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How to build your Ernesta custom rug sample box
Sampling a rug in your home is one of the most important steps before committing to a custom style. A rug plays such a big role in how a room looks and feels, and the best way to choose the right one is to experience it in your own space. Seeing the color and pattern in person, feeling the texture, and noticing how it interacts with your lighting and decor can make all the difference in finding a rug that truly fits.
Ernesta’s premium 12x12” rug samples make this process simple and low-pressure. You can try five samples for just $10, take your time comparing them at home, and then apply a $50 credit toward your full-size, custom-sized rug. Curious to know more about how it works, and wondering what rugs you should add to your sample box? Keep reading—we’re outlining everything you need to know about sampling our custom-sized rugs.
How sampling Ernesta rugs works
1. Find your favorites
Browse our collection of custom-sized rugs and choose up to five samples—any style, any material, any color palette. With hundreds of options, you can mix and match textures, explore different neutrals or compare bold patterns. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry—below, we’ll walk you through sample boxes curated for different aesthetics.
2. See and feel the designs in your space
Once your samples arrive, spend some time getting to know them. Hold each swatch next to your floors, walls and upholstery. Place them in the room at different times of day to see how the colors shift in natural and artificial light. Stand on them with bare feet to experience their softness and thickness. Sometimes comfort is the deciding factor!
3. Measure and order
Found “the one”? Measure your space to determine the perfect rug dimensions—then enter your custom size when you order online. If you’re unsure where to start or want guidance on rug proportions for different rooms, our in-depth custom rug sizing guide is here to help.
Not sure how to decide? Let us help you build your sample box
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want a curated place to begin, we’ve rounded up sample box combinations tailored to different aesthetics. Choose the one that feels most like your taste and space—or mix elements from a few to test out different styles.
For the traditionalist
For those who gravitate toward timeless silhouettes, heirloom-quality pieces and classic motifs, a traditional aesthetic brings richness and warmth to a space. You might love detailed patterning, elegant palettes and rugs that feel like they have a story. If you’re drawn to interiors that feel grounded, collected and enduring rather than trend-driven, this is likely your lane.
Rugs to try:
For the minimalist
Minimalists look for calm, clarity and beautifully pared-back design. Clean lines, quiet patterns and soft neutrals tend to shine in these spaces, allowing form and texture to take center stage without visual noise. If your ideal room feels open, unfussy and intentional, minimalist-friendly rugs will support that sense of quiet simplicity.
Rugs to try:
Marguerite for tons of texture and durability
Oakes for a geometric yet earthy take
Warren for cozy, sweater-inspired refinement
Calpurnia for an elegant but easy natural fiber look
Ada for a handcrafted subtle stripe
For a classic coastal look
If your style leans breezy and sunlit—with natural textures, airy palettes and effortless charm—a coastal aesthetic may be your perfect match. This look favors relaxed sophistication over theme-y decor, offering a sense of ease without ever feeling overly casual. If you’re inspired by organic materials and rooms that feel bright, natural and calm, this is a great place to start.
Rugs to try:
For the neutral lover
You gravitate toward soothing palettes and subtle variations of creams, taupes, grays and warm beiges. Neutrals offer versatility without sacrificing personality, especially when you layer tone, texture and material. If you like your rooms to feel cohesive and calm—but still refined—neutral-leaning rugs will give you the foundation you’re after.
Rugs to try:
For tons of texture
If you love dimension, depth and tactile interest, textured rugs are your playground. These styles instantly add presence and character, turning even simple spaces into something visually rich. If you’re someone who responds to materials you can feel—and want your rug to make a statement without relying on bold color—this is the right direction.
Rugs to try: