Nate Berkus is exactly the kind of person you want to hit the flea with. He knows his references, spots the good stuff before you do, and (not that he needs it) has the Oprah co-sign to attest he knows what he’s talking about. That same instinct runs through his new Rugs USA collab – only unlike anything you’ll find at the thrift store, and like all the best rugs of 2025, they’re washable."
‘This collection started with me doing a ton of research – looking through almost every motif for fabric design, antique rugs, Chinese Art Deco rugs, and European rugs from the 1930s and 1940s,’ Nate explains. The range pulls from everywhere, which makes big feats like living room rug styling easier – the same way a multicolor dress somehow works with everything in your closet.
‘We specifically created rugs that will make interiors feel layered and assembled over time, rugs that are simple and easy to design around,’ he adds.
That’s the name of the Nate Berkus game – folding in the old with the new – to keep the look timeless. Pieces like the architecturally inspired Downing Rug fit into nearly any style story, while the washable wool flatweave construction across all 16 neutral SKUs makes them practical enough for high-traffic spaces.
‘How do you create a beautiful, solid rug that looks expensive? The answer is texture,’ he says, intent on shaking machine-washable rugs free of their ‘cheap’ reputation.
Speaking of, unlike the overpriced vintage reproduction you regret later, Nate’s line won't break the bank. One of the standouts starts at just $45, for a real, washable wool blend – confirming yet again that Rugs USA might just be one of the best places to buy rugs. ‘Thick enough and plush enough, but handsome enough that nothing about it looks inexpensive,’ he muses.
Ahead, six rugs with vintage instincts and modern sensibilities you didn’t even have to haggle for.
Dimensions: 5' x 8'
Neutral mid-century geometry, a medium cut pile, and 100% wool construction make this the most convincingly vintage piece of the bunch. Stately in a living room, a soft underfoot bedroom rug idea, and washable, too.
Dimensions: 5' x 8'
What’s more indulgent than a chocolate brown rug in pure wool? Nothing, especially in autumn. It’s the perfect anchor for jewel tones, woven textures, or burnt orange accents, and it’s hand-hooked to last.
Dimensions: 4' x 6'
Sketchy, wrought-iron-like lines give this design a distinctly European air. Comparable rug price tags usually tack on an extra zero, but this perfectly timed washable wool version makes the style attractively accessible.
Dimensions: 4' x 6'
The big squiggles may be bowing out, but subtler takes still land. This one, in tonal green, feels ghostly, almost like a shadow. Pair right up against walnut wood furniture this season.
Dimensions: 2' x 3'
Never underestimate a 2x3. Too small for a living room, maybe, but perfect at the foot of your bed or next to a reading chair. It's a vintage-y floral hit that makes even small spaces feel a lot more charming.
Dimensions: 5' x 8'
If fall were a pattern, it’d be plaid – but here it comes stripped back and unfussy. The flatweave keeps it clean and durable, chic under a dining table where the traffic (and the spills) never stop.
You can score the rug of your dreams and still feel like something’s off. The secret isn’t always in the weave – it’s (as any realtor would remind you) location, location, location. See the living room rug placement rules designers swear by to make sure yours lands exactly the way you hoped.
