How to Use Historic Rugs in Today's Interior

Choose the Right Rugs

• 1

  Buy historic rugs that are compatible with your interior. Don't buy a rug that is too large for your room or a rug with dominant colors that doesn't match your decor.

• 2

  Find rugs that are durable enough for the level of use you will be subjecting them to. Most antique woven rugs are made of wool or silk, with wool being far more durable. Silk rugs are beautiful and can be used in low-traffic areas of your home, but shouldn't be purchased with the intention of putting them in the front hall.

• 3

  Research and learn about rugs before buying. There is a lot to know about the relative quality of different kinds of rugs. In a contemporary interior, a durable antique rug that is in excellent condition will complement the decor far more effectively than a worn-out looking rug.

Place the Rugs Harmoniously

• 4

  Place your historic rugs within your home so that they complement the furniture and decor rather than clashing with it. Rugs should either be large enough that furniture can sit on them or small enough to fit in the center of a room. Placing furniture half on and half off a rug creates a discordant look.

• 5

  Match rug colors with rooms. This doesn't mean having exactly the same colors in rugs and on walls or furniture. The dominant color in the rug should be compatible with the room's design. Accents in the rug that don't have parallels in the room will blend in and shouldn't cause concern.

• 6

  Place runners and long, narrow rugs in hallways. Don't try to fit a rug if it's slightly too large; an edge curling up against a wall ruins the look of a rug. In a hallway, there should be at least 8 inches of floor showing on each side of the rug to create a balanced effect.