8 Best Wool Rugs, From Low-Pile Flatweaves to Moroccan Shag

The Best Wool Rugs We’d Roll Out in Any RoomHand-knotted, hand-tufted, and (sometimes) machine washableA lounge area off the kitchen of a historic New Jersey estate renovated by Annabelle Selldorf is furnished with custom-made seating clad in a Casamance wool flannel from Angela Brown.Photo: Richard Powers, Art: Dana C. FairWool is already prized for its softness, durability, and natural performance—but when it comes to rugs, those qualities really pay off. The best wool rugs bring all those benefits underfoot, along with moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic properties that make them especially easy to live with. . As a natural fiber, wool can develop character with age and, with proper care, last for years. It’s also often considered a more eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials.Our staffers have spent years testing wool rugs in their personal spaces, from low-key flatweaves to groovy shag piles, and picked up plenty of insights on styling and maintaining them along the way. We’ve tested the full gamut, from California neutral beige runners to hand-knotted Beni Ourain. Below all our favorite options worth rolling out.Our Top Picks for the Best Wool RugsBest Traditional Rug Under $250: Quince Artemis Hand-Knotted Wool RugBest Machine Washable: Revival Helen Wool RugBest for Earthy Palettes: Lulu and Georgia Heritage Hand-Knotted Wool RugBest Color Statement: All Modern Mallory Hand-Tufted Geometric RugBest Neutral: Castlery Cora Wool Area RugOur Top PicksShop More AD-Approved Wool RugsHow To Clean a Wool RugBest Traditional Rug Under $250Quince Artemis Hand-Knotted Wool RugShopping editor Audrey Lee was inspired by the cozy rugs in Walton Goggins’ moody Hudson Valley home when she settled on this vintage-inspired rug from Quince.It’s medium pile sheds minimally and Lee notes that the design is great if you’re in search of “a traditional-looking rug design that’s not overly traditional.” An understated mix of blue and yellow tones brings warmth to the room without overpowering it.Best Machine WashableRevial Helen RugSenior shopping editor Nashia Baker describes her Brooklyn apartment as "moody midcentury," so Helen's ruby colorway was an easy fit with the burgundy that runs through her space. "I can confirm its color is just as rich as it looks online," she says, and the oversize florals lend "a bit of a romantic and modern feel." The New Zealand wool, a Revival best seller, is machine washable and stain resistant, and after months of weekly vacuuming she's seen only a little fraying at the edges. Her one caveat is the price, though she says its durability helps justify the investment. Grab a rug pad on your way out, too. The rug is pliable enough to fit in the washing machine, which means a pad comes in handy for keeping it stable underfoot.Best for Earthy PalettesLulu and Georgia Heritage Hand-Knotted Wool RugLulu & Georgia makes the Heritage in 100% wool with a fringed edge, and our favorite moss gray colorway sits somewhere between green and stone—enough to register in a white room, but neutral enough to pair easily with wood and leather. It’s also contract grade and tested for durability, a detail that matters more than it sounds if the rug is destined for hardworking spots like the dining room, hallway, or entryway.Best Color StatementAll Modern Mallory Hand-Tufted Geometric RugMallory is the most graphic pick here, a chunky wool geometric that leans abstract. It comes in the kind of statement-making colorways that can be hard to find at this price, including rust on light beige and deep green on light beige. Reviewers praise its thick, soft feel underfoot, though many warn that it sheds heavily at first.Best NeutralCastlery Cora Wool Area RugThis solid-colored wool rug was the perfect neutral-but-not-boring option for the space between visuals editor Lizzie Soufleris’ living room and dining area. “After years of walking across my old flat-weave rug, the plushness of this 100% wool, handmade creation is a major upgrade.” The fringed edges offer a subtle nod to more traditional rug designs and the neutral hue plays nicely with the more colorful accents in her living room. “It feels well-made and sturdy,” she adds. “It laid flat immediately upon unrolling, without any pesky curled edges.”Shop More AD-Approved Wool RugsThe Citizenry Mina Hand-Knotted Beni Ourain RugSix months of traditional Moroccan weaving goes into each of The Citizenry's Mina rug, giving the plush shag it rustic, slightly bohemian character. "This rug stood out to me because it features some colors I don't typically see paired—a rich rust and soft pink. I happen to have two macramé leaves on my living room wall with that exact palette, so it was kismet," says digital features editor Charlotte Collins. She loves how the abstract motifs pull off the look in a way that’s elegant and unexpected. “I’ve never had a shag rug before, but it’s so soft that I sometimes ditch my sofa and sit directly on it.”Anthropologie Hand-Tufted Sculpted Daisy RugWith faux marble flooring already bringing plenty of movement to shopping producer Lauren Arzbaecher’s apartment, a more neutral rug felt like the natural choice. But rather than go overly drab, she landed on Anthropologie’s Daisy rug for its simple color palette with loaded texture. “The emerald green color is reminiscent of faux grass, which I think adds a subtle, campy element to my space—almost as if I could plop a plastic flamingo on top of it and it wouldn’t look out of place,” she says in her review. “That small taste of humor behind an otherwise unassuming rug makes me smile every time I step into my living room.”Pottery Barn Merrin Hand-Knotted Wool RugPottery Barn's Merrin rug was one of the first pieces contributor Rebecca Grambone and her boyfriend agreed on when they merged homes. She described it as the ideal blend of their distinct styles: "charming and chic, without being too busy or overtly feminine." Texture-wise, she notes that the fibers are extremely soft, while subtle notes of gray-blue and beige make the multishade colorway versatile enough to work with everything from coastal to more traditional interiors.How To Clean a Wool RugMost wool rugs aren't machine washable, though a few low-pile washable rugs are made in wool, including Revival's Helen above and this flatweave from Fable Home. For everyday spills like coffee or red wine, spot-clean with water and a gentle detergent or mild dish soap. To keep dust and debris at bay, lightly vacuum at least once a week on low suction, skipping the beater brush attachment to help prevent shedding. A professional clean is also recommended every 12 to 18 months, or sooner if you’re dealing with especially stubborn stains.Julia Harrison is a shopping writer at AD. Previously, she was a writer and editor for Coveteur, and The Sewanee Review. She writes Interior Monologue, and feels passionately about coastal inns and mission tile. She runs a creative resource called saloon, and writes a personal newsletter called orzo bimbo. Her ... Read More