Synthetic Rugs & Carpet
Synthetic rugs and carpet are made from manufactured materials like nylon, polypropylene, ECONYL®, vinyl, poly silk, and polyester, as opposed to natural fibers like sisal, seagrass or wool. These manufactured fibers create versatile weaves that are durable and easy to clean, which is why they are often suitable for both commercial and residential settings.
Some synthetic weaves can be crafted into custom area rugs for outdoor spaces like terraces, pool decks, or patios. Synthetic rugs offer many of the same stylistic advantages as their natural counterparts, including a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, plus softness underfoot.
Our Nylon, Polyester, & Polypropylene Comparison Chart is a great resource for learning more about different synthetic carpet materials.
Design flexibility: The variety of colors, structures, and patterns available with synthetic rugs make it easy to find the right vibe for your design style. Additionally, synthetic rugs can be a less expensive way to update and bring new inspiration into a space.
Resilience: Durable materials contribute to the longevity and performance of these rugs. Synthetics like nylon, polypropylene, PET polyester, and vinyl create rugs and carpet with smart design, high appearance retention, dimensional stability, UV stability, and contract-grade potential.
Easy to clean: If you need a pet-friendly rug or a carpet that can handle all the hustle and bustle that children bring, then a synthetic weave is a savvy choice. Easy to clean with normal household cleaning agents (sometimes even just water) and great stain resistance.
If you want to learn which rug material is right for your lifestyle, how to select the right size rug for your space, or how to buy a rug online, head over to our blog post Rug Buying Guide - Everything You Need to Know for a deep dive.
Polypropylene rugs are high-performing synthetic options that resist stains, fading, mold, and mildew. Polypropylene is impervious to moisture and is therefore a common material used for woven indoor-outdoor rugs. Because polypropylene is not as resistant to abrasion over time as nylon, the polypropylene area rugs that we sell are flat weaves with loop piles (as opposed to cut or shag piles), a construction that resists crushing. Oxford and Bowen are polypropylene indoor-outdoor rugs that feature the faux-sisal look, with a flat, tight weave and soothing colorways.
SynSisal® is the premiere synthetic sisal on the market and the best solution to get the authentic sisal look without the pitfalls of natural sisal like staining or coarseness to touch. SynSisal® is soft underfoot—made from ECONYL® StayClean 100% regenerated nylon—and stands up to heavy use throughout homes, hotels, and offices.
See the SynSisal® story in our SynSisal® Lookbook and discover its textures, colorways, and bespoke offerings
Nylon and polypropylene are the most common synthetic fibers used in flooring today. Nylon has excellent appearance retention because it is fade, heat, and stain resistant. Commercial-grade carpeting often uses the highest grade Nylon-6, which has even greater stain resistance due to its tight, molecular structure. Our Hospitality collection includes heavy contract-grade nylon options, like Medina or Bowen, for your next commercial project.
ECONYL® is emerging as the best synthetic fiber because it is durable, versatile, and sustainable. Not only is it a solution-dyed Nylon-6 yarn, but it is also regenerated from recycled fishing nets, nylon carpet, and other repurposed materials and contributes to a circular economy. SynSisal® is our collection of synthetic sisal rugs made from 100% recycled ECONYL® that showcase the beloved sisal look with soft fibers, easy maintenance, and contract grade rating.
A rising star in the world of synthetic fibers for rugs is recycled PET polyester. This sustainable material is manufactured from recycled water bottles and creates a soft yarn. It is durable, UV resistant, mold and mildew resistant, and easy to clean.
Woven Vinyl is also a popular material for outdoor floor coverings, boats, and RVs, and for active spaces like gyms or locker rooms. It is impervious to moisture, hard-wearing, and often has a cushioned feel, like Seaboard or Tidepool. Synthesis, with its lovely woven structure and variety of neutral colors, is an annual best-seller.
The placement of your synthetic rug depends on a few things like the backing or the border of the rug or weave itself. Be sure to check the specifications. In general, unbacked synthetic rugs are great for outdoor use and can easily add personality to open-air living spaces like a pool area or covered patio. Unbacked weaves can be used indoors as well, we just recommend using a rug pad underneath to prevent slipping.
Recycled PET polyester, polypropylene, and poly silk are materials also transition between interior and exterior realms. The Rols collection from Spain showcases stunning indoor-outdoor weaves woven from 100% recycled PET yarns. The indoor-outdoor Terasa collection is woven from contract-grade polypropylene and available in timeless sisal-look structures and colors. Rugs like Rockland or Gold Coast are handloomed from UV-stabilized poly silk and even though they have a backing, they can be placed outdoors in covered areas.
Some synthetic rugs are meant only for indoor use. For example, SynSisal®’s Langley or Sydney are synthetic weaves with a refined and stylish look, perfect for busy households or boutique hotels. Our indoor synthetic collection offers weaves with different usages, sizes, and materials, so be sure to read the Specifications tab for each weave to find the right one for you.
Absolutely. Our SynSisal® collection is Class 1 certified for commercial and hospitality settings. SynSisal®’s traditional sisal structures are woven from regenerated nylon and bring a natural aesthetic with ease of maintenance to commercial office spaces, store design, conference rooms, hotel rooms, corridors, common areas, and more.
Indoor synthetics offer a range of usability, with some weaves ideal for residential settings only and others perfect for contract-grade or commercial projects. For a refined look and contract-grade rating, see our Terasa collection or the Rols collection from Spain. Information about a weave’s use class is available under the Specifications tab for each weave.
Synthetic weaves are soil and stain-resistant, mold and mildew-resistant, with fibers that don’t absorb water. Spills can easily be soaked up with a clean cloth. We always recommend regular vacuuming, a walk-off mat upon entry to your home, and a “no shoes in the house” policy for all our weaves. With a little attention to care and maintenance, a polypropylene area rug or a nylon carpet will look fresh for many years to come. All of our weaves come with care and maintenance guidelines that are accessible under the Care tab on each weave page. For more general care guidelines, please visit our Care Guides page.