As you start your day, one of the first things your feet likely touch is your bedroom rug. Over time a rug can lose its soft, plushy feel which is why replacing an old rug with a newer softer one can make a big difference in how cozy your room feels.
So when shopping for a new rug for your bedroom or even deciding between materials and weave types for a custom rug, you’ll naturally want to choose the softest option available. But with so many types of rug materials to pick from, how do you know which rug is the best match for providing soft comfort underfoot in a bedroom?
In this complete guide, as a professional custom rugs manufacturer, I’ll outline the seven softest rug materials ranked from least to most plush. I’ll also cover factors like durability, maintenance and which weave techniques result in the plushest rugs. Read on to learn everything you need to confidently choose the best soft rug for your bedroom.
The 7 Soft Rug Materials for Bedroom in 2024
Every rug material has its own unique characteristics when it comes to softness and plushiness. To make sure you choose the best match for your bedroom, it helps to have a general sense of how they compare.
Below I’ve ranked rug materials from least to most plush and outlined key factors related to softness for each one:
7. Jute & Sisal
Made from strong natural fibers, jute and sisal rugs have an organic look and feel. They are quite firm and flat which is why they rank low for plush softness.
These natural rugs work best layered under plusher rugs or in casual spaces where ultra softness isn’t as important.
- Weave type: Flatwoven
- Pile height: None (flatweave)
- Best for: Layering under softer rugs
6. Sea Grass & Rush
Sea grass and rush offer great texture but the stiff, brittle fibers feel quite coarse and scratchy which is why I don’t recommend these materials when softness is a priority.
- Weave type: Flatwoven
- Pile height: None (flatweave)
- Best for: Outdoor rugs or firm natural texture
5. Leather & Cowhide
The short fibers and skin backing give leather and cowhide rugs more structure for an organic look with slight plush softness. Consider placing cushions or plush rugs on top to enhance comfort.
- Weave type: Hair-on hide
- Pile height: 1⁄8”
- Best for: Natural texture with slight plush
4. Wool
Thanks to wool’s natural elasticity and crimp, wool fiber rugs have an inherently soft, plush feel. Wool’s durability and resilience also help it maintain cushiony softness underfoot over time.
- Weave type: Tufted or woven
- Pile height: 1⁄4” to 1⁄2”+
- Best for: Soft plushness with heavy traffic durability
3. Viscose (& Silk)
The lush, brilliant sheen of viscose and silk rugs complements their smooth, luxurious feel that mimics velvet. These materials are delicate but their opulent texture makes up for high maintenance needs in low-traffic bedrooms.
- Weave type: Tufted
- Pile height: 1⁄4”
- Best for: Luxurious plush for minimal foot traffic
2. Faux Fur
Faux fur rugs made from soft, thick acrylic or polyester fibers mimic the indulgent comfort of genuine sheepskin or long-haired fur pelts. Compared to natural hides, these plush rugs are more affordable and easier to clean.
- Weave type: Looped or woven
- Pile height: 1⁄2” to 1″+
- Best for: Super thick plush pile
1. Sheepskin & Alpaca Fur
Genuine sheepskin and alpaca fur rugs top the charts for extravagant, sink-in softness. The dense yet supple natural fibers form an exceptionally thick, cushy pile with unbeatable comfort underfoot straight out of nature.
- Weave type: Hair-on hide
- Pile height: 1” to 2”+
- Best for: Ultimate natural plush softness
Now that you know how the most common rug materials stack up for softness, let’s go over other factors to keep in mind as you shop.
Key Considerations for Choosing a Soft Bedroom Rug
Beyond just material type, elements like weave technique, pile height and even small details in terms of construction and finishing all affect the plushy feel of a rug.
As you evaluate your options, here are some other variables to consider:
Weave Technique for Soft Rugs
How the fibers in a rug are woven together significantly impacts the cushiony density, flexibility and overall plushness.
- Tufted rugs offer soft, springy pile comfort that feels lush underfoot. They involve punching and looping thick yarn tufts through a sturdy woven backing.
- Woven rugs have fibers interlaced over and under each other to form a tight, resilient surface with slight springy feel from the woven loops.
- Flatwoven rugs are exactly as they sound with yarns woven flat with no pile height. They can be layered under plusher rugs for a smooth, sturdy base.
- Looped or hooked rugs have fibers hooked over heavy backing to form delightful squishy comfort.
- Braided rugs feel firm and dense but their concentric rows can bend and compress slightly underfoot.
- Hides involve tanning or finishing an animal pelt to maintain its plush, indulgent natural fiber density.
I recommend tufted or woven rugs with soft fibers like wool or viscose for optimal plush bedroom comfort.
Pile Height
As outlined above, a rug’s pile height also plays a big role in its soft, cushiony feel.
Taller pile rugs have longer fibers rising from the rug backing to form a thick, springy surface that compresses more under your feet. Typical pile heights include:
- Low pile: 1⁄4” or less
- Medium pile: Around 1⁄2”
- High pile: 3⁄4” and up
- Shag rugs: 1”+ pile height
Go for a shag rug or style with at least 3⁄4” high pile for maximum plushy softness.
6 Cozy & Soft Rugs Perfect for Bedrooms
Now that you know how to assess softness and plush comfort when rug shopping, check out some indulgently soft yet durable options suitable for bedrooms below.
1. Madison Park Colette Shag Rug
With a 1 1⁄4” thick polyester pile height, this ultra plush shag rug offers delightful sink-in comfort underfoot. The woven polypropylene backing adds durability for minimal shedding and fuzzing.
Features:
- Super soft, thick 1 1⁄4” high polyester shag pile
- Tightly woven polypropylene backing
- Machine woven for durability
- Easy care spot cleaning
Best for: Plush floor cushioning in bedrooms, dorms and other low-traffic rooms.
2. NuLOOM Hand Hooked Fluffy Rug
The two-toned sherpa-style pile on this hand hooked rug has incredible plush density. Wool and viscose blend fibers offer superb comfort underfoot along with distinctive modern style.
Features:
- 1 1⁄4” high wool & viscose blend pile
- Super dense, fluffy & squishy
- Unique modern style
- Easy spot cleaning
Best for: Plush floor coziness in contemporary bedrooms.
3. Unique Loom Copenhagen Collection Lush Faux Fur Rug
The two-inch pile height on this faux fur rug delivers lavish softness and warmth equal to genuine sheepskin. Sold at under $100 for a 5’ x 7’ size, it brings indulgent luxury to bedrooms on a budget.
Features:
- Incredibly plush 2” pile height
- Faux fur acrylic fibers feel like real sheepskin
- Affordable 5’ x 7’ size under $100
- Easy spot cleaning
Best for: Affordable high-pile plush carpeting for master or kids’ bedrooms.
4. Unique Loom Trellis Plush Frieze Faux Wool Rug
Beautifully plush polypropylene fibers woven into a soft, thick rug offer cushioned bliss underfoot at an affordable cost. The distressed medallion style works in farmhouse to boho bedrooms.
Features:
- 1⁄2” cushy polypropylene pile height
- Distressed style with warm neutral palette
- Budget friendly 8’ x 10’ size under $150
- Pet and kid friendly
Best for: Cozy, distressed style plush rug to warm up wooden floors for less.
5. Baltic Linen & Alpaca Blend Rectangle Braided Rug
A blend of linen and alpaca wool makes this hand braided rug ultra soft while intricate braiding patterns provide delightful texture. The neutral color options work beautifully in light, breezy boho chic bedrooms.
Features:
- Soft alpaca wool & linen blend
- Intricate hand braided pattern
- Boho earthy neutral colors
- Low maintenance
Best for: Boho or farmhouse bedrooms in need of breezy, carefree soft flooring.
6. Flokati Cloud Soft Shag Rug
Genuine Greek flokati-style wool rugs interlace long shaggy fibers for the ultimate in cushy comfort. This style offers better longevity than other shags along with delightful dense plush softness.
Features:
- Authentic thick wool flokati-style shag
- 1 1⁄2” high woven pile thickness
- Dense, cloud-like padding
- Long-lasting wool durability
Best for: Floaty soft floor cloud texture paired with crisp modern or farmhouse decor.
Create a Soft Rug Haven in Your Bedroom
As you can see, rug materials range widely when it comes to providing plushy softness and comfort for bare feet.
Elements that impact a rug’s cushiony feel include:
- Fiber type: Such as deliciously soft wool, silk and sheepskin
- Weave technique: Like dense, tufted rugs or springy woven shags
- Pile height: Taller is better for a pillowy feel
- Construction: Well-made rugs hold softness better
For ultimate toe-squishing plush, I recommend a shag or tufted sheepskin. But wool and other synthetics can also provide delightful softness at more affordable price points.
No matter your style or budget, one of these bedroom-friendly super soft rug picks is sure to infuse blissful coziness to give your feet something wonderful to wake up to each morning.
Your feet will thank you!