The 7 Best Shag Rugs for Adding a Touch of Warmth to Your Space (2024)

Our Top Picks

Our top choice is the Infinity Shag Rug from Rugs.com. It's made in Turkey from 100 percent polyester and features an ultra-plush pile height of 2.5 inches. The material has a super-soft, luxurious feel. Not only that, but the stain-resistant, non-shedding fibers can hold up to everyday wear. It's even pet- and kid-friendly. One thing to note is that it doesn't have a nonslip backing, so you'll want to get a good rug pad for underneath.

This rug is ideal for low-traffic areas and cozy corners of your home. Gómez says, "Creating a reading nook with a shag rug is a great idea." This area rug has an undeniably retro vibe reminiscent of 1970s interior design, but the solid hues give it a more subtle, versatile aesthetic. It comes in 16 colors ranging from onyx black and smoky gray to off-white and dusty pink. You can also choose from 20 sizes and four shapes, including rectangular, square, round, and runner.

_{Shape: Rectangular, round, square, runner | Available Sizes: 20 | Pile Height: 2.5 inches | Material: Polyester}

High-pile rugs aren't usually known as washable rugs, but with options like the Shag Rug from Ruggable, it's a different story. After testing a flat-woven option, our tester gave the company a 4 out of 5 overall score and liked the easy, washable design. The brand extends this same care flexibility to its take on shag area rugs. This Ruggable Shag Rug is conveniently machine-washable, dryer-friendly, and water- and stain-resistant.

In addition to easy care, this rug comes with exceptionally soft shag in seven sizes, four colors, and two shapes (rectangular and runner). While it offers durability and simple maintenance, the 1.5-inch pile height makes the rug a little tricky to vacuum. The other thing to note is that if you get a larger size, you'll need to make sure your washer and dryer drums are big enough to fit it.

_{Shape: Rectangular, runner | Available Sizes: 7 | Pile Height: 1.5 inches | Material: Polyester}

We also like the Morin Geometric Area Rug from AllModern. It's 100 percent polypropylene, a type of stain-resistant thermoplastic that can mimic the look and feel of wool fibers. With a pile height of just over an inch, it's plush and soft but not so tall that you can't vacuum it.

This low-maintenance shag rug comes in eight sizes and 11 colorways. The eclectic design isn't the most versatile and may not fit all design schemes. But the scattered half-moons, blocks, and stripes are perfect for making a statement when you want to keep your colors neutral.

_{Shape: Rectangular | Available Sizes: 8 | Pile Height: 1.18 inches | Material: Polypropylene}

For something more neutral, consider the Greek Flokati Area Rug from Rugs USA. Available in ivory or taupe-gray, the solid hue and shaggy surface can provide texture and dimension without overwhelming your space. With 13 sizes and four shapes to choose from, there's something for every home.

This area rug is 100 percent wool, an insulating, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant material. With a pile height of 1.25 inches, it feels incredibly soft and plush between the toes, but requires a firm brush for general maintenance and professional cleaning once or twice a year. Since the Greek Flokati Rug is somewhat tricky to clean, it's best for low-traffic areas.

_{Shape: Rectangular, round, square, runner | Available Sizes: 11 | Pile Height: 1.25 inches | Material: Wool}

Castillo is a fan of Jonathan Y's Merida Stacked Grid Shag Area Rug, and we can see the appeal. It features a stacked grid pattern similar to modern straight-lay tile, which could add bold dimension and interest to any space. This shag area rug uses stain-resistant polypropylene material and has a 1.54-inch pile height. But since the weave is similar to a twist carpet, it takes well to vacuuming.

It only comes in two hues, gray and indigo, but Castillo thinks the latter is a perfect pop of color. "Placing this blue rug in your room will bring it to life with a relaxing touch," she says.

_{Shape: Rectangular, runner | Available Sizes: 5 | Pile Height: 1.54 inches | Material: Polypropylene}

Prefer solid tones? Check out Safavieh's Milan Area Rug. It comes in 35 sizes, three shapes (rectangle, round, and runner), and nine colors ranging from off-black and true navy to retro brown and classic ivory.

This shag rug is power-loomed from highly durable, stain-resistant polypropylene. The synthetic fibers are extremely soft, plush, and dense. While the construction can hold up in busy areas of your home, you might want to use this in lower-traffic regions to maintain the shape and texture. You can easily spot-clean small stains, and while the pile height is 2 inches, it's even vacuumable.

_{Shape: Rectangular, round, runner | Available Sizes: 35 | Pile Height: 2 inches | Material: Polypropylene}

Nodding to the traditional designs handwoven by indigenous tribal people in Morocco, the Inez Shag Rug is just as functional as it is tasteful. It's loomed from 90 percent wool and 10 percent viscose, a consciously sourced blend boasting ample insulation and odor resistance. The Inez Rug is also conveniently vacuumable.

This rectangular area rug is available in only three relatively large sizes, so it's not suitable for small spaces. And while the only color option is ivory (the natural hue of undyed wool), a subtle geometric pattern and plush feel could add plenty of texture and dimension.

_{Shape: Rectangular | Available Sizes: 3 | Pile Height: Not listed | Material: Wool, viscose}

Final Verdict

FAQ

• Can you put a shag rug in the washing machine?

  Larger shag rugs may simply be too big to fit in your washer drum, and many call for spot-cleaning or professional cleaning only. However, some are even washer- and dryer-friendly, as long as they don't have a rubberized backing. Select a delicate and/or bulky cycle and run it on cold water. And if you're unsure, check the manufacturer's care instructions.

• Can you vacuum high-pile rugs?

  It depends on the pile height and weave pattern. As noted, shag rugs can range from 1 to about 2.5 inches in pile height. While you can often vacuum a 1-inch pile, taller fibers may get stuck. If the fibers don't clog your vacuum, the process could leave you with a damaged rug.

  Always check the brand's care instructions to make sure yours is vacuumable. If so, your best bet is to use a non-rotating, brushless head on a high-pile setting to prevent the fibers from getting caught.

• How do you keep a shag rug fluffy?

  Due to the high-pile design, shag rugs are prone to compression, especially when placed in high-traffic areas or underneath heavy furniture. To keep yours fluffy, Fendy Castillo, Gómez's partner at Nemai Studio says regular vacuuming is key. "Use a rug beater to loosen up dirt, then vacuum it again to get an even fluffier look."

  According to Gómez, you can also rotate the rug periodically. "This will prevent the pressure from building up in one spot," she explains.

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