With your household I would not recommend a natural fibre like jute or sisal because they cannot be cleaned. A wool rug in a good quality has lots of natural lanoline which means it can be professionally cleaned and keep looking good for a long time. Otherwise, I'd recommend an inexpensive polypropylene rug or an indoor/outdoor rug because they are virtually indestructible. Polypropylene is solution dyed and impermeable to stains. I find it a bit creepy feeling on bare feet, but if it doesn't bother you, then that's great. But first, you might want to have your existing rugs cleaned and see if they are salvageable.

Thanks! We tried cleaning them and they are beyond cleaning. I made the mistake of buying a tone on tone ivory rug from Pottery Barn. Looks good, but what was I thinking??? Would an indoor/outdoor rug look weird with brown leather w/ nailhead furniture?

It depends! I've seen some really nice ones from Feizy or Hellenic (can't remember which) that you'd never know you could use outside. My preference would be for something that looks like the wool rug (a Turkish tribal rug?) that would be the ideal addition to your room. So check suppliers that make polypolylene rugs in colours and styles that mimic the traditional rugs. When you squint at your room, it should look cohesive and the rug needs to go with your style. In the future, you can upgrade to something wonderful :)

Great post- as owner of four little dogs with big 'tudes resistant to doing biz 100% outside, rug cleaning has become a second job. The idea of a washable indoor/outdoor is a practical and reasonably stylish alternative.

Great post. It was so helpful.

Elizabeth, I can't believe those are indoor/outdoor rugs! I love the one in image 2! Can you tell me where it's from? Thanks and helpful post!

This post is over 2 years old.

I noticed that RugsUSA has a beautiful polypropylene rug that looks like an antique Persian rug, plus they are having a sale--the rug is $74.

I love the natural rugs, like sisal and jute. I bought one from Pottery Barn and my Roomba vacuum is pulling it all apart :( Anyone else have this issue?

You need to use a suction only vacuum, no beater bar or brushes. Miel makes a good one.