While all Ruggable rugs are famous for their two-piece washable system, the biggest difference between their Flat Woven and Tufted options comes down to texture and pile height. The Flat Woven rug is low-profile with a smooth surface perfect for detailed patterns, while the Tufted rug features a much thicker, plusher pile that feels more like a traditional high-pile rug for added softness and warmth.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Ruggable rug texture for your home and lifestyle.
Ruggable Flat Woven Rugs
The Flat Woven rug is Ruggable's classic and most popular option. It's built with a low-profile, smooth chenille surface that has almost no pile. This construction makes it incredibly durable, less prone to snagging, and allows for highly detailed, crisp printed designs, making it a go-to for busy areas, homes with pets, or underneath furniture.
- What it is: A two-piece machine-washable rug system with a thin, smooth, low-profile and durable top layer.
- Key features: Smooth chenille surface, stain and water-resistant, incredibly low pile (approx. 1/8"), comes with a non-slip Ruggable pad.
- Price: Ranges from around $99 for small accent rugs to $500+ for large area rugs.
- Style: Versatile and known for intricate designs including Persian, bohemian, modern, and geometric styles that benefit from the crisp printing process.
- Materials/Construction: The top cover is woven from polyester with a polyurethane water-resistant barrier. The rug pad is latex-free and made from recycled polyester.
- Pros: Extremely easy to clean, fits in a standard home washing machine, liquids pool on the surface for quick cleanup, easily fits under doorways and furniture legs, less likely to be snagged by pet claws.
- Cons: Lacks the soft, plush feel of a traditional rug, not as cozy or insulating, assembly can take practice to get perfectly smooth.
A Ruggable Flat Woven rug is ideal for anyone who prioritizes an easy-to-clean solution for high-traffic or spill-prone areas like kitchens, dining rooms, hallways, and entryways.
Shop this product: ruggable.com/pages/flatwoven-rugs
Ruggable Tufted Rugs
Ruggable's Tufted collection is the perfect answer for those who want the brand's signature washability combined with the plush, soft texture of a high-pile rug. These rugs feature a thicker, cozier feel underfoot, creating more warmth and texture in spaces like living rooms and bedrooms while retaining the convenience of the two-part, machine-washable system.
- What it is: A two-piece machine-washable rug system featuring a medium-to-high pile top cover for a luxe, cushioned feel.
- Key features: Thick, tufted texture (pile height is approx. 1/2"), significantly softer underfoot than the Flat Woven style, also stain- and water-resistant.
- Price: Starts around $150 and can go up to $1,000 or more for larger sizes, making it a more premium option.
- Style: Cozy, luxe, and comfortable. Designs often focus on solids, geometrics, and abstract patterns where texture is the star. Great for bohemian, modern, or Scandinavian decor.
- Materials/Construction: The tufted top cover is also made from polyester, but with a higher pile. It uses the same non-slip rug pad system as other Ruggable rugs.
- Pros: Much softer and plusher feel, adding significant comfort and warmth to a room, provides better sound insulation, looks and feels more like a conventional high-end rug.
- Cons: Higher price point, can be more challenging to fit larger sizes into a standard washing machine, may trap more dirt and pet hair initially, designs are less intricate than on flat woven rugs.
The Ruggable Tufted rug is the choice for anyone who wants a soft, cozy rug for a bedroom or living room but refuses to sacrifice the peace of mind that comes with machine washability.
Shop this product: ruggable.com/pages/tufted-rugs
Ruggable Flat Woven vs. Tufted Comparison
Texture &, Comfort
The most immediate and obvious difference is how these rugs feel. The Flat Woven is smooth, tight, and practical - you won't sink into it, and rolling office chairs or moving furniture is much easier. It protects your floors but doesn't add much in terms of cushion.
The Tufted rug, by contrast, is all about comfort. The half-inch pile feels wonderfully soft and cushiony underfoot, making it the clear winner for spaces where you spend time barefoot or sitting on the floor, like in a cozy family room or next to a bed.
Durability &, Maintenance
Both rugs are designed for supreme durability and easy maintenance - after all, it's Ruggable's core promise. Both top covers can be machine-washed. However, the Flat Woven style has a slight edge in daily upkeep. Its smooth surface makes spot-cleaning easier and dirt less likely to get trapped. It's also less tempting for cats to scratch. Because it's thinner, it also dries faster after a wash.
The Tufted rug's high pile can trap more pet hair, crumbs, and debris, often requiring more frequent vacuuming. While washable, the larger sizes are bulkier and may demand washing in a larger capacity machine. Both systems hold up remarkably well, but the Flat Woven is optimized for the highest-traffic, highest-mess scenarios.
Style &, Aesthetics
Your choice will also impact your room's style. The smooth surface of a Flat Woven rug acts as a perfect canvas for intricate, colorful, and highly detailed patterns. From detailed Persian motifs to sharp geometric lines, the designs are crisp and defined.
The Tufted collection leans more on texture than pattern. Designs are often simpler - solids, thick stripes, or bold abstract shapes - allowing the plushness of the material to be the main design feature. These rugs add depth and physical warmth, making a space feel instantly cozier and more inviting.
Price &, Value
Flat Woven rugs are Ruggable's most accessible entry point. Their lower price makes them an excellent value for someone needing a practical, stylish, and washable solution without a huge investment. A simple 5x7 Flat Woven rug might cost just under $200, making it very competitive.
The Tufted option carries a premium price for its added material and plushness. A similar 5x7 Tufted rug will typically cost over $300. The value here comes from getting a luxe, high-pile feel that's almost never available in a washable format. It essentially combines the comfort of a standard rug with the convenience of a Ruggable system.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both rug styles deliver on Ruggable's promise of washability and convenience, but they serve different needs and aesthetic goals.
Choose the Ruggable Flat Woven if:
- You have pets or kids and need the most stain-resistant and easiest-to-clean option.
- The rug will be in a high-traffic area like a kitchen, entryway, hallway, or dining room.
- You need a low-profile rug that fits easily under furniture or doors.
- You prioritize intricate, detailed patterns and a more budget-friendly price point.
Choose the Ruggable Tufted if:
- Underfoot comfort, softness, and a plush feel are your main priorities.
- You're placing the rug in a cozy space like a bedroom, living room, or nursery.
- You love a textured, high-pile look to add warmth and dimension to your decor.
- You're willing to pay a premium for a more luxurious feel without losing machine-washability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Ruggable Flat Woven and Tufted rugs?
The key difference is texture and pile height. The Flat Woven rug is thin and smooth with virtually no pile (around 1/8"), while the Tufted rug is thick and plush with a much higher pile (around 1/2") for a softer, cushier feel.
Are Ruggable Tufted rugs actually machine washable?
Yes. Just like the Flat Woven rugs, the Tufted rugs use Ruggable's two-piece system. You simply remove the thicker Tufted top cover from the non-slip pad and wash it in the machine. Just be sure to check the size guidelines, as larger tufted rugs require higher-capacity washers.
Which Ruggable texture is better for dogs or cats?
For most pet owners, the Flat Woven rug is the best choice. Its low pile doesn't trap as much hair, and its tight weave is resistant to snagging from claws. Both styles are great for handling stains, however.
Will a rolling office chair work on a Ruggable rug?
A rolling chair will work much better on a Flat Woven rug. The thin, tight surface allows chairs to roll freely. A Tufted rug's high pile would make it difficult to roll a chair across.
Can I use the same Ruggable pad for a Tufted and a Flat Woven cover?
Yes. The entire Ruggable system is designed to be interchangeable. As long as the pads and covers are the same size (e.g., both are 5'x7'), you can swap any style of Ruggable rug cover onto any same-sized Ruggable pad.
Does the Tufted rug feel as soft as a traditional shag rug?
Yes, the texture is very comparable. It provides the deep, plush, and cozy feel you'd expect from a traditional high-pile or shag rug, which makes it perfect for adding comfort to living rooms and bedrooms.
Which style dries faster after washing?
The Flat Woven rug cover will dry significantly faster than the Tufted one. Its thin construction allows moisture to evaporate more quickly. A Tufted cover is much thicker and will require a longer drying time.
Are the patterns and colors the same across both styles?
No, Ruggable often creates designs specifically for each texture. The Flat Woven collection has more intricate, highly detailed patterns that work best on a smooth surface, while the Tufted collection features bolder, simpler designs that accentuate its plush texture.
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