Rugs you've been eyeing — pick up where you left off.
An office rug makes a workspace quieter, warmer and more finished, whether it sits under a desk in a home office or in front of a reading chair in a study. This collection holds more than 30 office rugs: around 27 hand knotted wool rugs from Pakistan, each one of a kind, and a smaller group of machine made polyester rugs that are washable. Most are traditional and Oriental designs in red, ivory, blue and navy, with sizes from 2x3 up to large 10x14 office rugs, the most choice in 4x6 and 5x8, and prices from about $59. They suit a home office, a study, a library corner or a professional office that needs a classic look.
What Makes a Good Office Rug?
An office area rug has a harder job than a rug in a living room. It has to look good, cope with a desk chair rolling back and forth, and hold up to the same few square feet of traffic every day. Look for four things:
A low, dense pile or a flat surface. Desk chair casters roll most easily on a firm, low surface. Deep shag and plush rugs make a chair drag and can wear quickly where the wheels sit.
The right size. A rug under a desk should be large enough that the chair stays on the rug even when you push back. A chair that keeps catching the edge is the most common office rug complaint.
Durable fiber. Hand knotted wool is dense and resilient, and polyester is easy to clean.
A pattern that hides wear. Busy traditional, tribal and medallion designs disguise the small marks a working room collects.
If you need full freedom for a chair to glide on a hard floor, a flat or low-pile rug is the closest a rug comes to that feel. This collection is rugs only, so choose from the low, firm designs below.
Shop Office Rugs by Material and Style
Hand Knotted Wool Office Rugs
Most of the collection is hand knotted wool from Pakistan in Oriental and traditional designs, with tribal, medallion, floral and geometric patterns. Each is one of a kind. Hand knotting creates a tight, dense pile that stands up to daily foot traffic and gives a desk area a classic, library-style look. Rich reds lead the color range, with ivory, blue, navy, rust, purple and gold also represented. See more in hand knotted rugs and Oriental rugs.
Washable Polyester Office Rugs
The polyester rugs in the collection are machine made, carry a distressed traditional look and are washable. They are a practical choice for a home office that doubles as a family room or sees coffee, snacks and pets. Browse more in washable rugs.
Traditional, Distressed and Masculine Looks
Deep red and navy traditional rugs, especially with tribal or medallion patterns, are a popular choice for a masculine office rug or a men's study with dark wood, leather and bookshelves. Distressed designs soften the same patterns for a more relaxed, lived-in office. For more clean-lined options, see modern rugs.
Office Rug Size Guide and Layout
Size is the decision that matters most in an office. A rug under a desk should extend beyond the chair's rolling range, usually about 24 to 36 inches past the front edge of the desk, and a little past each side. That keeps all four or five casters on the rug as you push back.
Office use
Recommended size
Under a single chair or beside a desk
2x3 or 3x5
Small desk in a corner or cubicle
4x6
Standard desk and rolling chair
5x8
Large desk, or desk plus guest chairs
8x10
Executive office with seating area
9x12 or 10x14
Hallway or entry to the office
2x8 runner
Small office rugs in 4x6 are the largest group in this collection and fit under most compact home office desks. For a bigger desk or a room with a sofa or reading chair, look at 5x8, or browse 5x8 rugs and 8x10 rugs for more choice.
Office Rug Placement Ideas
Desk facing a wall. Place the rug so the desk's back legs sit just on or just off the far edge, and the open side extends well into the room where the chair rolls.
Desk floating in the room. Center the rug under the desk and chair, with equal margins on each side, so the desk looks anchored rather than stranded.
Office with a seating area. Use one rug under the desk zone and a second, smaller rug under the reading chair, or one large rug that holds both.
Rug on carpet. A low, firm rug can sit on top of wall-to-wall carpet to define the desk area. Expect chairs to roll less freely than on a hard floor.
Caring for an Office Rug
Hand knotted wool. Vacuum regularly with the beater bar off or raised. Blot spills with cool water and a clean cloth. Rotate the rug every few months so chair traffic does not wear one spot. Professional cleaning is best for a deep clean.
Washable polyester. Spot clean small spills, and follow the care label when washing the whole rug.
On hard floors. Add a rug pad so the rug does not creep when the chair moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rug for an office chair?
A low-pile or flat rug with a dense, firm surface is best for an office chair, because casters roll over it without sinking or snagging. Hand knotted wool with a tight pile and flat machine made rugs both work. Avoid shag and plush rugs under a rolling chair.
What size rug should go under an office desk?
Choose a rug that extends about 24 to 36 inches past the front of the desk, so the chair stays on the rug when you push back. For a compact desk, a 4x6 usually works. A standard desk and chair need a 5x8, and a large desk or seating area needs an 8x10 or larger.
Can you roll an office chair on a rug?
Yes, on the right rug. A low, dense pile or flat weave lets a desk chair roll with only a little extra effort. Size the rug so all casters stay on it, and use a rug pad on hard floors so the rug does not shift as the chair moves.
Should a home office have a rug?
Most do benefit from one. A rug absorbs sound on video calls, warms a hard floor, protects it from chair wheels and visually defines the work area in a shared room. A home office rug is also an easy way to bring color and pattern into a functional space.
What color rug is best for an office?
Darker or patterned rugs, such as red, navy and multicolor traditional designs, hide everyday wear and suit a classic office. Ivory and lighter blue rugs make a small room feel brighter but show marks sooner. Match the rug to your desk wood and wall color.
Are your office rugs washable?
Some are. The polyester rugs in this collection are washable, which makes them easy to keep clean in a busy home office. The hand knotted wool rugs are not machine washable, but wool resists soiling and cleans up well with regular vacuuming and prompt blotting.
Why Buy Office Rugs from RugKnots
We have been sourcing rugs since 1987, and every office rug listing shows its material, construction and exact size, so you can match it to your desk before you order. Shipping is free on all orders in the contiguous US, and returns are free for 30 days. Still deciding? Browse traditional rugs and 4x6 rugs.
