Look up, close your eyes and ask the heavens: Is it even possible to write about? the best carpets without dropping the line FROM The Big Lebowski? (Obviously not.) Fortunately, that doesn’t really matter. What do what The point is to find, dear reader, the best rugs, bath rugs, rugs, carpets and rugs in the game. If you’ve never been carpet shopping before, you might be in for a little sticker shock, but rest assured you’re paying for quality. (Plus, we found some great affordable options, too.) We skipped the dodgy materials that comprised the knotty bedroom rugs of yesteryear and swapped in some of our favorite pieces from around the web.

We have washable rugs, living room rugs, kitchen rugs, living room rugs, stain resistant carpetsand everything in between. So join us in our quest to dress up your floors in sweet, sweet fabrics and finally tie the room together.

The best carpets, at a glance

Best Bedroom Rug: Nordic Knots Grand Rug

“Before I owned this rug, I had a plain, cheap, medium-sized rug from a brand that happens to sell meatballs,” Gerald Ortiz, GQ Recommend Style Commerce Writer, he says. “Needless to say, the difference is huge. Where the cheaper synthetic rugs feel, well, synthetic, this wool rug feels naturally soft and comfortable under my feet. Actually, my fancy sherpa house shoes don’t get that much wear these days because the Nordic Knots Grand rug feels so good. In the bedroom, it’s the perfect rug to start your sleep routine and the best thing to feel when you get out of bed in the morning. You’ll have to deal with some loss in the first couple of weeks (like any handmade rug), but it’ll be fine after that. My only word of caution? Darker colors are shown allso opt for a lighter color if you don’t like it VACUUMING every other day.”

Best Runner Rug: Revival Dahl

“Runner rugs are difficult for brands to nail down because they often go in high traffic areas, so they need enough weight to not slip and slide, and they should be intricately woven so they don’t show or to feel compressed at no time.” GQ Recommend, says Ali Finney, associate commercial director. “This toe mat lines up perfectly, staying in place without giving too much when people walk on it.” Hand knotted in India, you can’t go wrong with this stunning runner.

Best Bath Rug: Quiet Town Home Reyes Night Ride

“Quiet Town has great options when you don’t want a boring bath mat, and you can choose between a standard size or a doily if you have a more open space,” says Finney. “I tried the brand’s Reyes bath mat, which worked perfectly in a retro gold and black tiled bathroom at my home. It did a good job of absorbing water from the tub exit. When it started showing wear and tear, I was able to throw it in the washing machine and it came out like new.”

Best Outdoor Rug: West Elm Woven Cable Indoor/Outdoor Rug

“I never thought I’d need an outdoor rug, but my new place had a spacious deck built for outdoor entertaining,” Tyler Chin, GQ Recommends Associate Commerce Editor, says. “The ground itself is, uh, kind of ugly, so it was nice to cover it with something that added a bit more spice – and hid the bird droppings. My only problem with it is that the corners don’t sit really flat, and if you don’t weigh it down, the wind can blow it away, so I have to constantly go outside to untie it.” Fortunately, you can use this rug indoors, too, and its durable, easy-to-clean construction makes it a top choice for people with pets, too.

Best entryway rug: The Citizenry Asha Handwoven Runner

Well, if I had an entryway in my little Brooklyn apartment, that’s where I’d put this beauty. However, The Citizenry’s Asha Handwoven Runner does an equally good job under my Ikea shelves and looks great with just about anything aesthetic interior design. It’s also available in two different sizes and is made from 100% New Zealand wool. Pro Tip: This suction cup could definitely use a rug as it is a little slippery on hardwood floors.

Best Under Desk Rug: Quince Sullivan Hand Crumpled Wool Rug

Gutui seems to be doing it all these days, surprisingly soft sheets and futuristic French press TO linen pants, hand luggageand (of course) carpets. The Sullivan hand tufted wool rug was perfect for under my friend’s desk, but we ended up moving it under the kitchen table, where it was a focal point for what we call the “dining room” of our tiny apartment. Its low-pillar construction and 100% pure wool feel great underfoot and won’t slip on my hardwood floors. Plus, it’s available in five sizes and three easy-to-match colors.

Best washable rug: Revival Shell

If you’re looking for value, you can’t go wrong with the Shell Revival rug. Available in four color options and 11 different sizes, you’d be hard-pressed to find a space and aesthetic that this rug wouldn’t match. I personally keep an Evergreen version of this bad boy under my living room coffee table, and I don’t feel an iota of guilt when I knock over bowls of pasta with dangerous sauce on the couch because I know when the inevitable spills and stains. happens, I can easily throw the entire rug into the washer. It also feels incredibly soft and you can attach a rug pad to your order for a unique rug shopping experience.

Best Rug: Crate & Barrel Orly Wool Blend Textured Ivory Area Carp

When it comes to larger rooms, the Crate & Barrel Handwoven Orly Wool Blend Rug with Ivory Texture is top dog and one of the brand’s best-selling rugs. With six color options, six size options and New Zealand wool construction, you can’t go wrong with this bad boy in your living room. And since rugs tend to be a bigger investment, you can order samples – which ship for free and can be returned online or to any store for a full refund – to make sure you’re happy with your color choice, which it’s a nice touch.

Best Shag Rug: Rugs USA Maren Hazy Swirls Rug

Shag: He’s back. You probably already knew that, though, but what you might not know is just how good (and affordable) some of the shagar rug options are these days. This Maren Hazy Swirls area rug from Rugs USA is available in five different shapes—oval, rectangle, aller, square, and round—and in several different sizes of each, making it an easy choice for any space. The large volume is comfortable enough to sleep on, and the material is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning tested for hundreds of harmful substances.

Best Dog Rug: Ruggable Architectural Digest Nerissa Teal & Gold Tufted Rug

Let’s face it: your dog runs the show in your home. And to soothe your four-legged master, we recommend grabbing the Ruggable Architectural Digest Nerissa Teal & Gold Tufted Rug. The carpet cover is 100% machine washable, water resistant, stain resistant and interchangeable, making it ideal for any accidents, spills or fur build-up. Here’s how it works: When it’s laundry day, just pop the cover off the pad and throw it in the washer and dryer. Then just put it back, voila— a perfectly clean carpet, ready for your dog to mess up again.

Best rug: RUGPADUSA Protective Cushioning Rug Pad

Most rugs are only as functional as their pads—and unless you’re planning to hang them on the wall tapestry-style (whoa, sick), we recommend using this rug pad. The natural rubber backing keeps your rugs in place and prevents slipping in high traffic areas, sliding and wrinkling, while the cushion top adds soundproofing and insulation to your floors. It’s also available in four thicknesses and more sizes than we could ever hope to list.

What to keep in mind when buying a rug

When shopping for a new rug, there are a few factors to consider.

1. Size and shape
   First, you need to determine the ideal size and shape of your rug—yes, that means breaking out the old tape measure and getting some specs.
2. It looks and feels:
   Next, you’ll want to figure out how you want your rug to feel and look: Are you partial to natural fibers like those that make up a jute rug? More of a plain weave or hand-knotted fiber rug backing? I’m looking for something easy to do vacuum? These are the questions you should be asking yourself. You also don’t want it to clash with the rest of your home decor, which is why you should consider pile height, multi-color options, and shape.
3. Where to shop:
   Don’t be afraid to skip the big box stores like Home Depot and Wayfair either – there are plenty of DTC brands that stock quality rugs.
4. Price:
   When it comes to price, look for value: If your dream rug is an expensive, handmade Moroccan rug, great, but there are plenty of brands that offer great value at affordable prices.