12 Affordable Neutral Area Rugs for Your Living Room

Updated on September 22, 2023

living room with a neutral area rug

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Our top picks for the best area rugs for your living room, dining room, or bedroom that are neutral, stylish and affordable for any budget.

Area rugs are an investment and you’ll likely have them for many years, so choosing one can feel like a big decision. The rug you choose can change the look and feel of your entire room. And when you’re rug shopping on a budget, it’s all about finding the best area rug you can for the least amount of money.

Here we’ve rounded up the best affordable neutral area rugs for your home that will work with many decor styles, from coastal and beachy, to contemporary, to boho, to urban, and more.


Area rugs can easily cost thousands of dollars, but spending that much on a rug isn’t necessary with so many affordable rug options available. Maybe you’re on a budget, or maybe you don’t want to feel guilty for having to replace your rug in a year or two (after all, it’s something that you’re walking on, and your kids are spilling on, and your dogs and cats are doing who-knows-what on).

If you’re decorating a new space, you may want to choose an area rug for your room first and decide on furniture, curtains, and other decor second. Or you may be replacing an existing rug, in which case you’ll be looking for something that matches your existing decor. In both situations, a neutral rug is a great choice.

Neutral area rugs match almost everything, so even if you decide to change out some furniture in the future, or if you decide to update your room colors, the rug will still look like it belongs. Another bonus of having a neutral area rug is that in the future, you can easily move it to another room and it will look like it belongs there, too.

Here are our top picks for affordable neutral area rugs that are perfect for your living room, bedroom, dining room, or any other space in your home where you’re in need of a neutral area rug.


1. Ivory Flat Weave Area Rug

Neutral patterned area rug
patterned area rug detail

This patterned neutral rug will look great in any coastal, boho, beachy, or contemporary room and is hand made with quality cotton fibers. The pattern in this area rug will add a nice texture to your space. If you’re putting it on a hardwood floor you’ll want to add a non-slip rug pad, like this one, so it doesn’t slide around.


2. Seagrass Woven Neutral Area Rug

seagrass woven area rugs
detail of seagrass woven area rug

This woven area rug is made from 100% seagrass and has a fabric border and a rubber non-skid backing. It will look fabulous in a coastal, beachy, or contemporary room, such as a living room, dining room, bedroom, entry way, or kitchen. It’s available in multiple shapes (rectangle, circle, square) and sizes. Reviewers say it holds up well in high traffic areas, is well made, and is easy to clean.


3. Neutral Floral Medallion Area Rug

neutral floral medallion border area rug
detail of neutral floral medallion area rugs

A traditional and classic option as far as area rugs go, this neutral border area rug will look beautiful in a living room or dining room and will work with a wide variety of wood furniture tones. It’s durable and suitable for high traffic areas of your home. The floral medallion design adds visual interest, while the neutral colors keep it from looking too busy. Reviewers say it looks great in their homes and is soft to walk on. A rug pad, like this one, is recommended to prevent the rug from slipping and to give extra padding.


4. Cream and Tan Striped Area Rug

An overhead view of a cream and tan striped area rug.
A cream and tan striped area rug in a living room setting.

This simple yet chic striped area rug is woven with a blend of wool and cotton for a soft feeling underfoot. It will add dimension to your room while remaining neutral with cream and tan natural tones. Will look great in a living room, bedroom, entrance way, or kitchen, and will easily fit in with your contemporary, coastal, farmhouse, or boho decor. A non-slip rug pad, like this one, will help it from sliding around on your floor.


5. Herringbone Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug

This herringbone area rug can be used indoors or outdoors, meaning it’s durable for high-traffic rooms like your kitchen, hallway, living room, dining room, entrance, back deck or patio. The pattern and texture give it the perfect mix of sophisticated and casual. Reviewers say they get many compliments on this rug and that it’s easy to clean, making it one of the best area rugs for pets. The manufacturer recommends a non-slip rug pad so it doesn’t slide around — this one is popular on Amazon.


Related: 25 Best Neutral Accent Chairs Under $500 to Complete Your Room


6. Beige Medallion Area Rug

medallion neutral area rug
medallion area rug detail

This medallion area rug is a contemporary spin on a traditional design. The variety of beige colors will add a touch of warmth and sophistication to your room. It’s designed to purposely look distressed in some places, as if it were a vintage rug, which adds to its charm. Reviewers are pleased with the quality and affordability of this rug, and many have gone back to order a second for another room. Adding a rug pad, like this one, will keep it from moving around on hardwood or tile and will add to the cushioning under your feet.


7. Trellis Area Rug with Border

neutral trellis area rug
neutral trellis area rug detail

If you’re looking for area rugs that can bring an interesting pattern into your room, this modern trellis border rug is a great option. It’s fun and fashionable all at the same time. Will look beautiful in a living room, dining room, sun room, hallway, or entrance. Reviewers are pleased with how soft it is, and with the quality and durability. A rug pad, like this one, will help it from moving on hardwood floors and add more cushioning.


8. Jute Area Rug

jute area rug
jute area rugs detail

This handwoven jute area rug is a perfect option for your coastal decor, beach home, or farmhouse style. It can be used alone or as a base for layering another rug on top of it. Looks great in a living room, bedroom, or entrance foyer. The natural fibers will bring a warm texture into your room.


9. Ivory Shag Rug

ivory shag rug
ivory shag rug detail

This ivory shag rug with geometric diamond pattern is described as being easy-care and soft to the touch. It’s made from thick, plush high-quality synthetic yarns and comes in a variety of neutral colors. Will work well with contemporary, boho, or rustic interiors. Reviewers especially love it for living rooms, children’s’ bedrooms, or anywhere where kids play on the floor.


10. Abstract Patterned Neutral Area Rug

geometric patterned rug
geometric patterned rug detail

Described as having a classic Persian-inspired style, this ivory and gray area rug will look great in contemporary interiors, especially living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and entrance halls. Reviewers say it’s beautiful and good quality, and that since it’s a thinner rug it definitely needs a rug pad underneath to add cushioning, like this rug pad.


11. Jute Area Rug with Border

braided jute rug
braided jute rug detail

This area rug is handmade from 100% eco-friendly natural jute. The darker border adds a nice color variation and helps to define your space. Reviewers say it brightens the room and brings an earthy look to their space. This is a flat pile area rug so you’ll want to add a non-slip rug pad, like this one, to add cushioning and grip the floor so it doesn’t slide around.


12. Geometric Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug

geometric indoor/outdoor rug
geometric indoor/outdoor rug detail

The geometric pattern on this indoor/outdoor area rug is inspired by Mediterranean tile designs. A machine washable area rug, it’s easy to care for and pet-friendly, making it one of the best area rugs for pets. The pattern is a raised texture and will bring visual interest to any room while remaining neutral.


The Best Places to Buy Inexpensive Area Rugs

If you’re looking for the best places to buy inexpensive area rugs, here are the best places to buy area rugs that are affordable while also having good quality:

Target – Target has a lot of stylish and affordable area rugs. This link will take you directly to the neutral rugs section of their website.

Amazon – Not surprisingly, you can find a lot of neutral area rugs on Amazon, and if you have Amazon Prime you can expect to get qualifying items delivered quickly.

The Home Depot – The Home Depot has a great selection of area rugs! They have much more online than in-store, so check them out at the link.

Wayfair – Wayfair is another good option for affordable area rugs. Their items can sell out quickly, so if you see something you love, don’t hesitate for too long.

Lowe’s – Lowe’s is another home improvement store with an impressive selection of neutral area rugs. Their online selection is much larger than in-store.

Bed Bath & Beyond – Another great option for the best area rugs, Bed Bath & Beyond carries a lot of different brands with competitive prices.

IKEA – IKEA always has some fun and affordable area rugs to choose from if you’re on a budget or plan to replace your rug more often due to kids and pets.


We hope you’ve enjoyed this roundup of the best area rugs for living room, dining room, entrance, hallway, kitchen, or bedroom areas of your home, that are both affordable and in neutral colors.

Which of these neutral area rugs is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

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