World Menagerie Wilkins Hand-Tufted Indoor Area Rug Review

We purchased the World Menagerie Wilkins Hand-Tufted Indoor Area Rug so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

A rug may not seem all that important, but the right one can really transform a room. The only problem is there are a lot of rugs to choose from—and the good ones certainly aren’t cheap. When buying online, it can be particularly hard to determine if a rug is worth it based on the provided images and description alone. That in mind, we took the plunge for you and tested out the 6 x 9-foot version of World Menagerie’s Wilkins Hand-Tufted Indoor Area Rug. After a few weeks of use in the most trafficked area of our home—the living room—would we recommend it? Read on to find out.

Material and Texture: Soft, hand-tufted wool

This rug is a medium pile carpet (.63 inches, to be exact) and made from 100-percent hand-tufted wool. It’s noticeably plush—something that’s especially apparent when moving off of wood or tile floors. The Wilkins rug has the typical scratchiness of wool, but it’s still soft enough to comfortably sit on. And while our feet love it, our cats (thankfully) weren’t as enamored. They didn’t seem to want to claw at the rug, though the material seems strong enough to handle it even if they did.

Behind the wool tufting the rug features a cotton backing which is supposed to increase durability by holding the fibers together. A rug pad is still recommended since the cotton backing doesn’t prevent slippage, but we found that the heaviness of the rug—paired with the fact that we placed it under a sofa—prevented us from needing one.

We’ll touch on that heaviness once more—because it’s important to know that you may need a buddy to help you place this rug. The 6 x 9-foot version we bought weighs 46 pounds. If you were to go for an 8 x 10, that increases to 68 pounds. We were able to place the rug ourselves, but it wasn’t easy. And if you’re planning on placing it over a rug pad, a partner is definitely necessary.

Design: A classic pattern

The oriental pattern of this area rug works in both classically designed homes and those that are a little more bohemian. It also comes in a variety of sizes, from 2 x 3 feet to 8 x 10 feet, and is available in both blue and opal. We opted for the blue, which acted more like a neutral in our minimalist living room while still adding a subtle pop of color.

Overall, we were pleased with the look of the rug, but we would be amiss if we didn’t note a difference in color between Wayfair’s description and the rug we were delivered. In both the opal and blue options, the second color is supposed to be gray. But we found that it looked as if the color was originally white and turned gray with use. This is a small detail that isn’t obvious without close observation, but it is something you may be concerned about if you have a strict color palette in mind.

Care: Expect shedding for a few months

At first, we didn’t realize that the rug was shedding. After examining our vacuum brushes post-cleaning, however, we noticed the rug’s fibers pulled out quite easily. Sitting down in an all-black outfit also revealed that we needed a lint roller when we got up. After a second look at the product listing, we noticed that the company is forthcoming about the shedding, noting that this can be expected for the first 4 to 6 months. World Menagerie gives tips on how to minimize it, as well, suggesting that users vacuum often in the direction of the pile. Over time, they assure you’ll notice a decrease in shedding. If you stain the rug or find it needs a more thorough cleaning, they suggest hiring profressional rug cleaners to handle it.

Price: Worth the cost

Quality rugs are typically pricey, and at around $310 for the 6 x 9 size, the Wilkins hand-tufted rug is no exception. It does, however, warrant its price. The texture, thickness, and heaviness make the rug quite substantial in build, and you’ll have no post-purchase regrets once you test it out in your home. You can bring down the cost by purchasing a smaller rug, but we recommend going with the size that best enchances your room. 

Competition: Comes down to personal style

The Dash and Albert Herringbone Hand Woven Area Rug is a comparably priced rug, but its look and feel differs from the Wilkins rug. While the World Menagerie rug is thick and tufted, the Dash and Albert rug is thinner (though still soft!) and woven. Both are very high quality rugs—you’ll be happy with either—but they project different vibes. While the Dash and Albert rug feels more relaxed and modern, the World Menagerie rug evokes a classic, cozy feel. Ultimately, it comes down to which style you prefer.