Not All Rugs Are Equal & Why Wool Is Still the Gold Standard
Not all rugs are equal — no matter how similar they may look online.
As designers, we’ve tested every material under the sun: wool, jute, cotton, viscose, polyester, “performance blends.” Some age gracefully. Some shed forever. Some slide across your floor like ice. Others will outlive your sofa.
So here’s our honest take on which rug materials actually work in real Dubai homes — and which ones to use only in specific cases.
Wool — Still the Gold Standard
If you’re going to invest in one material, choose wool.
✔ Naturally stain-resistant (thanks to lanolin — wool literally repels liquid)
✔ Durable enough for high traffic
✔ Soft underfoot without being delicate
✔ Ages beautifully instead of looking tired
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, family spaces, villas with kids or pets.
Downsides? It sheds for the first few weeks — that’s normal. The good news: wool settles. Unlike cheap synthetics, it won’t unravel in two years.
If you want one rug that will outlive your furniture — pick wool.
Jute — Beautiful, But Limited
Jute rugs are textural and grounding — perfect if you love that natural, coastal look.
✔ Great on limestone or marble floors (adds warmth and grip)
✔ Strong visual texture without loud pattern
✔ Affordable in large sizes
But note: Jute can be scratchy and not ideal in bedrooms or play areas. It also doesn’t like moisture, so avoid kitchens or bathrooms.
Best for: Entryways, lounges layered under vintage rugs, dining rooms (if chairs glide easily).
Cotton — Casual & Clean, But Not Forever
Cotton rugs are soft and washable — but not built for longevity.
✔ Best for lightweight areas like laundry rooms, kids’ corners or low-use bedrooms
✔ Machine-washable runners are a win
But cotton flattens and wrinkles easily, and in high-traffic areas, it loses shape fast.
We use cotton only when the brief says “temporary but pretty.”
Polyester & Viscose — The Illusionists
Synthetic rugs are the chameleons — they look like silk or wool in photos, but in reality:
✔ They stain quickly
✔ They get shiny patches when walked on
✔ Once crushed, they rarely recover
When do we use them?
Only when a client wants a “silky sheen” look in a low-traffic room — and understands it won’t age gracefully.
Best for: Guest bedrooms or rarely used formal spaces — not family areas.
