Home Interior Decorating With Persian and Oriental Antique Rugs

Decorating With Antique Rugs and Persian Oriental Carpets

Here are some additional posts about home decorating with antique rugs:

Position and Place Rugs in RoomsArea Rugs For Grey Couch DecorChoosing Dining Room RugsPicking Living Room Rugs | Choosing The Perfect Bedroom Rugs

The Complete History and Timeline of Persian Rugs

Adding an antique carpet to an interior space can drastically change the look of a room. While there are many different styles of antique rugs and carpets to choose from, there are some tried-and-true rules to follow when it comes to choosing the size and placement of your rug. Below are Nazmiyal Collection’s tips for choosing the right rug for your space.

Decorating With Antique Rugs by Nazmiyal

Decorating With Antique Rugs (Image via Apartment Therapy)

1. To determine what rug size to buy, measure your room’s width and length, and then subtract 2 to 3 feet from each dimension. Using a rug that is between 2 and 3 feet smaller than the area of your room will make the space feel more open and balanced.

Bedroom Home Decorating With Rugs by nazmiyal

Choose a rug 2-3 feet smaller than the dimensions of your room.

2. If you plan on using heavily patterned wallpaper or upholstery, keep your rug subdued. The opposite is true if you choose a busily patterned rug — keep the ornamentation on your accent furniture and walls minimal. This contrast will keep your room from feeling overwhelmingly hectic.

Tribal Colorful Rug In Home Decor by nazmiyal

Pair a colorful patterned rug with neutral furniture.

3. Natural fiber rugs are the most resilient. The smartest choice for a rug that will last is always wool or silk rather than synthetic fibers, which age more rapidly.

Tribal Oriental Rug In Home Interior Design by Nazmiyal

When it comes to rugs, natural fibers are more durable.

4. If you plan to place heavy furniture (like a sofa, or dining room table) on top of a rug, always try to use furniture coasters. Glass coasters will distribute the weight of the furniture better, which will help stop the weight from crushing your rug’s pile.

Living Room Home Decorating With Rugs by Nazmyal

Use furniture coasters under heavy pieces, like sofas and tables.

5. Use long, rectangular rugs to decorate rooms like bathrooms and kitchens to create a visual “path”. This adds both interest and a sense of order to your space.

Kitchens and bathrooms interior decor with rugs by Namziyal

Longer rugs work great in bathrooms and kitchens

6. In sitting areas, make sure at least the front two legs of your chairs or sofas sit on your rug. This helps the furniture and rug seem “anchored,” and creates a sense of harmony.

Home Decorating With Rugs by Nazmiyal

Make sure front legs sit on rug, to anchor the space

7. Rug pads are always a good idea: They help keep your rug from slipping out of place, and add an extra layer of protection from damage to hardwood floors.

Child's Nursery Room Interior Design With Tribal Rug by nazmiyal

Use a rug pad to add cushion to your carpet, and protect hardwood floors

8. Try using a rug as a wall hanging! It’s a great way to add visual interest and warmth to your room, and also helps to dampen sound between thinner walls.

Hanging Antique Oriental Rugs As Wall Art by Nazmiyal

Hanging Antique Oriental Rugs As Wall Art

9. In areas with higher traffic, selecting a rug with a pattern reduces the appearance of wear and makes damage less noticeable.

Home Interior Decorating With Rugs by Nazmiyal

Dark colored antique rugs hide dirt and damage

10. To make your hallways appear larger, use a hallway runner rug that is approximately 4 inches narrower and 18-24 inches longer than the dimensions of the hallway.

hallway Home Decorating With Hall Runners by Nazmiyal

Hall runners should be approximately 4″ thinner than the width of the hall

11. When placing a rug underneath a dining table, ensure that there is an extra 2 feet of carpet around all sides of the rug, to enable diners entering or exiting the table to pull out their chairs without getting caught or tripping over the edge of the rug.

Dining Room Interior Design With Oriental Rug by Nazmiyall

Choose a dining room rug big enough that guests have room to pull out their chairs

12. Smaller rugs look great at the foot or side of a bed; just make sure that the width of the rug is at least 1 foot longer than the width of the bed, or else the rug will look disproportionately small.

Bedroom Interior Decorating With Rugs by Nazmiyal

When choosing a rug for a bedroom, make sure it is wider than the bed

13. One way to achieve the impact of a colorful rug on a more modest budget is to layer a colorful and patterned small rug over a larger neutral mat in a complementary shade.

Home Interior Design With Oriental Rugs by Nazmiyal

Try placing a smaller antique rug on a neutral mat

14. Make sure to consider any floor vents, electrical wires and outlets, or door frame in your space before selecting your rug. These may pose unwelcome obstacles if they are not taken into account!

Family Room Interior Design With Oriental Rug by Nazmiyal

Make sure to take into account any electrical outlets, door frames, and other obstacles

15. Handmade rugs, as opposed to machine-made rugs, are generally more durable and last longer. Although in some cases hand-made rugs are more expensive, their value becomes apparent over the years that they last.

Home Decorating With Handmade Rugs by Nazmiyal

Handmade rugs are always a better investment in the long run

Finding the perfect antique rug is only the start of the interior design battle. The style war really begins when you bring your rug home and step foot in the trenches of putting it down. But, don’t despair! We’ve pulled together the handiest tricks of the decor trade to help you lay your rug down the right way – the first time. The most important rule of thumb is measure, measure, measure.

Know the size of the room your area rug will live in before you hit the shops. Designers generally suggest 8-18 inches of bare floor space along the perimeter of your rug. For dining rooms, this jumps to 24 inches, to ensure the legs of all dining chairs sit – and stay – on the carpet. Furniture placement on your rug is important, no matter where it goes.

Area Rugs Size Guide For Living Room Decor - Nazmiyal

Area Rugs Size Guide For Living Room Decor

Before you take carte blanche to the rug gallery, have an idea of your decor floor plan. Ideally, you want to have all four legs of your bed, tables, chairs and accessories on the carpet. If that’s a stretch, you can push it to just the front two legs, but anything less won’t get you the peak of chic.

The lay-out of your home is also something to consider when sizing a rug. You’ll want to be wary of where you place it and whether the corners or edges will get much traffic. Footsteps can kick-up sides, damaging your antique rug and put you at risk for trips and falls. Avoid rug burn from the beginning, and pick a rug that will have a traffic-less home.

If it’s the room size that’s giving you trouble, consider a custom made rug. Awkward and unusual room sizes can limit your rug choices, but Nazmiyal solves that problem by offering  made-to-order creations. The Moroccan rug collection can be customized to fit any room, adding style in the perfect size. Of course, rules are made to be broken. Nothing in interior design is written in stone, so feel free to tweak these tips to suit your style. And if you have any of your own rug laying advice – we’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Decorating Your Home’s Interior With Antique Rugs

When deciding how to decorate with an antique rug, there are several important considerations that the buyer needs to keep in mind. First off, the buyer needs to determine the immediate purpose that the antique rug will serve.

Cute Mommy Cat And Kitten Sleeping On An Antique Rug From Nazmiyal

Cute Mommy Cat And Kitten Sleeping On An Antique Rug From Nazmiyal

Is it to serve primarily as insulation or to dampen sound, is it meant to be used as a decorative item, or possibly both? Is it for use at home or in a business environment? Is it for a formal or informal space that the person wishes to create? Is it desirable to use a room size rug, or perhaps, several smaller scatter size ones?  Is it to be used for the floor or as a form of textile art and a wall decoration? Perhaps a table covering, or a throw? Will it be used in a high traffic zone?

Interior Decorating with Antique Rugs by Nazmiyal

Interior Design Picture with Antique Persian Mahal Rug

These are all vital considerations when approaching the concept of interior decorating with antique rugs!

At the end of the day, it is important to think about these things before deciding of the antique rug. There are no set rules and people need to buy something that they love that will also take care of their needs.

Functional rug needs should never take a back seat or become a big compromise as far as aesthetics are concerned. loving what you buy is just as important the function it will be serving. For further information, consult our Consumer Guide to Buying Antique and Oriental Rugs.

Decorator Rugs for Designer Interiors

Experts say that the rug makes the room, but what exactly is it about decorator rugs that make interior designs so successful? There’s a lot to be said for statement pieces that can stop visitors in their tracks, but that isn’t what everyone is looking for.

Quietly elegant pieces that have an understated formality might be a better choice for a room that showcases fine works of art and decorative furnishings. Rugs, like people’s tastes, are exceptionally diverse.

Decorator rugs can be in any style and from any era. Many regions, cities and workshops are revered for their contributions, but there are other pieces with the decorative subtleties that make them true gems. Traditional Persian patterns are always suitable for inclusion as decorator rugs.

Antique carpets from Bidjar, Malayer and Tabriz in Persia and provincial Turkish rugs from Oushak are often called decorator’s rugs, but there are certainly contemporary and transitional area rugs that qualify too. Decorative rugs can feature custom designs, textural prints and patterns from celebrated artists, but in the end, it’s how a rug is used that really makes the room.

How to Decorate a Room with Antique Rugs and Carpets

Different rooms require different approaches when decorating with antique rugs. Living and dining rooms areas may require more formal, refined designs and low contrasting color schemes. Larger workshop or city carpets tend to work well in such spaces. Dens or family rooms are less formal and are more suitable for rugs with bolder designs and a larger gamut of colors. Tribal rugs and village pieces exhibit these characteristics well and are often employed in less formal settings.

Decorating With Antique Rugs by Nazmiyal

Decorating With Antique Rugs

Bedrooms can be more flexible depending on one’s own taste. Some choose a single large rug underneath the bed while others prefer multiple scatter rugs around the bed. Warm yet muted tones and thick rug pile usually will serve to create the most calming atmosphere for a bedroom, but, as with any room in the house, only one fundamental rule applies when decorating with antique rugs, and that is: Personal taste trumps all.

Decorating With Antique Rugs by nazmiyal

Decorating With Antique Rugs -French Aubusson Interior Design By Roman and Williams

The fine and subtle art of interior decorating is a centuries old practice — indeed, for as long as humanity has been living inside rather than outside, it has been important for individual people and families to make their space their own. In our fast-paced, modern world, there are very few things more refreshing than relaxing or spending time in your own home, especially when yo you have made the effort to make that home feel like your own home. With the addition of a timeless, beautiful antique rug into such a space, your house can truly be a home. While decorating with antique rugs may seem daunting, don’t worry — at the end of the day you should make your home feel comfortable, first and foremost.

Inspiration Boards for Interior Designs with Antique Rugs

A few weeks ago I discovered the joys of Polyvore and wrote a post with inspiration boards created around our fantastic collection of antique rugs. And now, I present to you, Inspiration Boards Round Two! A stunning antique Kashan carpet is the centerpiece in this inspired interior decorating theme of the below dining room .

English and American antiques matched with brass and gilded accent pieces give this room a Gilded Age New York feel. I can totally see Edith Wharton’s Countess Olenska settling down into one of those rosewood dining chairs, sipping wine from a crystal glass, with a fabulous meal before her.

After all, Wharton did believe that a talented chef was the best investment a socialite could make, and the room that played host to the chef’s creations must measure up aesthetically. Perhaps my favorite piece included in this design scheme is the mid-century Maison Charles brass console table.

At first glance, it is a simple and elegant table, but when you look closer, you’ll discover whimsical horse heads on Lucite rings and a cleverly mirrored bottom shelf to reflect the items on the beveled glass shelf above. The chandelier is a French Empire-style of the 1940’s, composed of brass and crystal. The deep coral colored paint plays with the reds in the antique Kashan, tying both floor and ceiling together.

In the center of the dining table is a Chinese vase from the turn of the nineteenth century, painted with butterflies and goldfish symbolizing beauty, romance, dreams, and material success.

Classic Traditional Dining Room Interior Design Antique Persian Kashan Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Classic Traditional Dining Room Interior Design With Antique Persian Kashan Rug

Antique Kashan Carpet, Nazmiyal Collection; Mid-Century Rosewood Chinese Dining Room Set, The Antique & Artisan Center; Mahogany Tall Case Clock by Walter Durfee, The Stanley Weiss Collection; Vintage French Empire Style Red Tole Metal Brass Chandelier, Refined Furnishings; French Over Mantel Gilt Mirror, Golden & Associates; Maison Charles Brass and Glass Console Table, Jean-Marc Fray; Chinese Export Vase, Bardith

I know that this Antique Heriz Serapi inspiration board is just that—an interior decorating  inspiration board (sigh), but it so thoroughly evokes the feeling of being in a cozy and luxurious hunting lodge.

If I stare at the computer screen hard enough, I could almost smell the pine fire crackling in the hearth (not included), as I snuggle into that leather bed with smooth cotton sheets, warmly colored velvet shams, and thick down comforter. An iron Quatrefoil chandelier gives off a gentle glow throughout the room, illuminating the boldly woven, deeply colored Heriz Serapi as you sink your feet into the thick pile.

The driftwood end table speaks of forests and the outdoors, while the weathered wood cambers soften the somewhat harsh lines and heavy wooden feel of the room. Seven similarly colored fabrics cover the armchair, with a quilted, camel-colored fabric stretching across the chair’s back.

Tassels hang above the intricately carved legs, and the floral embroidery lends a feminine touch to this very masculine room. An eighteenth century French painting of a masked woman is a playful touch, along with the pair of brass birds on the bedside table.

Cozy Bedroom Interior With Antique Persian Heriz Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Cozy Bedroom Interior With Antique Persian Heriz Rug

Antique Heriz Serapi Rug, Nazmiyal Collection; Early 20th Century Five-light Iron Chandelier, Quatrefoil, Parc Monceau Fine Antiques & Accessories; Hand Crafted Oak Trunk, Ralph Lauren; Leather Panel Bed, Woolrich; Rare Oversized Tobacco Leaf, Resin and Brass Table Lamp, Gustavo Olivieri; Driftwood End Table, Crate & Barrel;  Antique Tapestry Footstool, Inessa Stewart’s; Barbara Tight Back Chair, The Jeff Zimmerman Collection; “Masquerade” Oil Painting, French school, Florian Papp Incorporates; Pair of Brass Waterbirds, Robert Massello Antiques

This pretty bedroom done in soft pinks and greens is the fantasy of most girls, no matter how big or small they might be. In fact, it’s somewhat similar to the interior decorating feel of the bedroom I grew up with, but unfortunately my mother (God love her) could never design something so divine.

The spectacular antique Turkish Oushak rug has a big, pale green field with delicate floral motifs.

Woven through with soft pink accents, the border is a dusty peach that continues the floral theme of the rug. It melds deliciously with the turn-of-the-century French brass bed. The bed covering is simple, yet still makes a statement with the Aubusson needlepoint pillow trimmed with little balled tassels. A vanity table is something that I have always wanted, yet never had, and this pretty cream-colored vanity is perfect in this room.

I paired it with a floral upholstered swivel vanity stool. The light pink end table is nearly the same shade as the armoire, fronted with a full length mirror which is, to say the least, a necessity. I adore the whimsy of the 1930’s Italian table lamp and its rosy, fringed shade and porcelain figurines of musicians.

A rose scented Laduree candle beside the bed will bring sweet dreams of macaroons, as you rest your pained and tired feet, butchered from the breathtakingly beautiful four and half inch Miu Miu heels, now discarded in one corner of the Oushak.

Feminine Bedroom Interior With Antique Oushak Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Feminine Bedroom Interior With Antique Oushak Rug

Antique Turkish Oushak Rug, Nazmiyal Collection; French Brass Bed, Bush Antiques; Handmade Aubusson Inspired Throw Pillow; Hollywood Regency Style Painted Ottoman, Greenwich Living Antiques & Design Centré; Caprice Scented Candle, Ladurée; Capo Di Monte Muscians Table Lamp, Brady’s Distinctive Lighting; Venini Chandelier, Fred Silberman; Pink Blush Louis XV Table, Sweetpea & Willow;  Upholstered Swivel Stool, Ballard Designs; Cream French Glazed Dressing Table, Sweetpea & Willow; Petite Mirrored Armoire, Bradshaw Kirchofer; Light Pink Leather Day Bag, Dolce & Gabbana; Satin Peep Toes, Miu Miu

Silk Ottoman embroidery is a true sight to behold, and this one, with a turquoise field, pink and red floral sprays, and a subtle millefleurs border is a precious addition to interior decorating approach. Sunflowers are scattered in the center and corners of the embroidery, framed by twists of vines and blossoms.

How I long to kick my feet up on that Nina Campbell couch with large, bold flowers and pomegranates, and simply admire the embroidery on the wall before me. The throw blanket on the sofa was made by a traditional Welsh knitting circle, and the pillows are upholstered in a lovely Batik fabric.

The weathered brass octagonal accent table has a cool, vintage feel and is topped by a transitional papaya colored lamp and a little porcelain candle holder in the shape of a peony. A French 19th century inspired cocktail table is painted in cracked black and has a mirrored top, accented with gold details.

Two matching mid-century blown glass vases stand between the painted gold swirls on the cocktail table. Across the room are a buttery tub chair and a unique pillow printed with a red snake, tying itself in a knot. A curious Giclee Octopus diptych adds just the sort of whimsical detail that I love so much.

Whimsical Colorful Living Room Decor With Antique Ottoman Embroidery by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Whimsical Colorful Living Room Decor With Antique Ottoman Embroidery

Antique Ottoman Embroidery, Nazmiyal Collection; Collingwood Sofa, Nina Campbell;   Red Cwlwm Throw, Blodwen; Batik Tassel Pillows, Samantha Knapp for Tiger Lily’s; Tucker Accent Table, William & Harrel; Devon Accent Lamp, Ballard Designs; Porcelain Peony Pillar Holder, Roost; Mirror Top Cocktail Table, John Richard; Pair of Mid-century Art Glass Vases, Surfing Cowboys; Lyla Tub Chair, Pearson; Red Snake Pillow, Samantha Knapp for Tiger Lily’s; Silver Framed Octopus Diptych, Vintage Print Gallery

Feel inspired by these beautiful interior designs, and view similar rugs from Nazmiyal

Interior Designs With Rugs and Carpets:

1. Minimalist Chinese Rug Interior

Minimalist Chinese Rug Interior Design - Nazmiyal

Minimalist Chinese Rug Interior Design

This gorgeous minimalist interior design balances an antique Chinese carpet with contemporary, minimalist design details that let the architecture of this room shine. To achieve this look, pair sophisticated neutral furniture and white walls with one of Nazmiyal’s beautiful antique Chinese carpets:

Antique Room Size Ivory and Blue Chinese Rug Nazmiyal

Antique Room Size Ivory and Blue Chinese Rug

2. Kitchen with Tribal Runner Rug

Kitchen Interior Design With Antique Tribal Runner Rug - Nazmiyal

Kitchen Interior Design With Antique Tribal Runner Rug

Warm up your kitchen space by swapping your sink mat for a colorful Tribal rug. Adding a carpet to your kitchen adds depth and interest to an often overlooked space. Try these beautiful runner rugs from Nazmiyal:

Antique Caucasian Shirvan Rug Nazmiyal

Antique Caucasian Shirvan Rug

3. Persian Carpet Interior with Pops of Color

Persian Carpet Interior Design - Nazmiyal

Persian Carpet Interior Design

Persian carpets in deep shades of burgundy and navy get an unexpected update from modern pops of color in this room’s accent pieces. If your carpet is red, stick to bright warm tones like magenta and orange, and if your antique carpet is a cool color like navy or forest green, try tropical teals and lime green for a surprisingly contemporary look.

Large Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug Nazmiyal

Large Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug

Oversized Antique Persian Sarouk Farahan Carpet Nazmiyal

Oversized Antique Persian Sarouk Farahan Carpet

4. Layered Throw Rugs Interior

Layered Rugs Interior Design - Nazmiyal

Layered Rugs Interior Design

Layering rugs on top of other rugs adds a unique and cozy touch to this bedroom. The placement of the throw rugs and the mix of patterns are completely up to you, making this look completely customizable! Keep the rest of the room’s accents clean and simple to keep the space from feeling cluttered. Try these tribal scatter-sized rugs from the Nazmiyal Collection:

5. Calming & Neutral Interior with Periwinkle Carpet

Neutral Blue Oriental Rug Interior Design - Nazmiyal

Neutral Blue Oriental Rug Interior Design

Create a tranquil and sophisticated haven by pairing cool periwinkle antique Persian rugs with neutral furniture and clean, nautical accents. Below are three blue rug options available at Nazmiyal:

6. Luxurious Interior with Antique Persian Carpet

Luxurious Persian Interior Design With Antique Heriz Rug - Nazmiyal

Luxurious Persian Interior Design With Antique Heriz Rug

Create a rich and refined enclave by incorporating antique Heriz-Serapi rugs with tooled leather furniture and sumptuous velvet details. Home decorating with Persian Heriz rugs is perfect for creating a luxurious home library or office! Try these Heriz Persian rugs from the Nazmiyal Collection and create some magnificent interior designs:

7. Eclectic Interior with Tribal Turkish Rug

Eclectic Tribal Turkish Rug Interior Design - Nazmiyal

Turkish Rugs are an upcoming trend in interior designs. Combine a tribal antique Turkish rug with fun colors and a mix of patterned accent pieces to create an eclectic space. White walls and a high-contrast black floor keep this space looking clean.

Creating Gorgeous Interiors With Antique Rugs That Were Purchased From Nazmiyal

The Nazmiyal Collection is the clear source for the most exquisite, beautiful, and rare antique rugs, collected and sold around the world. We are the go-to NYC rug gallery for top caliber interior designers as well as rug collectors and those who are simply looking for incomparable rugs for their interiors.

In light of this, we are celebrating a few interiors we love that feature rugs from the Nazmiyal Collection. Enjoy being enchanted by the exquisite taste in which these rooms were designed.

Gorgeous Dining in Luxury: Antique Aubusson Rug

A gorgeous office space we love: rich and cozy interior design, featuring an Antique Kerman Rug.

Gorgeous Interiors - office space with an Antique Kerman Rug Nazmiyal

A gorgeous living room interior that was made for entertaining featuring an Antique Khorassan Rug.

Gorgeous Interiors - living room with Antique Khorassan Rug by Nazmiyal

Magnificent sitting room nook by the fire featuring an Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug.

Gorgeous Interiors Sitting room with an Antique Sultanabad Rug by Nazmiyal

A Gorgeous NYC luxury loft dining room interior space featuring an Antique Oushak Rug.

Gorgeous Interiors NYC luxury loft dining space with Antique Oushak Rug by Nazmiyal

A beautiful living room interior providing light through windows and palette featuring a room size Antique Oushak Rug.

Gorgeous Interiors - home office with an Antique Sultanabad rug from Nazmiyal

A beautifully done modern and minimal interior featuring a fine Sultanabad Sampler Rug.

Gorgeous Interiors - interior featuring a fine antique Persian Sultanabad Sampler Rug from Nazmiyal

This interior design blog about home decorating with antique rugs was published by Nazmiyal Rugs in New York City.

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