We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. Whether pining for the bespoke quality of a hand-knotted rug or layering in extra comfort with a plush, high-pile shag, wool rugs help elevate a space with a strong, natural fiber foundation. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated collection has vintage and modern wool rugs perfect for your home, setting a foundation for lasting elegance.
Not sure what style or design best fits your space when shopping for wool rugs? Don't worry; we have got you covered. Check out the tips below for ideas and inspiration as you choose the best rug to buy for your space.
What Makes Wool Rugs Special?
Simply put, wool rugs are some of the best quality rugs you can buy. Other natural fibers can offer different properties—and are often included in woolen blends for that reason—but when it comes to styling everyday elegance with lasting appeal, 100% wool is hard to beat. Plus, wool offers perhaps one of the most versatile natural fiber rugs—from machine-woven pieces like this Imelda Rug to flatweaves and hand-knotted masterpieces.
When we think about hand-knotted wool rugs, we may picture vintage finds like antique Persian and Turkish rugs. Even today, rugmakers use these same techniques to produce outstanding pieces with traditional motifs, inspiring a timeless air. But you can also find modern wool rugs to set the tone for more artful curations. Check out the abstract motif of this Stacatto Rug—the perfect way to set a lasting foundation for a modern space like a primary bedroom.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Wool Area Rug?
Wool has been a favorite material for rugmakers around the world for ages. The unique properties of this natural fiber make it an ideal material for constructing accent and area rugs, as it is durable and resilient yet soft underfoot. Wool area rugs and runner rugs also help protect your floors as the natural lanolin coating offers water resistance while the porous fibers can absorb excess moisture. This absorption means wool holds dye well, offering brilliant, long-lasting color. You can even find washable rugs, perfect for bringing a soft natural fiber touch into a high-traffic living room or playroom—we love this Iris Rug by Lorena Canals.
Of course, with coveted quality comes a higher price point—so it's worth planning ahead before making a purchase. If you're still evolving your style as you eye new homes or have young children and pets, then performance fiber and machine-woven rugs can set a practical foundation for a wide array of aesthetics. But a handmade wool rug is absolutely worth the price if you’re looking for that forever favorite. Handwoven wool rugs can last for years with proper care, and hand-knotted rugs for a lifetime or longer—even passed down as heirlooms. If you find yourself moving from an apartment to a coastal cottage or farmhouse, your wool rug can come with you and become the foundation on which you build your style in a new space.
It's also good to note that a new wool rug may shed when you first get it—unlike cotton and a few other natural fiber rugs. This shouldn’t be counted as a true disadvantage as it is just a breaking-in period, but it is one of the more frequent questions that come up with wool area rugs. The shedding will subside with regular vacuuming—always vacuum with the beater bar off or set to its highest setting.
How Can I Tell if a Wool Rug Is High Quality?
At Lulu and Georgia, we like to talk about bringing beauty home—but beauty doesn’t just come from how something looks. It has to do with how you live with a piece. When you purchase a higher quality rug or runner rug, you create a positive global impact—buying less by buying better—and an instant and lasting impact in your home. You can feel the difference when you step onto a quality rug.
But how do you know if you’re buying better when it comes to hand-knotted and woven wool rugs? When purchasing online, you miss out on some of the more tactile aspects of the experience. Take a field trip to a store or showroom and get a feel for different materials and constructions to associate specifications and features with specific touches. We pride ourselves on working with trusted rugmakers and sourcing the best quality rugs, but you may wonder what rugmakers and experts look for.
First is the material itself. There are some fairly technical ways to analyze the quality of wool. One of the easiest ways is to look at the crimps—the little s-shaped folds in the strands. The more crimps, the higher the quality—the count can be as low as five per inch or higher than thirty. But you can also tell by touch. High-quality wool with more strands feels higher quality. Lower-quality wool feels coarser, whereas finer quality will be soft and supple in hand—or underfoot.
The quality of rugs also varies with construction. Typically, hand-knotted rugs will last longer than handwoven wool rugs—both of which will outlast machine-woven pieces. But even within hand-knotted rugs, there are varying levels of quality. If you look at the back of an authentic hand-knotted rug, you will see the individual knots. The quality of a rug is measured in knots per square inch, or KPSI. This can be as low as 25 knots per square inch or up to 1000—anything over 300 is usually considered finer quality.
Finding the right rug for your space isn't just about finding the right design and size, but also balancing considerations like price and quality. The important thing to note is that there is usually a difference in the quality of higher-priced rugs, making it a great place to spend a little more when upgrading or styling your home.
However you style it, a wool rug allows you the flexibility to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. From the soft yet durable quality of a woven wool rug to the rich coloring and plush appeal of a handmade floor rug, this endlessly versatile natural fiber brings lasting style with a practical touch. Loved ones and visitors can immediately get a sense of who you are by seeing how you have utilized this foundational layer of decor to build on your home's look.
Lulu and Georgia Wool Rugs
When you shop rugs online at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find pieces that will complement the style of your home but also make it feel more elevated. You can choose from our wide selection to find the perfect purchase, no matter what sizes or styles you're looking for. Check our inspiration page for more ideas on creating stylish everyday living spaces.
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