Decorating a dorm room can be challenging. You have limited space, roommates to contend with, and (of course) a budget to stick to. Once you have the essentials, it’s time for the big stuff — something to tie the whole room together. Rugs are a big part of the ambiance of your student’s dorm room, where form and function meet, especially if they’ve been placed in a room with dreaded linoleum flooring. They can add a much-needed splash of color, absorb noise, add warmth, and provide comfort for tired feet. But where do you begin to look for the right rug? With so many options and retailers, shopping is bound to get overwhelming.
We researched dozens of rugs in various sizes, shapes, colors, and materials to bring you the very best for your dorm-living student. Whether you’re looking for something washable and small or something larger and hypoallergenic, there’s something for every student’s style and needs. Read on for our top picks for the best dorm room rugs.
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Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Room Essentials Shag Rug – $60 at Target
- Best Budget: Ophanie Throw Rug – From $12.99 at Amazon
- Best for Large Dorm Rooms: Cloud Nine Rug – From $170 at Pottery Barn Teen
- Best for Small Dorm Rooms: Drennen Geometric Rug – From $60 at Wayfair
- Best Washable Dorm Room Rug: Sloane Grey Rug – From $90 at Ruggable
Reviews of The Best Dorm Room Rugs
1. Best Overall: Room Essentials Shag Rug
Target is great for your everyday dorm room essentials, including rugs. This shag rug is part of Target’s Room Essentials brand and comes in just one size but four neutral colors. No guessing games there. Just be sure to measure before you go. The medium pile cushion provides just enough support while the latex back keeps it in place. And because mess in any dorm room is inevitable, this rug is stain-resistant. Just spot clean as needed.
Most reviewers say the rug is perfect for their child’s dorm room, offering coverage with the perfect cushion. It seems to always be in stock, and it’s lightweight enough to carry up to a dorm with just one or two people. Overall, it’s an affordable rug that does its job.
The Specs:
- Available Sizes: 5 x 7 feet
- Material: Polyester and Latex
- Washable?: No
The Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to carry.
- Holds up well to heavy foot traffic
- Does not shed
The Cons:
- Only available in one size
- Some reviewers say it is on the thin side.
- Not a lot of color variety
What Others are Saying:
The Room Essentials Shag Rug has an average rating of 4.5 stars on Target.
Buy the Room Essentials Shag Rug:
2. Best Budget: Ophanie Throw Rug
You can get anything on Amazon, including a dorm rug, and having it delivered right to your student’s housing is a big plus. The Ophanie Rug comes in eight different sizes, so you can be sure to find one that fits their space. It has a large array of color options (including rainbow), so they can match it with pretty much anything, and the shag-like material is comfortable on bare feet. Plus, for the low price, you won’t entirely mind if it gets destroyed after a semester or two.
The Specs:
- Available Sizes: 2 x 3, 2 x 6, 3 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 5 x 8, 6 x 9, 8 x 10 feet
- Material: Microfiber
- Washable?: No
The Pros:
- Microfiber is water-resistant
- High pile provides soundproofing.
The Cons:
- Has a strong “new rug” smell.
- Not very strong grip
What Others are Saying:
The Ophanie Throw Rug was named the best washable shag rug by Real Simple and has a 4.3-star rating from over 26,000 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Ophanie Throw Rug:
3. Best for Large Dorm Rooms: Pottery Barn Teen Cloud Nine Rug
Pottery Barn Teen has an eclectic mix of furniture and rugs that will capture the eye of even the most discerning college student, and this Cloud Nine Rug is no exception. It always costs more to cover a larger area, but with this rug, you get quality, function, and fashion. Cloud Nine comes in five muted colors and will go with almost any design style. The 100 percent recycled cotton gives a plush feel underfoot that will last your teen from their college dorm room to their first apartment.
The Specs:
- Available Sizes: 3×5, 5×8, 7×10
- Material: Recycled cotton, synthetic latex
- Washable?: No
The Pros:
- Latex-free
- Sustainably sourced, fair-trade item.
The Cons:
- Needs to be rotated every 3 to 6 months for even wear.
Buy the Cloud Nine Rug:
4. Best for Small Dorm Rooms: Drennen Geometric Rug
Small dorm rooms are a challenge, but there are plenty of rugs that fit within the dimensions of a smaller space without looking too goofy. The Drennen Geometric Round Rug from Wayfair is just 4 feet across, making it small enough to fit in tight spaces but big enough to create dimension within the room. That’s thanks to the round shape that you can easily tuck partially under a bed or desk area. The light color reflects more light, which creates the illusion of more space, too.
The Specs:
- Available Sizes: 4 feet round
- Material: Polypropylene
- Washable?: No
The Pros:
- Stain-resistant material
- Neutral color
- High traffic resistant
The Cons:
- Only available in one size
What Others are Saying:
The Drennen Geometric rug has a 4.7-star rating from over 15,000 Wayfair reviews.
Buy the Drennen Geometric Rug:
5. Best Washable Dorm Room Rug: Ruggable Sloane Grey Rug
Ruggable is one of the top names for washable rugs, and they carry just about every size, shape, and color imaginable. But for the purpose of a washable dorm room rug, the Sloane Grey Rug is our pick. While the price point is slightly higher than others, the splurge is worth it as the carpet can be washed dozens of times and still maintain its shape and plush feel. Just be sure they’re prepared to do their laundry before attempting to clean it.
The Specs:
- Available Sizes: 2 x 3, 3 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 6×9, 8×10, 9 x12
- Material: Polyester and cotton blend
- Washable?: Yes
The Pros:
- Available in both flat woven or tufted, and standard or cushioned.
- Neutral color
- Rug pad is interchangeable with other Ruggable rugs.
The Cons:
- Large size won’t fit in washing machine
- Pricey
What Others are Saying:
The Sloane Grey Rug was named the best rug for small spaces by Cosmopolitan and Best Products.
Buy the Sloane Grey Rug:
Other Dorm Room Rugs to Consider
Jiang Solid Color Rug
With this rug, you have options — lots of them. It comes in 15 colors and 26 sizes. According to hundreds of reviews, the rug’s best feature is its durability, but it is recommended to use a rug pad to keep it from shifting. It’s solid, but a bit expensive for such a basic look. The Jiang Solid Color Rug is available at Wayfair starting at $38.99.
Lansing Hand Tufted Wool Geometric Rug
This rug’s striped, geometric pattern makes it stand out from the others on this list. While it is a thinner rug, it serves its purpose of covering a large area and making the room feel more like a home. It’s soft to walk on while still being durable, and it’s great for those with allergies as the low pile holds in less dust and allergens than other rugs. However, it might be too expensive for the average dorm. The Lansing Hand Tufted Wool Geometric Rug is available at Wayfair for $402.
Nadia Chindi Rug
While your college student might shop at Urban Outfitters for the latest in fashion, they also carry a wide variety of home goods, including rugs. The chevron patterned rug comes in natural earth tones and two sizes: 2 x 3 feet and 5 x 7 feet. It’s small and lightweight enough to be thrown into a washer, which is a plus for any dorm room essential. The tassels make it stand out from the other rugs on the list, giving it a playful vibe. The Nadia Chindi Rug is available at Urban Outfitters starting at $19.
Lorena Canals Washable Rug
This is another good washable rug option. Made from a cotton and polyester blend, this rug is handcrafted, meaning no two rugs are the same—pretty unique for a washable rug. However, its limited sizes and styles have us leaning towards options from Ruggable instead. The Lorena Canals Washable Rug is available at Pottery Barn starting at $139.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi, I’m Christina! Not only am I an experienced parenting writer, but I am also a mom of two. I live in Los Angeles, one of the country’s most expensive cities, so I always look for quality products at a great price. Researching rugs for this story turned into a bit of an obsession. I realized just how important a rug can be for a college student. After all, a rug can magically turn any space into an inviting one, so you should think of a rug as a little piece of home in your child’s dorm. I scoured my favorite stores (and some new ones) and thought about price points, durability, comfort, accessibility, and sizing — all things that would affect the purchase of a dorm rug.
As always, Grown and Flown is a hub for everything parents of college-aged children want to know and understand – from the very best products to the latest information. And you can be sure that all of it is triple-checked to ensure accuracy, with you, the parent, in mind.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Dorm Room Rug
What to Consider Before Buying a Dorm Room Rug
Don’t go into the buying game blind. It’s important to do your homework before deciding on a rug. Here are some things to ask yourself:
Size: The bigger the room, the bigger the rug (and vice versa). Take measurements before you buy, if possible, and take into account the placement of their dorm room furniture in relation to the size of the rug. They’re not going to be happy if they end up with a wobbly desk because only one leg fits on the rug!
Roommates: A dorm room is a shared space, so make sure that if you’re planning to buy one big rug that every resident agrees with it. And if everyone is planning to buy their own (smaller) rugs, make sure they’re able to overlap and don’t clash.
Allergies: Always check to see what materials are used to make the rug. If your student has a latex allergy, for example, be sure to find a rug with a latex-free backing. And remember that the higher the pile, the more dust and allergens are trapped in it.
Style: If you’ve brought bedspreads and accessories, make sure the rug will match. Nothing is less peaceful than a clashing rug! Having a more neutral rug will ensure it fits your student’s style for the four years they’re away.
Where to Buy Rugs for College Dorm Rooms?
There are two options for buying rugs: online or in-store. While in-store is great for seeing the rugs up close and personal, you’ll have to lug your rug to its destination physically. This can be difficult if you have limited space in your car or if your child goes to college in a city where they rely on public transportation. The rugs on this list from Pottery Barn, Target, and Urban Outfitters are available online and in-store, while the other rugs from Amazon, Ruggable, and Wayfair are exclusively online.
Rugs can also be expensive, so we recommend checking your favorite stores for seasonal deals or signing up for email reminders.
Do You Need a Rug for a College Dorm Room?
While a dorm room rug is not essential, it is very nice to have. They cushion tired feet, keep the room warmer, and can make things feel more homey. Yes, they’ll have to vacuum, but if they don’t have a rug, they’ll have to mop the floors more often or walk on the existing dorm room carpet (and who knows when that was cleaned last).
What Size Rug Should You Get for a College Dorm Room?
The size of the rug depends on the size of the dorm room. Always take measurements before purchasing a rug. If you don’t have access to take measurements, a quick call to student housing may answer your questions. Some students just want a rug to step on as they get out of bed every morning (3 x 5 feet), while others want to cover the entire floor (5 x 7 feet and up), and some even still have limited space (try a round rug!). It all depends on the look they’re going for and the needs of those living in the dorm room.
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
