Quick Q+A: Best, most durable rugs for front halls : Annie Elliott Design

Dear Annie, Several years ago, I found a bright and colorful wool rug that I really liked for our front hallway. The first day that we had it, a friend stopped by with her young twins. They wanted to tell us that there had been a fire down the street, and as the young twins excitedly entered the house, they wiped (politely in their minds) their soot-covered feet all over the rug. Devastated is too strong a word, but I felt like the decorating gods were punishing me for an impractical purchase. Suggestions about what kinds of rugs work best in a front hallway would be great. – Amy B. D., Providence, RI

Front hall with seagrass rug — Seagrass in a foyer by Annie Elliott Design

Oh, Amy! *Devastated* might be too strong a word for YOU, but it isn’t for me! I’m heartbroken! (I assume you tried having the rug professionally cleaned, to no avail?)

Please do NOT assume that this cautionary tale means that you cannot have a rug in your foyer.

My four favorite kinds of rugs for front halls are:

SEAGRASS

If you like a natural look, seagrass is the most durable of the plant-based fibers. (Sisal and jute stain easily and aren’t good choices for trafficky areas.)

Closeup of seagrass rug and back — Seagrass rugs have a rubber and felt backing that allows you to skip a rug pad

CHILEWICH

If you dump an entire glass of water on a Chilewich floor mat, it WILL trickle down and harm the floor eventually, but the latex backing makes them pretty water-resistant. They’re great for muddy paws and wet umbrellas, and as a bonus, they’re low to the ground if you have little clearance between the floor and bottom of the door.

I often lay a Chilewich runner right up against the front door wall (long side parallel to the door) and then have a larger, prettier (but still durable) rug in the center of the space, out of range of the door swing.

Chilewich floor mat reverse — Latex-backed, so they don’t require a rug pad

Blue large Chilewich floor mat — They come in lots of colors…

Black and white Chilewich floor mat — …and neutrals

RUGGABLES

Genius! There are SO many fun colors and patterns, and you literally can throw these into the washing machine. I haven’t tried that part yet, but a friend promises me it’s true.

Bright white, coral and green rug — Suzani patterned Ruggable

Large blue and green rug with a snake in the center — Jonathan Adler for Ruggable

Plaid rug in kitchen — I mean, come ON. Plaid!

Rainbow rug under bed — Jonathan Adler again

WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE

Polypropylene can literally be taken outside and hosed down; it’s plastic, essentially. Woven polypropylene rugs, are great but can look outdoorsy, probably because they’re designed for porches. “Indoor-outdoor,” they’re called. Annie Selke’s are gorgeous.

Blue and black plaid checked rug — And again

HONORABLE MENTION: TUFTED/FUZZY POLYPROPYLENE

I have mixed feelings, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it. Tufted polypropylene rugs (or tufted-equivalent – soft and fuzzy) are more suitable for indoors but…how can I say this?…they can look cheap. You just have to choose a pattern that appeals to you and hope it’s not sparkly when it arrives. My daughter Georgie has one in her room and LOVES it because it’s so soft. This is a lovely fuzzy polypropylene rug:

Colorful classic patterned rug — From Rugs.com

Side view of polypropylene rug — Thin – good for door swings

Bunched-up green colorful polypropylene — Bunched-up polypropylene rug

I hope this helps, Amy! And I hope that there’s another spot in your house for your current rug…ideally with a potted plant placed strategically over the offending area.

For additional thoughts about entryways, please see my post, How To Tackle Shoe Clutter At The Front Door.