My Complete Review After Buying Rugs from Rugs USA for Over a Decade
As a deal-seeking shopper and home design enthusiast who has purchased area rugs of all styles and sizes from Rugs USA since 2012, I‘ve come to regard them as my go-to source for stylish rugs at unbelievable prices.
Over 10+ years, I‘ve ordered 14 rugs from their catalog for everything from my living room to rental properties. I‘ve also seen firsthand how some of their affordable synthetic styles as well six-figure antique wool styles hold up with pets, kids and normal wear-and-tear.
Today I want to share everything consumers need to know – both the fabulous and the frustrating – when shopping with leading online rug retailer Rugs USA based on my personal experience alongside insights from designers and industry data.
Let‘s start by getting to know this home decor heavyweight a bit more…
About Rugs USA: More Than Just Rugs!
Founded in 1998 by father and son duo Shalom and Shay Yankelov, Rugs USA started as a small eBay store before expanding into the rug emporium we know today offering everything from ornate Persian wool heirlooms to cheap dorm room floor coverings.
Now based in New York City with a massive warehouse in Avenel, New Jersey, the company has over 200 employees and boasts being America‘s #1 online rug seller. Beyond rugs, they also offer coordinating home decor like indoor/outdoor furniture, pillows, curtains and wall art to complete the look of any space.
While they don‘t disclose exact sales figures, various reports estimate Rugs USA annual revenues between $100-$500 million. And their site traffic outpaces competitors:
Unlike rival online retailer Wayfair struggling with profitability, Rugs USA runs a streamlined e-commerce operation with efficient supply chain logistics and lean overhead that allows them to offer deep discounts while still turning a profit.
Next let‘s breakdown the core pros and cons of Rugs USA as an established home decor leader…
Why I Keep Coming Back to Rugs USA
As a seasoned Rugs USA customer, I stay loyal for the following reasons:
Massive Inventory – With over 250,000 area rugs currently in stock spanning styles from modern designs to antique Persian heirlooms, I can always count on them to have patterns and color combinations to match my latest interior visions.
Competitors like Ruggable and Lulu & Georgia have unique offerings but far more limited catalog depth.
Steep Discounts – From weekly sales to sitewide clearance events, I can routinely save upwards of 50-70% buying Rugs USA over comparable retailers. Their buying power coupled with my flexibility makes decor dreams reality!
Below is just one example of how much I saved buying a popular 8×10 Safavieh Courtyard rug for my living room:
Smooth Shopping Experience – With free shipping, free returns, responsive customer support, and their handy virtual room designer allowing me to visualize rugs, I can conveniently experiment without surprises.
While their interface trails slightly behind the visual polish of a Wayfair, everything works smoothly with no glitches or forced account signups to proceed.
Positive Reviews – With over 297,000 Verified Reviews and overall 4.6/5 star average across platforms like TrustPilot, I feel confident I can trust quality claims before buying unlike dicey dropshipping sites.
I‘ll also note areas Rugs USA could improve…
Where Rugs USA Falls Short
No company is perfect and Rugs USA has some limitations including:
Underwhelming Wool Rugs – While fantastic values on synthetic and blended rugs, I‘ve found several of their pure wool styles lack the plush softness and artisanal cache expected from the gold standard fiber.
Occasional Damage – 1 in 10 rugs I order arrives with minor flaws or irregular shapes from sloppy handling or packaging. But their great return policy makes exchanging painless.
Slow Shipping – From order to arrival, rugs take between 1-3 weeks in my experience as they ship ground direct from their New Jersey warehouse. Retail stores obviously have an instant gratification advantage.
With pros definitively outweighing the cons for quality and costs, I remain an enthusiastic Rugs USA customer. But how exactly do their products hold up over the long run?
Testing Rugs USA Rug Durability Over a Decade
To share a true sense of how well Rugs USA rugs endure daily use and maintenance, I documented how some of my earliest purchases stand up more than 10 years later.
Armed with insight on common rug materials from two designers I interviewed, I assessed fiber appearance, dimensions and overall durability across 4 styles.
Here‘s the breakdown:
1. Richmond Braided Jute Rug
2012 Purchase Price: $34
Material: Jute
In my first Chicago apartment, I bought this natural jute accent rug to add texture next to my bed. 100% biodegradable jute has enjoyed a major comeback for its sustainable story and textured charm.
But the fibrous plant material also frays and shreds easier than synthetic counterparts – especially in high-traffic areas. However, 10+ years later kept mainly in my low-use bedroom, my Richmond Braided rug still retains its handsome honey hue and gently varying widths with no signs of deterioration.
For process and purpose, it remains an exceptional value buy. I recommend it highly for lightly-used spaces.
2. Cyra Ombre Striped Rug
2014 Purchase Price: $57
Material: Polypropylene
Seeking the vibrant color and softness of wool at a vegan-friendly price point for my first Los Angeles rental, I took a chance on this colorful striped polypropylene rug.
While polypropylene‘s color integrity and stain-resistance rated high with designers, some questioned longevity from the synthetic fiber. But nearly 10 years later under a parade of tenant foot traffic and furniture shuffling, my Cyra rug looks freshly vibrant with no fiber deterioration or fading.
For the price, this workhorse exceeded all expectations with its lasting power and retained its springy, comfy pile. The ultimate price-per-year value!
3. Lori Desert Solids Rug
2016 Purchase Price: $1,824
Material: New Zealand Wool
Ready to invest in my first home, I saved up for years to buy this chunky woven New Zealand wool rug I adored from West Elm for my dining room. Rugs USA happened to sell the exact same Lori Desert Solids style for over $1,000 less which made choosing easy.
While made of premium fibers, I was disappointed to find the rug arrived with visible flaws in the weave. Rugs USA happily replaced it, but the second version also had imperfections leading me to believe this wasn‘t the manufacturer‘s first-quality inventory.
That said, the ethics and anonymity of my source concerned me less once I felt the heavenly soft fibers underfoot. 100% wool offered unbeatable warmth and a quietly compelling texture.
Fast forward 7+ years later and this Lori rug has endured our raucous family of five with our dogs, heavy furniture, wine spills and all. Despite discoloring along some edges, the fibers feel as gloriously plush as day one.
So while it may not earn design awards, for cozy comfort that outlasts trends this ethical indulgence gets my wholehearted recommendation!
4. Laurel Mountain Anji Mountain Rug
2018 Purchase Price: $759
Material: Wool + Cotton Blend
Eager to bring more global textile traditions into our home, I took another pricey plunge on this Turkish-made flatweave. The charming design and ethical backstory around the village weavers wove together beautifully in my entry hall.
But with two young kids and a clumsy Golden Retriever, I worried beautiful didn‘t always equate practical. Could these delicate threads withstand our daily grind?
Now, 5 years later, the colors have faded slightly as expected from the natural dyes. And the very ends show wear from shoes and paws traipsing over them daily. But the integrity of the weave remains marvelously intact with no major holes or pulls. Another meaningful heirloom I hope to pass down.
While clearly more fragile than synthetic counterparts, for low-medium traffic spaces craving heritage and craft, artisanal wool rugs like my Anji Mountain beauty enrich spaces and souls when cared for properly.
Key Takeaways on Rug Materials
After living on and evaluating these four styles daily across thousands of feet traveled and furniture shuffled, important insights on optimal rug materials emerged:
Best Longevity: Synthetic fibers like polypropylene proved most indestructible even in high-traffic common rooms. Colors stay vibrant for 10+ years and fibers show no signs of deteriorating. My Cyra Striped rug still looks and feels newly store-bought.
Best Luxury & Comfort: While pricier and more prone to staining, exceptional wool like my New Zealand Lori rug offers unmatched warmth and plush softness underfoot. Properly cared for, heirloom wool rugs transcend trends.
Best Affordability: Jute and cotton blends balance durability and costs for lightly trafficked spaces on a budget. My Richmond jute rug shows no wear issues with proper placement.
Best Story: While demanding gentle care, I cherish my Laurel Mountain Turkish rug as a global work of art that supports village weavers and their ancient techniques. The conscious story matters.
No matter your priority – longevity, comfort, costs or heritage – Rugs USA likely has the right material and construction to meet your lifestyle needs. Just be realistic with your expectations for quality based on the fiber details and care requirements.
Next let‘s peek inside the homes of…
Interior Designers Using Rugs USA
Beyond my own decade-long experience, I also interviewed two professional interior designers on whether they use and recommend Rugs USA rugs to clients.
Los Angeles-based designer Natalie Myers of Vene Design Co. praises Rugs USA as her secondary source behind vintage antique dealers:
"I shop Rugs USA first for affordable jute and textured cotton rugs under $500 to use in kids rooms and lower-traffic spaces. The value for natural fiber rugs with character can‘t be beat and they have so many playful patterns and sizes.
While I approach their wool and silk rugs with slightly more skepticism, if you have an heirloom Turkish style in mind on a budget, you can find some real gems."
Meanwhile, Boston designer Michael Lang reserves Rugs USA for more casual spaces:
"I explore Rugs USA for basements, rentals properties, and fresh decor in my Airbnbs between guest stays. Their indoor/outdoor and polypropylene rugs withstand tons of spills and abuse while still offering lots of style.
But for high-end designer looks in clients‘ primary residences, I source directly from brands like The Rug Company and Doris Leslie Blau."
So while not their first stop for finicky high-net-worth clients, both agreed Rugs USA offers strong supplementary value across interior scopes.
More Rugs USA Review Key Takeaways:
Prices Can‘t Be Beat – From jute and wool to modern shags and Moroccan trellises, I save 50-75% buying compared to Wayfair, West Elm and local boutiques. Sign up for their emails and watch for weekly flash sales.
Massive Selection – I‘ve never failed to find a color palette, size and style to match my latest interior vision from Safavieh and Loloi to exclusive Rugs USA private label brands. Filter and sort make searching easiest.
Great Returns Policy – When occasionally unhappy with dimensions or damage on arrival, Rugs USA made refunding and exchanging simple by providing UPS return labels and promptly reimbursing once received.
Extended Delay Risk – If you need a rug rushed for an event or photoshoot, account for their 1-3 week production and shipping time. Some sizes may ship directly from overseas which can double transit time.
Visualize Before Buying – Love seeing how items will actually look in your space before purchasing? Use the Rugs USA virtual room designer to upload photos and digitally experiment with hundreds of rugs.
Monitor Sales – Rather than paying list prices, sign up for Rugs USA emails and watch for holiday weekends or inventory-clearing events when I‘ve scored area rugs for 60-80% off retail. Patience pays!
Thanks to their ever-growing catalog brimming with dazzling global designs, tempting sale prices that undercut big box stores by 50% or more, and smoother online shopping experience compared to rivals, Rugs USA remains my confident recommendation for stylish area rugs regardless of taste, timeline or budget.
Will you occasionally need to return flawed merchandise or wait additional weeks for backordered inventory? Yes, the conveniences of digital commerce still come with quirks.
But in exchange for minor logistics hiccups, you gain access to a rug wonderland overflowing with possibilities unfound wandering the sterile aisles of chain furnishing stores for thousands more.
For the color-starved, texture-craving, print-mixing maximalist eager to experiment fearlessly with each season‘s boldest interior trends without draining funds, I enthusiastically endorse Rugs USA as your guide to endless floor covering inspiration purring at your feet for years of bliss.
