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Vintage Runner

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Shabby Chic Long Oushak Runner, circa 1940s
Shabby Chic Long Oushak Runner, circa 1940s

Shabby Chic Long Oushak Runner, circa 1940s

Located in New York, NY

This rather distressed runner displays six columns of stylized branches detailed in dark brown and

Category

1940s Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Kars Runner in Modern Geometric Style
Vintage Turkish Kars Runner in Modern Geometric Style

Vintage Turkish Kars Runner in Modern Geometric Style

Located in New York, NY

This striking vintage Kars runner showcases a bold and minimalist geometric pattern with three

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a wool foundation. This mid-20th century Turkish Anatolian runner presents a bold

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Cotton Agra Runner (Size Adjusted)
Doris Leslie Blau Cotton Agra Runner (Size Adjusted)

Doris Leslie Blau Cotton Agra Runner (Size Adjusted)

Located in New York, NY

Cotton Agra Runner (Size Adjusted) Size: 5'4" × 16'1" (162 × 490 cm) A Midcentury North Indian Agra

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Vintage Runner

Materials

Cotton

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Kurdish Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Kurdish Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Kurdish Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a wool foundation. This mid-20th century Persian Kurdish runner features a bold

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Rustic Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Afghan War Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Afghan War Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Afghan War Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a wool foundation. This mid-20th century Afghani War runner presents a highly

Category

Mid-20th Century Afghan Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Incredible Mid-20th Century Mir Sarouk Runner
Incredible Mid-20th Century Mir Sarouk Runner

Incredible Mid-20th Century Mir Sarouk Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An incredible mid-20th century Mir Saroulk runner with an all-over paisley pattern on a crimson

Category

1950s Persian Sarouk Farahan Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Old Caucasian Runner Kilim Karabakh, ca. 1940
Old Caucasian Runner Kilim Karabakh, ca. 1940

Old Caucasian Runner Kilim Karabakh, ca. 1940

$1,187

H 113.39 in W 40.16 in D 0.04 in

Old Caucasian Runner Kilim Karabakh, ca. 1940

Located in Ferrara, IT

This is a semi-antique Caucasian Karabagh kilim runner woven during the second quarter of the 20th

Category

Mid-20th Century Caucasian Other Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Serab Runner
Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Serab Runner

Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Serab Runner

Located in New York, NY

A vintage Persian Serab rug in runner format handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 2

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Rustic Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Vintage Light Green Pink Khotan Runner
Zabihi Collection Vintage Light Green Pink Khotan Runner

Zabihi Collection Vintage Light Green Pink Khotan Runner

Located in New York, NY

1930s narrow Khotan runner in greens and pink Details rug no. r5936 size 2' 3" x 11' 6" (69 x 351

Category

20th Century East Turkestani Agra Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Jijim Runner with Mosaic Medallion Design
Vintage Turkish Jijim Runner with Mosaic Medallion Design

Vintage Turkish Jijim Runner with Mosaic Medallion Design

Located in New York, NY

This captivating vintage Turkish Jijim runner is a visual rhythm of medallions and checkerboard

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Red Vintage Turkish Oushak Narrow Runner
Zabihi Collection Red Vintage Turkish Oushak Narrow Runner

Zabihi Collection Red Vintage Turkish Oushak Narrow Runner

Located in New York, NY

A mid 20th Century narrow and small red turkish runner Details rug no. r5903 size 2' 4" x 7' 6

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Beautiful Early 20th Century Dargazin Herati Runner
Beautiful Early 20th Century Dargazin Herati Runner

Beautiful Early 20th Century Dargazin Herati Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A beautiful early 20th century Persian Dargazin Herati runner with a fantastic all-over trellis and

Category

1940s Persian Heriz Serapi Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Perisan Saveh Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Perisan Saveh Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Perisan Saveh Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century, circa 1940, Persian Saveh runner with brilliant diamond pattern of

Category

1940s Vintage Runner

Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Modern Tribal
Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Modern Tribal

Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Modern Tribal

$3,600Sale Price|20% Off

W 56 in L 123 in

Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Modern Tribal

Located in Dallas, TX

52180 Oushak Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Modern Tribal. This vintage Turkish Oushak carpet

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Pale Pops of Pink Vintage Turkish Runner
Zabihi Collection Pale Pops of Pink Vintage Turkish Runner

Zabihi Collection Pale Pops of Pink Vintage Turkish Runner

Located in New York, NY

A Turkish runner with a large scale palee geometric tribal medallion design throughout. 2'7'' x

Category

20th Century Turkish Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Fantastic Mid-20th Century Kirmanshah Kilim Runner
Fantastic Mid-20th Century Kirmanshah Kilim Runner

Fantastic Mid-20th Century Kirmanshah Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A fantastic mid-20th century Kirmanshah Runner with a wonderful all-over triangle pattern forming

Category

1950s Persian Kilim Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner
ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner

ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner

Located in Katonah, NY

to come with this hand knotted Turkish Oushak rug runner made in Turkey circa 1970's vintage. Size

Category

1970s Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Persian Shiraz Runner with Tribal Style
Vintage Persian Shiraz Runner with Tribal Style

Vintage Persian Shiraz Runner with Tribal Style

Located in Dallas, TX

61046 Vintage Persian Shiraz Rug Runner, 03'09 x 10'01. Embark on an evocative journey as you delve

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Tudor Style
Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Tudor Style

Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Tudor Style

$3,199Sale Price|20% Off

W 44 in L 129 in

Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Tudor Style

Located in Dallas, TX

52743, vintage Turkish Oushak runner with Tudor style. With its Classic style and warm, rich colors

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Via Como - 'Art Deco 7' Runner Rug
Via Como - 'Art Deco 7' Runner Rug

Via Como - 'Art Deco 7' Runner Rug

Located in Long Island, NY

Via Como -  'Art Deco' Runner Rug - Size 3' x 10' Material: 100% Wool  Introducing Via Como

Category

1980s Unknown Other Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage Tulu Runner – Mosaic Grid in Soft Pastels
Vintage Tulu Runner – Mosaic Grid in Soft Pastels

Vintage Tulu Runner – Mosaic Grid in Soft Pastels

Located in New York, NY

This vintage Tulu runner showcases a playful mosaic-style grid pattern composed of soft pastel

Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner
ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner

ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner

Located in Katonah, NY

use! Many years of enjoyment to come with this hand knotted Turkish Oushak rug runner made in Turkey

Category

1960s Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool, Cotton

ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner
ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner

ON SALE Vintage Distressed Oushak Rug Runner

Located in Katonah, NY

hand knotted Turkish Oushak rug runner made in Turkey circa 1960's vintage. Size measures 4'11" x 11'5".

Category

1960s Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Fantastic Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner
Fantastic Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Fantastic Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A fantastic early 20th century Persian Qazvin kilim runner with a wonderful geometric pattern of

Category

1940s Persian Rustic Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Ghazvin Kilim Carpet Runner
Early 20th Century Ghazvin Kilim Carpet Runner

Early 20th Century Ghazvin Kilim Carpet Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century Persian Ghazvin Kilim carpet runner with all-over geometric floral pattern

Category

1940s Persian Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Turkish Paisley Motif Small Size Runner
Zabihi Collection Turkish Paisley Motif Small Size Runner

Zabihi Collection Turkish Paisley Motif Small Size Runner

Located in New York, NY

One of a kind small Turkish runner with colorful paisley design in predominant lavender and hot

Category

20th Century Turkish Tabriz Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Amazing Mid-20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner
Amazing Mid-20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Amazing Mid-20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An amazing mid-20th century Persian Qazvin Kilim runner with an multi-colored diamond pattern woven

Category

1940s Persian Kilim Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage Oushak Runner – Subtle Checkerboard in Ivory Tones
Vintage Oushak Runner – Subtle Checkerboard in Ivory Tones

Vintage Oushak Runner – Subtle Checkerboard in Ivory Tones

Located in New York, NY

This vintage Oushak runner features a softly rendered checkerboard pattern in warm ivory and cream

Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Rustic Persian Long Wide Heriz Antique Runner
Zabihi Collection Rustic Persian Long Wide Heriz Antique Runner

Zabihi Collection Rustic Persian Long Wide Heriz Antique Runner

Located in New York, NY

Rustic earth tone color Geometric Persian Heriz Runner from the 20th century Details rug no. 8751

Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Antique Hamadan Runner, Country House Style, Circa 1920
Antique Hamadan Runner, Country House Style, Circa 1920

Antique Hamadan Runner, Country House Style, Circa 1920

Located in Moreton-In-Marsh, GB

Old Hamadan region runner of good size with traditional herati design Circa 1920 The runner has

Category

20th Century Unknown Vintage Runner

Vintage North West Persian Runner 3'4'' x 10'1''
Vintage North West Persian Runner 3'4'' x 10'1''

Vintage North West Persian Runner 3'4'' x 10'1''

$2,240Sale Price|56% Off

W 40.8 in L 121.2 in

Vintage North West Persian Runner 3'4'' x 10'1''

Located in New York, NY

Vintage North West Persian Runner 3'4'' x 10'1''.

Category

1940s Asian Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool, Cotton

iran Brown Tribal Runner Mid-20th Century 4x11 ft
iran Brown Tribal Runner Mid-20th Century 4x11 ft

iran Brown Tribal Runner Mid-20th Century 4x11 ft

Located in Dallas, TX

This vintage Persian (Sarab) runner rug from iran dates to 1960-1980 and falls within the Vintage

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Antique Heriz Runner with Unusual Design, Circa 1900
Antique Heriz Runner with Unusual Design, Circa 1900

Antique Heriz Runner with Unusual Design, Circa 1900

Located in Moreton-In-Marsh, GB

Antique Heriz runner of good size, with an unusual medallion design Circa 1900 The runner has a

Category

20th Century Unknown Vintage Runner

Classic Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner
Classic Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Classic Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A Classic early 20th century Persian Qazvin Kilim runner with an all-over orange, purple, black and

Category

1960s Persian Kilim Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Antique Karaja Runner Of Traditional Design, Circa 1900
Antique Karaja Runner Of Traditional Design, Circa 1900

Antique Karaja Runner Of Traditional Design, Circa 1900

Located in Moreton-In-Marsh, GB

Antique Karaja runner of traditional Karaja design Circa 1900 The runner has excellent rich

Category

20th Century Unknown Vintage Runner

Vintage Persian Ghashghaei Runner with Tribal Style
Vintage Persian Ghashghaei Runner with Tribal Style

Vintage Persian Ghashghaei Runner with Tribal Style

Located in Dallas, TX

design combined with tribal style, this hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Ghashghaei runner is a

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Indian Dhurrie Blue Brown Runner
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Indian Dhurrie Blue Brown Runner

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Indian Dhurrie Blue Brown Runner

Located in New York, NY

Vintage Indian Dhurrie Blue Brown runner by Doris Leslie Blau Size: 4'7" × 29'4" (139 × 894 cm

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Runner

Materials

Cotton

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Indian Khotan Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Indian Khotan Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Indian Khotan Runner

Located in New York, NY

This mid-20th century Indian Khotan runner presents a striking and elongated composition defined by

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Khotan Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Village Runner, Traditional Design, Circa 1920
Antique Sarab Village Runner, Traditional Design, Circa 1920

Antique Sarab Village Runner, Traditional Design, Circa 1920

Located in Moreton-In-Marsh, GB

Antique Sarab village runner with a camel wool ground with a very colourful linked medallion design

Category

20th Century Unknown Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a cotton foundation. This mid-20th century Indian Agra runner features an elegant

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a wool foundation. This mid-20th century Turkish Anatolian runner features a lively

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Rustic Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Hand Knotted Sivas Runner with Faded Panel Stripes
Hand Knotted Sivas Runner with Faded Panel Stripes

Hand Knotted Sivas Runner with Faded Panel Stripes

Located in New York, NY

Woven in the central Turkish city of Sivas around the 1920s, this runner presents a quiet palette

Category

1950s Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage Oushak Runner – Rose Ground with Floral Medallions
Vintage Oushak Runner – Rose Ground with Floral Medallions

Vintage Oushak Runner – Rose Ground with Floral Medallions

Located in New York, NY

This elegant vintage Oushak runner features a warm rose-pink field accented by bold floral

Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage hand-knotted Hamadan Runner Rug, West Asia 1960s
Vintage hand-knotted Hamadan Runner Rug, West Asia 1960s

Vintage hand-knotted Hamadan Runner Rug, West Asia 1960s

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a charming vintage hand-knotted Persian Hamadan runner rug. Hamadan

Category

1960s West Asian Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Malayer Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Malayer Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Malayer Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a cotton foundation. This mid-20th century Persian Malayer runner features a refined

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Malayer Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Silver Beige and Brown Wool Kilim Runner
Vintage Turkish Silver Beige and Brown Wool Kilim Runner

Vintage Turkish Silver Beige and Brown Wool Kilim Runner

Located in Long Island City, NY

Originating from Turkey in 1970, this vintage wool Kilim runner is flat-woven in high quality wool

Category

1970s Turkish Kilim Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Vintage hand-knotted Bidjar Runner Rug, West Asia 1950s
Vintage hand-knotted Bidjar Runner Rug, West Asia 1950s

Vintage hand-knotted Bidjar Runner Rug, West Asia 1950s

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a charming hand-knotted Persian Bidjar runner rug. The rug features a

Category

1950s West Asian Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Baluch Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Baluch Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Baluch Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a wool foundation. This mid-20th century Persian Baluch runner presents a striking

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Beautiful Vintage Tabriz Style Transylvanian Runner
Bobyrug’s Beautiful Vintage Tabriz Style Transylvanian Runner

Bobyrug’s Beautiful Vintage Tabriz Style Transylvanian Runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Nice Transylvanian runner with a Persian Tabriz design and beautiful colors with yellow, blue

Category

Mid-20th Century Romanian Tabriz Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Long Rainbow Colored Vintage Runner, c. 1940-50
Long Rainbow Colored Vintage Runner, c. 1940-50

Long Rainbow Colored Vintage Runner, c. 1940-50

Located in Milwaukee, WI

20 Foot Rainbow Colored Vintage Runner - Full Plush Pile in Iconic Design About: Every color

Category

20th Century Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

20th Century woven 31 foot long carpet runner
20th Century woven 31 foot long carpet runner

20th Century woven 31 foot long carpet runner

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

20th century woven asian 31 foot long carpet runner circa 1980. Beige background with red and

Category

Late 20th Century East Asian Victorian Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Turkish Oushak Fragment Runner Rug
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Turkish Oushak Fragment Runner Rug

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Turkish Oushak Fragment Runner Rug

Located in New York, NY

Vintage Turkish Oushak Fragment Runner Rug Size: 2'2" × 8'5" (66 × 256 cm) A captivating vintage

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Oushak Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Anatolian Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a wool foundation. This mid-20th century Turkish Anatolian runner presents a quietly

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Rustic Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Sivas Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Sivas Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Turkish Sivas Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a cotton foundation. This mid-20th century Turkish Sivas runner presents a striking

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Rustic Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Serab Runner
Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Serab Runner

Galerie Shabab Collection Mid-20th Century Persian Serab Runner

Located in New York, NY

A wool pile on a cotton foundation. This mid-20th century Persian Serab runner features the classic

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Rustic Vintage Runner

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Mid Century Abstract American Hooked Runner
Zabihi Collection Mid Century Abstract American Hooked Runner

Zabihi Collection Mid Century Abstract American Hooked Runner

Located in New York, NY

A rare midcentury modern style American hooked runner Details rug no. j4054 size 2' 8" x 7' 10

Category

Mid-20th Century American Country Vintage Runner

Materials

Jute

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Vintage Runner For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal vintage runner for your home. Frequently made of fabric, wool and cotton, every vintage runner was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect vintage runner — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right vintage runner, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Art Deco styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one vintage runner that is appealing in its simplicity, but Berber Tribes of Morocco, Zeki Müren and Mehraban Rugs produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Vintage Runner?

A vintage runner can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,467, while the lowest priced sells for $18 and the highest can go for as much as $90,000.

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.