The first thing that may probably come to your mind when you think of an antique carpet will be a doubt of whether it will suit the modern decor. Buying antique area rugs can be considered a long-term investment decision as their country of origin is prominent in several historical aspects, and still, they haven't run out of style. Made out of natural materials, the largest collections of curated selection become eligible items in world trade. Because of its historical and cultural importance, the antique carpet came to be classified as a traditional rug. It came to be used more than just as a household utility item because of soft textures and loose fibers but as a symbol of luxury in living space as it is one of the most important decor items in history.
Ever since the Middle age, antique rugs have been used as contemporary carpets as they are woven with vibrant colors and showcased exceptional craftsmanship. The incorporation of Antique style folk art in traditional carpets has been a skill that was passed down to generations that helped keep the carpets from running out from the market with the passing time. Antique rugs are still a part of modernist architecture. Many interior designers and architects prefer them to provide the perfect aesthetic value along with a drop of luxury in living spaces. This is because of the fact that these oversized items have various color options and make for a fantastic design accessory.
Everything to Know Before Buying an Antique Carpet
The size, shape and materials used are significant factors before purchasing an antique rug. Since contemporary rugs, when compared to modern rugs, are carefully designed and mostly handwoven, it requires a lot of research to finalize one for the space you intend to buy. In the case of household purposes, the same types of rugs will not go for every room. While the living room and dining room may need large carpets to accentuate the size of the room, bathrooms and kitchens may need smaller ones for easy maintenance and permissibility. Here are the essential factors to be aware of and be prepared for before going for an antique rug to decorate your space:
Varying Sizes for Various Rooms
The first step towards choosing an antique rug is not its designs or patterns but how well it fits the space you intend to put them on. An oversized rug and exceedingly small rugs are both a cause of concern as they prove to be counterproductive in using them as a part of room design and utility. While a larger one may take more space and decrease permissibility, a smaller one will prove to be less valuable.
Typical antique rugs are rectangular, made with varying sizes, from small ones to oversized ones. The standard size of a small antique rug is as small as 2x3 feet, and that of a big one can go upto 10 x 14 feet. The size of the rug you require can be mapped to the measured size of the room and how well it can include the furniture if the rug is to go under one.
Rugs with sizes 2x3 feet, 4x8 feet and 6x9 feet are usually used in bathrooms, foyers, and kitchens, as these spaces are usually minor compared to other rooms. They also require deep cleaning, and smaller rugs are easy to maintain. Rug sizes of 9x12 feet and above are helpful for bedrooms, living rooms and large halls. An 8x10 carpet is often utilized in dining rooms as ideal for a six-seater dining table set.
Square rugs have varying standard sizes with precise measurements 4x4 upto 10x10 feet. Runner rugs are manufactured with a standard width of two to three feet and lengths of 6 feet, 8 feet and 10 feet.
Different Shapes to Improve a Room’s Face-value
The different shapes of antique rug that are available for antique rug shoppers are:
1. Square
2. Rectangular
3. Runners
4. Round or oval-shaped
The shape of rugs used in dining room rugs depends on the shape of the dining table frame. A square antique carpet fits well for a dining table with a square frame, and a rectangular carpet fits well for the one with a rectangular frame. A circular or oval carpet is used interchangeably with any shape of furniture for an asymmetric look. They also go well with a coffee table or a cocktail table to accentuate the space around the furniture.
Runner rugs are direct visitors to an intended area, and more often, narrow pathways make the best use of runners. Lobbies or hallways decorated with multicolored runners are eye-catchy. Hotels or restaurants have the best use of runner rugs to guide visitors to the reception area, staircases and rooms.
Antique Carpet Materials Types
The different materials used to make antique carpets include wool, silk, cotton, sisal or jute alternatives and other synthetic materials. Wool, cotton, sisal, and jute are natural fibers that help regulate the room's temperature during harsh cold weather. Finest wool is more durable compared to others and is water-resistant and fire-resistant. Silk-types are less durable than wool but known for their smooth and fine texture for improved foot traffic. Cotton is a commonly used material for carpets as they are affordable. Cotton is an excellent absorbent property for dyes to get absorbed and serves well for Bathrooms and kitchens. However, cotton rugs are also a less durable material.
The type of rugs is one of the significant cost determiners. While hand-tufted rugs are affordable and stylish to enhance the look of a lobby or living room, hand-knotted rugs are woven with quality fibers. Quality comes with a price to pay, so hand-knotted antique rugs are expensive. Flat-weave rugs are thin with interwoven warps to make them suitable for washrooms and kitchens. Hooked rugs, though hand-weaved, are cheaper and more attractive. Braided rugs showcase criss-cross patterns woven by tied up fabric strips apt for modern designs.
Design and Patterns
Some of the prominent antique rugs to go for in their intricate patterns are Anatolian carpets, Egyptian Mamluk carpets and Persian carpets.
Anatolian carpets are Turkish carpets designed with floral designs and vibrant colors. These carpets are matched well with dark-coloured walls and floors as they are handwoven with primary colors such as red, yellow, and blue hues.
An Egyptian Mamluk Carpet offers an earthy color palette with Motif patterns and medallion-shaped designs. Pale shades of bright red, blue, green and yellow are typically used and selected for a monochromatic look.
Persian carpets are magnificent with even more complex designs with multiple colors and floral motif patterns. Arabesque patterns and geometrical shapes set Persian carpets apart for most people to consider them as unique, distinct and in the collection of abstracts. More picturesque, ornamental or tribal patterns are available in another type of tribal rugs available in the antique rug market.
Rug Cleaning
Rug cleaning is a repetitive process, and it is better to be calculative about the various cleaning methods if you decide to own an extensive collection of antique rugs. The industry experts in the rug industry offer numerous services for rug cleaning and maintenance. Especially antique rugs require cleaning from time to time to retain their look and color. Antique carpets often will have a faded look while exposed to wear and tear for a prolonged time. One way of keeping an antique rug clean temporarily and saving a lot of money on cleaning would be by vacuuming, hand washing and wiping down lightly with a damp cloth. Below is the list of expert tips for deep cleaning to keep your antique carpet clean and tidy to maintain them as fresh as new:
- Examine the rug to decide on an appropriate cleaning process.
- Choose a cleaner or hire a company with a history of providing quality cleaning services. Check if they offer rug damage security, pre-cleaning and post-cleaning processes such as stain removal, deep dusting, steam cleaning and disinfecting.
- Write down your cleaning requirements
- Ensure the stability of dyes.
- Check for any case of damage after the cleaning process and proceed for repair, if any.
Color retouch is possible depending on your color preferences. Monogrammed items can also be used as an inspiration to bring in every color palette imaginable. Even if the color runs, the high quality antique rugs will not get damaged provided you connect with expert craftsmen while cleaning your rug. When it comes to design aesthetic, the difference in colors is what brings out the house designs.
Antique Rug Repair and Maintenance
Often the cost of replacement for antique style rugs is seen as burdensome in terms of money and time, and that is where antique rug repair comes to the rescue. Although rug cleaning and repair might go hand in hand, only an expert artisan can refurbish antique style rugs as repairing requires color retouching, weaving and restoring the area of damages. High-quality rug types that require master rug repair can be approached with expert repair services.
Antique rugs, especially handmade ones, are valuable even to be considered an art collection, and that is why industry experts offer a whole range of cleaning and repair services. Protect your valuable investment-worthy antique carpet by following conservative tips:
- Make sure to do antique rug repair as and when damage happens, and not postpone it.
- Find expert artisans or rug restorers to provide repair and restoration services.
- Evaluate the rug carefully before repair and determine if cleaning is required before the repairing process.
- Ensure that the artisan specializes in the particular type of weaving incorporated in your antique rug.
- Determine if any additional materials and dyes are required to restore a worn-out part and maintain originality
Go For Your Own Choices
The choice of an antique rug entirely depends on your taste as there are no rules on what to select. However, the above factors are a prerequisite for measurable quantities such as shape and size or even the materials used that determine the usability of antique rugs. Hence, it's better to make sure the rug you select falls within these categories. Antique rugs worth the attention and effort you give to.
