Last spring, when moving from a one-bedroom apartment to a three-bedroom house, I knew that we would need to do some furniture shopping. However, it was still a shock to see the furniture that once filled our apartment to the brim barely furnish the space. Most of our home is wood laminate, and it has an open-concept great room that screams for rugs and defined living spaces. We gradually found the best places to purchase rugs (I even took weeks shopping around for the perfect bathroom runner) and in the span of a year, have curated a home full of rugs that are functional, look pretty, and are all affordable at under $300.

My five favorite carpets all hail from different stores: Ruggable, Wayfair, Walmart, West Elm, and Porte + Hall. From the doormat to the large area rug, all have withstood the test of time that is my family, including a baby that’s on the move and a highly energetic Chihuahua. I’m a firm believer that furniture items should last beyond trends and hold up to wear and tear, so you don’t need to sacrifice on either for the sake of staying on budget. These five rugs accomplish just that.

My 5 Must-Have Rugs as a First-Time Homeowner

Ruggable Morris & Co. Owl & Willow Green Rug

I’ve seen this viral rug all over TikTok, and I was instantly obsessed with its fantastical storybook imagery. Even before purchasing, it served as the starting point when designing our son’s nursery. I’m drawn to neutrals and greens when it comes to design, but for a nursery, I struggled with finding whimsical pieces that I was drawn to—but this rug is perfect for those who might not gravitate towards bright and bold patterns but want something fun. While the tufted cover full of woodland animals, willow trees, and rushing rivers (not to mention a unicorn or two) is what initially drew me to it, what sealed the deal as a nursery must-have is the fact that the cover detaches from the base pad and goes in the washing machine for easy cleaning—an absolute must for any children’s room. I purchased it in the 5-foot by 7-foot size for an oversized but not wall-to-wall look in the smaller bedroom.

Wayfair Rifle Paper Co. x Loloi Maison Wisteria Cream Rug

Our living room, kitchen, and dining space are all one grand area, and to create intentional spaces, I’ve turned to rugs to anchor the living room and the dining area. This durable floral rug sits under our dining table and looks bright and cheery against the dark wood table. An added perk is that the busy pattern hides crumbs. The polyester rug has seen it all, from our baby flinging food onto its surface, to our dog refusing to eat anywhere else, and even an incident in which I accidentally placed a dish towel too close to the gas stovetop and flung ash all around in a frenzy to put out the fire—we really have put this rug through the wringer and it’s lived up to our hectic lifestyle. The 7.6-foot by 9.6-foot rug is perfect for our four-person dining table and would also accommodate a larger table. However, the rug is also available in 11 other sizes. 

Walmart Mainstays Wexford Red Vintage Indoor Runner Rug

I purchased this rug on a whim while on a Walmart run, and it’s a rare impulse buy I do not regret. There’s a small dark hallway in our house that this tasseled rug fits perfectly and brings much-needed color to the windowless hallway. The affordable, stain- and fade-resistant runner has withstood any wear and tear from this high-traffic part of our home. I chose the red (which includes blue hues), but it’s also available in navy. The medallion design elevates the rug and brings a vintage-inspired feel—for only $20!

West Elm Heirloom Bath Runner

I don’t particularly care for the bath mat sets; I prefer one large rug when possible. However, a long bath runner is surprisingly hard to find. I shopped around for weeks before landing on this West Elm one for our second bathroom. Perfect for long and narrow bathrooms, this 24-inch by 64-inch long mat spans from the sink cabinet, past the toilet, and ends at the bathtub. The 100 percent cotton rug is water-resistant yet looks like a designer oriental rug. The mat is handwoven in India and is easy to care for—just toss it in the washing machine.

Porte + Hall’s The Insider Doormat

This geometric doormat greets guests underfoot at our front door and is the only rug we brought over from our move to our house last spring. The ultra-thin mat is low enough so that doors don’t get caught, and our vacuum glides over effortlessly for a quick clean. It’s thin yet heavy-duty and stays in place. Plus, it’s weather and slip-resistant—a must when the front door opens. I have the rug in the creme Bark design, which pops against our dark flooring, but it’s also available in 16 other designs.