The 12 best sisal rugs - durable decor that easily brings whole room schemes together

The 12 best sisal rugs as chosen by the Livingetc team for their subtle pattern, their soft colors and their warmth underfoot

Pottery Barn, Wayfair, Target & Amazon Sisal Rugs
(Image credit: Pottery Barn, Wayfair, Target & Amazon)

Steeped in history, sisal is extracted from the leaves of the Agave Sisalana plant. Praised for its durable and long-lasting fibers, Sisal was originally found in the Mexican city of Sisal in Yucatán, Mexico. Traded across the globe for much of the 19th century, sisal was a product of the new world and continues to be a natural choice for contemporary rug makers too. 

Whilst jute is strong and feels softer, sisal’s superpower is strength and durability, it’s built to last. To help you find the right rug, you can start by looking at our best rugs feature for expert advice and our favorite finds. If you’re fascinated by sisal and its enduring appeal, discover our exclusive list of rugs below. We’ve searched high and low through the best home décor stores to find these fantastic floor pieces.

Best Round Sisal Rugs

Best Patterned Sisal Rugs

Best Large Sisal Rugs

Best Colorful Sisal Rugs

Which is better - jute or sisal?

Often mislabeled and misunderstood for being the same material, sisal, and jute are vastly different materials and offer different solutions. Whilst sisal is indigenous to Mexico, Jute is more commonly found in the more humid and rain-dense climates of the Indian subcontinent. Whilst Sisal is extracted from the leaves of the Agave Sisalana plant, Jute fibers are extracted from the stalks of the Corchorus plant which means that the fibers themselves are rich in lignin and cellulose which makes them softer and more pliable. Sisal on the hand is stiffer and more resilient to water and aging.


As rugs, both of these materials have a lot to offer. “Sisal is a stiffer fiber and feels rough underfoot. It is durable and can be woven tightly lending itself well to stair runners and runners. Jute is a softer material and is more suited for living spaces and bedrooms rather than high-traffic zones,” says Elisabeth Lyons Becker, Design Director at MDI Interior Design. It’s not a question of whether jute or sisal is better but a question of which material suits your needs and your space best. Both of these natural materials make for beautiful rugs and honor ancient crafts of weaving. Bring jute into your living areas and let sisal tackle the entrances and hallways to maximize their strengths.

Writer and design expert Faaizah Shah is the founder of The Interiors Consultancy. She has worked with designers such as Staffan Tollgard and design houses such as Sanderson to help them understand and communicate their narratives. She is known for crafting engaging stories and imaginative content, and understanding great decor from her years alongside some of the best creatives in the industry. She is also a contributor to Livingetc.