When it comes to rentals, rugs are your secret weapon for dressing up your space and turning it into a place that feels full of character and reflective of your personality. Cookie-cutter features? Weird layouts? Unsightly carpet? Consider rugs your solution to any and all woes that may plague apartments and rental homes. And we’ll show you how pull it off! Here, we’re laying out all our best tips for rugs in rentals. Keep reading, and prepare to make your space feel just like home!
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Soften the space—and prevent noise.
We say rugs are essential for brightening and cozying up apartments. But in some rentals, landlords actually require you to have rugs covering up a certain percentage of your floors—especially in multi-story apartments where noise from upstairs neighbors can be an issue. All apartments and cities have different requirements, so be sure to check your lease to make sure you’re complying and following the rules. In our book, this is no issue at all. More rugs equals more opportunity to add homey comfort and charm!
No matter how many rugs cover the floors of your apartment, it’s a good idea to layer a rug pad underneath each one. A rug pad will help further eliminate noise, but also make your rugs feel more comfortable, keep them safely in place, and prevent slippage.
Go for durability in high-traffic spaces.
Before deciding on a new rug for your rental, think about how each space will be used and where the major walkways will be. For example, if you live in an apartment where you’ll enter directly into your living room, you might want to think about rolling out a durable rug that will stand up to foot traffic and shoes treading on it.
For entries, hallways, or other areas that you expect to be walking through often, consider these extra-durable styles of rugs:
Washable rugs: The rugs from our Washables collection make great choices for high-traffic areas that are prone to getting dirty. Any time you track in dirt or notice a spot on the rug, all you have to do is roll it up, throw it in the wash, and it’ll be as clean as the day you got it. Learn more about our amazing washable rugs collection here!
Wool rugs: Wool rugs are naturally durable and resistant to moisture, making them a solid pick for busy areas. They have a bit of a higher price point, but the payoff can be worth it: If cared for properly, wool rugs can last you for decades to come.
Jute rugs: Made from the durable natural fibers of the jute plant, jute rugs are hard-wearing and can stand up to all sorts of foot traffic and activity. Bonus: They’re often on the more affordable side, which makes them a great pick for rentals and temporary living situations.
Synthetic rugs: Rugs made of synthetic materials like polyester or polypropylene live at the perfect intersection of durability, great style, and affordability—AKA, all great things when it comes to apartment and rental living. Plus, they’re a breeze to care for!
Cover up unsightly carpet or damage.
This a question we get often: Can you put a rug over existing carpet? And our answer is yes! Apartments are notorious for having boring (and even stained) permanent carpet, which can be a drag if it doesn’t mesh with your decor. The solution is simple: Simply roll out your rug of choice, and secure it on the bottom with carpet tape. Easy!
Aside from covering up carpet, rugs are a great option for hiding damage left behind from previous tenants on hard floors. Think scratches or stains on wood flooring, chipped tiles, and any other eyesores your landlord isn’t keen on fixing up.
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Use rugs in rentals to create separate areas.
If you live in a studio apartment or a rental with an open floor plan, turn to rugs to help you carve out separate spaces within the larger layout. That means: For every type of “room” that you want to create, roll out a rug to delineate boundaries and to help each area feel like its own.
Have an open living-dining area? Use a larger rug to create the living space, and a smaller rug next to it to mark off the dining area. If you’re looking for more tips and inspo for open floor plans, check out our guide here!
Add charm to overlooked spots.
As we mentioned, rugs really are the key to turning a rental into a space that feels homey and comfortable. And our method is to roll out as many rugs as possible! Once you’ve decked out your main areas, try adding a little extra oomph to overlooked spots like kitchens, hallways, laundry areas, and even closets. We promise it’ll make a big difference in brightening up your space!
Layer with rugs you already own.
If you have rugs of various sizes from previous places you’ve lived, don’t toss them out because they’re not exactly the right size for your new place. Instead, layer! For a rug that’s too small, try rolling out a larger one underneath to extend coverage to the rest of the space. We love doing a solid or jute style underneath as a neutral base layer. If your rug feels a little bit big for the space, but will still fit within its physical confines, top it with a smaller rug to create a focal point that feels appropriate for the smaller area. It’s the perfect way to incorporate rugs you already own into your new space!
