As shoppers move from the cheaply made mass-produced home décor to pieces that are solid and timeless, a trend is rising in Traditional Rug purchases, particularly in rugs that have floral designs or appear worn or distressed.
Persian rugs are still the most desirable and command some of the highest prices. Particularly in the U.S., where Persian rugs have been blocked from imports for years.
Oriental rugs are a less expensive option toward acquiring traditional carpets. Persian rugs start at $50 per square foot currently, whereas Oriental rugs start at $15 per square foot. Machine-made rugs are less expensive than hand-woven rugs, but consumerism for high-knot count has driven machine-made rug prices up. In contrast, the knot count is not related to price in Persian rugs. Village/tribal rugs that are woven around what the artist sees, such as sheep, flowers, trees, command some of the highest prices in the world despite the knot count.
How to incorporate traditional rugs into new décor
Now that you have invested in another piece of art, the Persian rug, how do you make it part of a trendy décor? Traditional decorating rules still apply here: If the rug has large pattern, then you use small and medium pattern textiles in the remainder of the room. Conversely, small pattern rugs will do well pairing with large pattern textiles. Dominant colored rugs could be complimented or toned down depending on your decorating preference (eg. minimalism vs modern). To soften the look of a dominant rug, you would need to offset the dominant color.
To intensify a small pattern in the rug, you could repeat the design’s color in textiles, artwork, or walls. In this office, the color of the design was pulled out and reflected in the wall color for impact.
In a room where you have to keep wall colors muted, such as apartments or rentals, the rug could be the only art needed.
An Industrial or Modern Farmhouse design looks much richer with the addition of an Oriental Rug.
Though historically intricate and ornate in pattern, Oriental rugs still work in a Minimalist home as well as a Rustic home.
Whether you are a conscious consumer that cares about where items come from and what impact they leave, or a collector of art for your investment portfolio — look to an investment in quality floor coverings that will last and inspire.