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Rugs come in an assortment of designs and patterns that help their owner express the energy, tone, and mood of a room.
This article categorizes the most prevalent rug designs into eleven categories: Traditional, Transitional, Modern, Shag, Vintage, Bohemian, Mid-Century, Southwest, Moroccan, Farmhouse & Country, Tropical & Floral, and Novelty Rugs.
Traditional rugs are simply designs that originated from Asia and parts of Europe. They are easiest to define and include motifs such as vines, flowers, trees, ram horns, cross, and more. Traditional rugs typically have inner borders filled with intricate patterns, center medallion, octagonal shapes, or overall periodic patterns.
Contemporary style rugs are a softer form of modern design that take on the influence of western art. Contemporary rugs favor free form or abstract designs along with geometrics that creates a diverse selection of designs which are best suited to new and informal homes.
Transitional style falls directly between traditional and contemporary design by adopting a traditional style and incorporating it with contemporary designs and color schemes. By incorporating both classic and updated design elements, transitional rugs are simple, yet sophisticated that fit any decor.
Modern area rugs are defined by straight edge lines such as tellis, chevron, graphic print and geometric patterns. They can easily be the focus point of the room just by the design and bold colors that are used.
Shag rugs feature a high-pile construction (¾ inch thicker plus)that is soft, plush, and luxurious to the touch. Shag mostly refers to the pile height which is why they are usually categorized on their own. They come in a huge range of materials, colors, and designs such as modern, tribal, Moroccan and plain solid colors.
Vintage can be defined one of two ways: an actual antique rug that has been around for about 100 years or a rug that is designed specifically to be distressed and worn out. One type of vintage rug will cost you a couple of thousands of dollars while the other is a budget-friendly option. Both, however, have the main feature of distressed and worn out. The styles of vintage rugs can range from traditional and Bohemian to Modern and Contemporary depending on when the rug was made.
Bohemian rugs are full of artistic and intricate busy patterns that can be over-dyed, muted, or a blend of bright and subdued colors. They resemble traditional style rugs with the added features previously mentioned.
Mid-Century rugs can be seen as a subcategory of Modern rug, simply speaking they are rugs created in the mid century. Mid-Century Modern rugs are bold, bright, and eye-catching designed to stand out.
Southwestern rug patterns are inspired by tribal motifs and blocky patterns found in southwestern regions that frequently feature heavy geometrics and rich earth-tone hues. These rugs were first designed by the Navajo people who lived in states like Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
Moroccan rugs are distinct and recognizable that feature the familiar crisscross or zigzag pattern. Moroccan style rugs come in different shapes and sizes along with pile height from very fine to a shaggy rug.
Farmhouse style can be described as unpretentious, down-to-earth, cozy, warm, inviting, and honoring all-American, homegrown roots. They come in different designs, from including farm animals to plain solid patterns and colors. Colors for a farmhouse atmosphere are generally white, grey, cream, navy, sage, brown, beige and anything that would be described as warm. The material of this style learns toward thick material such as wool rather than silk.
Scandinavian design is a design movement characterized by simplicity, minimalism and functionality that emerged from the five Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. Scandinavian style rugs can take on that characteristic of simplicity and minimalism with natural and warm colors.
Tropical and Floral rugs are in their own category since they give a specific atmospheric feel to the room. Tropical mostly refers to the feeling of Hawaii and the Amazon while Floral rug are don't have a specific regional feel, they just have the design of flowers. Tropical rugs have a lot of leaves and tree designs inthe rug rather than floral rugs.
Novelty rugs refers to anything that is new or unique. In today's trend, that would mean animal patterned designs in a soft material, such as a shag rug. The size is not specified and takes more of an abstract form and the pile length can range from short to large.
