Vintage rugs add a touch of elegance and global influence that can instantly transform any room. Designed to evoke the same classic, nostalgic feel of bygone years, these rugs usually feature intricate floral motifs, detailed borders, a distressed texture, and emblems with cultural and historical meanings.
While vintage-style rugs are meant to look, well, vintage, these rugs have a timeless appeal and can actually complement a wide variety of home themes, including modern and contemporary spaces. If you’re needing some inspiration, here we’ll show you some best ways of decorating with vintage rugs in different design settings.
1. Relaxed Rustic
Photo by: @boulderparkfarmhouse
Opposites attract when it comes to rustic decor, as seen in this bedroom. The exposed wood beams, distressed door, and metal bed frame are softened and balanced out with the help of this brown intricate vintage rug, which adds a touch of elegance to the space.
2. Colorful Eclectic
Photo by: @katepearcevintage
Eclectic decor seamlessly blends multiple styles together in one space, often with a colorful palette and vintage finds, to create a unique yet pulled-together look. Vintage rugs make the perfect companion to eclectic decor, giving the space its laid back vibe. Take this living room, for example. The rainbow-themed bookshelf and mid-century modern furniture is perfectly balanced with this richly toned Persian-style vintage rug.
3. Bohemian Beauty
Photo by: @musingsofamamabird
If you’re looking for a casual, laid-back vibe, a vintage rug will reinforce your theme while bringing together all the patterns and textures that usually come with a bohemian look. To unify this theme, stick to a few color combinations and keep other design elements neutral.
4. Coastal Cool
Photo by: @thehillarystyle
Coastal homes are known for their casual comfort and easy elegance. But even if you don’t have a beach cottage or cliffside mansion, you can inject that same coastal vibe with white walls, mostly white or cream-colored furniture, and use of some natural fibers like jute or hemp. For that relaxed, casual look, layer your hardwood floors with a grey or blue vintage rug with distressed details.
5. Shabby Chic
Photo by: @poconomountaincottage
Shabby chic shares the same creative freedom as bohemian. It is often a combination of various design elements that have an intentionally-aged look. When done right, a shabby chic interior looks very artsy and purposefully messy. A vintage floral rug with soft, feminine colors will feel right at home in this antique-themed space.
6. Sleek Scandinavian
Photo by: @kaycedillas
Nordics are known for their simple, functional, and minimalistic approach to design. While modern rugs or geometric rugs are the obvious choices for Scandinavian-inspired spaces, a vintage area rug with rich colors, like red or burgundy, will add contrast and warmth to the space, creating a more homey vibe.
7. Modern Farmhouse
Photo by: @thevintagepalm
With its practical-yet-stylish look, it’s no wonder that the farmhouse theme is enjoying the spotlight in today’s modern spaces. And it’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home. A sprinkle of reclaimed wood elements here and some metal bins, jute baskets, copper containers, and plants there can instantly bring country character into your home. Top that off with a red vintage-style rug and you’ve got yourself a charming rustic home.
8. Contemporary Classic
Photo by: @making_highview_home
Classic doesn’t always have to mean a blast from the past. Contemporary spaces can enjoy that classic, timeless feel, too. To achieve this, pair sophisticated and modern furnishings with a rug that features a traditional pattern, like damasks or medallions, in neutral, understated hues.
READERS: Do you love vintage rugs? Tell us how you style yours in the comments section below!
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10 Comments
I want to purchase a 2.5 X 7 rug with pad of Albalone
Our taste is traditional so we love your vintage rugs. However we have two patterned chairs (not the same) at opposite ends of the family room. We are really hesitant to choose a rug with a pattern.
We completely understand, Laurie! We have a variety of styles and designs to choose from, including some that are a bit more simplistic or solid in style/color.
We hope that you are able to find a rug that suits your space and helps tie together the rest of the room!
I am looking for an 8 x 10 light gray no wool. I would like some plum, teal, coral and maybe some pink in it.
Hello,
I would like to see some California craftsman style patterns in the future. I think there is great potential for some beautiful designs, patterns, and warm colors.
Thanks!
Wonderful suggestion, Rachel! We appreciate your interest as well as your feedback. We will pass this along to our team!✍
Which rug is shown in the picture that shows lifting the corner to the rug pad? It’shown in each picture.
Hi, Wilma! It sounds like you are referring to our Ademi Paprika Red Rug that is shown in the video clip that demonstrates how to remove the rug cover. We’ve linked the rug for you here to check out: https://myruggable.com/Ademi-Paprika-Red 💞
Hi. I’m looking for rugs with plum in them. Even a plummy brown. Can you recommend a rug with the closest colours to this. It’s hard to tell in the pictures. Thanks. Kath x
Hi, Kathryn! When looking for something in a ‘plum’ color we recommend looking at some of our rugs listed under the Purple Rugs Collection page. If you’re wanting something more red or brown tone we do also have both Red and Brown Rug Collection pages as well.
Additionally, while we try to avoid specific design recommendations as we understand perception of color and hue can vary by individual and we do not want to provide incorrect suggestions, we do want to share that we offer samples! Samples are a great way to get a closer look at rugs prior to placing an order if you are unsure of specific palettes/colors or are between multiple designs. Feel free to check out info on our samples here: https://myruggable.com/sample_faq