Wool Rugs

Why wool suits a rug so well

Wool fibres have a natural crimp that gives them bounce, so a wool rug recovers well from daily footsteps rather than flattening quickly. Wool also feels warm underfoot, softens echo in rooms with hard floors and holds dye well. Every design on this page is made with wool, so your choice comes down to texture, pile, colour and size.

What a blend adds to a wool rug

Blending wool with another fibre changes how a rug looks and feels. We stock wool and polyester blends, which combine the warmth of wool with a smooth synthetic fibre. Several blends use jute, a coarse plant fibre that gives a drier, firmer feel and a relaxed, rustic look. A few include cotton, a soft plant fibre. If texture matters to you, check the product details for the exact make-up before you order.

Pile and feel in a wool rug

Pile height decides how a rug feels and where it works best, so it is worth checking in the product details. We stock flatweaves, which have no raised pile. They lie low and flat, are quick to vacuum and let chairs slide in and out without catching, which makes them a practical choice for a busy route through the house. A few have a high pile instead, which feels deeper and softer to stand on. That extra depth is lovely where you walk barefoot or sit on the floor, but a lower pile copes better with heavy furniture and constant footfall.

Colours and styles in our wool rugs

We stock wool rugs in grey and natural tones, which sit quietly with wooden floors and pale walls. Several come in terracotta, a warm, earthy shade. A few are plain, which helps if your sofa or curtains are already patterned.

As for style, we stock traditional designs that suit a period home and modern designs with a cleaner, simpler look. A few are Scandinavian in style, which suits a pared-back room. If you are unsure, pick up a colour from a cushion, throw or painting already in the room, and the rug will tie the space together.

Sizing and placing a wool rug

Most of our wool rugs suit a living room, where the aim is to anchor your seating. Choose a size that lets at least the front feet of the sofa and chairs rest on the rug, with a band of bare floor framing it. We also stock wool rugs that suit a bedroom, where the rug should reach out on either side of the bed so bare feet get a warm landing.

Several suit a dining room. Under a table, go large enough that the chairs stay on the rug when pulled out, and pick a low pile so they move easily. A few are round, which softens a corner or echoes a round table. Before you order, mark the outline on the floor with masking tape to check the fit.

Shedding and care for a wool rug

Shedding is normal with wool. Short fibres left over from spinning and finishing work their way to the surface in the early weeks, and a tufted rug usually sheds more than a flatweave. Vacuum regularly with suction only or the brush bar raised, and the shedding gradually settles. Never pull at a loose tuft; snip it level with the pile using sharp scissors.

For routine care, rotate the rug now and then so it wears evenly, and keep it out of strong direct sun where you can. Blot spills straight away and never rub, as rubbing pushes the spill deeper. For a deep clean or a stubborn stain, call a professional rug cleaner.