Rugs you've been eyeing — pick up where you left off.
Contemporary rugs follow the design language of today: soft geometrics, loose abstract shapes, quiet stripes and muted, mixed color palettes that sit easily in most homes. This collection holds more than 2,300 contemporary area rugs, including more than 1,000 wool rugs, plus polyester, polypropylene, jute and blended options in hand tufted, hand woven, hand loomed, hand hooked and machine-made constructions. You will find room-size rugs for the living room, bedroom and dining room, runners for hallways and kitchens, and small rugs for entryways, with prices starting from about $59.
What Makes a Rug Contemporary?
"Contemporary" describes what is current, so a contemporary rug looks like it belongs in a room furnished now rather than in a particular decade. In practice, contemporary rugs share a few traits:
Relaxed patterns. Geometric designs are softened with uneven lines, hand-drawn grids or faded edges. Abstract rugs use brushstrokes, washes of color and organic shapes instead of strict repeats.
Muted, layered color. Grey, beige, ivory and natural tones lead, often mixed with blue, green or black accents. Many designs blend two or three close shades rather than using hard contrast.
Mixed influences. A contemporary rug may borrow a faded medallion from a traditional rug, a stripe from a flatweave or a texture from a natural-fiber rug, then simplify it. That blend is why contemporary and transitional styles overlap so often.
Texture. Hand tufted, hand loomed and hand hooked rugs give a pattern depth, so the design comes from texture as much as from color.
Contemporary is not the same as modern. Modern rugs take their cues from mid-century modern design, with bold geometry, strong contrast and a minimalist layout. If that crisper look is what you want, browse our modern rugs. If you want something current but softer and easier to mix with furniture you already own, contemporary is the better fit.
Shop Contemporary Rugs by Style, Material and Color
Contemporary Geometric Rugs
Geometric is the largest pattern group in this collection, with more than 900 rugs. Expect diamonds, zig zags, Greek key borders, basket weave grids and stripes, usually drawn with a lighter hand than a classic graphic rug. For more grids and repeats across every style, see our geometric rugs.
Contemporary Abstract Rugs
More than 400 rugs here use abstract designs: painterly color fields, marbled or watercolor effects, ombre fades and broken lines. Abstract rugs are a good way to bring several colors into a room without a busy repeat. Shop the full range of abstract rugs for more.
Striped, Solid and Distressed Designs
Striped rugs (more than 370) and solid rugs (more than 270) are the quietest choices, useful when the room already has pattern in the upholstery or art. Distressed contemporary rugs take a worn, faded pattern and pair it with today's color palettes.
Contemporary Wool Rugs
Wool is the most common material in this collection, with more than 1,000 pure wool rugs and more than 260 wool blend rugs. Most are hand tufted, hand woven or hand loomed. Wool is naturally resilient, holds dye well and feels soft underfoot, which makes contemporary wool rugs a long-term choice for living rooms and bedrooms. Browse all wool rugs to compare styles.
Synthetic and Natural-Fiber Contemporary Rugs
Polyester and polypropylene rugs are mostly machine made and cost less than wool. They are easy to clean and a practical pick for busy rooms. More than 400 rugs in this collection are rated for indoor/outdoor use. Jute and coir rugs add a natural, woven texture, and a smaller group of rugs is washable. If machine washing is a must, see our washable rugs.
Shop by Color
Blue is the most common color here, followed by grey, beige, ivory and black. Green, natural, brown and navy are well represented, with smaller groups of pink, orange, red and gold. Contemporary black and white rugs and grey rugs work in rooms with neutral walls, while blue and green add color without feeling loud.
Contemporary Area Rugs by Room
Contemporary Rugs for the Living Room
In the living room, a contemporary area rug usually anchors the seating area. Choose a size that lets at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on the rug. Large contemporary rugs in 8x10 and 9x12 do this in most living rooms. Find more options in our living room rugs.
Bedroom and Dining Room
Under a bed, a rug should extend past both sides so you step onto it in the morning. In the dining room, the rug needs to be large enough for chairs to stay on it when pulled out. Wool and low-profile synthetic rugs both work well under a table.
Entryway, Kitchen and Hallway
Contemporary runner rugs make up more than 400 of the rugs in this collection, in sizes such as 2x8 and 2x12. Small 2x3 and 3x5 rugs suit entryways and kitchen sinks. Shop all runner rugs for hallways and stairs.
Contemporary Rug Sizes
Size tags are buckets, so exact dimensions vary from rug to rug. Check the product page for the finished size before you order. As a guide:
Room or use
Typical contemporary rug size
Entryway or by the sink
2x3 or 3x5
Hallway or galley kitchen
2x8 or 2x12 runner
Small seating area, home office, beside a bed
4x6 or 5x7
Small living room or under a queen bed
5x8 or 6x9
Standard living room or dining room
7x10, 8x10 or 8x11
Large living room or under a king bed
9x12
Open-plan or oversized rooms
10x13 or 10x14
The most popular room sizes are 5x8, 8x10 and 9x12. Compare all 8x10 rugs and 9x12 rugs if you are working to a specific room size.
Choosing and Caring for a Contemporary Rug
Construction and material decide how a rug wears and how much care it needs.
Hand tufted wool: soft, dense and often textured. Vacuum regularly without a beater bar on high settings, and expect some shedding in the first weeks, which is normal for new wool.
Hand woven and hand loomed: flatter and usually reversible or low in profile, so they suit dining rooms and areas where chairs move. Rotate them every few months for even wear.
Machine-made polypropylene and polyester: stain-resistant, colorfast and easy to spot clean with mild soap and water. Polyester feels softer; polypropylene handles moisture better.
Jute and coir: textured and natural, best in dry rooms. Blot spills quickly rather than soaking them.
For any rug on a hard floor, a pad keeps it flat and in place. See our rug pads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a contemporary rug?
A contemporary rug is designed in the style of the present day. Most use soft geometric, abstract, striped or solid designs in muted, mixed colors, and many borrow details from traditional or natural-fiber rugs and simplify them. The result is a rug that looks current and works with a wide range of furniture.
What is the difference between contemporary and modern rugs?
Modern rugs follow mid-century modern and minimalist design, with bold geometric shapes, strong contrast and clean lines. Contemporary rugs reflect current trends, so they tend to be softer: faded geometrics, abstract color washes and muted palettes. Contemporary rugs mix more easily with transitional and traditional furniture, while modern rugs make a sharper statement.
What size contemporary rug do I need for a living room?
Most living rooms need an 8x10 or 9x12 contemporary area rug, large enough for the front legs of the sofa and chairs to rest on it. Smaller living rooms can use a 5x8 or 6x9 rug. Large open-plan spaces may need a 10x13 or 10x14 rug to hold the seating group together.
Are contemporary wool rugs worth it?
For rooms you use every day, often yes. Wool is naturally resilient, so pile springs back after foot traffic, and it holds color well. Most wool rugs in this collection are hand tufted, hand woven or hand loomed. They cost more than synthetic rugs but usually last longer and feel softer underfoot.
Do you have contemporary runner rugs?
Yes. More than 400 rugs in this collection are runners, in sizes such as 2x6, 2x8, 2x10 and 2x12. They suit hallways, kitchens, entryways and beside a bed. Check each runner's exact length on the product page, since finished sizes vary slightly from the size bucket.
Can I use a contemporary rug outdoors?
Only rugs rated for indoor/outdoor use. More than 400 contemporary rugs in this collection carry that rating and are made from synthetic fibers that handle moisture and sun better than wool or jute. Wool, viscose and natural-fiber rugs should stay indoors. See our outdoor rugs collection for more patio options.
Why Buy Contemporary Rugs from RugKnots
We have been sourcing rugs since 1987, and every contemporary rug listing shows its material, construction and finished size. Shipping is free on all orders in the contiguous US, and returns are free for 30 days. Still deciding? Browse outdoor rugs for the patio, or narrow your search by pattern with geometric and abstract designs above.
