Home improvement shows that do not mention how rugs are an integral part of home design in any of their blogs are probably lying, or they are not experts. Interior designers know that a carpet can change the entire look and atmosphere of a room. Leaving this essential element out of the picture will spell disaster for the whole appearance of a setting. Moreover, now it is easier to buy affordable rugs in the US. We try to make it as easy and affordable as possible. Searching for the best rug may be daunting, especially for first-time buyers. The task is a lot harder for those who would like to buy affordable rugs in the US of decent quality. Having zero knowledge before hitting the road would be time-consuming. Think about the gas one would spend going from one rug store to another, only to find nothing. Here is where we step in to provide comprehensive information on how to buy affordable rugs in the US. This article includes facts about the ideal price range for a budget rug, how to purchase online rugs, and other relevant rug knowledge that would help.
What Is A Good Price for A Rug?
One of the primary factors affecting a consumer's decision when buying rugs is cost. Even if you are keen to buy affordable rugs in the US, this purchase is still an investment choice. In any informed decisions a consumer has to make, cost remains a vital detail regardless of the type of rug you want for your home.
Rug Cost Expectations
The first step to finding and buy affordable rugs in the US is managing your expectations. A rough figure should serve as a buyer's guiding light to know whether the price tag of the carpet that caught their eye is within a practical range or not. Price would vary, depending on many factors, but quality rugs start at around $400.
Factors That Affect Rug Pricing
Below are the factors that come into play and how they affect pricing.
Size
The larger the rug, the higher the price. Smaller rugs are ordinarily more affordable.
Materials Used
Natural fibers are expensive, and synthetic ones have lower price tags. Wool is a natural fiber, which serves as the foundation of a high-quality, more durable rug. Therefore, it is a pricier option. Finding one at a relatively low price would be a rare opportunity. Silk rugs, on the other hand, are also made of natural fibers. They are luxury items that should be out of the list of someone who is looking to buy affordable rugs in the US. Look for either polypropylene-made or a mid-range nylon rug, which is a more stain-resistant choice.
Construction
Below are construction techniques arranged from the method that creates the least to most expensive rugs:
Machine-made knotted - rugs created by machines alone.
Machine-made tufted - a method involving human hands
Hand-knotted - a technique used to create authentic oriental rugs, the most laborious way of manufacturing rugs
Brand
A way to buy affordable rugs that are of high quality is to avoid sellers marking up the prices of most of the products in their collection. They sell the same carpets you can get elsewhere for a higher cost and unreasonably increase the amount just because the package has its brand name on it.
Third-Party or Direct from Manufacturer
There are two kinds of third-party sellers you might encounter: Someone who knows about the product they are selling, and those who do not. Regardless of their differences, they sell rugs with marked-up prices, and they cannot easily offer a good deal. Manufacturing companies, who are also sellers, have an array of rugs at relatively lower prices. RugKnots is an example of a direct-seller/manufacturer that sell handmade rugs at affordable prices and can quickly arrange discounts or sell their rugs at wholesale price. Buying directly from a manufacturer reduces your carpet expenses by 40%.
How to Choose Your Rug?
Before we head to the best places where you can get affordable rugs, it is crucial to highlight how you can make the best decision with the money you are about to spend. In the previous section, we showed how high price tags translate to high-quality rugs. And we would like to emphasize further that it means you will enjoy a carpet with a slightly-elevated cost for an extended amount of time. However, it does not mean that you should splurge for all rugs in your household. Rug buyers need to decide where they should invest a little money on, and where they should try to be a bit thrifty. The best way to choose a rug and how much you would spend would be to think of its design and where you will put it. If you have a beautiful kitchen or dining room that takes low foot traffic, you might consider shelling out a bit by getting a higher-end rug. Meanwhile, a cheaper, stain-resistant carpet would be best for the front door rug or hallway carpets. Remember that handmade rugs, if treated well, could serve your family for generations. It makes sense if you would get a wool rug for a lasting carpet, but if you only need it for a season or you want to follow a trend, consider opting for low-cost floor coverings.
Rug Stores Near You
Some rug stores that sell expensive rugs also have the budget aisle where you can find great carpet deals. However, you need to be patient in finding a piece with the size or design that would work with your existing furniture. If you prefer to have a first-hand feel of a rug, open your Google Maps, and check for some rug centers near you. The best brick and mortar shops to visit would be those that are near your area. We gathered as much info as we can on the best rug stores in several regions. Our team will continuously update this section with more cheap rug sellers in different states, and we welcome suggestions through the comment box below.
Best Rug Stores In DC, Maryland, and Virginia
If you reside in this region or somewhere near, you are one of the luckiest rug hunters.
This part of the East Coast is home to some of the best stores that sell authentic, high-quality rugs for an affordable price.
We listed below these stores that are worth checking.
Oriental Rug Stores in Maryland
- RugKnots
- Dulkerian's Persian Rug Co Inc
- Alex Cooper Gallery of Rugs
- Aref's Oriental Rugs
- Mainstreet Oriental Rugs
- Bel Air Carpet
Oriental Rugs in DC Washington DC Area
- Manoukian Brothers
- David Zahirpour
- Pasargard
- Woven History & Silk Road
- Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries
- Mark Keshishian & Sons
- Wool & Knots
Oriental Rug Stores in Virginia
- Herat Oriental Rugs
- J&J Oriental Rug Gallery
- Domimex Antiques & Rugs
- Bakerfield Rugs
- Beloft Furniture
Best Rug Stores in California
California stores are home to some luxury shops that sell carpets with stratospheric price tags.
But for as long as you stay away from high-end boutiques and warehouses in the Los Angeles district, you should find some exquisite rugs at reasonable prices.
- Rugs Plus
- Angel Rugs
- Eastern Oriental Rugs
- Topanga Rugs
- International Rug Depot
Best Rug Stores in Florida
According to reviews from verified rug buyers, here are the most recommended rug centers that serve Florida and surrounding areas:
- Winter Park Rug Gallery
- S. Design Source
- Home Goods
- Scan Design
- Kirklands
- Casa Febus Home Design
- Cappadocia Arts
- Homegoods
Other Places to Buy Affordable Rugs in the US
You can buy area rugs from places other than furniture shops and rug centers. Though we cannot guarantee that you will find a cheap rug that you would like in any of these stores, they usually keep some rare antique finds for a low price, and who knows, you might hit the jackpot!
Flea Markets
Marché aux puces in French, these markets are unsung havens to some excellent authentic rugs such as Turkish, Moroccan, Persian, and Pakistani rugs. If it is your lucky day, you can find an exquisite, hand-knotted rug for $200! Sift through these flea markets in an organized way. Check for online feedback, published photos, or ask people who went there about things they saw in the nearby fairs. If you prefer to do a treasure hunt-kind of adventure, it is up to you. The task may be overwhelming, but if you were able to purchase a quality rug for a very low price, it would be all worth it. Here are some exciting flea markets you should know about:
- Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts
- Elephant's Trunk in New Milford, Connecticut
- Brooklyn Flea in Brooklyn, New York
- Chelsea Flea Market in New York, New York
- Field + Supply in Hudson Valley, New York
- Randolph Street Market in Chicago, Illinois
- Springfield Antique Show in Springfield, Ohio
- Fremont Sunday Market in Seattle, WA
- First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas
- Antiques Extravaganza in Adamstown, Pennsylvania
- Shipshewana Flea Market in Shipshewana, Indiana
- Alameda Point Antiques Faire in Alameda, CA
Thrift Shops
If you are new to the second-hand scene, finding a brag-worthy item in a goodwill store, a.k.a. Thrift shops are like searching for a needle in a haystack. Got time to comb through what they got? Why not aim for the best ones out there that sell retro stuff and other antiques. Here is a list of best thrift shops in the U.S. where you can find an affordable rug. Let us start with what Miami, Florida, has to offer:
- Disney Character Warehouse
- Miami Twice
- Lotus House
Thrift Shops in Austin, Texas:
- Sonny's Vintage
- Cream Vintage
New York City Thrift Shops:
- NYC Opera Thrift Shop
- Guvnor’s Vintage Thrift
- Cure Thrift Shop
San Francisco, CA
- Kimberley’s Consignment
- Out of the Closet
Best Phoenix, Arizona Thrift Shops:
- HALO Thrift Shop
- Flo’s on 7th
- My Sister’s Closet
Goodwill Stores in Nashville, Tennessee
- Designer Renaissance
- Hip Zipper
Seattle, WA
- Crossroads Trading Co.
- Value Village
- Fury Consignment
Washington D.C. and Metro Area
- Current Boutique
- The Remix Vintage Fashion Shop
- Annie Creamcheese
Garage Sales
You might want to stop and check garage sales when you see one. Although the chance may be slim, you will never know what these pop-up stores got inside for you.
Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for Affordable Rugs
Buying rugs for the first time is like finding something in pitch-black darkness. Consumers are prone to making mistakes and bad decisions. Moreover, some crooked sellers would do anything to get their items sold. Here are a few issues you need to be aware of to prevent blowing your hard-earned money.
Not Measuring Your Space
When you arrive in a rug shop without the exact measure of your space in mind, you are in for a big problem, especially if the store would not accept returns. Do not be stuck with a carpet you cannot use. Note down each measurement of all your rooms, and if possible, an estimate of what you precisely need.
Falling for Going Out-Of-Business Schemes
We pointed out in many of our blog posts that several businesses live out of the money they amassed from out of business plots. They spread the word about their closure in a few days, and would just give away their supposed-to-be authentic oriental carpets for a considerable discount. While others would sell you genuine oriental rugs, others would give you a sham synthetic carpet. Unfortunately, they will be gone with the wind before you realize it. Moreover, no owner of expensive oriental carpets would give their products away because they are closing. Real businesses would rather sell their company and receive a hefty check instead of losing a ton of money from thoughtless discount promos.
Too Low of a Price Could Mean Unethically Produced Rugs
If you find a new hand-knotted rug for an unbelievably low price, you might want to check on the seller's background as it might have been unethically manufactured. Hand-knotted carpets are laborious and expensive to make. Shady companies sometimes for children to work under harsh conditions so they could come up with these products for a very low amount of capital. Put an end to these businesses by not buying their products and reporting them to the authorities.
Sticking to A Brand
Many times, we have said in this article that some brands would mark up price tags of items that you can get elsewhere for a lower price. Also, many of them would increase the sale amount just because of its brand name.
Buy Affordable Rugs Online
If you could not find a cheap rug that suits your taste from nearby rug centers, consider purchasing from online shops. While first-time buyers and those new to online shopping would raise their eyebrows, it is surprisingly the most favorable option out there. Although a first-hand feel and sight of the prospect rug are essential steps to ensure quality, this would be needless if you get the rug from a trusted online store that offers a money-back guarantee. As such, a buyer must conduct due diligence to make sure they transact with a trustworthy store. Here are things to look for when buying in an online rug shop:
The listings should have complete details
Check for the following labels: hand-knotted, machine-made tufted, or machine-made. A seller claiming it to be hand-knotted without being able to show a manufacturing method label on the item is being dishonest.
Must be a direct-seller, not a third-party nor middleman
Third-party agents or go-betweens mark up their prices and usually have lesser knowledge about rugs. Only buy from direct-sellers online if you want to save as much as 40% in your purchase.
Offers a rug expert to help you with your decision
An authentic rug shop essentially has a team of rug experts ready to answer and give sound designer advice.
Sells a wide array of rug items
The best online rug stores have a wide range of items under different lineups so you can check on each category. The shop must provide excellent navigation so you can sort the items from lowest to highest in price.
Offers 24/7 and after-sales customer support
Not all stores have 24/7 support. If they do not have one and struggled with assisting you through your inquiry, it is highly likely that the quality of their after-sales assistance is a lot worse or non-existent.
Secured website and payment gateway options
Check for a security certificate or badge. It is the lock icon found in the address bar just before the site's URL. Having this means that it is safe to provide personal info as the website is protected with layers of security safeguards. Many payment gateways have secured transaction processes. The most popular and probably, one of the most trusted is PayPal. Apart from safe payment and flexibility, the company offers an extra layer of protection through its PayPal Buyer's Protection. They act as third-party regulators who will contact sellers who took your money and failed to ship the product. PayPal guarantees a refund a few days after they did not hear back from the merchant and penalizes them by freezing the money in their account or completely banning them from using the platform.
Offers free worldwide shipping
Free shipping is the name of the game in the world of eCommerce. It appeals to a wide segment and helps build a good brand name.
Positive feedback from customers
Look for feedback from their past customers. Although it is not entirely accurate and reliable, as many companies can manipulate reviews, it is still worth checking, especially if you have the special senses to detect the organic feedback from those that are fake.
Free returns and money-back guarantee offers
Rug sellers who are confident with their products and services would offer free returns and a money-back guarantee. It boosts trust among online buyers, especially to those who are new to it.
Why Buy from RugKnots
RugKnots is a family-owned business headquartering in Hagerstown, Maryland. The company has made a name for years of selling high-quality, authentic rugs that are ethically-produced and cruelty-free. Owner Naheed Mir currently heads the manufacturing and direct-selling of rugs. All RugKnots products come from Pakistan, made by traditional weavers with skills they got from their ancestors. RugKnots displays a massive range of rug collections, with most of it being affordable. Moreover, as a manufacturer and seller, the business is open to negotiations and would generously give discounts, particularly to those who would buy in bulk. Our company possesses all the qualities you should look for in a rug shop:
- RugKnots is a direct-seller and manufacturer of rugs. We offer our rugs at wholesale prices, and we give further discounts to loyal customers and those who make bulk orders. If you find the same carpet with a lower sale amount somewhere else, send it to us, and we will match it or give you a better price.
- We showcase completely-detailed listings, and a rug expert would be able to assist if you have further questions or if you need some advice.
- Our website displays a massive collection of affordable rugs to choose from. We ship everywhere for FREE!
- We offer safe payment gateway options, with one of them being PayPal.
- RugKnots takes pride in the quality of its products. We also want our customers to be 100% satisfied with their purchase. Therefore, we offer free returns and a money-back guarantee.
- We have happy customers expressing their satisfaction with how we helped them from finding the best rug for their homes and after-sales. They also loved the quality of our carpets, and many of these people are repeat customers.
If you need help with finding an affordable rug and some suggestions, feel free to let us know of your budget, and we will be happy to show you a range of possible options. We will make sure you buy affordable rugs in the US easily. Contact us now, and one of our rug experts would be glad to assist you through this. Do you have suggestions or stories to share about finding affordable rugs in the U.S.? Share it with everyone through the comment box below.
