An allover design describes the pattern and design layout of the rug. To understand this better, let us contrast it with a medallion. A medallion rug has a central design, and the other elements of the rug radiate from the center and serve as supporting elements of the central motif.
Some carpets appear as if they were carefully laid out, and the elements may appear in perfectly spaced rows and columns. Sometimes it seems as if the designer carefully planned out how the carpet would end, and it contains a completed row of design at the top. This carefully planned out end to the repeating pattern is sometimes referred to as a resolved border. This type of ending often gives the piece a more formal feel. It looks as if someone did considerable planning before executing the design.
One example of this is the Gul motif. This is an octagonal design that is often seen in Ottoman rugs.
Another design quality to pay attention to when examining an allover rug is whether it has symmetry or not. Even though in allover rug does not have a formal medallion, sometimes a single motif is placed in the center. Other times, the center of the carpet is marked with a blank space between the motifs. All-over patterns may have horizontal or vertical symmetry. However, sometimes and all-over carpet seems to have no center at all and is asymmetrical.
Symmetry is an effective way to control the focal point of the design. When a central design or space is placed in the center, even if it is only a part of a repeating pattern, it draws the eye to the center of the rug and creates a focal point. However, allover rugs that lack a central point draw the attention away from the center to the borders of the rug. Many times, lines will be strategically placed using flowers, vines, animals or geometric motifs. Some carpet artists create line and direct the eye in a way similar to the way painters do using similar layout techniques.