Rugs you've been eyeing — pick up where you left off.
Southwestern rugs bring the geometric patterns and earthy, sun-faded colors of the American desert Southwest into any room. This collection holds more than 340 southwestern area rugs and runners, and most of them are wool: around 270 are pure wool and about 40 more are wool blends, with a smaller group of linen, polyester, polypropylene blend and nylon blend rugs. Most are hand tufted or hand woven, and sizes run from small 2x3 accent rugs and 2x8 runners up to 9x12 and 10x14 room-size rugs. If you like a warm, lived-in look with bold pattern and natural texture, start here.
What Makes a Rug Southwestern?
A southwestern style rug is defined by its design language rather than where it was made. The rugs in this collection are inspired by the weaving traditions of the Southwest, including Navajo-inspired and Aztec-style patterns, interpreted for today's homes. They are not Native American-made and are not authentic Navajo weavings. What they share is a recognizable look:
Geometric motifs. Diamonds, stepped or terraced shapes, chevrons, arrows and crosses, often set in bands or repeated across the field.
Stripes and zig zags. Horizontal banding is one of the most common southwestern rug designs. About 120 rugs here are striped and close to 60 use a zig zag pattern.
Earthy palettes. Ivory, natural and beige grounds with rust-reds, charcoal, black and faded blues. Some rugs add pink or mustard accents for a softer desert-sunset feel.
Natural texture. Wool, flat or low weaves and a slightly hand-made surface give these rugs their relaxed, rustic character.
Southwestern design sits close to several other styles. It shares diamonds and stripes with geometric rugs, its earthy, layered look with boho rugs, and its warm, casual feel with farmhouse rugs. Some rugs in the collection are also tagged bohemian or traditional, so you can lean either way.
Shop Southwestern Rugs by Material, Construction and Color
Southwestern Wool Rugs
Wool is the backbone of this collection. Southwestern wool rugs feel dense and soft underfoot, hold dye well so the reds and blues stay rich, and wear slowly in busy rooms. Wool is also naturally resilient: the fibers spring back after being pressed by furniture or feet. The wool blend rugs mix wool with other fibers and keep much of the same look and feel. Browse more options across every style in our wool rugs collection.
Synthetic and Linen Southwestern Rugs
The smaller group of polyester, polypropylene, polypropylene blend and nylon blend rugs gives you the same southwestern patterns in easy-care fibers. Synthetics resist stains and moisture better than wool, which makes them a practical pick for entryways, kitchens and homes with kids. About a dozen rugs are rated for indoor and outdoor use, for a covered porch or patio. There are also around 15 linen rugs with a lighter, drier hand.
Hand Tufted, Hand Woven and Hand Knotted
Most of the collection is hand tufted (around 180 rugs) or hand woven (around 130). Hand tufted rugs have a soft, even pile and a plush feel. Hand woven rugs tend to be flatter and lighter, closer in look to a kilim-style weave, and they are easy to move and layer. About 20 rugs are hand knotted, the most labor-intensive construction, and a small number are machine made or hand hooked.
Southwestern Rugs by Color
Ivory and multicolor rugs are the two largest color groups, followed by blue, grey and red. You will also find pink, black, charcoal, natural, beige, navy and a few green and mustard rugs. For a quiet room, choose a neutral southwestern rug in ivory, natural or beige with a charcoal or black pattern. For more color, look at the red southwestern rugs and multicolor designs, or the blue southwestern rugs, which cover everything from faded denim to navy.
Southwestern Rugs by Room
Living Room, Bedroom and Dining Room
Nearly every area rug in the collection is suited to the living room, bedroom and dining room. In a living room, a bold striped or diamond rug can anchor a plain sofa and leather or wood furniture. In a bedroom, a softer ivory and pink design keeps the pattern without the weight. Under a dining table, a hand woven wool rug is easy to slide chairs across.
Entryways, Hallways and Stairs
About 55 southwestern runner rugs in 2x8 and longer sizes fit hallways, entryways and the space beside a bed or kitchen counter. Many are also suggested for stair landings. Shop more lengths and styles in runner rugs.
Homes with Pets
More than 40 rugs in the collection are tagged pet friendly. See the full range in pet-friendly rugs.
What Size Southwestern Area Rug Do You Need?
The most stocked room sizes are southwestern rugs 8x10 and 9x12, followed by 5x8, 4x6, 5x7 and 6x9. Sizes are nominal, so a rug listed as 8x10 may measure a few inches different; check the exact dimensions on each listing. Use this table as a starting point:
Room or use
Recommended size
Doorway, bathroom or kitchen sink
2x3 or 3x5
Hallway, entry or beside a bed
2x8 runner (2x10 and 2x12 also available)
Small seating area, office or nursery
4x6 or 5x7
Front legs of a sofa, end of a bed
5x8 or 6x9
Medium living room or queen bed
7x9 or 8x10
Large living room, king bed or 6-seat dining table
9x12 or 8x11
Open-plan or great room
10x14
Square room or under a square table
8x8 or 9x9
Popular room sizes have their own pages: 8x10 rugs and 9x12 rugs. Under a dining table, choose a rug that extends at least 24 inches past the table edge on every side so the chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.
Caring for a Southwestern Rug
How you care for a southwestern rug depends mostly on the fiber.
Wool and wool blend rugs. Vacuum regularly without a beater bar, or with the brush set high, especially on hand tufted rugs. New wool rugs shed loose fibers for the first few weeks; this is normal and slows down with vacuuming. Blot spills right away with a clean cloth and cool water, and avoid rubbing. Wool resists soiling well but should be professionally cleaned when it needs a deep clean.
Hand woven rugs. Flatter weaves can be vacuumed on both sides and are easy to shake out. Rotate them every few months so they wear and fade evenly.
Polyester, polypropylene and nylon blend rugs. These shrug off most spills and moisture and can usually be spot cleaned with mild soap and water. Polypropylene is the best choice where damp or outdoor conditions are likely.
On hard floors, put a rug pad under the rug. It stops sliding, keeps flatweave and hand woven rugs from creeping, and protects the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a southwestern rug?
A southwestern rug is an area rug or runner that uses design elements associated with the American Southwest: diamonds, stepped shapes, stripes and zig zags in earthy colors such as ivory, rust, red, charcoal and blue. The rugs in this collection are southwestern-inspired designs, not Native American-made or authentic Navajo weavings.
Are southwestern rugs made of wool?
Most of ours are. About 270 rugs in this collection are pure wool and roughly 40 more are wool blends. The rest are linen, polyester, polypropylene and nylon blend rugs, which are easier to clean and a good choice for busy entryways, kitchens and covered outdoor spaces.
What is the difference between Navajo, Aztec and southwestern rugs?
Southwestern is the broad style. Navajo-inspired rugs borrow the banded layouts, diamonds and terraced shapes associated with Navajo weaving, while Aztec-style rugs lean on dense, repeating geometric motifs. Our rugs are inspired by these looks for decorating purposes, rather than being traditional or authentic weavings from those cultures.
What size southwestern rug do I need for a living room?
For most living rooms, an 8x10 or 9x12 southwestern area rug works best, letting at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs rest on the rug. In a smaller room or a reading corner, a 5x8 or 6x9 is enough. Large, open rooms can take a 10x14.
Do southwestern rugs go with modern decor?
Yes. A modern southwestern rug with a simple stripe or a sparse diamond pattern in ivory, grey or black fits clean-lined furniture well. The geometric patterns add warmth and texture without clashing, and neutral colorways are the easiest to mix with modern and farmhouse rooms.
Can I use a southwestern rug outdoors?
Only rugs rated for indoor and outdoor use. About a dozen rugs in this collection carry that rating and can go on a covered porch or patio. Wool and linen rugs should stay indoors. For more weather-ready options, browse our outdoor rugs.
How do I clean a wool southwestern rug?
Vacuum it regularly with the beater bar off or raised, blot spills right away with cool water and a clean cloth, and rotate the rug every few months. Expect some shedding at first. For deep cleaning, use a professional rug cleaner who works with wool.
Why Buy Southwestern Rugs from RugKnots
We have been sourcing rugs since 1987, and every southwestern rug listing shows its material, construction and exact size. Shipping is free on all orders in the contiguous US, and returns are free for 30 days, so you can see the colors in your own light before you decide. Want to compare related looks? Browse geometric rugs, boho rugs and farmhouse rugs.
