Old is very cool: A case for vintage & antique handmade rugs.

I’m a woman of a certain age. And by a certain age, I mean in my 50’s. So, I’m a specific age that’s no longer young ~ at least according to dictionary definitions. But I still have a lot of life to give & live. Hokey probably, but many of the characteristics that come with aging (not unlike myself ☺️) are applicable to old rugs: Finesse, patina, uniqueness, & versatile to name a few.

Textures of a vintage Persian Karjeh rug add warmth to a home.

Old rugs ARE worth it!

The accessibility & convenience of the big box stores can be a plus; I was thrilled 15 years ago when a big box shop opened in our (then) very small town. My own mindset has definitely changed over the years & I’m in agreement with those who believe there are times to rely on the big box shops & then there are times to go the other direction. 

Old doesn’t have to translate to rare hence expensive, especially when talking about handmade rugs. And sure, vintage & antique rugs will cost more than most of the big box competition, but cost can kind of be relative. Consider the long-term monetary cost of having to replace the big box or online washable one several times over when it’s no longer machine washable because it’s fallen apart. And then there’s the cost to the environment, among other reasons. If you ask any handmade rug enthusiast (such as designers), vintage & antique rugs are worth it for so many reasons. 

Sustainable

Today, the dominant model for producing machine made rugs is a linear system where resources are taken from the environment, the rugs are made in factories, consumers use the rug for a short time, then it’s disposed of without much thought given to the long-term effects on the environment. Enough incentives don’t exist for these companies to consider more eco-friendly options or to simply produce less. A couple things that help keep the rug manufacturers going are continued demand & convenience for consumers. Think of the machine washables or those that can be easily purchased at the big box shops. Mindset connected to trends is a selling point too; what was in is now out, so it’s time to get a new one ~ an endless cycle. There are companies that are more forward thinking & have developed a way to have eco-design, but most manufacturers don’t have the motivation to change the way they operate just to promote the use of recycled materials or to sell less. 

Made of natural fibers & often 100% natural dyes, handmade is a better option in terms of sustainability. Rugs were initially made for daily use; to eat on, to sleep on, to be used when riding on horseback, used as a bag cover to carry essentials, & other utilitarian uses. They were made to be durable & to last. Wool & cotton ~ & in some cases camel, horse, & goat hair ~ are the basis of the foundation of these old rugs. Flowers, roots, vegetation, & even insects have been used as natural dyes. Put these materials together & very organically you have a sustainable product that’s biodegradable & won’t harm the environment. 

Versatile

Whether you love pops of bold colors or prefer a more muted color palette & if you love a geometric design or a floral motif, vintage & antique handmade rugs are a great choice for adding character & personality to your home. With so many different styles, colors, & even countries of origin to choose from, there’s a handmade rug that’ll do the trick for you. These rugs can be mixed with so many different design styles that you really can’t go wrong. Heriz rugs, for example, are my own favored way of adding character to a room. A Heriz with its geometric patterns & soft floral motifs is a great mix of style & color that can be used to pull accent colors from to match drapery, accent chairs, sofas, pillows, & so on. 

Durable

The good old-fashioned materials & techniques that have been used for generations to make rugs by hand is testament to their durability. Made of natural fibers & often 100% natural dyes, these old rugs can take a beating & “keep on ticking”. Even better news is that vintage rugs are low maintenance & easy to take care of. Similar to wool sweaters, dabbing a spill when it happens then blotting it with warm water & some mild detergent does the trick for getting rid of spills & stains. The structure of the wool lets the dirt & whatever may have spilled on the rug to sit on top of the fibers, so it’s easier to clean up. 

Patina

A natural patina develops over the course of its life, so don’t be afraid of using a vintage & antique rug in your daily life. Colors will mellow out over time, the pile begins to soften a bit more; the charm that comes with these naturally aged rugs isn’t something that can be replicated with machine-made rugs. Rotating rugs every couple of years will help even out the use & help protect against fading, giving it a more balanced look. 

Warmth

More than just insulation & physical warmth, handmade rugs are a great option to help make your rooms more comfortable & cozy. The texture & colors evoke a feeling of warmth & comfort, relaxes us, & helps to create a place of respite. Hardwood floors are beautiful, but so is stepping foot onto a rug that warms & cozies up a room. 

Do you see the possibilities with vintage & antique handmade rugs? Are handmade rugs worth it?