Thrifting for Rugs

Nothing pulls a room together quite like a nice area rug.

Nothing takes a giant bite from the decor budget like one either!

When my husband and I replaced the flooring of our house, we knew large area rugs would be necessary. The budget we set for one very large 7x12 area rug was $100-- willing to spend $120 on the right one.

Large area rugs, as it turns out, are not sold at many thrift shops in our area. We did find some 5x7 rugs priced from $30-$60, and so thought our $100 budget seemed fair. We were hopeful to find the right rug for the right price, we just needed patience.

Layering a $60 petra taupe rug under a $30 jute rug to define the office space from the living space. Both rugs purchased from Craigslist.

Running out of that patience in finding any large rugs at a thrift shop, we turned to Craigslist.

Yes, crazy killer Craigslist.

Honestly, I love Craigslist, especially for home furnishings. I do though make my husband go with me every time I meet someone for a possible purchase.

It’s basic stranger danger stuff here!

Especially when there are plans to go inside a home and see an item’s condition before buying it. I **always** bring someone along with me. When done responsibly, shopping on Craigslist can be just as gratifying, if not more so, than thrift store shopping!

One day, luck struck and I found the perfect area rug for under our table. Not only was it within budget, but the 7x12 rug had a matching 5x7 and 3x5 rug for our kitchen and entryway. All 3 rugs totaled the budget amount set for the single 7x12 rug- $100!

Checking stores such as Target, Walmart, and Home Depot, the price for a 7x12 rug averaged around $160+ for the style we wanted. Deciding to thrift for our rugs instead of going broke buying new, we saved hundreds on the 7 we now own. Thanks to my mom’s carpet cleaner, they look good as new and really do tie the whole house together.

Matching rug set from Craigslist to define the entryway, dining room and kitchen

Finding matching rugs secondhand is possible! It just requires a lot, LOT of patience, and perhaps a bit of confidence.

Thrift Tip:

Some individuals I’ve purchased rugs from via Craigslist have mentioned once meeting up with me, that they DO have a matching rug if I would be interested to see it.

It seems to be a seller trick to post items separately in hopes they will sell for the highest price individually.

So, don’t be afraid to ask the seller you’re purchasing a rug from if they have other rugs they are planning to sell. I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

Continue learning along with me on Thrift Ethics!

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