Few people know rugs quite like an interior designer. Whether it’s picking out a pattern, determining the right size, or landing on the perfect texture, every detail matters—which is why we’re so excited to debut our first-ever Designer’s Picks sale! We tapped some of our favorite designers and influencers to spill on all things rugs, including their favorite picks from Rugs USA and their best tips for picking out the perfect rug for a space. Keep scrolling, take a few notes, and be prepared to find your new favorite rug!
And if you want a chance to win a consultation with one of these designers? Enter our giveaway! Five lucky winners will get a 30-minute one-on-one session with the interior designer of their preference, who will give them custom recommendations for THE perfect rug. Plus, winners will also receive a $300 to spend on their dream rug at Rugs USA.
Enter the giveaway
Jennifer Laura of @jenniferlauraliving
Tell us about yourself!
Hi, I’m Jennifer Laura, but you can call me Jenn. I am an interior designer making over my house room by room on a budget and sharing the entire process along the way—with triumphs, easy DIY ideas, and lots of trial and error.
How would you describe your design style?
I’m a self-proclaimed grandmillennial, which means my style is like your grandma’s antiques, but with a modern twist.
What are your top tips for selecting the right rug for a room?
The rug is a great place to start when designing a space—it can be the basis for your entire color palette! I also love to go neutral with my rugs if I plan to use more color in the space.
When it comes to a rug, it just needs to be the right size. Nothing kills a space faster than when your rug is too small. Make sure you take the time to pull out a tape measure before pulling the trigger on your rug. You don’t have to be able to fit ALL of your furniture on the rug, but if the front legs of your sofa sit on it, then the other furniture pieces also need to have their front legs on the rug. If you aren’t sure, tape out a few different sizes to see which one feels better. And when in doubt, go with the larger size!
What’s your favorite style from your Rugs USA picks?
One of my favorite rugs is the Floral Dream Fringe rug. It has the prettiest colors in it and I feel like it would be such a beautiful jumping-off point for a color palette in a living room.
What is your favorite type of rug?
My favorite types of rugs are ones that feel unique or special in some way. I also love a good fringe on the end of a rug!
Jessica Hartman of @hartman_haus
Tell us about yourself!
I’m Jess! I’m the owner and principal designer of interior design firm Hartman Haus and the owner of Haus by Hartman Haus, a home decor storefront we recently opened in Glendale, AZ in February 2022. We offer both in-home design and remote e-design services, and have had the pleasure of working with clients throughout the country and world.
I started my Instagram page in 2018 simply as a creative outlet. Fast-forward four years, and my husband and I now own and operate both of our businesses. Aside from my love for all things design, you can either find me at my daughter’s soccer games, volunteering in the Special Needs Ministry, hiking, BBQing with my family, or bingeing the latest true crime docuseries.
How would you describe your design style?
I would describe my design style as transitional-modern with warm, organic touches and minimal tendencies. However, my style is constantly changing and evolving, so ask me again in a month!
What are your top tips for selecting the right rug for a room?
When choosing a rug, I look for something that will help balance the space and not distract from the overall design, but rather add to it. I look for functionality whether it’s for my family or a client’s family—we take lots of lifestyle factors into consideration. And finally, I look for a rug that is transitional—should the client ever swap something out, I want to make sure it’s versatile enough to go with almost anything.
What’s your favorite style from your Rugs USA picks?
The Handwoven Chaste rug in natural is a fan favorite because it is the perfect balance of that natural fiber look while still being soft to the touch. We’ve used this rug in at least five client projects, plus I currently have it in my bedroom and in our shop. It has an organic, warm look, great texture, and hides dirt easily.
What is your favorite type of rug?
I love a good natural fiber rug—they’re full of beautiful texture, they’re neutral, they flow with so many design styles, and they add the perfect amount of warmth to a space.
Melanie Raver of @raveinteriordesign
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Melanie, and I am an interior designer and busy mom to three young girls. I love home decor and styling. I also love adventure! My husband and I renovated a vintage Airstream and traveled cross country with our girls in tow. We made it from California to Maine and back!
How would you describe your design style?
My design style is California-cool mixed with boho streaks and sprinkled with bright accents. I’m known for my fun accent walls and bright-colored wallpapers. I love mixing patterns and playing with earthy colors, adding in pops of light pink, mustard, and my new favorite: fuchsia! I love mixing new with vintage and mid-century with the quirky, retro, and whimsical!
What are your top tips for selecting the right rug for a room?
When selecting a rug for my space, I like to search by color. I have an idea of the main color I want the rug to be, then in the search bar I use color keywords, like “peach”, “pink”, or “orange.” I then scroll through my choices and screenshot the ones I like with the names showing so I can easily go back and order.
Next, I send the pics to my computer to upload into a program that lets you create design boards. I like Canva. It is free and very easy to navigate. I create a simple design board for any project—big or very small. This is the tool, the secret weapon, that allows me to visualize how the rug selections will work with what is in the room.
Upload pictures of your wallpaper, bedspread, drapery, artwork even! Then switch in and out the rug selections. I usually have two favorites, or I know right away. It is about seeing the bigger picture! Zoom out and see how all the pieces of the design puzzle fit together.
I also suggest measuring with painter’s tape a replica of the rug size you want, or the options given. I do this every time I order a rug to see exactly what will work best.
What’s your favorite style from your Rugs USA picks?
A total must is the Diamond Textured Trellis Tassel rug in ivory! I have this rug and it looks amazing in every room. True fact. This rug has made an appearance in almost every room. It is a neutral which will look fabulous with most wallpapers, wall colors, furniture styles, and decor. However, the raised trellis pattern with centered dots adds the fun and whimsy. This could go in a master bedroom or a nursery! Now just add in a Flower Power rug for a fun office space or kids room!
What is your favorite type of rug?
I love a good medallion rug. They are making a huge comeback and I am personally thrilled by this. I love mixing old and new. This style works with virtually any room in any application and will look amazing. It has a vintage, lived-in, cozy feel with modern bohemian colors.
John and Megan Kaplar of @archedmanor
Tell us about yourselves!
We are John and Megan, a married couple with a passion for interior design and home renovations! What started as a hobby a few years ago has now turned into a business, Arched Manor, and we have loved and appreciated every DIY and design project along the way.
How would you describe your design style?
We gravitate toward timeless designs with a comfortable (and family-friendly) twist. Give us all the beautiful and classic molding, but also fill the room with large-scale California-casual furniture.
What are your top tips for selecting the right rug for a room?
A rug is one of the first things we select when designing a new space! We first decide on the rug color palette, style, and overall mood we want to create in a space. Do we want something more traditional or bohemian or beachy? Do we want to play with color or stay neutral and add texture?
Our number one tip when it comes to picking out the right rug for a space is to make sure the rug is scaled correctly! In our opinion, the bigger, the better! We also realize that the bigger the rug, the more expensive it can be. However, that is what is so great about RugsUSA—so many great options and amazing prices!
What’s your favorite style from your Rugs USA picks?
One of the rugs we selected is the Eldorado rug in beige. We love this rug because of the pattern and color palette, and it has the ability to add a lot of depth to a space. It has a great balance of a delicate pattern paired with neutral and moody colors.
What is your favorite type of rug?
Our favorite type of rug is a traditional one (similar to all the Rugs USA medallion rugs). It is a great yet subtle way to add pattern and interest into a space without overwhelming it. Much like the design style we strive for, traditional rugs never go out of style!
Jamie Kinross of @jamielee_designs
Tell us about yourself!
I am a 24-year-old interior decorator, social media influencer, and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Utah and lover of all things outdoors! I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 3.5 years, and it’s just us and our five dogs living in our newly built home.
I’ve been running my own design business for three years in May, and absolutely love it! I am a huge advocate for mental health and gut health and try and education anyone I can on the importance of taking care of themselves. Design has always been a major love of mine, but my true passion is helping people!
How would you describe your design style?
I would define my style as “Jamie’s style!” I personally gravitate more towards transitional, midcentury modern, and boho styles, with a slight rustic or western flair. I love to blend different styles to create something that fits my space perfectly!
What are your top tips for selecting the right rug for a room?
Your personal style should reflect you and the things you love! I begin by collecting a handful of rugs that I love for the space I’m selecting it for. After I have a selection of 3-5 rugs I think can work in the space, I review the material of the rug, the dimensions of the rug, and the overall style of the rug. I try to match up any other colors and patterns in the space to select the rug that best compliments the space. The biggest mistake people make when selecting a rug is the size! Be mindful of the space you’re putting it in!
What’s your favorite style from your Rugs USA picks?
The Moroccan Diamond Drop Tassel rug in off white—it is one of my favorite Rugs USA rugs that I own! It’s such a great statement piece for any room, and the off-white color makes it easy to keep clean, even with five dogs! The simplicity of the design on this rug makes it versatile super adaptable for many different decor styles.
What is your favorite type of rug?
My overall favorite type of rug would be a vintage-inspired rug! I think they add so much movement and character to a space. They come in so many different patterns and color combos, and I think they look amazing in nearly any space!
