Curated Coastal Living at Rug Island

From updated Oushaks to understated modern designs, Rug Island helps define the look and feel of coastal living.

If you’ve ever ordered a rug online and hoped it would work once it arrived, you’re not alone. A rug can define a room - or completely miss the mark. That’s part of what makes Rug Island feel different from the start.

Located in Inlet Beach at the east entrance to Scenic Highway 30A, near Rosemary Beach, Rug Island has become a destination for homeowners, condo owners, and designers looking for a more thoughtful way to shop for rugs. The boutique showroom may be intimate in size, but it is carefully curated and full of options for coastal homes.

The store was founded in 2002 by Jeff Stewart’s father, who recognized the need for a dedicated rug store in the area. In 2015, after the business relocated from Panama City Beach to 30A, Jeff took over and has been running it ever since.

This hands-on ownership still defines the experience today. Rather than relying on gimmicks or high-pressure sales, Rug Island is built around honest guidance and long-term relationships. Jeff helps clients find the right rug for the room, whether that is a custom piece, a handmade statement rug, or something practical and durable for everyday living.

The showroom features a strong selection of handmade and higher-end rugs, including luxurious Tibetan rugs hand-knotted in Nepal from Himalayan wool and silk. Rug Island also offers hundreds of custom rug options that can be made to the exact inch, allowing homeowners and designers to achieve the right fit for living rooms, bedrooms, dining spaces, and stairways.

One style that continually resonates in coastal interiors is the Oushak rug. Known for its graceful patterning and timeless appeal, today’s Oushaks have evolved into softer, more livable designs in updated coastal palettes such as washed blue, sand, ivory, muted sage, taupe, and clay. They bring character and history to a room while still feeling fresh, relaxed, and current.

For clients who prefer a subdued look, Rug Island also carries simplistic modern rugs that focus on texture, tonal variation, and understated design. These pieces work beautifully in contemporary and coastal spaces, adding warmth and polish without overwhelming the room.

In addition to custom work, Rug Island carries a large assortment of in-stock rugs in sizes ranging from 6’ x 9’ to 12’ x 15’. This selection gives clients the opportunity to see and feel substantial pieces in person and often find the right rug without a long lead time.

Rug Island also creates custom stair runners that combine beauty and durability, along with commercial-grade options suited for rental properties and high-traffic spaces. The result is a balanced showroom that highlights design and function coupled with a personalized experience that’s especially unique in a coastal market.

In the end, Rug Island is about more than selling rugs. It’s about guiding clients to create finished rooms that are inviting and thoughtfully curated.

Rug Island is located at 13123 U.S. Highway 98 East in Inlet Beach. For more information, visit rugisland.com or email jeff@rugisland.com.