Nuloom is renowned for its affordable, trend-forward rugs in contemporary styles, making stylish decor accessible to everyone. By contrast, Safavieh is a heritage brand known for its high-quality craftsmanship, traditional designs, and use of natural fibers like wool and silk, positioning its rugs as long-term investments. Nuloom delivers on-trend style for less, while Safavieh focuses on timeless quality and durability.
Let's explore the key differences to help you decide which rug brand is right for your home.
Nuloom: The Trend-Forward & Budget-Friendly Choice
Nuloom is a popular online rug brand recognized for its vast selection of stylish, affordable rugs that capture the latest home decor trends. The brand targets shoppers who want to quickly update their space without a significant financial commitment. With a focus on modern bohemian, global-inspired, and contemporary designs, Nuloom has become a favorite choice for furnishing apartments, first homes, and lower-traffic areas.
- Product mix: An extensive collection of area rugs, runners, and accent carpets in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
- Style/vibe: Focuses heavily on trendy looks, including bohemian, Scandinavian, modern farmhouse, and global patterns. Known for vibrant colors and bold, graphic designs that make a statement.
- Price point: Very affordable, with most standard-size rugs falling between $50 and $500. It's an excellent value-oriented option.
- Quality: Primarily uses durable synthetic fibers like polypropylene and polyester. The rugs are typically machine-woven or hand-tufted, offering good quality for the price, especially for stain resistance and ease of cleaning.
- Where to buy: Mainly sold online through its official website and major retailers like Amazon and Wayfair.
- Sales: Aggressive and frequent online sales, especially around major holidays, making their already low prices even more attractive.
- Best for: Renters, first-time homeowners, or anyone looking to decorate with current styles on a budget.
Nuloom excels at providing fashionable, low-cost rugs that are perfect for shoppers who change their decor often or prioritize affordability and modern aesthetics.
Shop Nuloom: nuloom.com
Safavieh: The Timeless Quality & Craftsmanship Option
Safavieh is a well-established home furnishings company with a history stretching back over a century, known for producing high-quality rugs, furniture, and lighting. The brand is built on a reputation for fine craftsmanship, durability, and a blend of timeless and contemporary designs. Safavieh rugs are often considered decorator-grade investment pieces intended to last for years, appealing to those who prioritize longevity and classic style.
- Product mix: A comprehensive home goods brand offering rugs, furniture, lighting, and accessories. Their rug selection is exceptionally diverse.
- Style/vibe: Offers a broad spectrum of styles, from traditional Persian and Oriental classics to modern, transitional, and shag designs. The aesthetic favors a more refined, upscale, and timeless look.
- Price point: Mid-range to high-end. Smaller accent rugs may start around $100, while larger, hand-knotted wool or silk rugs can cost over $2,000.
- Quality: Known for superior materials and construction techniques. Safavieh uses natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton alongside high-quality synthetics, with many rugs being hand-knotted or hand-tufted for premium durability.
- Where to buy: Available on the Safavieh website, at major furniture retailers, specialty home stores, and online marketplaces.
- Sales: Offers sales and promotions, but pricing is generally reflective of a higher-quality product tier.
- Best for: Homeowners looking for a long-lasting investment rug, interior design enthusiasts, and those who appreciate classic, elegant decor.
Safavieh offers the quality and durability needed for high-traffic areas and buyers seeking a rug that will remain stylish for decades.
Shop Safavieh: safavieh.com
Nuloom vs. Safavieh Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. Nuloom is the undisputed winner for budget-conscious shoppers. A typical 5'x8' Nuloom rug might cost between $75 and $250. It's easy to find fashionable options for under $200, and frequent online sales make their products even more accessible.
Safavieh operates in a mid-range to premium pricing tier. A comparable 5'x8' rug from Safavieh could range from $150 for a machine-made synthetic model to over $1,000 for a hand-knotted wool piece. The higher price reflects more expensive materials, intricate construction, and a stronger focus on longevity.
Style & Aesthetic
Nuloom’s catalog feels like a snapshot of current interior design trends. It excels in modern bohemian, minimalist, and global-inspired patterns with vibrant colors and bold graphics. If you're looking for an of-the-moment look, Nuloom likely has a rug that fits perfectly. Their style is ideal for fresh, casual, and eclectic spaces.
Safavieh, on the other hand, offers a much broader stylistic range with deep roots in classic design. Its collections include timeless Persian, Oriental, and traditional motifs that never go out of style. While Safavieh also produces trendy and contemporary designs, its core strength lies in its elegant, sophisticated, and versatile pieces that can complement almost any decor scheme, from classic to modern.
Quality & Materials
Safavieh generally holds an edge in quality and materials due to its emphasis on craftsmanship and natural fibers. Many of their rugs are crafted from wool, which is known for its natural resilience, softness, and durability in high-traffic areas. The brand's hand-knotted and hand-tufted options represent a higher level of artistry and are designed to last for a generation.
Nuloom's rugs are primarily made from synthetic fibers like polypropylene and polyester. These materials are excellent for resisting stains and fading and are incredibly easy to clean, making them a practical choice for homes with kids or pets. While durable for their price point, they may not offer the same longevity or luxurious feel as a Safavieh wool rug.
Product Selection
Both brands offer an enormous selection of sizes, shapes (rectangular, round, runner), and designs. You'll have no trouble finding a rug that fits your room's specific dimensions from either company. However, Safavieh is a much larger home furnishings brand, so you can coordinate your rug purchase with their furniture, lighting, and home accessories. Nuloom is almost exclusively focused on rugs and carpets.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer excellent rugs, but they are designed for different customer needs, spaces, and budgets.
Choose Nuloom if:
- You are decorating on a tight budget and want the most style for your money.
- You love trendy bohemian, modern, or global-inspired designs that make a statement.
- You are decorating a rental, dorm room, or a space where you like to frequently change the decor.
- You need a low-maintenance rug that is stain-resistant and easy to clean, perfect for kids' rooms or busy households.
Choose Safavieh if:
- You view your new rug as a long-term investment that will last for years.
- You prefer timeless, classic, or traditional styles that don't bow to fleeting trends.
- Quality craftsmanship and natural materials like wool or silk are important to you.
- You need a highly durable rug for a high-traffic area like a living room or entryway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nuloom or Safavieh cheaper?
Nuloom is significantly more affordable than Safavieh. Most Nuloom rugs are priced in the $50-$500 range, while Safavieh’s prices can easily extend into the thousands for their higher-end collections.
Which brand has better quality rugs?
Safavieh generally offers higher quality rugs due to their use of premium materials like wool and silk and their focus on traditional construction techniques such as hand-knotting. Nuloom offers good quality for its price point, with a focus on machine-made, stain-resistant synthetic fibers.
Are Nuloom rugs good for homes with pets and kids?
Yes, Nuloom rugs are an excellent choice for homes with pets and children. Their main materials, polypropylene and polyester, are inherently stain-resistant, non-shedding, and easy to clean with a spot treatment or rug cleaner.
How long do Safavieh rugs last?
A high-quality Safavieh rug, particularly one made from wool and properly cared for, can last for decades. They are designed to be durable investment pieces that can withstand heavy use in high-traffic areas.
Which brand is better for high-traffic areas?
For high-traffic areas like entryways and living rooms, a Safavieh wool rug is typically the more durable, long-lasting choice. Wool's natural resilience helps it bounce back from foot traffic and furniture pressure.
Where can I find the best deals on these rugs?
Both brands can be found on online marketplaces like Amazon and Wayfair, which often run sitewide sales. Nuloom's own website features frequent and deep discounts.
Which brand offers more modern styles?
Nuloom focuses almost exclusively on modern trends, including bohemian, abstract, farmhouse, and mid-century modern styles. While Safavieh has contemporary options, its overall aesthetic leans more balanced between modern and traditional.
What are Nuloom rugs typically made of?
Nuloom rugs are primarily made from synthetic fibers. Polypropylene is the most common material, prized for its durability, stain resistance, and low cost. They also use polyester for a softer feel.
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