Wubba Lubba Dub Dub. If you’ve spent any time on the weirder corners of the internet, you know that catchphrase has moved far beyond the TV screen and onto basically every household object imaginable. But let's talk about your floor. Most people looking for a Rick and Morty rug end up falling into a trap of buying thin, pixelated felt pads that look nothing like the listing photos. It sucks.
Honestly, the market is flooded. You have official Adult Swim merch, high-end handmade tufted pieces from TikTok creators, and thousands of questionable dropshipping sites. Choosing one isn't just about picking a cool image of Pickle Rick. It’s about understanding pile height, non-slip backing, and whether that neon green portal is going to bleed into your carpet the first time someone spills a soda.
Why the Portal Rug Is Taking Over Living Rooms
The most iconic design you'll see is the portal rug. It makes sense. It’s circular, it’s vibrant, and it creates this cool optical illusion that a genius alcoholic and his stressed-out grandson are about to step into your hallway.
But here is the thing.
Circular rugs are notoriously difficult to place in a room. If you buy a 3-foot portal rug, it’s going to look like a green pancake in the middle of the floor. It’s too small. For a portal rug to actually "work" as a piece of decor, you need scale. Designers usually suggest that a rug should either be large enough to anchor your furniture or small enough to be a deliberate "accent" in a doorway. Anything in between just looks like a mistake.
The Massive Quality Gap Between Official and Custom Tufted Rugs
You’ve probably seen those satisfying videos of people using "tufting guns" to make rugs. These are often the best-looking Rick and Morty rug options out there, but they come with a catch.
Official merchandise found at places like Spencer’s or Hot Topic is usually mass-produced. They use a process called "sublimation printing." This means the design is essentially heat-pressed onto the top layer of the fibers. If you part the fibers with your fingers, you’ll see white at the bottom. Over time, as the rug gets walked on, the image fades or looks "fuzzy" because the ink doesn't go all the way through.
🔗 Read more: How Do You Say Sweetheart in Russian? The Nuances Most Apps Miss
Custom tufted rugs, on the other hand, are made by shooting dyed yarn through a canvas. The color is the fiber itself. It won't fade. It’s thick. It’s plush. But because they are handmade, a custom Rick and Morty rug can cost anywhere from $200 to $800 depending on the complexity of the design. If you see a "handmade tufted rug" for $40, you’re being lied to. It’s a factory print.
Materials Matter More Than You Think
Don't ignore the tag.
- Polyester: Most cheap rugs use this. It’s soft and holds color well, but it crushes easily. In six months, Morty’s face will be a flat, matted mess.
- Acrylic: This is what high-end custom makers use. It looks like wool but costs less. It’s sturdy and resists stains, which is great if you actually live in your house.
- Nylon: The gold standard for durability. If this rug is going in a high-traffic gaming room, look for nylon.
Spotting the Bootlegs and Bad Prints
The internet is a wild place. A common scam involves taking high-resolution fan art from DeviantArt or ArtStation, slapping it on a low-quality rug template, and running Facebook ads.
You can tell these are bad because the edges aren't finished. A real, quality rug will have "surging" or "binding" around the edges—that thick stitched border that prevents fraying. The cheap ones are just cut-out pieces of fabric with a rubber underside. They slide everywhere. They’re basically giant mousepads for your floor.
Also, look at the eyes. Justin Roiland’s original art style for the show uses very specific "asterisk" pupils. Cheap knockoffs often mess up the line weight of these pupils, making the characters look "off" or like they're from a parody show rather than the actual series.
Where to Actually Place a Rick and Morty Rug
Decorating with "nerd" gear is a balancing act. You don't want your house to look like a dormitory—unless that’s the vibe you're going for.
- The Gaming Station: This is the natural habitat for a Rick and Morty rug. A rectangular rug featuring the "Get Schwifty" giant heads or the anatomy park map works perfectly under a desk. It protects the floor from chair wheels and adds a pop of color to a dark PC setup.
- The Entryway: A portal rug right at the front door is a classic move. It’s a literal portal into your home. Just make sure it has a heavy rubber backing so your guests don't go flying when they wipe their feet.
- The Bathroom: Surprisingly, a lot of people use the smaller 2x2 rugs as bath mats. If you do this, make sure the material is quick-drying. Cotton or micro-polyester is okay; heavy acrylic will just grow mold if it stays wet.
Cleaning and Maintenance (The Boring But Vital Part)
Let's be real. If you’re buying a rug with a giant cartoon character on it, things are probably going to get spilled on it eventually.
Do not put these in the washing machine.
Even the "washable" ones usually have their backing degraded by the heat and agitation of a machine. Instead, use a carpet cleaner or a simple mixture of dish soap and warm water. For tufted rugs, vacuuming is fine, but avoid using the "beater bar" (the spinning brush) if you can. It can pull out the yarn loops over time. Just use the suction attachment.
👉 See also: Why Living Proof Vanilla Dry Shampoo Is More Than Just a Scent Trend
If you bought a rug with very bright neon colors—common in the "Trippy Rick" designs—keep it out of direct sunlight. UV rays are the enemy of neon dyes. Within a year, that glowing purple galaxy will look like a sad, dusty gray.
The Investment Aspect
It sounds weird to call a rug an investment, but in the world of street-wear and hype-beast culture, certain rugs hold value. If you manage to snag a limited edition collaboration rug (like those occasionally seen in high-end pop-culture boutiques), keep the packaging.
But for the most part, a Rick and Morty rug is a lifestyle choice. It’s about making a space feel like yours. Whether it’s a giant Meeseeks "Existence is Pain" mat or a subtle blueprint of Rick’s garage, the goal is to find something that doesn't fall apart in three weeks.
Actionable Steps for Buyers
Before you click "buy," do these three things:
- Check the Weight: A good 3x5 rug should weigh at least 5-8 pounds. If the shipping weight is listed as 1 or 2 pounds, it’s a thin "tapestry" disguised as a rug.
- Reverse Image Search: Take the listing photo and put it into Google Images. If it shows up on 50 different sites with 50 different prices, it’s a mass-produced drop-shipped item of dubious quality.
- Measure Twice: Get painter's tape and mark the rug's dimensions on your floor. Seeing the physical outline will tell you immediately if a 60-inch circle is too big for your cramped bedroom.
Avoid the "too good to be true" deals on social media. Stick to reputable retailers or verified independent artists on platforms like Etsy who have actual videos of their process. Your floor (and Rick) will thank you.
Actionable Insight: Start by measuring your space and deciding on a material. If the rug is for a high-traffic area like a living room, prioritize Nylon or high-density Acrylic. If it's purely for looks in a corner, a Polyester print is fine, but always verify the seller's "finished edge" quality to prevent fraying within the first month of use. For the most authentic look, seek out "hand-tufted" creators who use a cut-pile technique, as this best replicates the bold line-work of the show's animation style.