Flatweave, Jute & Animal Print Rugs

Flatweave, Jute and Animal Print Rugs: Natural Texture for Everyday Living

Some rugs are meant to be the star of the room. The rugs in this collection are the hardworking, easygoing pieces that make everything around them look better. Flatweave rugs lie low and stay put. Jute rugs bring the warm, organic texture of natural fiber. Cowhide and animal print rugs add a little personality and a lot of style.

I'm Janice Wells, the Rug Goddess, and in 25+ years of helping home and office clients, I have learned that these are some of the most versatile rugs you can own. They layer beautifully, work in coastal, farmhouse, modern, and traditional rooms, and handle spaces where a thick pile rug would get in the way.

They also have a few quirks you should know before you buy. Below, I explain the differences, how each one lives day to day, and which collections in this category fit your room.

Flatweave, Jute, or Animal Print: What's the Difference?

• Flatweave rugs are woven on a loom without a pile, so the surface is flat and thin. Kilim and dhurrie rugs are traditional flatweave styles. Flatweaves can be wool, cotton, jute, or synthetic.
• Jute rugs are made from a natural plant fiber with a soft golden tone and a nubby, braided, or woven texture. Many jute rugs are also flatweaves.
• Animal print rugs include genuine cowhide rugs and rugs that use cow, zebra, cheetah, leopard, or deer patterns in wool or other fibers.

The Rugs in This Collection

Jute and natural fiber rugs

The Stanton Mochima collection is 100% jute, handmade in khaki, wheat, and golden wheat tones. The Nourison Terrazzo Jute rug is 100% jute in a braided flatweave with a natural and grey border. The KAS Kauai collection is handwoven in India from handspun jute blended with recycled PET yarn made from plastic bottles, and the Jaipur Living Naturals Tobago rug brings a classic jute texture. Brands include Stanton, Nourison, KAS, and Jaipur Living.

Wool and patterned flatweaves

The Crescent collections, including Ticking Stripe, Tattersall, Soliman Bay, and Boston Bay, bring tailored stripes and plaids in a flat, hand-loomed construction. Crescent Ticking Stripe is 100% New Zealand wool, and custom sizes are available on request. You will also find stripes, borders, and geometric designs from Momeni, the Cape, Castille, and Joshua collections from Couristan, and the Liora Manne Sorrento and Monaco collections from Trans-Ocean.

Cowhide rugs

The Couristan Chalet collection is made of 100% natural cowhide leather, ethically sourced, in flatwoven designs like Prism, Freeform, and Tile with a felt backing. The Agio cowhide rugs from Wayside are handcrafted from viscose jacquard and natural, undyed cowhide leather for a sleek modern look.

Animal print rugs

If you love the look of a hide without the hide itself, the Erin Gates Acadia collection by Momeni offers cow, deer, zebra, and cheetah prints. The Liora Manne Monaco Zebra rug brings a softer, taupe zebra pattern. For stair runners and custom rugs in leopard and cheetah designs, see my stair runners.

How These Rugs Live Day to Day

The benefits

• Low profile. Flatweaves sit close to the floor, so doors clear them and chairs slide easily.
• Great for layering. A large jute or flatweave base under a smaller patterned rug or cowhide adds depth to a room.
• Natural texture. Jute and wool flatweaves add warmth without heavy pattern.
• Easy to style. Neutral jute and simple stripes work with almost any furniture and color palette.

What to know before you buy

• Jute and water don't mix. Spills can leave water marks, so jute is best in dry rooms, not bathrooms, mudrooms, or outdoors.
• Jute sheds at first. Expect some fiber in the vacuum for the first few weeks. It settles down with time.
• Jute feels firm. It is textured rather than plush. If you want softness underfoot, consider a wool flatweave or a jute and wool blend.
• Flatweaves need a pad. A thin rug can slide and wrinkle without one. A good rug pad keeps it flat and safe.
• Cowhide needs gentle care. Shake it out, vacuum without a beater bar, blot spills quickly, and never soak it.

Where These Rugs Work Best

• Living rooms and family rooms, especially as a layered base under a patterned rug.
• Dining rooms, where a flatweave lets chairs move in and out easily.
• Bedrooms, with a large jute rug under the bed and a cowhide or smaller rug on the side.
• Home offices and commercial offices, where a low profile helps rolling chairs.
• Coastal and farmhouse homes, where natural fiber fits the relaxed style.

For more styling ideas, read How to Decorate Your Home With Jute Rugs and 5 Reasons Why Designers Recommend Jute Rugs.

Let Me Help You Choose

Jute, wool flatweave, cowhide, or a printed rug can all look similar in a photo and feel completely different in your home. That's why I offer in-home consultations in Tampa, Central Florida, and Kansas City, and virtual consultations everywhere else. Many rugs come in sample sizes, so you can feel the texture before you decide, and RoomVo lets you see a rug in a photo of your own room.

I work with exclusive brands and designer collections, and I can have many styles made in custom sizes, so you get the rug that truly fits your space and lifestyle.

Helpful Reading

• 5 Reasons Why Designers Recommend Jute Rugs
• How to Decorate Your Home With Jute Rugs
• Are Area Rugs Machine Washable?
• Why Does Your Area Rug Need a Pad?
• How to Care for Your Area Rug
• The Complete Area Rug Size Guide