7 Best Shag Rugs for a Retro-Decor Moment

7 Shag Rugs That Don’t Feel Stuck in the ’70sWe’re reclaiming the groovy-decor moment—with a few contemporary updatesThe primary bedroom of this midcentury home in L.A. by interior designer Jamie Bush and architect William Hefner is grounded with an alpaca shearling rug by Marc Phillips. A vintage settee and a Karl Springer cocktail table from John Salibello are joined by a 1971 Vladimir Kagan chrome floor lamp from Lobel Modern in the corner of the room.Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson; Styling: Michael ReynoldsThough we’ve left much to the 1970s—bell-bottom jeans, disco, conversation pits—groovy-era trends always seem to come back. The best shag rugs too are enjoying a revival. Emma Chamberlain opts for a high-pile clay shag rug in her sitting room, Aurora James loves the hand-tufted look in her office, and this San Fernando home honors its bohemian roots with a plush pile in the living room.Our market list doesn’t reach for a fluffy rug for a fluffy rug’s sake—we’re looking for something ’70s with a Nordic sensibility and a contemporary redesign. In other words: No bright orange or chartreuse here. The shag rug is a great tool for curating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. There’s something distinctly hygge about an area rug that mimics the warmth and texture of a bear coat. We do, however, prefer synthetic fibers here over true hide. Below are our favorite high-pile, personality-packed rugs—from minimalist white shag rugs to checkered pieces that create visual depth.Our Top PicksBest WoolQuince Dover Wool Shag RugRead moreBest AffordableIKEA VOLLERSLEV RugRead moreBest Scandi-StyleFerm Living Meadow High Pile RugRead moreBest Wool Shag RugQuince Dover Wool Shag RugMaterial: 100% woolSizes available: 5x8’, 8x10’, 9’x12’, 2’6” x 8’ runnerQuince is making a 5x8 shag rug with 100% wool for $460. A Google search will quickly reveal just how difficult it is to find this level of craftsmanship at a comparable price. The piece comes in two neutral shades—ivory and a deep beige—and finishes with a kilim-woven end band and fringe. It has the look of an artisanal heirloom at about a tenth of the price point.Best Affordable Shag RugIKEA VOLLERSLEV RugMaterial: 100% polypropyleneSizes available: 5x8’, 8x10’, 9’x12’, 2’6” x 8’ runnerThe other contender for a budget piece is this shaggy rug from IKEA. It nails the retro style in color and pile height. Even with the matching rug pad, the total comes to just over $300. Its price point, however, reflects its use of synthetic fibers—polypropylene, to be exact. While synthetic fibers aren’t everyone’s first choice, polypropylene is durable, stain-resistant, and keeps liquids at bay long enough for you to race to the paper towels and back before the red wine really sets in.Best Scandi-Style Shag RugFerm Living Meadow High Pile RugMaterial: 100% woolSizes available: 140 x 200cm (about 4’7” x 6’7”); 200 x 300cm (about 6’7” x 9’10”)An 8cm pile of true New Zealand wool gives this shag rug a charming bedhead quality. Leave it to Copenhagen-based Ferm Living to get the details right: high-quality wool, a tangled pile, and that macadamia-colored off-white that’s so naturally elegant.Best Geometric RugNordic Knots Ryya 01 RugMaterial: 100% woolSizes available: 6’x9, 8x10’, 9’x12’This Scandinavian retailer went more contemporary than its competitors. The pile is less shaggy and the patterns lean geometric over minimalist. Colored yarns create a salt-and-pepper effect that gives this piece textural depth. Even the most neutral colorway—a pinkish beige and an olive green—gives dimension to an interior. Where the beige-and-green can be grounding, the blue-and-red or purple-and-green make a bolder statement.Best Colorful Shag RugRevival Mohair Shag RugMaterial: Mohair and New Zealand woolSizes available: 50+ customizable optionsThis rug takes its cues from a field of wheat. The mohair’s natural texture creates subtle shifts of light and shadow, much like wind moving through golden stalks. This piece, available in over 50 customizations so it can perfectly suit your space, is hand-knotted with a 1.25-inch pile. The golden olive is especially distinctive, and the mohair gives the color natural variation, so it reads nuanced rather than saturated.Best Washable Shag RugRugs USA Washable Solid Shag RugMaterial: 100% polyesterSizes available: 2’x3’, 3’x5’, 4’x6’, 5’x7’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’Shag rugs are admittedly easier to live with in homes without kids or pets. Between spills, muddy paws, and heavy foot traffic, a high-pile rug can be difficult to maintain—the taller the pile, the harder it is to vacuum. This one is the exception. Rugs USA has introduced the washable version of a shag rug, making the style more practical for everyday living. The tradeoff is a polyester construction, but the medium 0.65-inch high pile still feels elevated rather than budget.Best Statement Shag RugBeni Siroua Shag RugMaterial: 100% woolSizes available: 9 optionsThis rug has many bragging rights: it’s woven from the fleece of the Siroua sheep, a special long-hair breed of sheep that makes the rich, 4” pile height possible; it’s designed in collaboration with the T: The New York Times Style Magazine editor Tom Delavan; and it’s made by Moroccan artisans. For all those reasons, it’s limited and prices start at $1,050. If you’re in the market for a standout piece, rooted in true craftsmanship and elite design, it’s the obvious choice.Read MoreThese Rugs Will Have Your Bedroom FlooredFind the right footing for your boudoir with these comfortable carpetsBy Audrey Lee and Kate McGregorThe Best Outdoor Rugs, Come Rain or ShineStylish and weather-resistant silhouettes to transform a cement desert into a summertime oasisBy Julia Harrison and Audrey LeeThe Best Washable Rugs Are One Spin Cycle Away From Good-as-NewEasily refreshable textiles for spaces that see the highest foot trafficBy Kate McGregor and Nina DerwinThe Best Kitchen Rugs That Stand Up to Real LifeStyles that can handle any spill and suit any skepticThe Best Rugs on Amazon to Make Every Room Feel More FinishedThey pack plenty of personality underfootBy Julia Harrison and Nina DerwinThe Best Area Rugs for Living Rooms, Lofts, and Other Open SpacesFrom subdued jutes to maximalist Moroccan stylesBy Audrey Lee and Kate McGregorThe Best Stackable Outdoor Chairs to Level Up Your Summer EntertainingThese weatherproof seats are chic, sturdy, and easy to store away after the seasonThe Best Sheer Curtains Put a Filter on Your SpaceLinen, cotton, and even wool drapes for a relaxed vibe in any roomThe Castlery Hamilton Sofa Ended My Hunt for a Seating UnicornThis do-it-all couch acts as a sleek sectional, sleeper, chaise, and a storage compartmentWhat’s All the Fuss About Bamboo Sheets?They’re a breathable alternative to cotton and linen weaves—here’s how they actually hold upThe Best Airbnbs in Venice Are as Timeless as the City ItselfFrom Renaissance-era homes to contemporary retreats with impressive waterfront views