What to Know About Selecting Rug Textures

Texture is one of the most overlooked details in rug shopping — and one of the most powerful. The right rug texture can make a room feel cozy, dramatic or crisp and clean, all while changing how the space feels underfoot. Here is what to know about selecting rug textures so you land on the perfect fit.

Key Takeaways

Here are the main points to keep in mind as you compare rug textures:

• Rug texture shapes both the look of a room and how a rug feels underfoot.
• The main types of rug textures are cut pile, loop pile, cut and loop, and flatweave.
• Match the texture to how the room is used, from busy hallways to cozy bedrooms.

Common Area Rug Textures

Rugs with texture come in a handful of classic constructions, each with its own feel and personality: 

• Cut pile: The fibers are cut at the top for a soft, upright surface. This family includes shag, which has long, plush strands that feel cozy underfoot, as well as velvet, which has a dense and smooth finish for a luxe look. Another option is saxony, which uses tightly twisted fibers for a more formal style.
• Loop pile: Here, the fibers stay looped and uncut, creating a tough, hardworking surface. Berber is the best-known loop style, prized for its durability and its knack for hiding dirt and everyday wear in casual spaces.
• Cut and loop pile: These rugs have a mix of cut and looped fibers, adding subtle patterns and dimension. The combination offers visual interest and helps disguise footprints and traffic.
• Flatweave: Flatweave rugs are pile-free and woven flat and thin. They are reversible, easy to clean and a smart pick for high-traffic areas or layering over another rug.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Texture

Before you choose a texture, think about how the rug needs to function in your space. Considerations include:

• Room function: A plush shag suits a relaxing bedroom, while a flat, low-profile texture works better in a dining room or entry.
• Traffic level: Loop pile and flatweave withstand heavy foot traffic. Save delicate cut-pile styles for calmer rooms.
• Aesthetic: Smooth velvet reads formal and polished, while shag and Berber feel relaxed and inviting.  
• Maintenance: Flatweave and loop pile are the easiest to keep clean, while deep shag takes a little more effort.
• Comfort underfoot: If you want softness you can sink into, a high, cushy cut pile is best. A low, dense texture feels firmer and more supportive.

When you weigh these factors together, the right rug texture almost picks itself, giving you a rug that looks the part and feels right for the way you actually live in the room.

Shop Area Rugs at Carpet & Tile Mart

The best way to choose a texture is to touch it. Carpet & Tile Mart carries the largest in-stock selection of area rugs on the East Coast, so you can run your hand over shag, velvet, Berber, flatweave and more before you decide. 

Visit a Carpet & Tile Mart location in Delaware, Pennsylvania or South Jersey for hands-on help finding the right feel for your space. You can also shop for area rugs online with free shipping.

Not sure where to start? Contact us online, and our experts will point you to the perfect texture.