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New Contemporary Purple Moroccan Rug, Tribal Enchantment Meets Cozy Boho Chic
New Contemporary Purple Moroccan Rug, Tribal Enchantment Meets Cozy Boho Chic

New Contemporary Purple Moroccan Rug, Tribal Enchantment Meets Cozy Boho Chic

By Berber Tribes of Morocco

Located in Dallas, TX

Tribal enchantment meets whimsical Boho Chic in this hand-knotted modern Moroccan rug.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Bohemian Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Rare Vintage Swedish 'Townhouse' Rug
Doris Leslie Blau Rare Vintage Swedish 'Townhouse' Rug

Doris Leslie Blau Rare Vintage Swedish 'Townhouse' Rug

Located in New York, NY

It's a standout piece for those who appreciate mid-century design with a whimsical, storybook twist. This rug is part of the esteemed Doris Leslie Blau collection, renowned for its ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavia...

Materials

Wool

Contemporary Aubusson Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau
Contemporary Aubusson Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau

Contemporary Aubusson Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau

By Doris Leslie Blau

Located in New York, NY

At the top and bottom part of the rug is a whimsical swirly pattern, accompanied by a depiction of a flower basket.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Aubusson Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Signed Vintage Zeki Müren Rug in Dark Blue with Floral Pattern
Signed Vintage Zeki Müren Rug in Dark Blue with Floral Pattern

Signed Vintage Zeki Müren Rug in Dark Blue with Floral Pattern

Located in Long Island City, NY

Hand-knotted in wool and originating circa 1960-1970, this 4x7 vintage rug is both rare and extremely collectible as one of Müren’s signature pieces and as a full-pile piece found in...

Category

Vintage 1960s Turkish Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Zeki Müren Extra-Long Runner in Red with Colorful Stripes - Rug & Kilim
Vintage Zeki Müren Extra-Long Runner in Red with Colorful Stripes - Rug & Kilim

Vintage Zeki Müren Extra-Long Runner in Red with Colorful Stripes - Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

On The Design: Admirers of the craft will appreciate this vintage rug for its whimsical yet smart sensibilities, in the most exceptional color and an extra-long runner size suited ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

1950s Azilal Moroccan Rug with Polychromatic Patterns by Rug & Kilim
1950s Azilal Moroccan Rug with Polychromatic Patterns by Rug & Kilim

1950s Azilal Moroccan Rug with Polychromatic Patterns by Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

This rug is a whimsical piece capable of adorning an array of discerning projects.

Category

Vintage 1950s Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool, Fabric

1950s Azilal Moroccan Rug with Polychromatic Patterns by Rug & Kilim
1950s Azilal Moroccan Rug with Polychromatic Patterns by Rug & Kilim

1950s Azilal Moroccan Rug with Polychromatic Patterns by Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

On the Design: This rug enjoys a whimsical play of red, blue, black and pink in the geometric patterns.

Category

Vintage 1950s Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool, Fabric

Pixel Woven Hand-Tufted Geometric Rug in Acrylic Wool Blend by RAG Home
Pixel Woven Hand-Tufted Geometric Rug in Acrylic Wool Blend by RAG Home

Pixel Woven Hand-Tufted Geometric Rug in Acrylic Wool Blend by RAG Home

Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID

Designed and handmade by RAG Home Jakarta, this rug features intersecting geometric blocks in shades of turquoise, lilac, maroon, ochre, and cream — bordered by a dotted pastel yello...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Carpets

Materials

Wool, Acrylic

Decorative Antique Turkish Oushak Rug. 15 ft x 18 ft 6 in
Decorative Antique Turkish Oushak Rug. 15 ft x 18 ft 6 in

Decorative Antique Turkish Oushak Rug. 15 ft x 18 ft 6 in

Located in New York, NY

Size: 15 ft x 18 ft 6 in (4.57 m x 5.64 m) Whimsical patterns and light, airy colors define this antique Oushak rug.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

3.9x6.6 Ft  Antique Caucasian Gendje Rug Colorful Diagonal Stripes, circa 1875
3.9x6.6 Ft  Antique Caucasian Gendje Rug Colorful Diagonal Stripes, circa 1875

3.9x6.6 Ft Antique Caucasian Gendje Rug Colorful Diagonal Stripes, circa 1875

Located in Spring Valley, NY

An exuberant and whimsical antique Caucasian Gendje rug from the 1870s featuring a clear and yet complex and meticulously woven design.

Category

Antique 1870s Caucasian Country Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Contemporary Aubusson Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau
Contemporary Aubusson Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau

Contemporary Aubusson Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau

Located in New York, NY

At the top and bottom part of the rug is a whimsical swirly pattern, accompanied by a depiction of a flower basket.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Aubusson Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

1950s Azilal Moroccan Boucherouite Rug with Polychromatic Pattern by Rug & Kilim
1950s Azilal Moroccan Boucherouite Rug with Polychromatic Pattern by Rug & Kilim

1950s Azilal Moroccan Boucherouite Rug with Polychromatic Pattern by Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

On the Design: This rug enjoys a whimsical play of red, blue, pink, green and gold in the geometric patterns.

Category

Vintage 1950s Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool, Fabric

Vintage Zeki Múren Runner with Green and Red Geometric Pattern from Rug & Kilim
Vintage Zeki Múren Runner with Green and Red Geometric Pattern from Rug & Kilim

Vintage Zeki Múren Runner with Green and Red Geometric Pattern from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

Hand-knotted in wool and originating from Turkey circa 1960 – 1970, this 2x7 vintage Zeki Müren runner rug is a unique addition to the Rug & Kilim Collection for its wide range of co...

Category

Vintage 1960s Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Zeki Múren Runner in Beige with Colorful Floral Pattern from Rug & Kilim
Vintage Zeki Múren Runner in Beige with Colorful Floral Pattern from Rug & Kilim

Vintage Zeki Múren Runner in Beige with Colorful Floral Pattern from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

On the Design: Admirers of the craft will appreciate this vintage rug for its whimsical yet smart sensibilities, in the most exceptional color and a great size suited to wider spac...

Category

Antique 1660s Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Hooked Rug in Gray and Red with Pictorial Patterns - Rug & Kilim
Antique Hooked Rug in Gray and Red with Pictorial Patterns - Rug & Kilim

Antique Hooked Rug in Gray and Red with Pictorial Patterns - Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

On the Design: This hooked rug features a whimsical pictorial design with a pack of four marching soldiers, two balls, and two stuffed toys in hues of red, blue, gold, and beige.

Category

Vintage 1920s American North and South American Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Hooked Rug in Beige-Brown with Animal Pictorial Patterns  Rug & Kilim
Antique Hooked Rug in Beige-Brown with Animal Pictorial Patterns  Rug & Kilim

Antique Hooked Rug in Beige-Brown with Animal Pictorial Patterns Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

On the Design: This folk art hooked rug features a whimsical animal motif framed by a distinctive rippling border pattern.

Category

Vintage 1920s American North and South American Rugs

Materials

Wool

Modern Indian Hand-Knotted Wool Rug – Rust & Blue Tree of Life
Modern Indian Hand-Knotted Wool Rug – Rust & Blue Tree of Life

Modern Indian Hand-Knotted Wool Rug – Rust & Blue Tree of Life

Located in Norwalk, CT

This stunning modern Indian wool rug features a whimsical "Paradise Garden" design, hand-knotted to add warmth and artistic flair to any contemporary home.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Chinese Peking Rug
19th Century Chinese Peking Rug

19th Century Chinese Peking Rug

Located in Chicago, IL

A fascinating mid-19th century Chinese Peking rug with a whimsical pattern of intertwining blossoming tree peonies with birds nestled among the branches, all woven in light and dark ...

Category

Antique 1860s Chinese Chinoiserie Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Hand-Knotted Wool Poseidon Rug by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Hand-Knotted Wool Poseidon Rug by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti

Hand-Knotted Wool Poseidon Rug by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti

By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti

Located in London, London

A whimsical and highly graphic wool rug titled Poseidon and designed by Garouste & Bonetti, its field framed by an animated border of coral-like forms in shades of turquoise, sea gre...

Category

Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by Martha Ghan
Doris Leslie Blau Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by Martha Ghan

Doris Leslie Blau Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by Martha Ghan

Located in New York, NY

The design incorporates geometric and animal motifs, creating a composition that is both whimsical and elegant. The rug bears the woven initials "MG" in one corner, signifying its au...

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavia...

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Folklore Röllakan Rug, 06'08 x 09'00
Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Folklore Röllakan Rug, 06'08 x 09'00

Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Folklore Röllakan Rug, 06'08 x 09'00

By Märta Måås-Fjetterström

Located in Dallas, TX

In addition to birds, the rug also features whimsical animal motifs that resemble woodland creatures, possibly inspired by deer or elks, known as "hjortar" in Swedish.

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Contemporary Floral Bessarabian Style Handmade Wool Rug by Doris Leslie Blau
Contemporary Floral Bessarabian Style Handmade Wool Rug by Doris Leslie Blau

Contemporary Floral Bessarabian Style Handmade Wool Rug by Doris Leslie Blau

By Doris Leslie Blau

Located in New York, NY

Eastern-European rugs have that whimsical appeal that is hard to find in any other carpet types.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Bessarabian Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1890's Portuguese Aubusson Arraiolos Rug, French Romanticism Meets Maximalism
1890's Portuguese Aubusson Arraiolos Rug, French Romanticism Meets Maximalism

1890's Portuguese Aubusson Arraiolos Rug, French Romanticism Meets Maximalism

Located in Dallas, TX

In the corners, delicate round wreaths emerge like poetic punctuation—whimsical yet structured, grounding the rug in a sense of symmetrical serenity.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Aubusson Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Yellow Antique Khotan Scatter Rug
Zabihi Collection Yellow Antique Khotan Scatter Rug

Zabihi Collection Yellow Antique Khotan Scatter Rug

Located in New York, NY

a Whimsical antique Khotan small rug 2'1'' x 4'

Category

Early 20th Century East Turkestani Futurist Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Midcentury Art Deco Chinese Rug
Doris Leslie Blau Midcentury Art Deco Chinese Rug

Doris Leslie Blau Midcentury Art Deco Chinese Rug

Located in New York, NY

The scarlet ribbons meander gracefully through the design, their curves adding motion and whimsical charm. The rug’s composition expertly balances symmetry with spontaneity.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Antique English Arts & Crafts Wool Rug by C.F.A. Voysey
Doris Leslie Blau Antique English Arts & Crafts Wool Rug by C.F.A. Voysey

Doris Leslie Blau Antique English Arts & Crafts Wool Rug by C.F.A. Voysey

By Charles Voysey

Located in New York, NY

Woven in England around the turn of the 20th century, the rug is a masterful expression of Voysey’s signature style—elegant, organic, and subtly whimsical.

Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Handmade Rug Blue Bear Boho Art Carpet with Round Modern Metal Coffee Table
Handmade Rug Blue Bear Boho Art Carpet with Round Modern Metal Coffee Table

Handmade Rug Blue Bear Boho Art Carpet with Round Modern Metal Coffee Table

Located in Vilnius, LT

Artistic Boho Home Decor Set: Blue Wave Coffee Table and Whimsical Bear Rug. Introducing a captivating design duo that transforms your living space into an artistic sanctuary.

Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Western European Rugs

Materials

Metal

Nazmiyal Collection Vintage Fall Foliage Design Swedish Shag Rya Rug 3' x 4'7"
Nazmiyal Collection Vintage Fall Foliage Design Swedish Shag Rya Rug 3' x 4'7"

Nazmiyal Collection Vintage Fall Foliage Design Swedish Shag Rya Rug 3' x 4'7"

Located in New York, NY

This branch starts out thick and wanes down to a thin twist at the top of the rug, almost whimsical in its presence. Artistically drawing the eye in a slow sweep that pulls attention...

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavia...

Materials

Wool

Floral Doodle Grey Wool and Silk Area Rug
Floral Doodle Grey Wool and Silk Area Rug

Floral Doodle Grey Wool and Silk Area Rug

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Hand-drawn flowers seem to float effortlessly across a dark gray base in this whimsical contemporary Tibetan design rug. The wool/silk blend makes for a lustrous texture that is also...

Category

2010s Nepalese Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Silk, Wool

1930s Antique American Modern Sunshine Geometric Folk Art Patterned Hooked Rug
1930s Antique American Modern Sunshine Geometric Folk Art Patterned Hooked Rug

1930s Antique American Modern Sunshine Geometric Folk Art Patterned Hooked Rug

Located in New York, NY

This particular specimen is rare for its sophisticated geometric discipline, echoing the precise craftsmanship of the Shaker and Pennsylvania Dutch communities. While many hooked rug...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art North and South American Rugs

Materials

Wool

Nazmiyal Collection Antique Chinese Rug 5 ft 10 in x 8 ft 4 in
Nazmiyal Collection Antique Chinese Rug 5 ft 10 in x 8 ft 4 in

Nazmiyal Collection Antique Chinese Rug 5 ft 10 in x 8 ft 4 in

Located in New York, NY

Whimsical Charm Antique Chinese Rug, Country of origin: China, Circa date: 1900

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Colorful Moroccan Rug Runner, Cozy Boho Meets Eclectic Jungalow
Colorful Moroccan Rug Runner, Cozy Boho Meets Eclectic Jungalow

Colorful Moroccan Rug Runner, Cozy Boho Meets Eclectic Jungalow

By Berber Tribes of Morocco

Located in Dallas, TX

80620 Colorful Bohemian Moroccan Rug Runner, 04'00 x 12'02. Cozy Boho meets eclectic jungalow in this hand knotted wool colorful Moroccan rug.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Bohemian Moroccan and North Afri...

Materials

Wool

Schumacher by Charlap Hyman & Herrero Ballena in Black & Natural Rug
Schumacher by Charlap Hyman & Herrero Ballena in Black & Natural Rug

Schumacher by Charlap Hyman & Herrero Ballena in Black & Natural Rug

By Schumacher, Charlap Hyman & Herrero

Located in New York, NY

Hand-coiled abaca gives this whale-shaped rug a whimsically woeful expression and a sense of playful energy.

Category

2010s Philippine Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Hemp

Vintage Moroccan Azilal Rug, Maximalist Style Meets Wordly Sophistication
Vintage Moroccan Azilal Rug, Maximalist Style Meets Wordly Sophistication

Vintage Moroccan Azilal Rug, Maximalist Style Meets Wordly Sophistication

By Berber Tribes of Morocco

Located in Dallas, TX

Overflowing with nomadic charm and whimsical details, vintage Moroccan rug is full of symbolism and steeped in Berber Tribe culture.

Category

Late 20th Century Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool

RugsOnNet Ivory Antique American Folk Art Hooked Rug Carpet: The 1787 Homestead
RugsOnNet Ivory Antique American Folk Art Hooked Rug Carpet: The 1787 Homestead

RugsOnNet Ivory Antique American Folk Art Hooked Rug Carpet: The 1787 Homestead

Located in New York, NY

Framed by a disciplined, interlocking diamond lattice border with delicate floral sprigs at the corners, the rug balances a whimsical folk narrative with sophisticated geometric craft.

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art North and South American Rugs

Materials

Wool

1920s Red Gray Checkerboard Antique American Hooked Rug 6'8" x 7'5" Wool Carpet
1920s Red Gray Checkerboard Antique American Hooked Rug 6'8" x 7'5" Wool Carpet

1920s Red Gray Checkerboard Antique American Hooked Rug 6'8" x 7'5" Wool Carpet

Located in New York, NY

The geometric precision, combined with the charming irregularity inherent in hand-hooked work, creates a sophisticated yet whimsical statement. This rug is not merely a floor coverin...

Category

Vintage 1920s American Folk Art North and South American Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Geometric Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Carpet Pile
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Geometric Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Carpet Pile

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Geometric Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Carpet Pile

Located in New York, NY

It's a standout piece for those who appreciate mid-century design with a whimsical, storybook twist. This rug is part of the esteemed Doris Leslie Blau collection, renowned for its ...

Category

Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Tibetan Dragons and Clouds Tan Khaden Wool Small Runner Rug
Antique Tibetan Dragons and Clouds Tan Khaden Wool Small Runner Rug

Antique Tibetan Dragons and Clouds Tan Khaden Wool Small Runner Rug

Located in New York, NY

The clouds serve as beautiful ornamentation that give the carpet a whimsical effect. This antique rug comes from Joseph Carini's Private Reserve Collection.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

New Colorful Turkish Oushak Carpet, Contemporary Elegance Meets Bohemian Style
New Colorful Turkish Oushak Carpet, Contemporary Elegance Meets Bohemian Style

New Colorful Turkish Oushak Carpet, Contemporary Elegance Meets Bohemian Style

Located in Dallas, TX

At the heart of the colorful Oushak rug lies a whimsical interplay of amorphous motifs and botanical-inspired elements that appear to float effortlessly across its surface.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Bohemian Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Judith Johansson
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Judith Johansson

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Judith Johansson

By Judith Johansson

Located in New York, NY

Handwoven circa 1945, this piece is signed with Johansson's initials "JJ" in the lower left corner, attesting to its authenticity.​ The rug features a whimsical stepped diamond geome...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

New Nature-Inspired Celestial Tree of Life Biophilic Carpet with Modern Style
New Nature-Inspired Celestial Tree of Life Biophilic Carpet with Modern Style

New Nature-Inspired Celestial Tree of Life Biophilic Carpet with Modern Style

Located in Dallas, TX

80749 New Modern Celestial Tree of Life Rug with Biophilic Style, 06'06 x 09'06. Cradled beneath a sky of scattered stars and softly diffused light, this hand-knotted wool nature-ins...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Aesthetic Movement Central Asian...

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Chinese Art Deco Vintage Floral Sage Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Doris Leslie Blau Chinese Art Deco Vintage Floral Sage Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet

Doris Leslie Blau Chinese Art Deco Vintage Floral Sage Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet

Located in New York, NY

The scarlet ribbons meander gracefully through the design, their curves adding motion and whimsical charm. The rug's composition expertly balances symmetry with spontaneity.

Category

Vintage 1950s Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1980's Berber Moroccan Carpet with Modern Boho Tribal Style
1980's Berber Moroccan Carpet with Modern Boho Tribal Style

1980's Berber Moroccan Carpet with Modern Boho Tribal Style

By Berber Tribes of Morocco

Located in Dallas, TX

Framed by whimsical, colorful fringe, the Moroccan rug offers a playful yet refined aesthetic, blending elements of boho chic with traditional Berber design.

Category

Late 20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

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Whimsical Rugs For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of whimsical rugs available for sale. Each of these unique whimsical rugs was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric, wool and cotton. Find 39 antique and vintage whimsical rugs at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. There are all kinds of whimsical rugs available, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Whimsical rugs made by Folk Art designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — are very popular at 1stDibs. Whimsical rugs have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Sergio Mannino Studio are consistently popular.

How Much are Whimsical Rugs?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $4,500, while they’re typically $450 on the low end and $18,750 highest priced.

Finding the Right Rugs And 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. 

Read More

This Graphic Donegal Rug Is a Remarkable Example of the British Arts and Crafts Aesthetic

In the late 1890s, the firm of Alexander Morton & Co. set out to introduce a new category of crafts to the British Isles: hand-knotted rugs.

Hechizoo’s Original Sin Rug Tempts with Shimmering Copper, Tin and Bronze

Embroidered with snakes, turtles, birds and vines, it celebrates a dazzling natural world before the arrival of Adam and Eve.

Splashy Blooms Bud and Wilt in Artist Santi Moix’s Floral Rug

The colorful design captures the natural splendor of a backyard garden.

In South Africa, Rich Mnisi Is Taking Biomorphic Design to the Next Level

The rising fashion star is having his first solo show of furniture designs, at Southern Guild in Cape Town, and his far-out, snaking forms are like nothing you've ever seen.

The Artists and Designers behind Today’s Coolest Rug Collaborations

Top carpet companies are expanding the arena of artful floor coverings, seeking out creatives from other media and marrying their talents to textiles.

Tantuvi’s New Rugs Were Inspired by the Travertine Quarries of India and the Spanish Steps of Rome

The New York–based rug designers employ earthy colors and time-honored artistry in their creations.

We’re Going Gaga for the New Sasha Bikoff Rugs

The New York interior designer found inspiration in disco culture and astrology for her debut home collection.

Paradise Is Found Underfoot in These Majestic Persian Textiles

Persian garden carpets, with their timeless beauty and unmatched craftsmanship, have an enduring appeal.