7 Types of Shag Rugs:
Which Is Best for You?

Rugs are the glue that holds a room together, so it’s essential that you approach the purchasing process with care—especially if you’re opting for a shag rug. Shag rugs are especially tricky because you have to balance style and functionality when making a decision. For instance, if you have young kids in your home, you’ll want something stylish but also resistant to spills and dirt. 

Luckily for you, there’s a shag rug for everyone. Keep reading as we explore seven popular types of shag rugs, the pros and cons of each, care tips and what each is best for.

1. High-Pile Rug

High-pile rugs have long, loose fibers that give them their signature shaggy look. This is likely the style that you think of when you think of shag rugs. If you have hardwood or tile floors, adding one to your space can instantly create a warm, inviting atmosphere—and save your feet from the cold! This rug style can be made with a variety of natural or synthetic fabrics, so be sure to check the label for special care instructions before cleaning.

Pros:

• Warmer and softer than low pile rugs
• Can absorb sound to create a quieter atmosphere

Cons:

• Requires more frequent cleaning
• Longer cleaning process

Special care tips: Rotate the rug regularly to evenly distribute wear. If a thread comes loose, don’t pull it out. Simply snip off the top of the loose thread with scissors.

Best for: Cold hardwood floors that could benefit from the comfort of a warmer and more durable rug.

2. Sheepskin

Natural sheepskin rugs are luxuriously soft and come in multiple shapes and sizes. You can drape one over your bedroom furniture for a boho-chic look or layer it over an area rug for a cozy cabin feel. These rugs are best for low-traffic areas and don’t do well with moisture, so be sure to look out for stains and spills.

Pros:

• One of the softest rug materials
• Contains natural oils that resist odors and dirt

Cons:

• Easily damaged in high-traffic areas
• Dry clean only

Special care tips: Shake out regularly and brush with a dog comb to avoid matting.

Best for: Teen’s rooms. Sheepskin rugs are hypoallergenic and resistant to bed bugs. As a result, they tend to be a safe and healthy option for children and teens.

3. Wool

Wool is both comfortable and durable, making it a popular material choice for shag rugs. Natural wool fibers are often hand-tufted, so each shag rug is unique. Whether your color palette is loud and eccentric or soft and subdued, you’re sure to find a wool rug that fits your style.

Pros:

• Both soft and durable
• Fibers spring back after stepping on them

Cons:

• Can take longer to clean than synthetic materials
• Don’t do well in humid environments

Special care tips: Avoid placing heavy furniture on wool rugs to prevent permanent dents.

Best for: Large and heavily trafficked rooms. Wool rugs are visually appealing and stain-repellent, allowing them to take center stage in living rooms.

4. Machine-Washable

If you live a busy lifestyle, a machine-washable shag rug could save you a lot of time and energy. These rugs are generally made from recycled or synthetic materials and are designed to be durable. They require little maintenance between washes, so they’re great for dorm rooms or pet owners.

Pros:

• Very low maintenance
• Short cleaning time

Cons:

• Washing on the wrong settings can damage them
• Not as soft as rugs with natural fibers

Special care tips: Always check the tag for specific washing and drying instructions.

Best for: Busy people who don’t have time to address stains and dirt by hand. If you can’t dedicate some time to rug maintenance, then a machine-washable rug is the way to go.

5. Performance

Performance rugs are specially designed to combine style and functionality. They are durable, stain-resistant and last longer than rugs made from natural fibers. You won’t be able to toss these in the washing machine, but vacuuming them regularly and keeping an eye out for stains is all you need to do to keep them looking fresh.

Pros:

• Super durable
• Low maintenance

Cons:

• Fibers are usually shorter and rougher
• Can be harder to clean than machine washable rugs

Special care tips: Even performance rugs can shed fibers when they’re new, but regular vacuuming will eliminate this problem over time.

Best for: Those looking for a rug that resembles wool but is more durable. Performance rugs are nearly indistinguishable from wool rugs but are far more resistant to stains and spills.

6. Flokati

Flokati rugs are relatively inexpensive rugs created fully from sheep wool and can come with different levels of thickness. If you want to opt for a thicker rug, then flokati rugs can be the thickest and fluffiest of the bunch—they can sometimes pile up to 5 inches.

Pros:

• Very soft
• Stain-resistant

Cons:

• If stained, the stains can get very deep in the wool fibers
• Not pet-friendly

Special care tips: Hand washing with a mild wool soap and a soft brush will remove stains without harming the wool fibers.

Best for: Adding warmth to colder rooms. Like high-pile rugs, flokati rugs are warm and great for colder seasons.

7. Leather

Leather shag rugs are made of thick leather strands that resemble ribbons. Since the strands are made of leather, the rugs have a much tougher texture. With these thicker textures, leather shag rugs tend to have a more striking appearance and oftentimes dominate the rooms they’re in.

Since most of these rugs are handcrafted, they’re a bit more fragile than most rugs. If you have children that will pull on the strands, you may want to look for a rug with more durable fibers.

Pros:

• Pet-friendly
• Come in a multitude of colors

Cons:

• Can be damaged in highly trafficked rooms
• Sometimes require professional cleaning

Special care tips: If you spot clean, make sure you do it quickly. Leather shag rugs are sensitive to moisture.

Best for: Stealing the scene. Leather shag rugs tend to be a little more prominent and take over the space they’re in.

Choosing the right shag rug for you and your family depends on a number of different factors, so it’s a good idea to do some homework ahead of time and explore all options.

For more information, check out our collection of shag rugs.