Area Rug Styles

The range of area rugs is as diverse as the globe. In fact, many of the names given to the different styles of area rugs are based on the global regions in which the different styles were originally developed and made.

From the simplest cotton throw rug to a majestic, intricately crafted Persian rug - your choices are virtually endless.

This page gives you an overview of most of the styles of rugs you can find. To learn more about design considerations such as size, shape, and color, see our section on what you should know before buying an area rug.

Hand-Made vs. Manufactured
The way in which area rugs are made can vary greatly depending on the style. Hand-made area rugs can be antique or original rugs that are hand-knotted or hand-tufted. These rugs are normally high in value and price, and can become collectables. Most hand-made rugs are made with either wool, silk, or cotton.

Manufactured area rugs can replicate some of the ancient patterns, designs and colors, or manufactured rugs can create designs and styles that are clearly different from traditional hand-made rugs. Manufactured rugs can be made from wool, silk, or cotton, but more often, they are made with synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester and olefin.

Persian
Most often, people think of intricate curvilinear designs when they think of Persian rugs. However, Persian styles are the most diverse styles worldwide.

There are over fifty different Persian styles woven in Iran and other countries such as India, Pakistan, China, and some European countries.

However, a true Persian Rug is one that is hand knotted in Iran, formerly called Persia, and features a border to emphasize the main pattern.

Several other narrower borders may also be part of the design and this border motif is the signature of all Persian rugs. Don't be fooled by borderless imitations.

Dating back to the fifth century BC, Persian rugs have been considered an investment and keepsake, often passed down through multiple generations.

Oriental
Recognized for centuries for their warmth and intricate designs, Oriental area rugs are handmade and are known to be extremely durable and long lasting.

They are often made from natural fibers such as wool, silk or cotton. You will not find an antique oriental rug made of synthetic blends.

These rugs are often considered works of art. Each one is unique and playful. The patterns sometimes change direction without warning.

Oriental rugs come from India, Western China, Central Asia, Iran, the Caucasus, or Turkey.

Chinese
Unlike most oriental rugs, Chinese designs are very literal rather than decorative. Most motifs have very exact meanings.

Also, unlike most Oriental rugs, the motifs on Chinese rugs do not unite in order to create one design; each motif stands alone. And any Chinese rug will standout in your home.

Traditional Chinese area rugs are immediately recognizable by their simple, classic motifs and unusual colors.

These rugs often feature a center, circular medallion, as well as familiar objects seen in nature such as animals, flowers, and clouds, plus stylized Chinese ideographs and even entire scenes.

Chinese rugs are usually framed with a simple, wide border and many of these rugs display contrasting colors that meet to provide interest and texture to the simple patterns.

These rugs are usually of high quality and extremely durable.

Turkoman
If you love flowers, a Turkoman area rug might be right for you.

Turkoman rugs are produced by nomadic weavers of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and the province of Khorassan in northeast Iran.

Turkoman rugs are easily distinguished by their three characteristics of (1) a dominant red or red-brown background color, (2) geometric patterns, and (3) a unique octagonal motif known as gul (Persian for "flower"), which has several versions.

The layout generally covers the entire rug, and guls are repeated in rows, often with rows of smaller guls of similar, but not exact, geometric designs in between the rows of larger guls.

White, beige, black and blue are used to create color contrast in the motifs and the border of the rug.

Caucasian
Caucasian rugs are woven by tribal weavers of the region south of Russia, near the Caucasus Mountains, between the Black and Caspian Seas.

Caucasian rugs, even though made by different weaving groups, still have very common characteristics. The patterns are very geometric, making the rugs ideal for those who think spatially.

The designs tend to be stripes, crosses, squares, diamonds, hexagons, triangles, botehs, "S" shapes (derived from old dragon designs), some geometric animal figures (including crabs and tarantulas), and sometimes even geometric human figures.

In addition to their bright geometric shapes, a common characteristic of Caucasian rugs is the positioning of similar shapes in different sizes next to one another.

Colors of blue, red, purple, yellow, green, navy, black, and beige are often all combined in one rug.

Tibetan
The distinguishing characteristics of Tibetan rugs are their vivid colors, huge and few motifs, and relatively plain and dominant backgrounds.

The motifs are woven in red, orange, pink, yellow, beige, blue, green and white. The background colors are usually blue, black, red, orange, and less frequently, yellow or ivory.

The designs of these rugs are strongly influenced by Chinese and East Turkestan styles, and can either be geometric or curvilinear.

The different types of Tibetan rugs include the medallions, the flower and rosettes, the mythological animals and birds, the geometrical designs, and the rugs used in monasteries for ceremonial purposes.

Tibetan rugs are known for their wonderful depth and richness achieved through subtle variation of color and texture.

These rugs are woven exclusively with Nepalese wool, which is characteristically flexible, strong, lustrous and springy.

The bold eclectic patterns and coloration heightened by a rich texture reveal a primitive sophistication unique to these rugs.

Indian
Indian designs were strongly influenced by those of Iran, mainly by the curvilinear styles.

Popular designs of the 18th and 19th century, were mainly in the all-over layout with very small floral motifs such as plants, palmettes, rosettes and leaves.

Often the same motif is repeated through the entire rug, and borders were very similar to the motifs in the field.

There is seldom much color contrast in these rugs. Historically, the colors were chosen to coordinate well with Western tastes.

In addition to the dominant color of brownish red, light and dark green and burnt orange are also popular in Indian rugs.

Native American
Native American weaving is mainly associated with Navajo wool blankets. These blankets are mostly flat weaves and date back to the late 18th century.

Today, Navajo fabrics are woven on reservations in northern Arizona.

Original styles consist of stripes and simple geometric shapes. They all have horizontal stripes with wide stripes housing minor stripes at each end of the blanket with a similar wide strip in the center.

These wide end and center stripes are most often colored in red and brown, and occasionally blue.

White and brown stripes are woven between the wide center and end major stripes.

East Turkestan
Prior to the Chinese occupation in 1878, the area in western China above Tibet was called East Turkestan. Even though the area itself is no longer called that, the rugs of this area are still labeled as East Turkestan rugs. They may also be marketed under "Samarkand" because East Turkestan rugs used to be traded in Samarkand.

The main East Turkestan sub-styles include Kashgar, Yarkand and Khotan.

East Turkestan rugs have always been rare, and they are still being woven on a small scale.

The layout of East Turkestan rugs can be either medallion or all-over. Their patterns are mainly geometric and tend to be long and narrow.

A very common design is the pomegranate and vase, which is a symbol of fertility. The vase symbolizes Mother Earth and the pomegranate is the fruit growing from Mother Earth.

Kilims
Kilim rugs are flat-woven textiles made by nomadic peoples in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Russia, China, Pakistan, India and Morocco.

Turkish Kilims feature Mediterranean colors of gold orange and turquoise. Iranian Kilims are grounded in burgundy, rust, heavy blues, and heavy greens. Kurdish Kilims are brighter and sometimes mixed with embroidery.

In thier native communities, these textiles are used as rugs to cover doors and windows, for their dwellings, and as prayer rugs.

The Kilim is a major part of a bride's dowry. The females weave each rug; each piece will contain symbols of the family traditions and tribal identity.

No two hand-woven Kilim rugs are exactly the same in color and size, which give the rugs a unique appeal.

Braided
Practical and beautiful, braided rugs are constructed traditionally from wool but can be made from nylon, chenille and olefin or polyesters.

Braided rugs can be crafted into any size or shape and are very durable and hard wearing, making maintenance and care of your area rug an easy task.

These area rugs are made from heavy strips of yarn or fabric that has been braided into thick ropes that then sewn side-to-side in spirals, ovals, circles and oblong shapes.

Flokati
Often referred to as sheep skin rugs, Flokati rugs are made of 100% hand-woven New Zealand wool and originated in Greece 1,500 years ago.

These rugs are "shaggy" looking, very inviting, and cozy on your feet.

Flokati are contemporary rug styles with long pile and natural colors.

Naturals
These are area rugs made from natural materials and include Sisal, Jute, Seagrass and Bamboo.

Sisal is a strong and versatile natural material. Sisal rug fibers come from the leaves of the Agave Sisalana plant that is grown as a renewable resource.

The useable leaves of the plant can produce approximately a thousand fibers. These fibers range in color from straw yellow to a creamy white and are spun into yarn and then woven into carpet.

Although Sisal by itself can be a bit tough on the feet, it can be combined with wool or nylon for a softer feel.

Sisal area rugs are durable, provide sound absorption, are anti-static, naturally insulating and fire resistant. They absorb moisture therefore they are not recommended for use outdoors or in areas of water inside the home such as your bathroom.

Seagrass is a product of the paddy fields of China and India. Seagrass rugs are a popular choice among designers thanks to their natural beauty and strength.

Seagrass area rugs are durable, stain resistant and come in warm beige tones with undertones of green.

Different patterns are available such as Herringbone and Basketweave making these rugs the perfect accent to any room in your home.