The timeless beauty of traditional patterned rugs will enhance any room, hallway, or entrance in your home, and they will coordinate with any décor.  They are a good choice for high traffic areas because of the intricate designs that hide wear and tear.  Rugs made on the Asian continent, such as Persian, Indian, Chinese, and Turkish rugs, are considered 'traditional' and can be classified as either Tribal, Bohemian, or Vintage style rugs. Imitations of popular patterns are available and produced by manufacturers worldwide.

The History of Rug Making

Rug making by hand is a centuries-old art, and the old designs reveal the religious and ethnic structures of the times in the countries or areas of origin.

Today, many of these ancient designs are still produced, with some being hand-woven and hand-knotted and others being woven by machine.  Patterns that have a floral, garden motif, or geometric designs around a central medallion or painting-like scene are the most traditional.

Traditional rugs used to be constructed only with natural fibers as wool, cotton, silk, or goat and camel hair, or blends of these materials, but now you can find them made with less expensive synthetic materials such as olefin (polypropylene), nylon, polyester, and acrylic.  Wool rugs are still the top choice for durable, soft, dirt-and-fire-resistant, and warm rugs. Synthetic reproductions make traditional area rugs less expensive.

Tips On Selecting Traditional Rugs for Your Home

Decide how you will use the area rug.  There are a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes to choose from, including round, oval, rectangular, and the popular runner.

Is its primary use for protecting a floor or a carpet?  Is its main function to add warmth and comfort?  Keep these points in mind as well:

  • The colors should complement the other colors in the room. A traditional rug can be the focal point in a room, with its color and pattern. It can blend into and serve as a background for other elements in a room.
  • Is the goal to define furniture groupings or unite all the elements in the room? If the rug will be fully or partially hidden under large furniture, it is best to opt for a repetitive design or an elaborate and interesting border.
  • Natural fiber rugs are preferred by families with health issues as they do not release chemicals into the air, unlike synthetics.

Tips On Cost Considerations

Finding high-quality, inexpensive area rugs with traditional designs is not as difficult as you might think.  Online shopping allows you to deal directly with retailers who can offer discounts and warehouse prices without the need for storefront costs or middlemen.  There are other ways to make the traditional rug of your dreams affordable besides shopping online.

  • An antique rug is the most expensive and should have documentation attesting to its authenticity. Imitations are much less costly.
  • Natural fibers are more expensive than synthetic fibers.
  • Hand-made, hand-woven, and hand-knotted rugs made by weavers are more durable, but more expensive than machine-woven and knotted rugs.
  • The price can be affected by the country or area of origin.

Whether you opt for a wool rug that is hand woven and hand knotted or a machine woven rug, it will enhance the look, feel, and feel of your home.