Rugs you've been eyeing — pick up where you left off.
A colorful rug brings several shades into one piece, so it can pull a room together or give a plain floor something to look at. This collection holds more than 290 multicolor rugs, from hand-tufted wool area rugs to machine-made runners, in geometric, striped, southwestern, distressed and oriental designs. Sizes run from small 2x3 accent rugs up to 9x12 and 10x14 room-size rugs, with prices from about $59. If you are looking for multi colored rugs for a living room, bedroom, dining room or hallway, start here.
What Makes a Rug Multicolor?
A multicolor rug uses three or more distinct colors in its design, with no single shade taking over. That is the difference between a multicolor rug and a blue rug with a few accent tones: in a colorful rug, the mix of colors is the point. You will see it in a few common forms:
Pattern-led color. Geometric, striped and zig zag designs repeat several colors in a regular rhythm.
Faded or distressed color. Distressed and vintage-look rugs mix many tones, but wash them back so the overall effect is softer.
Traditional color. Oriental and medallion rugs have always been multicolor, with reds, blues, golds and ivories layered through borders and field.
Ombre and abstract color. Colors blend into each other or are laid down in loose, painterly shapes instead of a set pattern.
Because a multicolor rug already carries several shades, it is forgiving. It hides everyday spots and wear better than a solid rug, and it gives you more options when you pick pillows, throws and paint colors around it.
Shop Colorful Rugs by Style and Pattern
Geometric and Striped Multicolor Rugs
Geometric designs are the largest group here, with more than 70 rugs, followed by more than 60 striped rugs and more than 40 zig zag rugs. A colorful geometric rug suits modern and contemporary rooms, and a multicolor striped rug works well in long spaces where the stripes can lead the eye. Browse more shapes and grids in geometric rugs.
Southwestern and Bohemian Rugs
Southwestern rugs make up a large part of this collection, with more than 50 designs in warm, layered colors and bold zig zag and tribal-inspired patterns. Bohemian rugs add about 30 more, with relaxed, mixed-color designs that look at home with plants, wood and woven textures. See the full range of southwestern rugs and boho rugs.
Abstract and Modern Colorful Rugs
For a modern multicolor rug, look at the contemporary, modern and Scandi designs. Abstract patterns use color in loose brushstroke or blocked shapes, while ombre designs fade from one shade to the next. Find more in abstract rugs.
Oriental, Medallion and Floral Rugs
More than 30 rugs here are oriental in style and more than 30 have a medallion design. These are the most traditional way to bring several colors into a room. There are also more than 25 floral designs, if you want a colorful floral rug instead of a geometric one.
Multicolor Rugs by Material and Construction
Wool and Wool Blend
Wool is the most common material in this collection: more than 130 rugs are wool and about 40 more are wool blends. Wool takes dye well, so the colors in a colorful wool rug look rich and stay vivid for years. It is naturally springy and resilient, which makes it a good choice for living rooms and bedrooms. Shop more in wool rugs.
Polyester, Polypropylene and Nylon
Synthetic multicolor rugs include polyester, polypropylene, polypropylene blend and nylon blend options. Polypropylene resists moisture and fading, polyester has a soft hand and holds bright color well, and nylon is known for standing up to foot traffic. These are often the practical choice for busy family rooms, kitchens and entryways.
Hand Tufted, Hand Woven, Hand Knotted and Machine Made
About 115 rugs are hand tufted and a similar number are machine made. You will also find more than 30 hand-woven rugs, which tend to be flatter and lighter, more than 20 hand-knotted rugs, and a few hand-hooked pieces. Hand-knotted rugs take the longest to make and are usually the heirloom option. Machine-made rugs give you sharp, consistent patterns at a lower price.
Colorful Rugs for Every Room
Multicolor Rugs for the Living Room
A multi color living room rug is often the starting point for the whole room. Pick one or two colors from the rug and repeat them in pillows, art or a chair, and keep the larger furniture neutral so the rug does not compete. Most rugs here are suggested for the living room, bedroom and dining room. For more options in that room, see living room rugs.
Runners for Hallways, Stairs and Kitchens
More than 50 rugs in this collection are runners, suggested for entryways and stairs, with some also suited to kitchens. A colorful runner rug breaks up a long, plain hallway and hides the dirt that collects there. Shop all runner rugs.
Colorful Outdoor Rugs
More than 25 rugs are made for indoor and outdoor use, so you can put a multicolor outdoor rug on a covered patio, porch or deck. More weather-ready styles are in outdoor rugs.
Kids Rooms and Playrooms
A handful of rugs are suggested for kids rooms and playrooms. A colorful kids rug hides spills and play marks well. See more in kids rugs.
What Size Multicolor Rug Do You Need?
Multicolor rugs come in 2x3, 3x5, 4x6, 5x8, 8x10, 9x12 and 10x14 sizes, plus 2x8 runners and several in-between sizes. Sizes are approximate, so check each listing for the exact dimensions before you order.
Room or use
Recommended size
Doorway, bathroom or kitchen sink
2x3 or 3x5
Entryway or beside a bed
3x5 or 4x6
Small living room or under a desk
5x8
Standard living room or under a queen bed
8x10
Large living room, dining table or king bed
9x12
Open-plan or very large room
10x14
Hallway or stairs
2x8 runner
For room-size pieces, the colorful 8x10 rug and the 5x8 rug are the sizes with the most designs in this collection. Browse matching sizes in 8x10 rugs.
How to Choose and Care for a Colorful Rug
Choosing the colors. Look for a rug that already contains one color from your room, such as a sofa, a wall or a wood tone. That shared color ties the rug to the space. If the room is busy, choose a distressed or faded multicolor rug, which reads calmer. If the room is plain, a bold geometric or southwestern rug can carry it.
Choosing the material. Wool is the long-lasting, soft option for living rooms and bedrooms. Polypropylene and polyester are easier to clean and are a good fit for dining rooms, kitchens and homes with kids. More than 50 rugs in this collection are tagged pet friendly.
Everyday care. Vacuum regularly without a beater bar on wool and hand-tufted rugs. Blot spills right away with a clean, damp cloth; do not rub, which spreads the stain and can lift dye. Rotate the rug every few months so sunlight and foot traffic fade it evenly. Bright colors near a sunny window will fade over time, especially on natural fibers. A rug pad keeps the rug from slipping and helps it wear more evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a multicolor rug?
A multicolor rug is a rug that uses three or more distinct colors in its design without one shade dominating. Geometric, striped, southwestern, distressed and oriental rugs are often multicolor. The mix of colors makes the rug a focal point and helps it hide spots, stains and everyday wear better than a solid rug.
How do I decorate around a colorful rug?
Pick one or two colors from the rug and repeat them in smaller things such as pillows, throws, art or a lamp. Keep large pieces like the sofa and walls neutral so the rug stays the focus. If your furniture is already colorful, choose a distressed or faded multicolor rug with softer tones.
Do multi colored rugs hide stains?
Yes, usually better than solid rugs. A busy mix of colors and pattern breaks up the eye, so small spills, pet marks and traffic wear are harder to see. Patterned synthetic rugs in polypropylene or polyester are the easiest to keep looking clean, and more than 50 rugs in this collection are tagged pet friendly.
What size colorful rug is best for a living room?
For most living rooms, an 8x10 rug is the standard choice, letting the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on the rug. Large or open-plan living rooms suit a 9x12 or 10x14 rug. In a small living room or apartment, a 5x8 rug in front of the sofa works well.
Are there colorful outdoor rugs in this collection?
Yes. More than 25 multicolor rugs here are made for indoor and outdoor use, so they can go on a covered patio, porch or deck as well as inside. For the full range of weather-ready rugs in more colors and sizes, browse our outdoor rugs collection.
Is a wool multicolor rug worth it?
For a living room or bedroom, often yes. Wool holds dye well, so the colors stay rich, and its natural spring helps the pile recover from foot traffic. A colorful wool rug costs more up front than a synthetic rug but usually lasts longer. More than 130 rugs in this collection are wool.
Why Buy Multicolor Rugs from RugKnots
We have been sourcing rugs since 1987, and every listing in this collection shows the material, construction and size so you can compare colorful rugs side by side. Shipping is free on all orders in the contiguous US, and returns are free for 30 days. Keep your new rug flat and in place with one of our rug pads.
