Tossing Up Between a Tufted vs Flat-Woven Rug? Here's the Difference, and Which Is Cooler for Homes in 2025
I've spent a lot of time this month searching for the coolest, stylish, most designer-looking rugs, and it's taught me one important lesson: not all rugs are made equal. Some are designed to offer a plush respite from hardwood floors, while others are lauded, namely for their durability. It often comes down to the tufted vs flat-woven rug debate — so, which do you choose?
Tufted and flat-woven rugs are two of the most popular styles, but they have significant differences in terms of construction, appearance, and durability. Tufted rugs have a higher pile height and are made by punching yarn through a backing material, while flat-woven rugs are woven with interlacing yarn and lay flat to the floor (hence the name flat-woven). Which are better? Well, it's down to opinion, but it's an opinion that Livingetc.com's editor Hugh Metcalf does hold strongly. "For a long time, I've been all about the minimalism of flat-woven rugs but, honestly, I think tufted ones are the way forward. They're more generous, comfortable, luxurious, but the battle is in finding ones that feel contemporary enough that they bring a cool factor to the space."
It's not an easy task finding the best rug for your space, no matter which you prefer, but, in order to help you make an informed decision between tufted vs flat-woven rugs, I've asked experts for their best advice on when to go for one or the other. Here's what they shared.