The High-Quality Rug Material To Always Look For In A Thrift Store

Planning to stop by your local thrift store over the holiday break? Don't overlook the home goods section. Often, they're full of home decor finds you should never skip, particularly if you're trying to redecorate your space on a budget. For instance, there is one high-quality rug material you should always be on the lookout for when thrifting — wool.

Speaking to The Spruce, thrifting expert Nancy Cavaliere of the fashion page Casa Cavaliere sang the praises of this underrated thrift store find. "A vintage wool rug is one of the hardest-working pieces in a home and one of the smartest things you can thrift," she explained, noting that they're "trend-resistant" because they're so deeply rooted in history. Vintage wool rugs are stain- and fire-resistant and can last for decades when cared for properly. Their fiber composition makes them naturally more elastic and durable than synthetic rugs. With a professional cleaning and some intentional styling, that secondhand rug you scooped up to spice up a boring floor in your home will look as good as new.

When shopping for rugs secondhand, it's important to prioritize high-quality construction and factor in the added cost of a professional rug cleaning. "Most of the time, [rugs in thrift stores] are machine-made as opposed to vintage hand-knotted, and pricey to get cleaned," Willow Wright, owner of the vintage shop Urban Redeux, noted in a recent interview with Martha Stewart magazine. "You never know what pet stains or odors are there." You can hunt for vintage wool rugs at thrift stores or search the web for curated picks from vintage resellers (though, notably, going the online route can get expensive).

Wool rugs come in many different colors and styles, which makes them versatile enough to suit most design aesthetics. A patterned Moroccan rug or hand-knotted Heriz rug would add rich color and opulence to any parlor or living room. For a statement look, a high-pile piece like this Vintage Anatolian Tulu Rug from Kilim Studio could work beautifully. You could also scoop up a smaller one to hang vertically as wall art. It all depends on your style preferences, budget, and decor needs. 

There is one major drawback to wool rugs: They're easily damaged by the sun. To prevent yours from fading or drying out, it's best to minimize its exposure to bright, harsh sunlight and rotate it every few months. Additionally, wool is very sensitive to excessive moisture. Leaks or flooding in your home will do a number on this material and can even breed mold or mildew. Keep these additional considerations in mind when determining whether a wool rug is a practical choice for your space.