For the past few years, it’s felt like sheep from New Zealand to the UK have been taking hair supplements — rugs are getting progressively shaggier, with some editorial styles reaching near-human hair lengths. It’s all part of the ongoing 70s revival, seen everywhere in interior design trends.
There’s something free-spirited about taking texture to new heights — until you have to clean it. Shag is all good and groovy until you realize that what you thought was wool is actually plastic, or worse: an unmanageable lint trap that eats socks and snacks on pet hair. Which is why these short-pile shag rugs might be the happy medium we’ve all been waiting for — all the texture you'd expect from the best rugs, but none of the chaos.
Interior designer Arvin Olano seems to have reached the same conclusion. “I was craving a new, refined texture for my Rugs USA collection,” he shared in a recent Instagram post. “During my research, I came across the most incredible short-pile mohair rug — but I couldn’t believe the five-figure price tag. That’s when I realized there were no short-pile shags at an attainable price point to achieve the look I wanted. There were plenty of long-haired options, mostly made of plastic, but for my collection, it had to be wool.”
And thus, Gaia was born — a 100% New Zealand wool rug in four neutral tones, soft, plush, and practical. High-end versions of this concept — like the egg-shaped, masterpiece, Ato by Gallotti & Radice, which debuted at Salone del Mobile 2024 — have been floating around the luxury sphere since the ’70s comeback. But if you don’t have a five-figure budget for a floor covering, styles like Arvin's are among the first to bring that sensibility down to earth.
Which got me thinking: if short-pile shag rugs really are the best of both worlds, there have to be more of them out there. So naturally, we went looking — because the groove never really went away, it just needed a trim. Here's what I found.
Price: $259.95
Obviously, we had to include Gaia — the latest in Arvin Olano’s interior designer rug collaboration with Rugs USA. As expected, every detail is considered: whisper-soft shades, a wide range of sizes, and that perfect underfoot squish. Ideal for your coziest spaces, like the bedroom or den.
Price: $199.90
This asymmetric shag is just what the doctor ordered: bold contrast, ultra-soft wool, and a price that makes it a no-brainer. Being from Quince, there’s always that handy price comparison chart, and this one is a doozy — $600 to $1,299 versus some very beloved brands that we won’t mention here. A fantastic short shag steal if we’ve ever seen one.
Price: $399
Art for your floors, this painterly short shag rug is the kind of piece that instantly pulls a room together. Patterned rugs done in this style are rare, making this wool-forward block print a true gem. Best paired with ‘70s design sensibilities — rich woods, fluted details, and warm orange hues.
Price: $515
Don’t be a square. This minimalist rug is quintessentially Ferm Living, embracing the brand’s signature soft, organic shapes. Even as a solid, you can see the plushness — it’s the perfect length of shag, made from 100% New Zealand wool. This size works as an accent, but if you want it to ground a whole room, it’s available in larger versions too.
Price: $1,095
Cubist-inspired and effortlessly cool, this ARJÉ x Nordic Knots piece taps into a major shag sub-trend: pile differentials that create sculptural depth. According to interior designer Sashya Thind, “Where a plain rug with a single texture would feel expansive, a carved surface brings shape to a room beyond the furniture layout.” This one does that in spades.
Price: $479, Was: $599
CB2’s take on the trend is hand-knotted at 10 knots per square inch from — you guessed it — pure New Zealand wool. A crisp white border cuts through the black for just enough contrast, while the half-inch pile (the perfect middle ground between shaggy and structured) keeps things soft underfoot. The kind of blackout you’ll actually look forward to.
Wondering how to clean a shag rug? We promise it's easier than it looks.
