A lot of people used to think about their rug designs toward the end of organizing a room’s overall aesthetics, but that’s starting to change. Now professional interior designers and home décor experts recommend that you purchase your area rug at the very beginning of your design strategy, and then decorate the rest of your space around your rug’s aesthetics.
It’s also no secret how vintage rugs have become wildly popular throughout recent years, and that it’s typically very difficult to find a top-quality vintage rug for an affordable price. There’s a lot that rug shoppers need to keep in mind when they’re particularly interested in vintage styles, including pattern, coziness, color and texture.
If you’re currently trying to find an affordable vintage area rug, check out the below sections to get some very helpful tips!
Craigslist & Facebook Marketplace
There are often many opportunities to find very cheap and even free vintage rugs on websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. You simply can never know what your neighbors are putting up for sale, unless you check out these types of classifieds.
Other secondhand sites like eBay, Etsy and Poshmark are also great options to keep in mind when you’re searching for cheap vintage rugs online.
Ask For Discounts
A lot of online rug outlets will be willing to provide discounts, and this is especially the case if you’re shopping through an individual seller on sites like eBay or Etsy.
On these sites, you can message sellers directly and see if they’re willing to haggle or provide you with a discounted rate. You’ll often be surprised to see just how willing people are to discount 5-15% off of their listing prices!
Differences Between Vintage & Antique Rugs
It’s also important for rug shoppers to understand what exactly classifies as a vintage rug and an antique rug.
Vintage rugs are area rugs that are less than 100 years old and usually over 30 years old, and antique rugs are any area rugs that are over 100 years old. Antique rugs are typically more expensive than vintage rugs, but it’s still safe to say that most vintage rugs are also very durable like antiques.
Verify The Vintage Rug’s Materials
It’s also a good idea to quickly verify what materials comprise the vintage rugs that you’re interested in. For the most part, you’re going to want to purchase rugs that are made from natural fibers like cotton, silk or wool. However, there are some vintage rugs these days that are made from synthetic materials that are still worth considering.
But for the most part, you can count on a vintage rug being more durable when it’s made from natural fibers!
Ask About Imperfections
Most sellers will mention any subtle damages or imperfections on listings, but this isn’t a given.
If you don’t see any information about imperfections on a vintage rug for sale, then you should ask the seller to provide this type of information prior to making any final decisions.
Ask For More Photos
It’s typically fine to ask an online seller for more pictures of an area rug, and this can be important when you want to see how a vintage rug looks in natural light or other lighting settings.
It’s normal for a rug’s colors to look slightly different online than they do in-person, so getting as many pictures as you can will go a long way to better understand how it actually appears.
Double-Check Vintage Rug Sizing
It’s also important to remember that certain rug websites might use different measurements than what you used to measure out your desired space, and this is especially the case when you purchase a rug from abroad.
Many overseas outlets will use measurements like centimeters or meters instead of inches and feet.
Know Your Return Policy
Every outlet and seller is different when it comes to return policies, so you should know what your specific return policy is when you’re shopping for vintage rugs online.
You Can Learn A LOT From the Backside of a Vintage Rug
When you flip a vintage rug over and examine its backside, you can tell if it’s been repaired in the past and whether or not the rug is as valuable as the seller says it is.
You can also verify a rug’s overall weaving quality by looking at its backside, and one thing to keep an eye out for is knot density. Usually the higher the knot density, the better.
Look for Patina
Just like with antique rugs, vintage area rugs should also have a patina that’s developed over many years. Patina refers to a natural fading that takes a very long time to develop, and it typically looks like a silky sheen on older wool rugs.
Check the Rug’s KPI (Knots Per Inch)
KPI (knots per inch) is a very important metric for all rug shoppers to keep in mind, and this is especially the case when you’re shopping for vintage rugs. KPI ratings typically vary from 40-400+ knots per inch, and you typically will want to purchase vintage rugs that at least have 100-200 KPI ratings.
Reach Out To Rug Source When You’re Searching For Vintage Rugs Online!
It’s always exciting when you’re on the hunt for a new vintage rug, but finding the perfect vintage rugs for your home can often be a lot easier said than done.
One of the best online outlets for finding high-quality, affordable vintage area rugs is Rug Source, Inc., and you can check out their vast selection of vintage rugs when you click on the link located at the beginning of this article!
