Lots of online rug shops now let people see rugs on their floor with their phone or tablet. This helps people pick the right one and makes them feel more sure before they buy it.
What Is Happening With Online Rug Shopping?
In the last few years, more rug stores are letting shoppers see what rugs look like in their homes using AR (augmented reality). You don’t need to install anything special. Just use your phone camera, point it at the floor, and the rug shows up on your screen like it’s already there.
This makes it easier to pick the right size, shape, and color. People don’t have to guess anymore. It feels like trying a rug in real life—but it’s all done online. And this is making a big difference in how people shop for rugs.
The Numbers Behind AR Rug Shopping
This isn’t just a new thing for fun. It’s growing fast because the numbers are strong.
1. More Shops Are Using It
In 2020, only a few online rug brands had AR on their websites. Now, over 38% of major online rug retailers in the US and Canada use AR for at least some of their products. That number is expected to pass 60% by the end of 2025.
Even smaller rug shops are starting to use it. Thanks to tools like WebAR (which doesn’t need an app), it’s easier for even local stores to add AR to their website.
2. People Are Using It a Lot
According to data from Shopify, when AR is turned on, people are 2.5x more likely to buy. In rug stores that use AR, over 40% of shoppers use the AR tool before they buy.
That means people are not just clicking around. They are using the AR tool to “place” the rug on their floor, walk around it, and really think before they spend money. It’s working.
3. It Cuts Down on Returns
Rugs are hard to buy online because you can’t touch them, and sizes are confusing. This leads to a lot of returns.
But stores that use AR are seeing lower return rates by 22% to 30%. When people see what the rug looks like in their space, they don’t guess. They make better choices, and that means fewer regrets and fewer returns.
Why Brands Are Doing This Now
Rug stores want to sell more, waste less money, and keep shoppers happy. AR is helping with all of that.
Here’s why brands are jumping on this trend:
- It makes online shopping feel more real.
- It saves money on returns.
- It makes people trust the store more.
- It helps rugs stand out online.
And with the rise of platforms like IVE (which lets stores add AR just by pasting a short code), it’s now way faster and cheaper to turn on AR—even for hundreds of rugs.
Real Data from Big Brands
Rugs USA
Rugs USA started using AR on their mobile site in 2022. By 2023, they said that shoppers who use AR are 3x more likely to buy compared to those who don’t. They also said that the average cart size went up by 18%.
Ruggable
Ruggable, known for machine-washable rugs, started testing AR in 2023. They found that people who used the AR tool spent more time on the page and were 50% less likely to bounce (leave the page right away). Their team said it helped shoppers feel more confident.
Boutique Brands
Even smaller sellers on platforms like Etsy and WooCommerce are seeing results. Some sellers report that over 60% of their buyers use the AR tool, especially for high-priced or large rugs.
It’s Not Just a Trend—It’s the New Normal
A few years ago, AR was something only big tech companies talked about. Now it’s showing up in simple places like rug shops. That tells us it’s not just for show. It works.
And shoppers like it. A 2024 survey by RetailDive showed that:
- 71% of online rug buyers say they would rather buy from a store that has AR.
- 59% said they would pay more if they could see the rug in their room first.
So AR isn’t just helping people buy. It’s helping brands charge fair prices and get fewer complaints.
What Marketing Agencies Should Know
If you run ads or websites for rug shops (or home goods in general), this matters.
- Pages with AR get better engagement. People stay longer, and they click more.
- Adding AR to ads boosts click-through rates by up to 32%, based on Meta Ads data.
- AR features on product pages cut bounce rates and help with SEO since people stick around.
Also, when people share screenshots of the AR rug in their room on social media, it works like free advertising. That’s a win for any brand.
How Are Brands Adding AR?
Most shops are using one of these methods:
- WebAR Platforms (like IVE) – no app needed, just a phone browser. This is fast and easy.
- Mobile Apps – a few brands still build apps, but fewer people want to download an app just for one rug.
- 3D Viewers with Tap-to-Place – shows the rug in 3D, and the shopper can tap to place it in their room.
The WebAR method is growing the fastest because it works on all phones, and there’s no need to do it for every rug manually. Some tools do it all from one 3D model and copy it across products.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, it’s clear that more rug brands will use AR. Some predictions:
- By mid-2026, more than 75% of online rug shops in North America will have AR for at least some of their listings.
- Some brands are testing AR with voice so people can say “try that in the bedroom” and move the rug.
- More AR tools will be automatic, with no extra work per product.
So this isn’t something to wait on anymore. For rug sellers, it’s becoming the basic standard—just like good photos and fast shipping.
To Sum It Up:
AR is helping rug shoppers feel more sure about their choices. It’s helping stores sell more and get fewer returns. And it’s not just for big names—small shops can use it too.
If you sell rugs or help rug brands market their products, it’s a good time to look at AR. The numbers don’t lie. More people are using it, and more stores are turning it on.
And at this point, shoppers are starting to expect it.