Skip to main content

Antique Runners

to
606
4,071
917
3,109
3,109
1,781
1,020
542
345
232
194
189
153
121
107
105
80
49
42
38
33
19
18
16
15
14
11
10
10
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
9
6
5
5
Sort By
Early 20th Century Antique Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Antique Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Antique Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Turkish Anatolian runner rug, circa 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Early 20th Century Antique Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Antique Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Antique Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Turkish Anatolian runner rug, circa 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Hamadan Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Antique Persian Hamadan Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Hamadan Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Persian Hamadan runner rug, circa 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Karaja Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Antique Persian Karaja Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Karaja Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Persian Karaja runner rug, circa 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Heriz Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Antique Persian Heriz Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Heriz Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Persian Heriz runner rug, circa 1910.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Persian Northwest Persia runner rug, circa 1910.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

20th Century, Persian Malayer Runner Oriental Carpet

20th Century, Persian Malayer Runner Oriental Carpet

By Ashly Fine Rugs 1

Located in Katy, TX

20th century, Persian antique Malayer rug woven in Iran of all hand-spun wool. This is excellent condition, no wear or repairs. Very soft mellow colors great weave with beautiful abr...

Category

1920s Persian Malayer Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand-Knotted Persian Bakshayesh Runner Rug
Antique Hand-Knotted Persian Bakshayesh Runner Rug

Antique Hand-Knotted Persian Bakshayesh Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a beautiful and rare hand-knotted antique Persian Bakshaesh runne rug. The rug has a simple pattern usually a trademark of the bakshayesh rugs on a red color field. The rug m...

Category

Late 19th Century Persian Serapi Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug
Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug

Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a hand knotted antique Persian Malayer runner rug. It is made with natural wool dyed with natural dyes on a cotton foundation.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Malayer Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Tribal Baluchi Gallery Runner with Abrash, circa 1900
Tribal Baluchi Gallery Runner with Abrash, circa 1900

Tribal Baluchi Gallery Runner with Abrash, circa 1900

Located in Northridge, CA

Tribal Baluchi gallery runner with abrash circa 1900 Measures: 5' 3" x 11' 6" Hand-knotted wool pile rug, cotton foundation Field: Black Border: Cherry-Red Accent: Beige, Burgundy

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Tribal Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery Runner, circa 1940
Tribal Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Tribal Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Tribal Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery runner, circa 1940 Measures: 5' 5" x 13' 5" Hand-knotted wool pile on a cotton foundation.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Black Tribal Persian Baluchi Gallery Runner, circa 1900
Black Tribal Persian Baluchi Gallery Runner, circa 1900

Black Tribal Persian Baluchi Gallery Runner, circa 1900

Located in Northridge, CA

Black tribal Persian Baluchi gallery runner circa 1900 Measures: 5' 2" x 13' Hand-knotted wool pile rug, cotton foundation Field: Black Border: Cherry-Red Accent: Gold, Light-Blu...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

1940s Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery Runner with Abrash
1940s Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery Runner with Abrash

1940s Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery Runner with Abrash

Located in Northridge, CA

Persian Kurdish Bukhara Gallery Runner with Abrash, circa 1940 Measures: 4' 10" x 12' 3" Hand-knotted wool pile with abrash, on a cotton foundation.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Anatolian Runner in Pale Oushak Colors
Vintage Turkish Anatolian Runner in Pale Oushak Colors

Vintage Turkish Anatolian Runner in Pale Oushak Colors

Located in Antwerp, BE

Turkish Anatolian runner hand knotted in the very fresh and light feeling colors Oushak carpets are known for.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Long Hand-Knotted Persian Heriz Runner Rug
Antique Long Hand-Knotted Persian Heriz Runner Rug

Antique Long Hand-Knotted Persian Heriz Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an antique hand knotted long Persian Heriz runner rug. It has the trademark multiple geometric medallions design of the neighbouring Karajeh rugs.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand knotted Wool Long Caucasian Runner Rug
Antique Hand knotted Wool Long Caucasian Runner Rug

Antique Hand knotted Wool Long Caucasian Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a beautiful hand-knotted long antique Caucasian Karabagh runner rug made with all wool and natural dyes in rich colors that would bring any hallway to life.

Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Caucasian Runner Carpet in Terracotta, Blue and Ruby
Caucasian Runner Carpet in Terracotta, Blue and Ruby

Caucasian Runner Carpet in Terracotta, Blue and Ruby

Located in Antwerp, BE

Hand knotted Caucasian wool runner. Wool warp with wool weft knots in beautiful jewel tones and tribal motifs.

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Old Baluch Kilim, Runner, SE Persia, circa 1900
Old Baluch Kilim, Runner, SE Persia, circa 1900

Old Baluch Kilim, Runner, SE Persia, circa 1900

Located in By Appointment Only, CA

Originally conceived as an eating mat (a table cloth in our culture), it is ideally suited as a small narrow runner. If you know about the sizing of runners, then you know how rare i...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Kilim Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Fine Antique Senneh Rug Runner Fragment, Northwest Persia
Fine Antique Senneh Rug Runner Fragment, Northwest Persia

Fine Antique Senneh Rug Runner Fragment, Northwest Persia

Located in New York, NY

Fine antique Senneh rug runner fragment, Northwest Persia. A fine wool pile in Turkish knot on a cotton and wool foundation.

Category

Early 1900s Persian Islamic Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Kurd Runner with Chickens and Turkeys
Rare Antique Kurd Runner with Chickens and Turkeys

Rare Antique Kurd Runner with Chickens and Turkeys

Located in Aspen, CO

This is a very unusual Kurd runner. The pictorial and other fascinating designs embellish the field throughout.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Very Rare Antique Indian Saph Design Dhurrie Runner
Very Rare Antique Indian Saph Design Dhurrie Runner

Very Rare Antique Indian Saph Design Dhurrie Runner

Located in Aspen, CO

This is a specially commissioned, multi-niche, rare runner. It was woven in Agra, India, circa 1890-1905.

Category

1890s Indian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Antique Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Persian Northwest Persia runner rug, circa 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug
Early 20th Century Antique Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug

Early 20th Century Antique Persian Northwest Persia Runner Rug

Located in Louisville, KY

An antique Persian Northwest Persia runner rug, circa 1910.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand Knotted Wide and Long Runner Rug
Antique Hand Knotted Wide and Long Runner Rug

Antique Hand Knotted Wide and Long Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an antique hand knotted Persian Kurdish Baktiary rug in a traditional nomadic design featuring the crown motif on an ivory color field. The rug is made with all wool and natu...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Northwest Persian Bakshaish Hand Knotted Wool Runner
Antique Northwest Persian Bakshaish Hand Knotted Wool Runner

Antique Northwest Persian Bakshaish Hand Knotted Wool Runner

Located in Evanston, IL

A beautifully executed mid-late 19th century gallery-sized carpet from the region of Heriz in Northwest Persia. The rugs woven in the village of Bakshaish were influenced by traditio...

Category

Late 19th Century Persian Bakshaish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Runner, Central Tibet, Mid-19th Century, Excellent Condition
Antique Runner, Central Tibet, Mid-19th Century, Excellent Condition

Antique Runner, Central Tibet, Mid-19th Century, Excellent Condition

Located in By Appointment Only, CA

Runners of this type were used in the monasteries of Tibet, set on long benches or cushions upon which monks would sit and chant their prayers.

Category

Mid-19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand-Knotted wool Caucasian Shirvan Runner Rug
Antique Hand-Knotted wool Caucasian Shirvan Runner Rug

Antique Hand-Knotted wool Caucasian Shirvan Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an antique hand knotted Caucasian Shirvan rug. It is made with fine wool colored with all natural dyes in a fine tight weave. The rug has a very unique all over geometric des...

Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Handmade Wool Wide Persian Kurdish Runner Rug
Antique Handmade Wool Wide Persian Kurdish Runner Rug

Antique Handmade Wool Wide Persian Kurdish Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an antique hand knotted rug from the Kurdish region of western Iran. This rug is made with all wool colored with natural dyes in around the turn of the century. It has a deta...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Hand Knotted Wool Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug
Vintage Hand Knotted Wool Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug

Vintage Hand Knotted Wool Turkish Anatolian Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a vintage Turkish Anatolian rug made with 100% wool and all natural dyes. Bring life and elegance to your space with this beautiful rug in rich yet soft colors. It measures 3...

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand Knotted Wool Caucasian Shirvan Runner Rug
Antique Hand Knotted Wool Caucasian Shirvan Runner Rug

Antique Hand Knotted Wool Caucasian Shirvan Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a beautiful antique hand-knotted late 19th century Caucasian Shirvan rug. It measures 3' 5'' x 7' 6'' and it's made of wool and all natural dyes.

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Veramin, northwest Persia  Wool, 1915, runner, 4x13
Antique Persian Veramin, northwest Persia  Wool, 1915, runner, 4x13

Antique Persian Veramin, northwest Persia Wool, 1915, runner, 4x13

Located in Williamsburg, VA

The rug is 3-10x13-4 which makes it an unusually wide runner and is in wonderful condition. Circa 1915.

Category

Early 20th Century Azerbaijani Malayer Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

19th Century Pink and Brown Kilim Runner from Bulgaria
19th Century Pink and Brown Kilim Runner from Bulgaria

19th Century Pink and Brown Kilim Runner from Bulgaria

Located in Savannah, GA

19th Century Kilim runner from Bulgaria with leaves in the center ground and a border of stylized flowers.

Category

19th Century Bulgarian Antique Runners

Materials

Cotton

Tribal Kurdish Gallery Runner with Deer Design, circa 1940
Tribal Kurdish Gallery Runner with Deer Design, circa 1940

Tribal Kurdish Gallery Runner with Deer Design, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Tribal Kurdish Gallery runner with deer design, circa 1940. Measures: 4' 11" x 12' 10" Hand-knotted, abrash wool pile on a cotton foundation.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand Knotted Wool Green Turkish Oushak Runner Rug
Antique Hand Knotted Wool Green Turkish Oushak Runner Rug

Antique Hand Knotted Wool Green Turkish Oushak Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a pair of genuine antique hand-knotted Turkish Oushak runner rugs. They measure 3' 2'' x 11' and 3' 2'' x 12' made of all wool colored with all natural dyes.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug
Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug

Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a long hand knotted antique Persian Malayer runner rug. It is made with Persian wool colored with natural dyes on a cotton foundation.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Malayer Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug
Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug

Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Persian Malayer Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a long hand knotted antique Persian Malayer runner rug. It is made with Persian wool colored with natural dyes on a cotton foundation.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Malayer Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Turkish Oushak runner: size 2'10" x 11'1"
Antique Turkish Oushak runner: size 2'10" x 11'1"

Antique Turkish Oushak runner: size 2'10" x 11'1"

Located in Houston, TX

A serene antique Oushak with muted tones of sage and taupe. The flower head border encases a repeating field of stylized blossoms.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Antique Runners

Antique Persian Serab Camel Hair Runner, Late 19th Century
Antique Persian Serab Camel Hair Runner, Late 19th Century

Antique Persian Serab Camel Hair Runner, Late 19th Century

Located in Evanston, IL

A very traditional antique Persian Serab runner hand-knotted with camel hair and wool. The main field is woven with an elegant lattice floral design.

Category

Late 19th Century Persian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Long Narrow Dragon Design Heriz Runner, Early 20th Century
Long Narrow Dragon Design Heriz Runner, Early 20th Century

Long Narrow Dragon Design Heriz Runner, Early 20th Century

Located in Berlin, DE

Bakshaish runner dating from circa 1930 with an archaic 'dragon' design.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Shiraz / Meziti - Geometric Nomadic Runner - Rust, Navy & Yellow
Antique Persian Shiraz / Meziti - Geometric Nomadic Runner - Rust, Navy & Yellow

Antique Persian Shiraz / Meziti - Geometric Nomadic Runner - Rust, Navy & Yellow

Located in Blacksburg, VA

Entrancing 80 + Year Old Persian Meziti Runner 3' 9 " x 10' Exquisite Persian runner woven by the Meziti tribe located just south of the city of Shiraz.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Serab Runner Hand-knotted from Coats of Camels
Antique Persian Serab Runner Hand-knotted from Coats of Camels

Antique Persian Serab Runner Hand-knotted from Coats of Camels

Located in Evanston, IL

This is an antique Serab runner, woven in Persia around the end of the 19th century.

Category

Late 19th Century Persian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Camel Hair Serab Runner with Four Central Medallions
Antique Persian Camel Hair Serab Runner with Four Central Medallions

Antique Persian Camel Hair Serab Runner with Four Central Medallions

Located in Evanston, IL

Woven in the village of Serab, this runner is made with camel hair and wool. Classic Serab design with four central medallions.

Category

1890s Persian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Kilim Runner, Karapinar Region, Central Anatolia, 1920-1930
Vintage Kilim Runner, Karapinar Region, Central Anatolia, 1920-1930

Vintage Kilim Runner, Karapinar Region, Central Anatolia, 1920-1930

Located in By Appointment Only, CA

An extremely decorative weaving made in central Anatolia, consisting of natural colored sheep’s wool, including dark brown, light brown, beighe and grey wool. The condition is goo...

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Hand Knotted Wool Northwest Persian Runner Rug
Late 19th Century Hand Knotted Wool Northwest Persian Runner Rug

Late 19th Century Hand Knotted Wool Northwest Persian Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a fantastic antique hand-knotted northwest Persian runner rug. The rug has a beautiful color combination with mostly corals and greens.

Category

Late 19th Century Persian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

abc carpet Purple Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 4'6" x 10'8"
abc carpet Purple Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 4'6" x 10'8"

abc carpet Purple Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 4'6" x 10'8"

Located in New York, NY

Sourced from the ancient Silk Road to bring a genuine one-of-a-kind rug to your home, this Purple Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 4'6" x 10'8" features a soft color palette, distr...

Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Khotan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

abc carpet Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8'
abc carpet Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8'

abc carpet Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8'

Located in New York, NY

Sourced from the ancient Silk Road to bring a genuine one-of-a-kind rug to your home, this Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8' features a soft color palette, distressed...

Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Khotan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

abc carpet Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8'
abc carpet Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8'

abc carpet Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8'

Located in New York, NY

Sourced from the ancient Silk Road to bring a genuine one-of-a-kind rug to your home, this Pink Vintage Wool Cotton Blend Runner - 3'1" x 8' features a soft color palette, distressed...

Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Khotan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Yellow Peony and Cloud Ningxia Monk Seat Temple Runner
Antique Yellow Peony and Cloud Ningxia Monk Seat Temple Runner

Antique Yellow Peony and Cloud Ningxia Monk Seat Temple Runner

Located in Seeshaupt, DE

Note: Both ends were replaced at some point in the past, as this rug was originally part of a much longer runner, probably in excess of 30 feet.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Runners

100+ Year Old Persian Lori - Rusty Geometric Runner - 4' x1 2'
100+ Year Old Persian Lori - Rusty Geometric Runner - 4' x1 2'

100+ Year Old Persian Lori - Rusty Geometric Runner - 4' x1 2'

Located in Blacksburg, VA

Incredible Antique Persian Lori Runner 3' 9" x 12' Beautiful runner made of wool raised, sheared, dyed, spun and woven by the famous nomadic Persians known as The Lores.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

100 Year Old Persian Lori - Rusty Geometric Runner - 4' x1 2'
100 Year Old Persian Lori - Rusty Geometric Runner - 4' x1 2'

100 Year Old Persian Lori - Rusty Geometric Runner - 4' x1 2'

Located in Blacksburg, VA

Immaculate 100+ Year Old Lori 4' x 12' This beautiful rust toned runner was handwoven by the Lores, one of the most renowned rug weaving tribes of Persia.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

19th Century Lampas table runner tapestry woven Color Lyon silk patchwork France
19th Century Lampas table runner tapestry woven Color Lyon silk patchwork France

19th Century Lampas table runner tapestry woven Color Lyon silk patchwork France

Located in Antwerpen, BE

This luxurious table runner is a shining example of the refined artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that defined the era.

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Runners

Materials

Gold

Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Green Brown Red Caucasian Runner Rug
Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Green Brown Red Caucasian Runner Rug

Long Antique Hand Knotted Wool Green Brown Red Caucasian Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

Caucasian Kazak rugs are among the best and most sought after nomadic look rugs of late 19th and early 20th century rugs. This beautiful runner is hand-knotted with all wool and natu...

Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Antique Runners", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Antique Runners For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antique runners is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique runners was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric, wool and cotton. Antique runners have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique runners made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — are very popular at 1stDibs. Many antique runners are appealing in their simplicity, but Mehraban Rugs, William Morris (English) and Hadji Jalili produced popular antique runners that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Runners?

Prices for antique runners can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, antique runners begin at $120 and can go as high as $180,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,987.

Finding the Right Rugs-carpets for You

Good antique rugs and vintage rugs have made their way into homes across the globe, becoming fixtures used for comfort, prayer and self-expression, so choosing the right area rug is officially a universal endeavor.

In modern usage, “carpet” typically denotes a wall-to-wall floor cushioning that is fixed to the floor. Rugs, on the other hand, are designed to cover a specific area and can easily be moved to new locations. However, the terms are interchangeable in many parts of the world, and, in the end, it won’t matter what you decide to call it.

It’s well known that a timeless Persian rug or vintage Turkish rug can warm any interior, but there are lots of other styles of antique rugs to choose from when you're endeavoring to introduce fresh colors and textures to a bedroom or living room.

Moroccan Berber rugs are not all about pattern. In fact, some of the most striking examples are nearly monochrome. But what these rugs lack in complexity, they make up for in brilliant color and subtle variation. Moroccan-style interiors can be mesmerizing — a sitting room of this type might feature a Moroccan rug, carved wooden screens and a tapestry hung behind the sofa.

Handwoven kilim rugs, known for their wealth of rich colors and unique weaving tradition, are pileless: Whereas the Beni Ourain rugs of Morocco can be described as dense with a thick surface or pile, an authentic kilim rug is thin and flat. (The term “kilim” is Turkish in origin, but this type of textile artistry is practiced all across the Balkans, throughout the Arab world and elsewhere.) 

When it comes to eye-catching floor coverings, the distinctive “medallion” pattern of Oushak rugs has two types of rounded shapes alternating against a rich red or blue background created with natural dyes, while the elaborate “star” pattern involves large eight-pointed shapes in diagonal rows alternating with diamonds.  

If you’re looking for something unexpected, find a runner rug that pops in your hallway or on your stairs. Dig for dazzling geometric patterns in our inventory of mid-century modern rugs and carpets, which includes works designed by the likes of Swedish textile masters Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter and other artisans. 

Carpets and rugs have been around for thousands of years. Prehistoric humans turned to animal skin, wool and fur to craft simple fabrics to soften hard terrain. A 2016 study suggests that "cave lions" were hunted for exactly this purpose, and that decorating your cave with their pelts may have conferred strength and prestige. Although many of these early textiles are still in existence, tracing their precise origins is difficult. Carpets quickly became such a valuable trade commodity that the weavings could easily travel far from their places of origin. 

The oldest known carpet was found in southern Siberia. (It may have traveled there from Persepolis in Iran.) For the flat-weave floor rugs crafted by Native Americans, cotton was the primary material before sheep’s wool was introduced in the 16th century. In Europe, carpet-making was fundamental to folk art, and Asian carpets imported to European countries were at one time considered a precious luxury and not intended to remain permanently on the floor. 

With the variety of area rugs and carpets rolled out for you on 1stDibs — a collection that includes traditional, modern, minimalist rugs and other coverings of all kinds — things will be looking up whenever you’re looking down.