We pay plenty attention to the walls and the furniture in our homes, and rightfully so, but what’s underfoot can make a design impact just as well. Not only does a well-thought rug or carpet boost the coziness of a space, but it can also easily set the overall mood in room.
For instance, a rug with bright colors can brighten a room with dark walls and hardwood floors. Several rugs in a large room or in an open concept plan can be used to establish different zones in the space. Patterned pieces can add personality and show off your own personal style. Oh, did we mention that they also soften any space, creating a more relaxed aesthetic while providing comfort as you walk?
As many practical uses that rugs have, there are just as many (probably more) shops in New Jersey where you can find one that best fits your home. But where are the best options for wall-to-wall carpet, an area rug or ones in different fabrics from wool to jute? NJ HOME spoke with a dozen interior designers, who offered their picks for shopping rugs and carpets in the state. Read their favorites below and then check out our designer rug tips here for more how tos.
Lisa Keyser of her eponymous firm in Mahwah recommends Bokara Rug Company in Secaucus. “They have super innovative and colorful contemporary designs—the antithesis of pedestrian,” she says.
Wendy Wallin of Impeccable Designs in Ramsey is a big fan of Wostbrock Home in Ridgewood. “Heidi and her team just make it happen for me as a designer,” she tells us.
J&S Designer Flooring in Morristown is an all-around favorite for rugs and carpets. Megan Pisano of her eponymous design firm in Chatham credits their sales team, Diana Weinstein of Diana Weinstein Interior Design in Glen Ridge shops here for wall-to-wall carpets and cut and bind rugs and Noel Gatts of Bloomfield-based Beam & Bloom appreciates their varied price points. Gatts’ advice: “Come to your appointment with other swatches or paint samples from your space to view with their merchandise.” Sarah Elizabeth of her eponymous design firm in Upper Montclair loves J&S Flooring too, as well as The Rug Co. in Fairfield. “They go the extra mile to try to source exactly what you are looking for if they don’t have it in their showroom; likewise with meeting your budgetary needs.”
Pisano’s other go-to shop is Cramers Carpet One Floor & Home in Madison. “Ask for Dovlyn!” she says. “They have many wall-to-wall carpets and runners, all of which can be customized.”
Meanwhile, Julia Mazzucca, founder of Oggi Design House in Monmouth Beach, shops at Weinstein by Stark in Little Silver for wall-to-wall carpeting, stair-runners or custom area rugs. “They have curated an array of brands to sift through, provide their own installers who are very clean and professional, and have great customer service.
Katy Champion-Uras and Elissa Palamara of Swell Design Co. in Atlantic Highlands likes Eberhard Carpet One Floor & Home in Middletown for wall-to-wall rugs, Nest in Red Bank for area rugs and Salt Design Co. in Red Bank for great indoor/outdoor options.
Lauren Tobias, principal designer of LT Designs in Ocean, does much of her clients’ rug shopping at Carpet Depot and Fox Floors, both in Ocean. “The staff there are super helpful, and the selections are enormous,” she notes. “You can also find great remnants at each for smaller areas, and both stores can make you a custom sized area rug from any wall-to-wall carpets they offer.”
Maryan Ibrahim of Vera Interiors in Holmdel likes Avalon Flooring and Carpets To Go in Howell when she’s looking for a custom rug. “They both have a wide selection of beautiful patterns and textures and are always up to date with today’s trends,” she notes. “They also provide professional installation which makes the process very easy.” Ibraham is also a fan of Pottery Barn and West Elm for more standard rugs (as opposed to custom).
La Shana Diaz of Lah Lah Land Home Décor in Camden County’s Winslow Township does her rug shopping for both herself and her clients at Homegoods in Marlton. “Homegoods offers a wide variety of sizes, styles and colors with their throw rug selections,” she tells NJ HOME. “The prices are unmatched, and you get that designer look without the designer price.”
HomeSense is a favorite of Sean Kelly, designer at StyledbySean in North Wildwood. “We like to shop local, but we find the biggest selection of rugs at Home Sense in Moorestown,” he says. “They have a wide selection of textures in all sizes ranging from trendy to traditional, and their inventory is updated weekly so it’s always worth a trip.”
Next, check out our experts’ favorite places to shop for furniture in New Jersey and their favorite lighting stores in New Jersey.
Tell us your favorite places to shop for rugs on Instagram @njhomemag. And for more design, decor and shopping tips from the pros, check out winter issue of NJ HOME, online and on newsstands now!