Rugs are an interior designer’s secret weapon. They can transform a room in an instant, anchor a room, create cohesion, define areas and add comfort underfoot. From the bedroom to the living room, indoors or outdoors, the best rugs can be used in a myriad of ways, from adding warmth to defining a space within an open plan.
Open plan spaces can be tricky to carve out distinct spaces. A rug will visually define an area. For example, laying a generous rug under your dining table and chairs signals the dining room and breaks up a sea of floorboards or tiles. Similarly, adding a rug to the living area, with a coffee table placed on top and surrounded by sofas and occasional chairs, creates an inviting, comfortable atmosphere.
Whether you’re after a bold statement piece or subtle foundation for your space, the right rug can instantly elevate the look and feel of any room, making it both more inviting and functional. Below, shop our edit of the best rugs available in NZ.
2025’s best rugs NZ
Lav Washable Floor Rug
from $239.20 (was $299.00) at Freedom
Best for: A washable rug for busy households
Freedom’s collection of machine washable rugs means you don’t need to fret about any unsightly spills or dirty paw prints. Ideal for busy households, the Lav washable rug is lightweight for easy moving, features a low pile to reduce trip hazards, and has a non-slip backing to keep it securely in place. The distressed antique design adds timeless charm, making it a stylish fit for an array of interior styles. Durable and practical, this is a rug you’ll rely on for years to come.
Sizes:
- 150 x 220cm
- 180 x 270cm
Colour: Blush, blue and silver
Material: Polyester and cotton
Monica Floor Rug
$539.99 (was $599.99) from Mocka
Best for: Adding a subtle touch of colour to your space
For an undeniably soft feeling underfoot, this thick and plush rug from Mocka will make any room feel cosy and inviting. Handloomed from viscose, it boasts a soft, velvety surface – almost like walking on a cloud. With its subtle geometric pattern, it adds a sense of vintage allure. Place this rug under a bed or lounge setting and instantly feel at home.
Size: 200 x 300cm
Colour: Latte
Material: Viscose
Whitlam Floor Rug
from $863.10 (was $959.00) at Freedom
Best for: A neutral-coloured wool rug
This modern, neutral-coloured rug from Freedom is perfectly suited to the living room, bedroom or dining room. Created from luxurious and durable loop pile wool, it’s suited to high traffic areas.
Sizes:
- 160 x 230cm
- 200 x 300cm
- 250 x 350cm
- 300 x 400cm
Colour: Ivory
Material: Loop pile wool
Limon Saxony Floor Rug
$649.00 at Smiths City
Best for: Parents with kids or pet owners who don’t want to worry about spills
This rug, in an autumn gold colourway, is a luxurious addition to any home. Crafted from tufted polypropylene with a 17.5 mm pile, it provides a soft, plush feel underfoot, making it ideal for a living room, bedroom or nursery. Parents of little ones and four-legged babies will appreciate how this rug’s pattern hides all sorts of spills and accidents, and the durable material will withstand everyday wear.
Size: 160 x 230cm
Colour: Autumn gold
Material: Tufted polypropylene
Comfeya Soft Shaggy Area Rug
$29.00 at Mighty Ape
Best for: A cheap floor rug that can move around your home
Whether you have a small space or just want to add a length of texture to a space, this small, shaggy rug is an ideal solution. Place it down the side of your bed to warm your toes as you step out of bed, or lay it down the edge of your sofa, on its own or on top of another rug, to add interest to your space. Crafted from high-quality imitation wool, this rug provides a luxurious feel underfoot, and its neutral grey tone complements various interior styles.
Size: 60 x 180cm
Colour: Grey, pink, beige, black, purple
Material: Polyester
Beige Round Rug
$55.99 at Kogan
Best for: A round rug for small spaces
This versatile rug offers a blend of comfort and style to various home settings. Due to its size and shape, use it to anchor an occasional chair in the living room, the cot in the nursery or the desk in the office. The soft material feels cosy underfoot and will last for years.
Size: 160 diameter
Colour: Beige, brown, blue, rose pink, white
Material: Polyester
Tiiliskivi Rug
from $1,855.00 at Bolt of Cloth
Best for: A wool rug for texture enthusiasts
This brick pattern – named Tiiliskivi – was originally designed by Marimekko’s founder, Armi Ratia, in 1952 and has been one of the brand’s most popular designs ever since. Meant to reflect Ratia’s belief in the simple beauty of everyday life, the wool rug’s pattern is bold yet subtle, adding a touch of style and structure to its setting.
Sizes:
- 140 x 200cm
- 170 x 240cm
- 200 x 280cm
- 250 x 350cm
Colours: Bright blue or bronze yellow
Material: 100% wool
Cut Pile Wool Rug
from $2,300.00 at Nodi
Best for: Those looking for sustainable, natural fibres in a statement colour
Eager to add colour but unsure how? A rug is a simple solution for any room in your place. This neutral rosewood colour from Nodi has been gaining popularity in recent years, easily able to complement a range of colours and tones.
Crafted from 100% wool and hand-loomed, this cut pile rug is soft, plush, with a durable texture. Due to the wool material, you will find this rug comes with plenty of benefits, including naturally insulating, easy to maintain, inherently hypoallergenic and incredibly comfortable underfoot.
Sizes:
- 200 x 300cm
- 250 x 350cm
- 300 x 400cm
Colours: Rosewood, sage, dijon, marle
Material: 100% wool
Tennis Rug
$440.00 at Paper Plane
Best for: A fun, maximalist rug for kids
Add a sporty vibe to your home with the Tennis Rug from Damish design brand Oyoy. Featuring a miniature yet realistic tennis court in rose and green, the rug is playful and aesthetic, perfect for a nursery, play area or anywhere in your home that could do with a statement piece.
Size: 88 x 150cm
Colour: Green and rose
Material: 80% wool, 20% cotton
Large Puddle Rug
from $35.00 at Kmart
Best for: Tricky spaces and statement makers
If you’re looking for an iconic piece that doesn’t shy away from neutral tones, consider an irregularly shaped rug. This option from Kmart is a fashion-forward rug that’ll always start a conversation. Perfect for any space, from the nursery to the entryway, move it around as your home evolves.
Sizes:
Colours: White
Material: Cotton, polyester and viscose
Where to place your rug
Depending on the size of your rug, the centre of the room is a good place to start. You will need it to fill most of the space. Or, you could centre it around a focal point such as a fireplace.
For the living space, if you’re not going to fill most of the room with it, you’ll at least want to anchor it with a sofa for cohesion. Ideally, it will sit entirely on the rug, or at the very least, ensure the front legs do. In the bedroom, the bed should be at least half on the large, single rug.
Does the size of the rug matter?
Most definitely. You don’t want a small rug in a large room. It will actually make the room look smaller, whereas a generously proportioned one will make a room feel larger.
Plain or patterned?
It’s easy to play safe with a neutral-toned rug with little to no pattern, as a large, pure wool one is an investment. But sometimes, being brave with a bright colour or bold pattern will pay off big time, particularly if the rest of the room is relatively neutral. Vintage and oriental-style rugs, such as this Zurah Floor Rug from Freedom (shop here), are making a strong comeback in 2025, as homeowners look for timeless styles with a modern twist.
What about a rug over a carpet?
If you’re after a layered look, this is a fast track to that. Rugs are also a godsend for hiding a threadbare carpet or large stain, particularly great if you’re renting. When you move, simply pick up your rug and go. Don’t make the mistake of using a broadloom (that’s generally what carpets are) rug though, or a bulky shag style. Instead, try a kilim, dhurrie or other low-profile flat-weave type that will sit flush.
What about securing them in place?
This is almost a health and safety issue, especially if you’ve got rugs on a wooden floor that easily move – you don’t want to go for a skate. The easiest way is to put a rug underlay (shop here) under the expanse of the rug. These are generally stickier or made of a textured material that helps to avoid slippage. Bonus: the edges shouldn’t curl up with an underlay.
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