I’m helping a friend make some updates to her family room and, like me, she has a bunch of kids. So, when we started talking about rugs, I immediately suggested she go for the same one we’ve had for over a year now. If you want a light-colored rug and you have little people in your house who do nasty things, I’m a big believer that a natural rug is the way to go.
We bought the heathered chenille jute rug from Pottery Barn, and I’ve been amazed at how good it still looks, considering the abuse it has endured (including one unfortunate incident that involved a 6-year-old with a stomach bug and a blueberry smoothie). I’ve only spot cleaned it with a damp rag, and everything literally blends right in. (I wrote about my search for the perfect natural rug here.)
In case you’re wondering, this is what the backing looks like:
We put it down on our wood floors, anchored by our furniture, without a rug pad, and it has worked fine.
As for the softness factor, it’s one of the softest natural rugs I’ve felt. The chenille/jute blend makes it so much easier on little knees and legs than something like a sisal. Although, I’ve put another temporary layer (or two) of softness over ours since this is where the babies spend a lot of their days.
Do you have any other suggestions for rugs that work great with kids?
I’ve been looking at this rug for a while but wasn’t sure if it would work for small kids. Thanks for the real life review! Maybe I can finally commit to a rug for my bare living room floor!
I’ve been looking at this rug for a while but wasn’t sure if it would work for small kids. Thanks for the real life review! Maybe I can finally commit to a rug for my bare living room floor!
Seagrass is wonderful as it does not absorb spills! Love this post about natural rugs….I plan to do wall to wall Seagrass in my upstairs when my carpet is worn out!
http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/07/cote-de-texas-top-ten-design-elements-3.html
Thanks for that link. I love the idea/look of wall-to-wall seagrass. Wonder how soft it would be, though??
I purchased a seagrass rug because as an interior designer I LOVE the look however, after living with it three months, I ordered your beloved PB chenille jute rug to takes its place. It is just too hard underfoot and while it doesn’t absorb anything, it does take some scrubbing to get it clean in all those crevices.
Totally agree! We’ve had PB seagrass rugs for several years now, and while they’re not super-soft, they’re not uncomfortable either- and they are virtually indestructible. Love them. They look good almost anywhere, too. Love the shot of your babes- when my twin nephews and daughter were all that size, our living room floor looked very similar on the days I kept them all! Good memories :)
I found this one unfortunately it was too small for my space. Also it would need a rug pad but for the price I thought it was a great looking rug!
http://www.overstock.com/#product-detail
I had one from Pottery Barn years ago (before they put a backing on it) and I’d take it outside and just hose it off! Leave outside in the sunshine to dry and it was good to go!
I think the jute rug looks great against the wood floor! It looks like you have twins — wonderful! I have twins too, but they are a bit older!
I wonder how a rug like that would work for a front foyer, considering all the dirt that get tracked in the house. I am considering it. It look fabulous in your room with your cutie pie twins.
I think it would work great in an entry. In fact, I’m considering going with a sisal runner (or some other natural fiber) for our back hallway. The small black stripe one (from IKEA) is constantly dirty.
We have the same one and LOVE it! I bought a rugsusa one for our other room and it is not nearly as soft :(
Our baby is still getting jute’y when he crawls around, when did yours stop shedding? Thanks!!
Emily! You will have to tell me how the rug continues to hold up. I had this rug for 6 years and for 3 yrs it was AWESOME, but then it started disintegrating. By year 5, full chunks fell out, and I couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. Keep us posted, okay? I am super curious to see if they improved the weave!! Thanks!
Hmmmm…. Curious to see. I guess the good thing is the price. Not the most expensive to replace. (Although I’ll probably let ours get good and destroyed before getting a new one.)
We’ve had that rug as well and it is a workhorse! It takes whatever you throw at it and looks exactly the same. :)
Our “friend” is VERY excited about her new rug and I laughed out loud at the “people who do gross things” thought. Three years ago I bought a natural jute rug for my main living room and H counseled me as I agonized over that decision. At that time my one little one didn’t do many gross things (lol) but now I have the baby. I love my jute rug but am kind of wishing I had bought the PB one with the chenille mixed in. H and I discussed how she (you) made an awesome decision for her family room and all four of her little gross people. :) I am living vicariously through her and am loving seeing the changes she is incorporating each week. Thanks for helping her make some much needed change…it is just the thing she needs right now since she loves projects. ;)
I am on the fence about getting a jute rug as well but from Rugs USA, but I have read that they can be hard to clean….I want to put it into my play room where teenagers will hang out, etc. Hmmm….I don’t want to spend too much as we will be moving this summer and who knows what our next place will be like. Glad you found this rug worked!
I’m wondering, does this rug shed at all? I have a jute mix from West Elm that sheds like crazy! If my kids sit on it there are fibers all over their clothes, and our dark hardwoods only stay clean for a few minutes after sweeping. I’ve about had it. :)
It does shed some but I don’t notice it nearly as much anymore. We’ve had bad carpet in an apartment once that shed a lot worse.
Thanks!
I have that exact rug, no rug pad, and 2 very dirty dogs. Mine has not held up quite as nicely as yours, but I still wouldn’t trade it for any other rug. I can only imagine what a non jute rug would look like, and it ain’t purty.
http://www.XoLindsay.blogspot.com
I love that look! I had just been thinking about this question, and had been leaning toward industrial grade carpet. I like the rougher feel of jute under my feet, but also like to make the floor cozy enough to get down on to play or stretch out to watch a movie. This helps!
I have an elongated octagon shaped great room. I had a carpet bound to match the shape of the room and anchor the furniture in the right places. It’s a little hard to explain. When it gets dirty, I take it out to the deck and use the carpet cleaner on it. We put regular carpet pad over the hardwood and just cut it about an inch shy of the edge. It has held up great. The best part is the price. When I get sick of it, I won’t feel bad about throwing it out and getting another one for just a couple hundred bucks.
I love the picture of the babies on the floor with all the pillows around them so they don’t bump into anything. This is exactly what my house looks like right now…except I only have one. I love how you show these pictures too! It’s real life!
My living room has the same paint color and couch color (the tan). I was wondering what window treatments you went with. I went large scale damask, but after awhile damask can get tired and limits my throw pillow options. My accent colors are a dusty teal, butter and black. I have white b-board all all around my open concept living and dining room, but with your exact color on the walls above it. I recently bought a new rug and went the natural route simply because I have a 22 month old.
I didn’t end up using any fabric on the windows.
Yeah, I am thinking of just switching them out to some nice bamboo blinds or plantation shutters. Your house looks great! It encompasses the many styles I gravitate to, but harmoniously. Keep up the great work!
Your home is just beautiful…love seeing those bird cages up on top of the shelves…I have a tricky top of a cabinet to decorate, and I feel a little more inspired now. As for the rug, well, those roly poly babies of yours are one of your best accessories! Also, thanks for the blueberry smoothie laugh! :)
Your living room is looking really pretty, Emily! I would love to have a natural rug in our living room, but it’s tan carpet right now. Making do with a cowhide rug layered on top. Maybe some day if we switch out to wood floors!
I know this post is about the rug, but oh my goodness, you have the cutest babies! I just love when you include a photo of them. :)
It’s okay. I like to talk about the babies, too :)
Would you consider a wool rug with kids? I have 4 children ages 14, 11, 8 & 5 who constantly bring food into the family room. I try to stop it, but, they sneak it anyways. LOL Any suggestions would be fabulous!
Yes, we have some sneaky people around here, too. I’d do wool if the pattern were busy enough that stains would blend in. . .
Thank you for this post! I am currently looking at purchasing two large rugs and I am drawn to this natural fiber look. It seems safe and timeless for such a big purchase. I have been concerned about softness because I have small children who spend a lot of time on the floor.
Thanks for your blog! I do love your living room too (and kitchen)! I’m currently also up at night brainstorming ways to modernize our HONEY OAK FILLED 90’s kitchen, which is also just a tad too small for our family – trying to create space. Wanting new countertops and cabinets but that’s at least 3 years in the future. Keep the inspiring posts coming!
Great post we currently need a new area rug in our living room. By chance could you share your paint color? thx.
Sure, it’s Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams.
I really like natural rugs and dhurries rugs for kids — I’m all about spot cleaning them and sweeping :)
I’ve been debating about getting that exact rug – I’ve got 4 littles. Here’s my question for the group…Any issues with it snagging? I’ve got two labrador retrievers and I’m worried it could get snagged up with the texture. (p.s. the babes are totally adorable!)
We’ve had very few snagging issues, but pets may be a different story. Anybody else know?
I love the look of your rug. I will be looking into that when we build in the next year or so. I must say that I bought a cheap seagrass rug from Marshall’s for my mudroom/garage entryway in our old house, and it was/is WONDERFUL!! About a week after I bought it I dropped a cup of salsa on it {I’m clumsy}. I was mortified until I realized that it all cleaned up perfectly and you can’t tell at all where it spilled. So, so easy to have {it’s what I’m all about since I have 4 little kids}. I picture it to be wonderful anywhere, but might need another rug layered on it in a living room with little kids/crawlers{?}
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I love natural area rugs for both their function and look (that never happens)! I love the way they work for any style and all of the changes I make (that always happens)! I have, however, purchased an indoor/outdoor Dash and Albert rug which is now in my daughter’s room. They have so many great patterns, and even though they are indoor/outdoor, they are quite soft, and everything pretty much wipes right off of them.
I love the little happy faces on your rug :) they are just so cute.
I have had natural rugs before but I converted to indoor/outdoor rugs almost everywhere in my home. They aren’t as think as natural rugs but they clean up great. I love anything that I could potentially take outside and hose off. I have 2 kids and 4 cats, so I get lots of nasty accidents.
Thanks for suggesting, I have been contemplating a jute or seagrass rug for sometime, but all along thought them not too practical..You have changed my mind.
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I love the look of natural rugs, and for the money I think they are a good buy. We had a seagrass in our dining room for over 10 years and even with food, red wine drinking, a dog and kids running through there, it really held up. I want them all over my house.
The babies’ expressions in that photo is so cute!!
I recently put one of the ballard indoor/outdoor rugs in our dining room. It has the look of a natural fiber rug and I could not be more happy with it. I have two very young kids and a sometimes sloppy husband and I do not stress because you can literally hose it off!!!
Emily and others – any suggestion for families with big dogs? Say 100 lb black labs? He is the biggest mess maker of all of them! Any suggestions would be helpful!
Emily,
What do you suggest for area rugs and carpet? Dying for some rugs in our new home and don’t think we’ll be installing hardwood floors anytime soon.
Thanks,
Amanda
I just had to mention FLOR as a great option for children and pets. http://www.FLOR.com. These come in 19.7″ squares and can be customized. The patterns available are awesome. They are super stain resistant but if a really nasty accident happens, you can just replace the square. They average around $14.99/each. They are a great customer service oriented company as well!!
Emily, how does this type of rug stand up to pet hair. We have 2 cats and a dog and they ALL shed! Drives me nuts. Current rug/s – yes i bought 2 and it’s still a pain – cats seem to love clawing at the rugs.
Wondering if this type of rug would stand up to pets any better.
Jane
I remember reading your old post on this rug a while back ago. I checked out all the ones at PB and this one was definitely my favorite because it was the softest. We bought a wool rug at homegoods that I’ve been looking for a reason to get rid of. My (little) kids are on the floor in our family room ALL the time though, still concerned it might be a bit tough and also concerned about the shedding a bit. I would love to get a neutral fluffy rug to make the room look a bit cozier, just don’t know of any durable ones out there (without a lot of shedding)…anyone have any thoughts?
http://www.kasia.labocki.com/wordpress/our-family-room/ – our family room
I remember reading your old post on this rug a while back ago. I checked out all the ones at PB and this one was definitely my favorite because it was the softest. We bought a wool rug at homegoods that I’ve been looking for a reason to get rid of. My (little) kids are on the floor in our family room ALL the time though, still concerned it might be a bit tough and also concerned about the shedding a bit. I would love to get a neutral fluffy rug to make the room look a bit cozier, just don’t know of any durable ones out there (without a lot of shedding)…anyone have any thoughts?
http://www.kasia.labocki.com/wordpress/our-family-room/ – our family room
Best rug is the Savannah Rug from crate and barrel. It’s indoor/outdoor and looks and feels like a jute or sisal. Except softer. I put it in my formal living room and 2 in the basement. Friends ask where I got it all the time. They are amazed when I tell them I can take it outside and hose it off.
I’m still in love with our natural living room rug too- it has a cool Chevron pattern and is also pretty soft. It’s from Crate & Barrel and has held up well over the last 2 1/2 years. We have the honey color, but I couldn’t find that link.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/all-rugs/island-cream-chevron-rug/f34995
I love your blog! Your advice for us in the real world is very refreshing :) So with that said :) …. What are your thoughts on rug size? I just bought a house and am looking for a rug to cover my wood floor in the living room. I am not sure how much of the rug furniture should cover. Just the front legs of all furniture? Front legs on the sofa, more for the chairs? Does it matter? Is there a certain distance the rug should be from the fireplace? Thanks in advance for your thoughts on the subject!
In most cases, I think it’s best to go bigger with the rug size so it doesn’t feel like it’s floating by itself in the middle of the room. I like the look of the front of the furniture sitting on it.
We have two little guys and have an ikea rug in our living room which I love. It has really stood up. Had a pottery barn runner in the hall but it had a rubber backing that disintegrated and stuck to the floor. I’ve since replaced it with an old oriental runner. I’m so glad you showed the backing of your rug.
Cool rug!!! I love it and i enjoyed watching the kids too. Very nice! :) – http://www.ocflooring.net
These articles have got thorough discernment without unclear the readers. country braided rugs
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I would love to know your opinion about the Indian and Pakistani rugs, Emily. Have you ever heard of or use rugman.com? I was thinking about buying there :3
Thanks Emily
I don’t have any experience with them so I’m no help. I’ve never used that site. Have you tried esalerugs? I’ve heard several bloggers mention them, as well.
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I have been researching this rug for my living room. I have three small children 5, 3, and 1… Are you still happy with it? Does it shed horribly?? Glad to hear about the stain resistant quality!
I have been researching this rug for my living room. I have three small children 5, 3, and 1… Are you still happy with it? Does it shed horribly?? Glad to hear about the stain resistant quality!
Protecting your home has never been so easy with the use of a Rug Doctor carpet cleaning machine.
website
I am a really big fan of area rugs in Edmonton. Kids love them, and they are easy to clean and get to the hardwood with.
Most common are rug shapes are round, square and ellipse. However, you can also choose among many other interesting forms, especially carpets for children. This time, they are also padded in layers of blankets. Area rugs bring this name because of their usefulness. They can easily be transferred to another.
Dalyn Studio Rug
Nice
kids area rugs .Color chosen are best.
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All wants to create a new type of theme for their houses, so you should go with best quality and huge range of rugs. They help you to improve by looks to your house. Freshness in looks of your each and every part of home with rugs can get easily by you.
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Just discovered your blog and am loving it! I’m in the market for a large jute rug, and am considering the one you have from PB in your living room. I see you mentioned no rug pad — any concerns with it damaging the floor underneath? I would love to get away with no rug pad (we have “wood” laminate), but have heard that some jute rugs supposedly scratch/stain the floor underneath. My other concern with jute is the dirt/shedding that can come with some — was there much dirt or shedding with this one?
Thanks so much for any help you can provide! Your place is beautiful!
I’m late to the party, but I’m sharing this “if I only knew” info so someone else doesn’t regret their purchase. We’ve had the PB Chenille Jute rug for 14 months. We actually have two, one in our family room, one in the guest room. They’ve been vacuumed at least 100 times and have held up quite well. We have a dog and teenagers and live at the beach so they are exposed to plenty of dog hair, sand and friends. I still love the look, they’re comfortable on bare feet and the smell was gone within a week or two; however, they STILL shed after 14 months. Every time I vacuum, the canister is completely full, even if no one has walked across it since the last vacuuming. Like Gwen posted in February 2013, walk across it a few times even right after vacuuming and the fibers show up on the dark hardwood floors. Sit on it, fibers are all over your clothes. I can live with it in the guest room, but I’m now researching what to replace it with in the family room.
Hello, what is backing on this rug,
Hi Emily – I am just wondering how the rug is holding up. It’s on sale now and I was thinking of getting it for my family room.
Thanks – Shelley
Hi Shelley–It has held up really well as far as pulling, etc. There is some wear, naturally, from where our furniture sat on it in the last house but overall it has been a really good investment for our family.