What Makes a High-Quality Rug?
Rug quality is measured in a few different ways, and goes beyond expensive techniques and materials. These rugs come in many forms, from hand-knotted masterpieces to high-value, machine-made designs. The key is identifying quality indicators and aligning them with your home’s needs and budget, so you can settle on a rug that delivers on your needs while holding up to everyday use.
the craft option
Handmade Rugs
Handmade rugs are crafted using a variety of techniques—hand-knotted, handwoven, hand-loomed, and hand-tufted—all of which you can read more about in our rug guide.
Here’s what we look for in a quality handmade rug.
High Knot Density & Consistency
Tighter, more consistent knotting creates sharper design clarity and greater long-term durability (threads are less likely to come loose with a dense, handwoven pile). Of handmade rugs, hand-knotted rugs are considered the highest-quality construction method—each knot woven individually, creating a precise, tight weave.
Minimal Shedding
Shedding is normal for natural-fiber rugs, but should not be excessive or produce fuzz when a hand is passed over the surface.
Quality Fibers
Handmade rugs are most often made with wool or jute threads.
More Elements to Consider
Wool is naturally stain-, crush-, and moisture-resistant, making it a highly durable option. High-quality, hand-spun wool releases minimal loose fibers, whereas low-grade short-staple wool fuzzes up rapidly under friction.
Jute offers rich, organic texture. High-quality jute fibers are silky and long while low-quality are shorter, stiff, and less vibrant in color.
Finishing details, like a fringe edge, are woven into the design (rather than glued on).
For rugs finished with a backing—particularly hand-tufted rugs—look for backing that’s thick and made of cotton, a cotton blend, or canvas. FYI: The backings on our rugs fall into these categories.
the efficient option
Machine-Made Rugs
While produced at scale, well-made machine-made rugs offer incredible detail, durability, and value—often made to fit the practical needs of today’s home.
Here’s what we look for in a quality machine-made rug.
Durable Performance Yarns
Machine-made rugs excel at stain resistance and easy maintenance, typically crafted from synthetic fibers. Polypropylene and polyester rugs in particular offer exceptional stain resistance, colorfastness, and a soft feel underfoot without shedding.
Secure Edge Finishing
Stitching around the rug’s border—by a process called serging—binds the yarns securely, keeping the rug flat and preventing fraying or unraveling over years of use.
Quality Backing
Premium power-loomed rugs feature a structural woven backing that is integrated directly into the weave during manufacturing. Look for a backing made of cotton, a cotton blend, or canvas. FYI: The backings on our rugs fall into these categories.
A Personal Choice
Whether you’re looking for a shorter-term, high-value purchase or are hoping to invest in a design that you’ll love for decades, you’ll find indicators of quality in both machine-made and handmade rugs. Then it’s up to your budget, home’s needs, and style to decide which type of rug is right for you.