Kate Hand-Knotted Wool Rug vs Safavieh Chelsea Mabelle Floral Wool Rug

Buy the Kate if you want a large, hard-wearing hand-knotted rug in a modern geometric look; buy the Safavieh Chelsea if you want a traditional floral pattern in a smaller, softer, thicker rug. The Kate is the better-built piece: hand-knotted wool with no backing holds up for decades, while the Chelsea is tufted, which is faster to make and tends to shed and flatten sooner. Owners of the Chelsea line rate it well for softness and value, but the Kate wins on construction and size.

• Choose the Kate Hand-Knotted Wool Rug if you have a large room, want a contemporary geometric rug, and expect it to last through heavy traffic and kids.
• Choose the Safavieh Chelsea Mabelle if you want a classic floral pattern, a plusher feel underfoot, and a smaller footprint for a bedroom or sitting area.