Vintage style rugs are one of those design details that instantly add warmth and character. They make a space feel layered, lived-in and effortlessly stylish. With muted tones and faded patterns, these pieces bring charm that new rugs can’t quite match. Vintage area rugs work beautifully in cottages, coastal homes, French country spaces, with mid-century vibes and traditional interiors too.
Basically… they go with everything!
For this roundup, I’ve pulled together the best vintage rugs I can find on Etsy at the moment. All vintage and handmade rugs, which will add texture and personality when layered into the design of your room.
Shown below: A large vintage area rug in the living room of our Attic Project. Our poodle, Margot, modelling the vintage rug in the entrance hall of our Arts + Crafts House. The main living space at The Georgian Flat has a huge vintage rug!
I love large vintage rugs in living rooms, maybe layered over a larger sisal rug. Faded floral vintage rugs add character in bedrooms, and don’t forget vintage runners in hallways. Dreamy oushak rugs are my forever favourite!
Lottie xx
a word on new vintage-style rugs
If you’re buying new, I always recommend skipping machine-printed rugs if you can. Instead, look for hand-made, hand-knotted or hand-woven pieces which will wear beautifully and age in the best possible way. If you are looking for a specific size or pattern of rug, it can be easier to buy brand new. That being said, we have used the rug shown below in one of the bedrooms at our holiday let, The Georgian Flat. It looks great and has held up well to holiday guests and frequent vacuuming!
See this post for some lovely brand new vintage style rugs
where to buy vintage area rugs
You don’t have to spend thousands! You can find really good vintage rugs on Etsy starting at about £400 depending on the size. It is a hunt though, especially if you are looking for a specific size.
These are the Search phrases that I use:
Vintage area rug, antique rug, Vintage Oushak rug, muted vintage rug, Persian rug, cottage rugs, traditional rugs and French country rugs.
You’ll be amazed what comes up! Check seller reviews for authenticity. I always make an offer, even a really cheeky offer, especially on very large rugs as these are harder for the seller to shift. The rug round-up below includes sellers that I have previously purchased from, but please, do your own research!
buying authentic
1. Check that it’s hand-made, not machine printed
Ask for pictures of the back of the rug and zoom in! You should be able to clearly see the pattern and knots rather than a flat, blurry design, which usually means it’s been machine printed.
2. Natural fading is actually a good sign
Slight variations in colour and gentle wear show that the rug has aged naturally over time, adding character rather than taking away from it.
3. Choose wool whenever possible
Most authentic vintage rugs are made from wool, which feels thicker, heavier and far more durable than synthetic fibres.
4. Don’t worry about small imperfections
Tiny changes in pattern or colour are completely normal in handmade rugs and are often what make them feel special and unique.
5. Look closely at the fringe
On genuine vintage rugs, the fringe is part of the rug’s structure and weave, not something that’s been stitched on later.
6. A good rug should feel substantial
Quality vintage rugs usually have a nice weight to them and feel sturdy rather than thin or flimsy.
7. Check seller reviews!
I look for sellers with at least a 4.8/5.0 on Etsy.
how to clean vintage rugs
I always clean my vintage rugs when they first arrive. This may be unnecessary as most sellers will have cleaned them before dispatch but I am a germaphobe. I have taken delivery of a rug before, though which had obviously been around animals as I was allergic to it!
On a dry day (and preferably sunny!), lie your rug on a hard surface outside. Give both sides a good vacuum.
Before putting water on a rug, you might want to spot clean with a gentle water based cleaner on a corner to check for colour fastness. I have to admit that I never done this!
I then use a hose to wash the surface of the rug and remove any surface dust, before spraying with a very gentle clear soap e.g. a wool washing liquid or even a non bio washing up liquid. Rinse thoroughly. I only use cold water on my rugs.
Hang the rug on a washing line and flip every couple of hours to dry it thoroughly. Again, choose a sunny day if you can, the UV rays act as a natural disinfectant killing germs, bacteria and fungi.
When dry, vacuum again thoroughly. If, like me, you have underfloor heating, bring the rug in when it is still slightly damp. The gently heat coming through the floor will help any creases fall out.
vintage rugs for sale on etsy!
I’ve hunted down beautiful vintage and handmade area rugs in various sizes, from runners to large area vintage rugs at different price points. They have the kind of quality that outlasts machine-made rugs by years! These are hand-knotted and handmade.
Vintage rugs hold their value, too, so you can resell them if you change your style or want a different look. You will notice that I tend to prefer a rug with more muted colours. I also prefer an overall pattern to a rug with an emblem in the centre unless it is a very pale rug. I do like a lovely border round the edges. Think about the placement of your rug when you are choosing, and where the pattern will show if it is going under furniture.
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Copyright for all the photos belongs to the lovely Etsy Sellers listed.
