Why Are Area Rugs So Expensive?

If you’ve ever decorated a living space, you know how ridiculously expensive appliances, furniture, and decor can get. Decorating your dream home requires quite the investment––even when it comes to putting the finishing touches on your living space with a beautiful area rug. 

You might be wondering, “how in the world can an area rug cost up to thousands of dollars?” There’s a lot that goes into it; and while there are plenty of affordable, well-constructed rugs widely available, you’d be surprised how pricey some pieces can be. 

Let's break down what gets factored into the cost of a durable area rug and just how you can hunt down a gorgeous piece for your home that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. 

Generally, how expensive are area rugs?

As mentioned, some luxury, antique rugs are frequently sold with outrageous price tags––we’re talking literal thousands of dollars. In fact, the most expensive rug ever sold is the Sotheby’s 17th Century Antique Persian Carpet, which went for a whopping $33.7 million in 2013. Insane, right?

Fortunately, for any high-quality, retail rug, you can expect to be set back several hundred dollars on average when purchasing it brand new. 

What factors can affect the price of a rug?

 Size

As you can expect, the bigger the rug, the more expensive it is bound to be. Because more materials will be used in its construction and the piece will take longer to make, you can expect an upcharge for any upgrade in size. 

Materials

Rugs can be made from either synthetic or natural fibers, both of which have a bearing on the price of the final product. Because they’re quicker and easier to produce, synthetic fibers––like polypropylene––are generally less expensive. On the other hand, natural fibers like wool are a bit pricier. Area rugs made from another type of synthetic fiber, Nylon, have different qualities, and are, therefore, priced somewhere in the middle. When it comes to luxury options, materials like silk are incredibly expensive, which is reflected in the price of the high-end rug. 

How it’s made

Because their construction process is less labor-intensive, machine-made rugs are typically a cheaper alternative to their hand-knotted counterparts. As expected, the latter involves a long and tedious process, whereas machine-made rugs can be produced at a much quicker rate. 

Style

Aside from what might be in high demand based on current trends, rug styles can actually be priced very differently. This is usually due to the fact that each style may require different materials and construction processes, both of which affect the selling price of the piece. 

Overall quality

There are a handful of ways to be able to determine the quality of an area rug, and therefore, its price. Many look for the number of knots per square inch (KPSI), which is a metric that tells us a bit about the rug’s density, durability, and clarity of pattern. Valuators may also look for specific detail, color, and quality of materials to accurately price a piece. 

Where to find affordable options 

Despite how pricey some area rugs can be, it’s important to note that there are still plenty of manufacturers and retailers that offer accessible pricing. In fact, with enough research and an attention to detail, you can actually score a well-crafted, durable, and stunning piece for under $200!

Want to peruse our collection of versatile and affordable area rugs? Click here to view some of our all-time Best Sellers!