My Increasingly Frustrating Search For A Bedroom Area Rug

Alright, y’all. I’m getting pretty frustrated with my search for an area rug for our bedroom. I’ve looked at literally hundreds of rugs online, and it’s just so difficult to see those little pictures and know how those will really translate to a 9′ x 12′ area rug in a bedroom.

I’m looking for anything that will go with my colors — dark teal, green, and orange. So after looking and looking, this one from Boutique Rugs popped up on an advertisement while I was scrolling Instagram, and it looked to have all the right colors.

I actually really liked this rug! I held off on buying it for a couple of days and kept on searching, but I kept coming back to this one because it seemed like the perfect one. I wasn’t finding anything else that came even close, so I decided to give this one a try.

And while I know many of you expressed that you don’t like that antique look, I love it. I lived in Turkey and visited quite a few rug stores while I was there, and I loved watching those shop keepers flip through their stack and stacks of antique (and also new) Turkish rugs. So I personally love the look, whether it’s a real antique Turkish rug or it’s a new rug (which happens to be made in Turkey) made to look like an antique Turkish rug.

So when my the rug was delivered, and then my drapery fabric (the dark teal velvet) was delivered, I was excited to lay everything out and see how it looked together. Well, I was hoping that my immediate response would be, “I LOVE IT!!!” That wasn’t my response. I mean, I don’t hate it, but I’m just iffy about it.

I did use my drapery fabric to cover up the center medallion since that won’t show. And all of teh colors seems to go nicely, although I have to take issue with the fact that this rug is called Green Nisa Vintage, and yet you have to search out the green in the rug. It’s there, but I have no idea why “green” is in the name when clearly, it’s one of the least represented colors in the entire rug. There’s so little of it that if you aren’t looking for it, you’ll miss it.

And all the colors of the headboard fabric are in the rug. I put that fabric over in the corner since they won’t be right next to each other in the finished room. They’ll be separated by draperies, bedding, nightstands.

I think one issue is that the rug, in person, has a decidedly more Southwestern feel to it than it did in the website photos. In fact, in those photos, I don’t get a Southwestern vibe from it at all, not even in the picture with the full view of the whole rug.

But there’s just something about it in person that makes me think I could have picked this up in New Mexico instead of Turkey.

So, I don’t know. I’m tired of looking for rugs. I feel like there’s nowhere else to look unless I want to spend $700+ on a rug, which I don’t.

I went back to one of the first ones I bought, and it was an immediate no. I mean, just…no. Even though all the colors seem kind of right, it’s just not a pretty rug (to me).

So I think I’m just going to stick with this new one and trust that when everything is in the room, with all of the various layers, from the wallpaper, wainscoting, headboard, draperies, bedside tables, bedding, etc., the rug won’t actually be a huge player in the room. It’ll just add some subtle color to the floor while allowing everything else to play the bigger roles. By that point, it’ll be too late to return the rug if I don’t like it. But if it really doesn’t work, maybe I can at least sell it and continue my search. For now, I’m just so tired of looking at area rugs.

Now if any of you come across the perfect rug and want to send the link my way, feel free! I’m always open to new ideas. But in the meantime, I’m just planning on going this direction.

I do think the creamy white wainscoting (which I’ll paint Behr Polar Bear like all of the rest of the trim in our house) separating the headboard and the rug, along with all the other layers that separate them, will go a long way towards making them play nicer with each other. So, we’ll see how it turns out.

 

 

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101 Comments

    1. I agree. All the other fabrics appear (through my computer screen) to be cool while the headboard fabric appears to have a warm tone. Perhaps the headboard fabric in a bit of a different shade if available? Everything “looks” to work if you remove the headboard fabric, but I know she justifiably loves that, lol!

    2. Ditto.
      Also, not like you, Kristi, to “settle”.
      But I know you do what you do, better than anyone. And this room will be a stunning success.

  1. Please don’t just settle on something you don’t love. Take a break then search again. There’s a rug out there that will be perfect for you and the bedroom. I’ve “settled” to many times and wasn’t happy!! Only to fin “perfect” too late.

  2. I love that rug—I pick up more of an Art Nouveau feel than southwest. The colors blend well with what you have, IMHO.

  3. I am in the same situation but looking for a 13×15 area rug. I will now be heading to our local Mom and Pop carpet store to look at patterns that they let me check out to see with my lighting. The good thing about a carpet store is they can cut carpet to the size I need and send it to their binder to make it an area rug. I am so tired of online area rugs not lasting and being so thin. I hope this gives you a different option.

  4. What color is your duvet/bedspread going to be? Personally I think a faux sisal rug would look terrific. Also, my husband and I have about 15 Karastan all wool rugs in various historic Persian designs. They hold up exceptionally well, some of them are 40+ years old, and still look perfect.

  5. I feel like the rug and the headboard material are too different. There’s a distinct greenish tinge to the headboard (in these pictures) that is not picked up at all in the rug. However, the green on the wall might be throwing it off for me – I tried to cover that part of the photo to get a more accurate idea. Maybe have them against a white wall with the flooring you’ll have in the room?

  6. What bothers me is your headboard fabric has an ivory background and the rug looks like it has a more gray background.

    1. That’s what I see also. Before I read the comments, I was thinking that if the background color of the headboard fabric was if the background color was more neutral and less yellowish, it would be a perfect fit! I think they compete with each other but I, personally, don’t see a Southwestern vibe in the rug. I LOVE the rug you chose and it reminds me of a Persian rug that my ex-husband got during a divorce. With that said, regarding your rug, I would keep the rug and maybe swap out the headboard fabric for something very similar to what you have. I just wonder if you could use it as a basis but change the background color (and of course the layout a little so that it is not “identical”) and have Spoonflower get you your perfect fit. I bet someone on FIVERR or some similar website could do that. You still have that fabric sample with all of their colors, right? It have made great progress this year. I look forward to seeing more your work. It always amazes me! You go girl!

    2. Yes! I don’t think the rug and headboard fabric look particularly good together. Personally, I’d be searching for very neutral colors for the floor so the headboard fabric, the jumping off spot for the rest of the room, stands out in a good way.

      1. I feel the same way about the fabric. Perhaps it would be easier to match a fabric to a rug you love, that goes well with your solid colors. Could you design something similar in your colors?

  7. To me, the background of the headboard fabric looks creamy or slightly on the beige side while the rug background looks like grays and in my eye they don’t mesh…but like you said it’s possible that once they’re separated by space and other objects and colors that won’t matter. If you do end up keeping it I hope you come to love it. A rug is a big part of the look.

  8. I think that two of the other rugs in your first rug go around were better than this one. The quiet muted brownish rug to me was a winner. It played quietly on the floor while the other colors were dancing around it. You know you won’t be satisfied with this one. Send it back and focus on something else for a few weeks.

  9. Have you tried World Market? They have the “Raya Teal And Multicolor Floral Wool Area Rug” that I think would look amazing with that headboard fabric. I think the biggest it comes in is 8×10 but on my screen, the colors are perfect.

  10. Have you thought of using broadloom and having it bound. I know it wouldn’t be the star of the room, just an overall pattern, but you could put a decorative edge just to give a bit of oomph. Also get the size you want.

    1. Great suggestion! We used to buy bound-edge carpet remnants when we lived in military housing. This carpet/rug should be easy to do, and as a bonus, it is relatively inexpensive should replacement be needed due to pets, or if the perfect rug comes along at some future point. Ours were neutrals and plain (think tan carpet), but I think a bound broadloom carpet — in a color, with a texture, in the exact size needed — would be a great and personalized decision.

  11. We have this rug in our living room with a teal sofa, aqua chairs, and drapes that have pinks, greens and blues (on white) with light, bright green bar stools visible in the kitchen (yes, we love color lol). I think it looks great together! Granted it’s a more abstract design than ie a Turkish style rug
    Unique Loom Tybee Chromatic Area Rug (available a few diff places)

    1. Rugs are hard. I think this one could work even if it’s not your dream rug. I didn’t see Southwest in the pulled back shots but can see what you’re describing in the closeups. But who looks at a rug close up?
      If that’s you and you want a statement rug, choose it first and design around it. Otherwise, move forward with your plan, keeping an eye out for Mr. Perfect.

  12. I don’t have a specific rug in mind but will pass along that I’ve ordered several rugs from KilimHomeRug on Etsy. Miss Mustard Seed posted about their rugs and shared a coupon code at the time, so I took a chance and ordered one rug. After being so pleased with that order, I ordered two more times. Here’s their shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KilimRugHome

  13. Personally, I kinda like it. But my suggestion would be to maybe go to a more simple direction–a simple cream, or cream with very muted pinstripes: let the other elements have prominence. The calm seems a better fit for a bedroom.

  14. I think the background colors of the fabric and the rug are too different for them to work. I’d go with a solid rug. Perhaps a solid neutral rug (maybe even one with a large geometric design to contrast the flowery designs of the fabric) and let curtains, pillows and headboard have some pattern. If you do find a rug that is close but not totally perfect, perhaps you could use a little fabric medium plus paint to adjust the colors to your liking since finding one that will 100% go is probably impossible. Lastly, you could try your hand at creating an oilcloth rug. Design the fabric yourself, have it printed on thick canvas and then use linseed oil plus mineral spirits and a sealant to convert to an oilcloth rug.

  15. It’s not a pricy high end rug, but I really like the “ SAFAVIEH Monaco Collection Area Rug – 8′ x 10′, Forest Green & Light Blue, Boho Medallion Distressed Design” that I got off Amazon. It has greens, orange, and blue in it. You can also select a wide range of size option. Might not be what you’re looking for but, it does at least have the distressed + real greens going for it!

    1. Good job, April S! Even if the content is simply polypropylene, these will wear like iron and hold up well under wheelchair wheels.

  16. Not what you want to hear: this is ‘the cart before the horse.’ If you put your room together first, then look for your rug, you will find it.

    The ‘Persian’ vibe doesn’t do justice to the cheery feel of the fabric. Since you already know it doesn’t work, I doubt you will come to love it. Indecision speaks a clear message. I think it looks old and tired, like year 1919, not happy and interesting.

    Surely in the rug universe there will be the ‘one’ once you can see the whole of the room. Why be impelled to decide now? Maybe it is an emotional pull to have it all in place beforehand? Rhetorical question. I know you will do you and in the end it will work out.

  17. In your photos, it doesn’t go well with the headboard fabric. I would wait until you have some of the room finished and get a better feel for the colors together.

  18. I have learned, the hard way, to order the smallest size rug that is available. That way I will know if the color and texture will work. It is much easier to return a small rug to Lowe’s or the UPS store or wherever. If the small one works I order the size that I need, then return or keep the smaller one.

  19. I love the rug. I do not love it with the bird fabric. They have two different vibes completely and just aren’t meshing. I like the fabric, but I’d probably choose textural, solid designs in a rug, or a structured geometric (plaid, lattice, etc) I think the fabric just lends itself to that better. As always, just my two cents. I know you’ll figure out something amazing, and I am along for the ride. 😂

  20. I think you already have a lot of patterns/ colors going on in the room and could use a more simple or toned down rug. Have you noticed how your chosen fabrics and colors coordinate so well with the painted stripes in your home gym😃?
    I think either of these rugs from Wayfair would go well in your new bedroom.
    Wayfair – Lucidia Geometric Indoor/Outdoor Rug or
    Wayfair- Grey&Green Neutral Rug by Bungalow Rose

  21. First, hoping Matt continues to feel better.
    Don’t like the rug with the headboard. The headboard creates a light airy feel. It’s the same feeling that I get from your studio. A beautiful uplifting atmosphere. The carpet ruins the effect. I agree with several others that say you should finish the floor and search later for a carpet that compliments and adds to your to the room instead of detracting from the the beauty of the other fabrics

  22. All those rugs to return, that’s frustrating! Check out Worthing Court’s blog for Susie’s breakfast room rug; it’s carpeting cut to size with edging. It’s beautiful!

  23. Not feeling that rug either. I do like the colorful one at World Market that someone else mentioned. Also did you check at revivalrugs.com? Plug in blue and green colors and see where it takes you. I have read good things about them.

  24. Have you thought about using a tone on tone neutral rug with lots of texture? Just seems like there is so much color going on already that the rug being busy will just read as overwhelming.

  25. Have you looked at Design One here in Waco. My salesman is, Noa. Super nice man. They make rugs per what customer needs. They have lots of samples you can take home that are large enough to see the pattern.

  26. Kristi, I just can’t see it. I think it will detract from everything else in the room. I know you want it done, but a rug could be added a year from now. Take a break and look again.

  27. Do you ever use the Google reverse image search? I have become a little obsessed with it lately. So, I took a screenshot of the Green Nisa rug that you linked, put it in the image search, and found several different but similar rugs. I’m not tech savvy enough to send you my actual results. But I was thinking if you tried it, that may offer you some rugs that fit the bill a little better and/or some websites that you had not previously considered. It can still be like finding a needle in a haystack, but maybe it will help.

    1. Ooh I like that Courtyard Hadley design too – especially the Terracotta one, but the Emerald one (which looks more teal to me) isn’t bad to go with either.

  28. When I covered the brightly painted wall in the photo with my hand, the colors in the rug, headboard fabric, and other sample fabrics looked better together. Maybe that is what is throwing your eye off? As you said, having the white wainscoting will make a difference.

  29. Your colors are deeply saturated and bright. Then you throw in this rug that just looks worn out. It’s beautiful but the feeling I get is that it would look good in someone’s library with walnut bookshelves and cream silk sofas. I have purchased a rug from home depot before and love it. High quality. Anyway, to me you are a lover of light and color and this rug seems to detract from that.

  30. Please return all the rugs and get started on the floor and other things. I prefer the idea of a textured rug to allow your other fabrics to shine. If you were going with a more neutral look in fabrics, I would like a busier rug. The right thing will show up when your mind is occupied with other plans.

  31. Comment update
    I was using my phone screen at first. When I went to my computer and looked at a larger, truer picture, it looks fine. Even with the headboard fabric. All of the colors are in that rug and it’s definitely got that antique vibe. Sorry for that worn out comment. My MIL always said, if you buy something new, why do you want it to look old?. I guess that stuck with me. Trust yourself cuz you are a genius.

  32. Just an FYI: My girlfriend couldn’t find any rug that she liked so she went to a flooring store, found a rug sold by the yard, had the edges bound and she loved it.

  33. Myself, personally I think it is the headboard pattern that is causing all the rug issues. To me, at least in photos it doesnt match anything. When I look at drapery fabric and wall paper i see it all working together, but not with the headboard. Just how important is that print to you??

  34. I was feeling bad about not liking the headboard fabric with the rest of the textiles – but I see I’m not alone.

    I think the creamy yellow background of that fabric and the red orange elements fight with the grass cloth, drapes and rug.

    I’d use that fabric in another room. I loved the patterned drapery fabric that you were planning to use – mane that would look good on the headboard.

  35. So many of the printed rugs have a washed out blue and pink look to them! I wonder if you would like my bedroom rug – its blue runs more rich of a teal-blue while still having that fake aged effect. No pink cast overall, either. Eriz Zubot has it in her home and you can get a good look at it in about half the photos on this page (some other shots of it are washed out with the light). https://erinzubotdesign.com/living-room-reveal/ The rug is Loloi II Layla Printed Oriental Distressed Ocean / Rust Area Rug.

  36. I really love the direction you are heading in your room and I am so excited to see how it turns out!
    I agree with some of the other commenters, take a break and look again later. Something usually pops up when I do that. I also check out Facebook marketplace regularly when I am looking for something like that.
    I think the rug has too much blue and is blending in too much with everything else. You have mentioned several times how much you like contrast, and this doesn’t have it. The headboard fits in with the color scheme, but the main color is different. Someone suggested a jute style rug, and I think that would look great, but I don’t know how that would work with a wheelchair. I saw a couple of other people suggesting rugs that leaned more into the terracotta color scheme and that might look really nice, mirroring the colors of the headboard in another part of the room. I also saw one person suggested a rug that looked a lot like that spotted green fabric that you loved, and I think that would be so cool!
    Anyway, you have lots of other options and some time to figure it out! I know in the end you will, and your bedroom will look amazing!
    God bless you guys!

  37. It seems to me that your gorgeous headboard fabric is the design lead here in finding a rug to coordinate, and not so much the other fabrics.
    I find that the rugs you are showing are not offering a peaceful and harmonious esthetic in connection with the totality of your combined textiles, but especially with the headboard fabric. Perhaps it’s time to step away from looking for a while and not rush the purchase just to have one??

  38. I think you have to choose between having that headboard fabric and a solid colored rug (I’m thinking a coral/,orange type color), or having the Turkish style rug. The fabric just doesn’t go well with that style of rug. My two cents.

  39. Sorry, I really like vintage rugs and have some old, traditional Karastans that I love and are so thick and plush underfoot. I was thinking a vintage Kirman 759 might work for you but it’s too pink and there’s no coral orange. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vintage rug with bright green and coral. I have lots of green in my house and it’s looks fine with the greenish golden colors found in older rugs. My sister hates rug shopping so much that for her new home she bought the rug and then found the fabrics. Good luck with your search.

  40. Your eyes see completely different than mine do.
    I think it’s gorgeous and it looks like it’ll play nicely with the other materials. And I don’t see a southwest flavor; I’m in Az and surrounded by that flavor!

  41. Kristi – The rug doesn’t work and you and I know that you will never use it. Go ahead and return it and look again in 6 months. It will take that long to get the floor in, headboard and curtains made, wallpaper hung, dresser painted and all the wainscoting up and painted. The rug can be the last thing you put in the room. And if you really decide you love it, you can always reorder it.

  42. I think I agree with with everyone who says the headboard fabric and the rug don’t go together. The headboard fabric seems more “warm” and the rug “cool”…you need a rug to match the saturated color tones in the headboard. The rug is more faded.

    it were me I’d go with a vintage Persian rug (I love Persian rugs!) and I think they can go with almost everything. You say you love that style too, but yes, they are more expensive, even if used.

    So you’d definitely need to love how it goes. Look for a rug with more saturated colors or one that matches the undertone of the bird fabric. Good luck!

  43. I think you have so much bold color and pattern already, that is why the rugs aren’t working. Your curtain fabric already pulls the room together and makes it feel cohesive. I’d go with a more solid, graphic pattern for the rug, with way less color. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Surya-Bahar-Beige-Indoor-Farmhouse-Cottage-Area-Rug-Common-8-x-10-Actual-94-ft-W-x-123-ft-L-x-0-ft-dia/1000988794
    Don’t settle for this rug, you’ll just regret it in a few months. You already know you’re not happy with it and you won’t magically be happier in six Months.

  44. Consider returning this rug. It does not make your heart sing.

    I agree with lots of other posters who think that the colorways and background color of the beautiful bird fabric doesn’t go with this rug. And I really like the design of the rug!

    If you have to have no rug in your bedroom until you find the perfect one, ask yourself if you can live with that for a while. I have every confidence that you will locate the right one.

  45. This rug doesnt work at all with the headboard fabric and looks very southwestern to me. Return it and proceed with the room and then look for a rug again with fresh eyes and a better picture of the room in mind. This one will never be right. Don’t waste your money.

  46. Have you seen Chindi rugs? They’re a traditional south Asian type of braided rag rug. They’re available in loads of sizes and colour combinations on eBay. I have one in my living room and I think it looks great!

  47. I agree with the majority who say return the rug and take your time finding one that you love. I like traditional Persian rug designs but think they would be distracting with the bird/floral headboard fabric. I think the Chantille rug at Home Depot suggested by a reader may be a good choice. A more subtle geometric design would allow the bird/floral fabric to be the star.

  48. I know you will choose what you love, as you should! But since you seem to be asking for opinions by posting this, I’m adding my two cents. If I were you. I would steer away from a patterned rug. With the textures of the solids and pattern of the headboard, I think there is enough going on. However, if you want a rug to anchor the bed, have you thought of using runners on either side of the bed? I did this in our guest room, mostly to avoid the expense of a rug that would mostly be covered up! It worked out great, as there is something under foot when you are getting out of bed, and that was all I really wanted. I got two runners at the store called “AT HOME” (don’t know if you have them in Texas) but you can find runners everywhere.

  49. The rug really clashes with the headboard fabric. Much too cool colors and wrong vibes with the more geometrical style of pattern. The fabric is SO pretty, please let it shine. Just put the rug search on hold…

  50. So many helpful comments, but none of them mentioned the first thing I noticed…the scale. When mixing prints ( large scale bird fabric and the large scale rug pattern) you need to vary the size. The bird fabric is your star and you want to let it shine. Since it is a large floral print, I think are on the right track, in looking for a more geometric pattern for the rug. However, I think you would be more pleased with a more muted and smaller pattern that doesn’t steal the spotlight. I actually think the previously rejected rug is more is more on track, although not perfect either. Good luck!

  51. Have you considered a painted floor cloth? I couldn’t find a rug I liked for my dining room, so until I do, I bought a canvas drop cloth and painted it. Certainly, you can find higher quality canvas, but since it is only temporary, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing, I went with a cheaper option. I primed, painted a base coat, then layered stencils on top, and finished it with 4 coats of floor varnish. I love the look!

  52. Don’t stress about the right rug – you have all the other elements and it could be a year before it’s time to pull it all together – by then there will be new ones. Delivered within a day or so… and …

    Once when i couldn’t find the perfect rug (on a super tight budget) i found some INCREDIBLE CARPET! Got them to cut the size i wanted – got them to edge it in the exact colour i wanted and voila! Perfect low pile rug for a fraction of the cost. And it looks so designer and high end – made just for my space. broaden your search at all carpets you’ll find the perfect thing. even better is the corner of the carpet store with all their ‘ends’ which they no longer making – BARGAINS galore and some gorgeous expensive carpets waiting to be rugs.

  53. I think what’s missing from the rug is green, and I think that lack makes it really not work with the headboard fabric. I think the colours in the other rug work a little better, but I don’t love it either.