huge plus in my playbook. Especially when buying a rug for our main room. But the coarse texture isn’t for everyone. You certainly wouldn’t want to curl up and take a nap on a seagrass rug. However, it’s an awesome option if you like to layer rugs. Putting a smaller plush rug atop a seagrass would be a great idea for a bedroom or family room.

So which one did I go with? I went with a SEAGRASS RUG.

Because this room is so darn big, we went with a 9×12 rug from Wayfair. It’s huuuuuge, but really makes that entire side of the room more cohesive and put together. Yes, it is a coarse texture, but it actually feels nice underfoot. Like a little scratchy foot massage…

I’m so happy we went with this rug, and I’m expecting lots of years of wear and tear on this bad boy. Bring on the spills & crowds!

Casey

ย [Disclaimer: I partnered with Wayfair to bring you this post. All opinions & photography are my own and are not influenced by Wayfair. Thank you for supporting the brands that help support this blog]


The Year of Casey

Hey there!

Iโ€™m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.