Antique carpets don’t just have to be a disposable old dusty thing that you don’t need or want to use. An antique rug, if used properly, could add sophistication and depth to a home.
With a little reading and research, you can learn how to decorate with antique rugs to add a stylish new decor to your home by buying it or even using an old rug from yours.
The perfect size
Image source: Highland Homes, Inc.
It is important to find a balance when putting a rug in your room. A good equation for this is to subtract 2 or 3 feet from the width and length of your room, which you need to measure beforehand.
The dimensions you have at the end are perfect for the carpet you want to buy so that it harmonizes the space and adorns it with a balancing aesthetic.
An oriental carpet for your hallway
Image source: Kate Marker Interiors
Why not add some color and style to your hallway by adding an interesting piece like a small Persian or Oriental rug that is about 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 inches? They can also be placed next to your bed in front of your dresser, or you can even group them with other furniture and create a nice and pleasant arrangement.
Mix the contemporary design
Image source: Dawn Willis, AKBD – Great Spaces Inc.
Who said that something antique or vintage doesn’t go well with a modern space? Vintage items are used in contemporary styles these days. So putting a rug in a room that is a thoughtful mix of the old and the new is a great way to build a bridge between the two.
The appearance of an antique rug in a modern room could also be a good sign of authenticity, if the color of the rug matches the palette of the room.
How to combine with patterned wallpaper or upholstery?
Image source: Landry & Arcari rugs and carpeting
A soft and subtle rug goes best in a room with heavily patterned wallpaper or upholstery. If your rug is patterned, try to keep the furniture and walls more subtle so that you can keep the space balanced. It’s a good contrast that doesn’t overwhelm the view.
A constant color theme
Image source: Architect Mason Kirby Inc.
Use similar colors when combining an oriental rug and its patterns with the room you plan to put it in. Keeping a consistent visual effect is a smart idea.
For example, if you want to combine a carpet of brown and blue tones, having a subtle combination of decor, artwork and pillows in the room that match those colors is the perfect option.
Dyed carpets: a modern take
Image source: McCroskey Interiors
Try to modernize your rug by dyeing it the color you want. This way you can keep the vintage charm while giving it a bolder look. In this way, the colored carpet becomes the focal point that makes your room shine.
Modern styles combined with such personalized statements give off the elegant and luxurious ambience that you can create yourself.
Damage from heavy furniture
The weight of the furniture is best distributed with glass or other coasters. If you put heavy furniture on your carpet, such as a dining table or sofa, be sure to use coasters to avoid damaging your carpet.
Oriental rugs could be used to connect rooms
Complementary but differently patterned carpets can be placed if you want to connect two of your rooms together. A Persian rug or oriental rug put together under a table can easily fill the gap between rooms while also being a great way to decorate.
Matching furniture
Image source: Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home
Why not use the colors of the carpet when furnishing the room? For example, try mixing brown furniture with a brown rug. If the rug you’ve chosen is a more eye-catching color that you don’t want to use on your wall or cabinet, you can use it on smaller parts like a coffee table, armchair, or other smaller decor.
By achieving this uniform effect, you can still ensure that the pattern of the carpet remains the accented part of the room.
Higher traffic area
Image source: JA Hand Construction, Inc.
Use patterned carpets in the areas where there is most traffic. The pattern makes the wear and tear and all types of damage more likely in a high-traffic area less visible on the carpet.
From the floor to the walls
Why not try something different? If you like a rug that much, then you can actually display it. Not only does it have to lie on the floor, you can also hang it up as an artistic decor.
There is no limit to the uses of antique carpets when the main point is to show off its beauty.
Add an oriental rug to the living room
Image source: Landry & Arcari rugs and carpeting
It is okay to put an oriental or Persian rug on your rug because a rug is always a nice accessory. You can use it to cover your carpet if there are stains or worn parts that you want to hide.
Make sure that the color of the carpet compliments the carpet. The carpet not only refreshes the room, but also increases its shine.
Contrasting neutrals
Image Source: Brownhouse Design, Los Altos, CA.
If you want an oriental rug with a more subtle look, you can always use neutral colors to make it softer and not noticeable at all.
It’s a great way to incorporate your rug while drawing attention to something else. It is safe to choose this option as you don’t run the risk of overwhelming or over-stimulating the room.
Visual path
You can create a path with your carpets by placing long rectangular carpets side by side. This is best done in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom. It’s a nice way to create an interesting look and sense of order in your home.
Go Mediterranean
Image source: Margaux Interiors
A traditionally designed room isn’t the only room that can accommodate an antique rug – you can also go Mediterranean.
Striking furniture looks best with this type of rug. When you have sensibly combined the colors of the furniture with the colors of the carpet, you have a recipe for a well-designed room. Keep your tones close together and you can’t miss it!
Smaller carpets
Image source: Denai Kulcsar Interiors
You can put a small rug next to your bed that will be a cute little accessory. Don’t forget to keep it proportional; The width of the rug should be at least 1 foot longer than the width of the bed.
Monochrome
Image source: Taylor & Taylor, Inc.
This is another way to thin the rug so that it blends in easily and doesn’t shine too boldly. You can even color the room by taking inspiration from the colors of the carpet – walls, furniture, and even the decoration in the same color.
The pattern is still the part of the rug that draws some attention, but thanks to the background of the same color, it’s still soft.
Dining table
Image source: Marlene Wangenheim AKBD, CAPS, allied member ASID
Proportionality is also important here. If you plan to put your rug under a dining table, the rug should be 2 feet longer on each side of the table, or such a long rug should be placed underneath.
Aside from the obvious aesthetic impact this offers, it also offers comfort as the dragging of the chairs is not affected if there is enough carpet behind them.
Place an oriental rug at an angle
It’s an interesting way to give the oriental look a twist by placing it at an angle to make a statement and make the space a little deeper. This will very likely draw attention to your rug and look authentic and comfortable.
Bohemian decor
Image source: Laidlaw Schultz Architects
Oriental and Persian carpets can be ideally integrated into a bohemian designed room. They contribute to the mood and the look. A red and blue Persian rug with a unique pattern will definitely shine next to a bedspread made of pink, blue, and orange flowers. Even a bedroom with an antique bed frame and pale walls could perfectly match such a rug.