Rugs: They Ain’t Cheap!

by Chris on April 13, 2011

Well, in true JaG form, I’m itchin’ to do something to my daughter’s room. While it’s generally piled with clothes and Barbie dolls, I just feel like it’s a little “flat” when it’s actually clean. I’m SO close to having this cabinet done for her room, but Michigan weather just doesn’t allow it.

tree mural

I figured the easy fix would be to get a rug in her room. You know, warm it up a bit, right? Break up the monotony of the floor. Easy peasy! Yeah, right. Let me show you the contenders after researching 1,745 sites for one.

#1. LOVE it. What’s wrong? It’s on Ebay. And that’s not even an actual picture of the rug! How in the world am I going to order a drawing of a rug. Verdict is still out on it as I wait for an actual picture from the seller—possibly.

pink trellis rug

#2. Again, with the LOVE. What’s wrong? It’s too dark. And it’s $239. ‘Nuff said.

Green Damask Mystique Rug

And here’s where Pottery Barn comes in. It HAD to be Pottery Barn.

#3. I love the pattern in it. What’s wrong? The pink seems a little purply to me, and I wouldn’t mind a mix of green in there somewhere. I’m nervous about too much pink. Price? $299. For a rug. In a kid’s room.

Trellis Rug

#4. Oh wait. Here’s something a little cheaper. And it has the pink and green in it. Nevermind. It looks like a beach towel. Price? $169. We’re getting there, people!

Border Chenille Rug

And finally? #5. My love. My passion. My desire. Price? $299. Come ON! Can’t I catch a break here?

Polka Dot Border Rug

I turned to Ebay and found it for $239. Hmmm…it’s not quite as obnoxious, but really?

 

 

 

Pottery Barn girls rug

So that’s where I am. Stuck searching for a rug that might not exist. I’m pretty madly in love with it, and I know what that means. It just might have to be mine. I’m frugal. I save. I DIY, darn it! Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay the money.

Pottery Barn girls room

At least that’s what I’m telling myself right now. Why can’t Pottery Barn offer 40% off coupons every Sunday like my other favorite stores?

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{ 60 comments }

jociegal April 13, 2011 at 11:19 pm

I hear ya! The more I manage to not pay full price for things, the more it stings when I actually have to!!! However, it is ADORABLE so…I'm no help here – ha! Good lunch!!

jociegal April 13, 2011 at 11:19 pm

I meant, good luck :)

Chris April 13, 2011 at 11:27 pm

Thank you, Jociegal! And I will have a good lunch! :)

Loretta April 13, 2011 at 11:27 pm

Regardless, you have given her a beautiful room!

Astrid in Bristling Acres April 13, 2011 at 11:31 pm

LOL!

I was just thinking about rugs today….funny how you should post about them! I was thinking that I'd love to change out my living room rug to something that's more summery (i.e. turquoise). But I just can't swallow the prices of rugs (plus the one I have cost me a pretty penny from PB as it is so shouldn't I just be happy with that?!?).

Good luck (and good lunch too!).

Paula April 13, 2011 at 11:32 pm

I managed to find a sweet PB rug, a little off-season, but at Tuesday Morning! Seriously, it's a huge 8×10 rug and I think we paid … $120. Might be worth a try. Ours is a dining room one.

And good lunch :) I love it!! Made me laugh!

Lorie April 13, 2011 at 11:37 pm

Pottery Barn does offer 40% off…to its employees. Which is why my sister in law had a part time job there for three years while she furnished her house. I think she worked one day a week and spent 10x what she made, but that 40% off was SWEET!

Liz Marie April 13, 2011 at 11:43 pm

Love all those rugs!! I hate that rugs always have to be so much money :/ I'm a Michigan girl as well!! Currently living in NC due to the military.. but I know what you mean about the weather.. but I miss Michigan!!

Ali April 13, 2011 at 11:48 pm

I agree with Lorie, my aunt works there too, 1 day a week…we enjoy 40% off, totally worth it =)Maybe you could go in the store and make friends with the employees? ;)

Wendy April 13, 2011 at 11:51 pm

Love the Pottery Barn rug! And totally agree come on PB where's the coupon love?

rachel April 13, 2011 at 11:51 pm

have you tried overstock? you may find something there…

Angela April 13, 2011 at 11:54 pm

I live in Michigan too, near Flint, and if you ever have the opportunity you should go to Birch Run outlets, they have a Pottery Barn outlet there with a lot of the stuff that was in last season's catalog–rugs, bedding, beds etc… Still expensive, but more reasonable.

Michell @Girl in Air April 13, 2011 at 11:56 pm

You could PAINT one for CUT an image into one…I made a DINO rug for FREE that was $89 at pottery barn and also painted a Hopscotch rug that was around $199!!

Rhonda April 14, 2011 at 12:00 am

Oh I feel your pain! The living room in our rental has old, seen-better-days off-white carpet. It needs a rug so badly, but I've never seen one I liked that I can afford!

Darlene - Our Creative Life April 14, 2011 at 12:09 am

Have you considered having a custom rug made? Check out http://www.creativecarpetdesign.com

Stevie @ MooreBabies April 14, 2011 at 12:11 am

I agree!

Spencer Family April 14, 2011 at 12:22 am

Check out rugsusa.com. I bought a really nice brown and blue floral rug for under our kitchen table (we're renters, it's protecting the carpet underneath from my 4yr old) a couple months ago for a really great price. They have everything from super cheap to super expensive.

Karla April 14, 2011 at 12:40 am

Hi! I'm a first time reader of your blog and I love it! I love rugs personally and believe every room could use one! This may sound like a weird suggestion but have you ever looked on walmart.com? I personally am a target fan but I have bought 3 rugs online for great price and they have held up well! I bought a black and beige houndstooth 8×11' rug 5 years ago from there and it is still amazing! I love it. They have a lot to choose from for good price. It could be a good choice for a kids room especially for the price! Good luck!

Sharon April 14, 2011 at 1:20 am

I'm from Michigan as well. If you're near the southeast part of the state have you ever heard of Gibraltor Trade Center? They usually have a rug vendor that has lots of styles to choose from not just oriental. Plus they're affordable.

Colleen April 14, 2011 at 1:30 am

Oh my if they did I would be in so much trouble : )

We have a PBK rug in our daughter's room. I love it. It has held up well since we bought it over 5 years ago. It was high though so I feel your pain : )

tasha April 14, 2011 at 2:33 am

try a pottery barn outlet. they usually have the rugs, pretty cheap and you can call to see if they have it in stock. plus…if you don't have one near you but you call the closest one…they will ship it to you!

Kristen April 14, 2011 at 2:43 am

Chris? Seriously? Why are you even wasting your time on this when CLEARLY the answer is you need to buy a loom. Duh.

HayesTone April 14, 2011 at 3:22 am

Hi there! Have you considered a floorcloth? I just posted about how to make them, and they could be an option for you. The best part is they are in.ex.pen.sive. to make. That diamond pattern would probably be pretty easy, too. Check it out here:
http://hayestone.blogspot.com/2011/04/fabulous-floorcloths-part-2.html
Let me know if you decide to try it!
Cheers,
~Laura

April - Team Tottle April 14, 2011 at 3:40 am
Anne April 14, 2011 at 4:25 am

The rug thing is hard- they're just so expensive and hard to find on the cheap or diy like furniture! I've been stalking that pink polka dot rug from PB for almost a year and last time I was there, the 5 x 8 was in the floor model section for $70. I almost died. I even got to use my $10 story time coupon. I gave it a nice shampoo with my carpet cleaner and it's so lovely. I really think it's worth the price even though I got a steal on mine! The ladies at my store are so nice. I want a few of their kids farmhouse chairs and they put my name in the hold book and have called when one goes to floor model sale, you should try that with the rugs!

As for PB coupons, my mom gets a lot of great ones since she has their store credit card, but I never sign up for those. I do get 10% off through email periodically and they offer coupons on the month of your child's bday.

I am so jealous of you guys that live by the PB outlet, though! I would love to check that out!

Susan April 14, 2011 at 5:17 am

Sometimes when I go to the PB kids website through an email, a week or so later they send me a 10% off coupon for the item I viewed. Best of luck!

Vanessa April 14, 2011 at 5:41 am

check out ikea!! I got a lime green shag one for my daughters room last year and it's a great size and price… You could also paint a rug… House of Smith blog and Tater tots & jello blog both just did some!! Good luck!!

Ethnic Girl Fun April 14, 2011 at 11:23 am

Try Home Depot!

Denise April 14, 2011 at 11:28 am

I just saw a blog last week (I forget which one it was, sorry!) where she bought an inexpensive rug and used fabric paint to paint a design on it. It looked very nice. Could be worth a try!

Anonymous April 14, 2011 at 2:59 pm

I NEED to know where you got your daughter's white bed frame from please! Am looking for something just like that for my daughter's room, with a trundle underneath if possible, at a not-too-high-price…
Lindsay

Ginger@cottageonrosewood April 14, 2011 at 3:05 pm

I know exactly what you mean. I just posted about how badly I need rugs to make my house feel more "finished" and they are such an investment it makes it difficult to press the order button. I have ordered some from Overstock and with the $2.95 shipping it couldn't be beat. My PB rug cost me $25 just for the truck charge and another $30 for shipping. Ugg! Good Luck.

Lisa April 14, 2011 at 3:13 pm

We have your "dream rug" in my 5yr old's room (in 3×5 size). Found it at Pottery Barn Outlet for around $40 (can't really remember the price, but remember getting excited so it was a great deal).

I guess the moral is the rug may just be out there for a better deal…

And yes, I've gone batty and ordered the $299 PBK abc rug for our nursery (even paid for delivery) in the past. I just blame pregnancy hormones for that one though.

Heather April 14, 2011 at 3:18 pm

I think you should MAKE one! I *hear* it's fairly easy to paint a rug.

Anonymous April 14, 2011 at 3:51 pm

Her room is SO pretty!! I think it would look great with a pop of black somewhere, maybe even in a rug!

A. Smith April 14, 2011 at 4:19 pm

Do you have a template for the tree you painted on your daughters wall? I love it! Maybe something that I could print on an overhead and trace the tree onto the wall? Love her room!

allie b dallie April 14, 2011 at 4:27 pm

I am having the same issue for my DD's room! I live in Grand Rapids, MI. Where about are you?
I'm your newest follower from over at alliebdallie.com
love your site!!
allie b

The Lewis Family April 14, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Do you live near PB outlet? the rugs are usually 50% off – i had gotten my daughter 5×7 for $150!

D.I.M. Incorporated April 14, 2011 at 6:05 pm

Have you tried Ross or TJ Max? I got a large rug for my daughter's room for $12 at Ross. No lie! Good luck!

ss April 14, 2011 at 6:13 pm

You could paint a very inexpensive one to look like the first one pictured……….in the perfect pink OR green OR even both colors! After all, you do DIY!!!

kristinwithani April 14, 2011 at 7:16 pm

I could not love #4 any more!

Sandy April 14, 2011 at 9:24 pm

Iken has the best solid color room size rugs for about $119. and you could get a cream/white and buy some fabric paint and then copy one of the designs you like best… it's really easy also!

Good luck.
Sandy

Kelli @ RTSM April 14, 2011 at 10:50 pm

I think the beach towel one is actually pretty cute! I need new runners to go beside my bed, and I'm thinking about buying plain rugs and painting them to match my rooom!

Tiffcanblog April 15, 2011 at 12:41 am

You might want to check the Wal-Mart website. Suprisingly they have great rugs at really good prices and if you live near a Wal-Mart then you don't have to pay shipping if you have it sent to the store. Best of luck finding what you want.

Miranda April 15, 2011 at 1:11 am

I totally hear you! I just recently went rug shopping for our Rock star themed nursery….and was appalled at the price of rugs! *sigh* I fell in love with one that I actually contemplated..a grey-silver shag looking rug at Urban Barn…for $189 (4×6!) After much search, I settled with a simple black rug from Ikea for $50! It still looks great in the room but not the texture and color I was hoping to go with! Good luck!!

SJH April 15, 2011 at 1:16 am

http://www.garnethill.com/cottage-stripe-cotton-rug-collection-by-dash-and-albert/bedding-home/rugs/flat-weave/16074

If any of these colors work, you can get a cute, kid friendly (indoor/outdoor)4×6 rug for $100 free shipping. I'm contemplating the Palm Beach Ticking for my little girls room…

buddens April 15, 2011 at 1:31 am

There's a site called Vintage Revivals where the girl pieced together her own rug by taping it on the back side and cut two simple rugs or maybe they were carpet remnants together to make the rug she wanted. I wish I had a specific link to her project, but I don't, but she was featured on the Nate Berkus show and the rug was fabulous.

buddens April 15, 2011 at 1:47 am
Kaye April 15, 2011 at 1:51 am

Amen sister!

Kaye

Judy April 15, 2011 at 12:36 pm

I say go for it. The rug is awesome and it will last forever. I bought a PB Kids rug for my daughter when she was three and she's turning 11 next month and it's still in perfect shape. It's almost impossible to find a cheap rug without it being cheap quality.

Carmie of the Single Nester April 15, 2011 at 4:57 pm

Home Depot has a great selection of rugs. Have you checked there?

jennifer_f April 16, 2011 at 12:28 am

You need to check out these rugs! http://shopten25.com/catalog/Kids-63-1.html

Anonymous April 17, 2011 at 5:12 am

Love the PB rug and the pink w/green one but OUCH on the price. Hobby Lobby sure does spoil us with the weekly coupons. ;) ~Jenn

Dream Mom April 17, 2011 at 8:10 pm

O.K. Let's talk rugs. I redid a playroom a few years back for a 7 year old; the playroom was black/white with green walls. I selected a rug from Home Decorators.com-it was wool and it wasn't cheap. The rug made the room. It was nice having a more quality type rug in there versus something from Walmart or Target. It's nice because it feels good under your feet. I was hired to do the room and the rug was the one thing that I insisted on spending money on, for that reason. I figured she could use the rug elsewhere later but you know what, the kid plays on there and the rug looks fantastic all the time. I know, I know, it's expensive but honestly, when you compare it to those olefin made rugs, it's really worth it. Just my two cents:)

Anonymous April 18, 2011 at 1:13 am

How about trying to make one using carpet squares? One of your SAS posts gives a tutorial for a DIY runner, but you could easily make it bigger. They have all kinds of colors and patterns and it's much cheaper!

Heather at Happy Chippy Junk April 27, 2011 at 3:31 pm

Keep your eyes peeled on craigslist.com I know our utah classifieds have PB rugs all the time. KSL.com Good Luck!

Heather at Happy Chippy Junk April 27, 2011 at 3:39 pm
M.S. June 15, 2011 at 4:24 pm

LOVE the paint color in the room! What is it called? My daughter has officially left the pink- stage so we ar planning to paint this summer. Love your blog! :)
Thanks,
MS

Chris June 16, 2011 at 3:45 am

It’s Benjamin Moore’s Iced Green. Thanks for stopping by! Happy painting? :)

Erin July 9, 2012 at 12:34 pm

Do you happen to know what color that is on your daughter’s walls? I absolutely LOVE it and would like the same shade in my daughter’s room. Email, please?

Thanks so much!

Erin July 9, 2012 at 12:34 pm

Never mind; saw where you already posted it.

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