Rug Trends

5 Rug Trends for a Stylish 2022 Decor

Rugs have been gracing our living spaces for centuries, serving humanity functionally and aesthetically. Area rugs keep us warm from the cold floor, enhance our décor choices, and add a sense of peace and grounding to any space. Many have even used rugs to pass down stories, weaving pictures and history into the knots and fibers of a rug’s design. When it comes to keeping up with the latest interior decor trends, rugs continue to be an effective way to update a space or change directions with your style. They can brighten a dark room, inspire new color palettes, or simply add a fresh element of visual interest.

For a little inspiration, we’ve put together a list of the five top rug trends and rug styles for 2022. From area rugs to tapestries, antique rugs to modern rugs, this list has it all.

So, what kind of rugs are popular now? Let’s take a look at the recent rug trends:

1. Oriental Rugs—Are Oriental Rugs Trending?

Oriental rugs will never fall out of style. They possess a unique combination of rich history and beauty that makes them a versatile piece in any setting. Traditionally, the term “Oriental rug” referred to any rug produced in Asia. Today, it also denotes a specific style unique to Oriental rug patterns. You’re likely familiar with this style, as the intricate floral motifs and the repetitive geometric designs are well-known. If you want to bring an element of refinement to a space, the recognizable patterns of Oriental rugs and Persian rugs specifically are the perfect way to do so. Curious how folks are using Oriental and antique rugs in modern-day interior decorating? Here are two inspiring examples.

Decorating With A Large Antique Oriental Persian Serapi Rug

This Persian Serapi rug manages to be bold and delicate all at once. Its coral hues will vibrantly brighten any room with whimsy and excitement, while the ornate floral vines add visual intrigue as they weave their story through and around the central rug medallion.

Originally inspired by the geometric domes of Persia’s famous mosques, the medallion design remains an iconic type of Oriental rug. We associate the medallion in its various configurations with a sense of sophistication and elegance. The central medallion of this Oriental Persian Heriz Serapi rug gracefully organizes its composition in a way that makes it an effortless focal point. When using an Oriental rug with a complex pattern like this one, consider keeping other patterns in the room to a minimum. Pattern mixing has the potential to create a visually stunning space, but if not done carefully, too many patterns can overwhelm the eye.

If your Oriental rug is going to serve as inspiration for the remainder of your decor, it may be helpful to build a color palette from a handful of colors on the rug itself. You can go with more dominant colors to give your room a monochromatic vibe, or you can stick with contrasting colors to make your rug juxtapose and pop out amidst the rest of your furniture.

Decorating With An Oriental Antique Room Size Persian Khorassan Rug

Looking for a rug that has softer, more mellow tones? Then antique Persian Khorassan rugs, such as this fine example, might be just the rug to tie your room together. This rug has a characteristic allover rug pattern, which contrasts with the medallion layout described above. Rather than radiating the design outward from a central focal point, an allover design frames a continuous, uninterrupted field within a set of borders.

The field in this particular rug captures an idyllic, pastoral scene in neutral tones with an earthy charcoal-colored background. Gentle hints of blue sky peek through the scrolling vines lush with flowers, completing the naturalistic vision of this rug.

A Persian Khorassan Rug like this works with almost any interior design approach due to its flexible earth tones and allover design. It has a way of adding to the room without demanding your attention, yet when you notice it—it’s hard to look away.

2. Shag Rugs —Are Shag Rugs Making a Comeback?

For those seeking a fashionably nostalgic look, you’ll be happy to know that the vintage shag rugs have made a major comeback in the interior design world. Who doesn’t love sinking their feet into the plushness of a soft, shaggy pile area rug?

Shag rugs are generally considered “high pile” rugs, meaning the visible tufts of material on the rug’s surface are higher than the average area rug. When it comes to types of shaggy rugs, you’ll usually have a few options to choose from, but the first feature you should examine are the materials used. Look for ones made with natural fibers, like wool or cotton, as this will make the pile feel fluffier and more cloud-like to the touch.

Check out how these two trendy shag rug examples work beautifully in context:

Ivory Shag Pile Vintage Beni Ourain Moroccan Rug

This vintage Beni Ourain shag rug hails from Morocco, circa mid-20th century. “Beni Ourain” is the collective name of 17 different Berber tribes that live in the Atlas Mountains, and any Berber rug made by these tribes is considered a Moroccan Beni Ourain rug.

These vintage Moroccan rugs are special for many reasons, but one reason they are so sought after is their high-grade wool. The people of these Berber tribes get their unique wool from the flocks of sheep they keep high in the mountains, and the wool’s extremely soft texture is the perfect ingredient for a shag rug.

Beni Ourain shag rugs are also in high-demand due to their neutral coloring and abstract patterns, which make them work well with a variety of interior decor approaches. The combination of the soft shag and the organic tribal design in this particular shag rug would be an excellent choice to balance a contemporary room with harsh lines and angles.

Vintage Double Sided Shaggy Red Moroccan Berber Rug

Can you put Moroccan shag rugs in the living room? Absolutely. This shaggy, crimson red Moroccan Berber rug would make a gorgeous addition to any living room. You can see how it provides a striking contrast to the cool teal color of the couch in the below photo, while the shag makes the industrial chic living space feel warm and cozy.

The color red has carried many symbolic meanings throughout history, from courage and war to love and anger. There’s a common thread of warmth and power in these meanings, which is perhaps why a red rug can instantly create a luxurious and rich high end atmosphere.

The beauty of this particular rug from Morocco is that you get two rugs in one. While one side is a pure, crimson field of soft pile, the other side (pictured below) reveals a traditional Moroccan rug design of crimson, tan, ivory and shades of midnight. The dual identity of this rug makes it an excellent conversation starter, no matter which way you choose to display it.

3. Vintage Rugs—What’s Trending in the Vintage Rug World?

Some of the rugs we’ve discussed already are vintage rugs, but this category is so diverse, extensive and popular that it deserves its own mention. The term “vintage rug” is usually reserved for rugs and carpets that were woven around the mid-20th century through the 1970s (around 40 to 80 years old). This was an age of pushing artistic boundaries across the globe, and the world of textile and fiber arts was no different.

As the popularity of vintage rugs continues to surge in the 21st century, many modern manufacturers have attempted to recreate unique vintage rug designs and market them as “vintage.” However, a copy is not truly vintage, nor is it steeped with the rich history and stories of the person who made it so long ago.

Here are two vintage pieces that are sure to delight any vintage connoisseur:

Small Figurative Vintage Portuguese Tapestry

Have you ever considered displaying a rug somewhere other than the floor? Vintage rugs make excellent wall decor, as they fill your vertical space with color and texture. Imagine this stunning rug tapestry from Portugal gracing the walls of your dining room or living room.

The pleasant mix of greens, blues, reds and yellows creates an abstract scene that makes the viewer wonder, “Did the weaver know these people? Are they lovers? What do their languid expressions mean?” The vintage imagery inspires imaginative thoughts and questions, leaving many opportunities for fascinating discussions with your guests.

Vintage Art Deco Chinese Rug

This vintage Chinese rug is from the Art Deco period, which was an international artistic movement that occurred from the 1920’s to the 1940’s. Rugs out of this period are characterized by a mix of angular elegance, clean geometric shapes and abstract motifs.

This mid-century modern rug has all of those elements and more, making it well-suited for a retro-inspired room or a modernly-styled interior. You could also color block the space with these lovely shades of blue, green and red, drawing attention to the form and shapes in the room reflected in the field of the art deco Chinese rug.

4. Layered Rugs—Is Everyone Layering Rugs in 2022?

One area rug can add so much to any room—so why not have two or more? Layering rugs is a major trend in the interior design world, as it’s a fun way to play with colors, patterns and textures. Plus, rug layering comes in handy in numerous situations, such as:

• When you have a rug you adore that’s a little too small for the space—add another rug to fill out the area.
• When you want a little bit of color, but not too much—use a neutral rug to cover the majority of the space and a smaller rug to add the color you want.
• When you’d like to highlight a special piece of furniture on top of a large area rug—add a smaller rug directly underneath the piece to draw the eye.

Check out these two options that would fit right into a trendy layered rug look:

Colorful Mid-Century Modern Rug

If you want to energize a space, this delightful mid-century modern rug from India is sure to inspire optimism and cheer. The triangles and other geometric shapes almost seem to be vibrating and moving against the neutral lines that keep them all separated.

The smaller size of this rug (3 ft 1 in x 5 ft 11 in/0.94 m x 1.8 m) makes it a prime choice for layering. You can easily combine this rug with a larger, more monotone rug for contrast, or you can go for a maximalist approach and pair it with another rug that has similar colors or shapes.

Minimalist Design Modern Oversized Boho Chic Area Rug

This minimalist, boho chic area rug has multiple textures that would work well in the context of rug layering. The artist has alternated using knotted piles with plain weave to create a mosaic of high and low piles. Contrasting black lines break up this textural pattern, giving the primitive design a more modern feel.

Because this piece has such a minimal design, it would work well in almost any layered rug situation. You can let its unique texture take the spotlight as a top rug, or you can place it underneath as a gorgeous backdrop to a more colorful rug. Whichever way you use it, it will no doubt make the space feel cozier.

5. Neutral Rugs—Why Are Neutral Styles of Rugs Trending?

If you read style blogs, you likely know neutrals are trending. Headlines like “Is Greige the New Beige?” or “Are Jute Rugs in Style for 2022?” seem to be dominating the interior decorating space. Rugs for sale made with undyed materials, like wool and jute, or colored in a neutral tone are in high demand and going quickly.
To understand the popularity of neutrals, consider what they are by nature. Neutral colors are hues that lack colors found on the color wheel (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet). Because of this, these muted tones will always be a trendy choice in interior decorating due to their superior flexibility with any color palette. Popular examples of neutral colors include:

• White
• Ivory
• Cream
• Beige
• Tan
• Taupe
• Gray

Let’s take a look at how neutral rugs can serve an overall design.

Beige Color Textured Modern Distressed Rug

Neutral rugs are popular rugs for the living room, bedroom, dining room, and more, as they create a serene backdrop for your other decor decisions. This beige area rug does just that, with elements of texture and distress that add some extra visual appeal.

The beige rug used in the above photo is a brilliant example of why neutral rugs are trending. This room’s focal point is clearly the large, floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. Rather than distracting from the natural scenery, this beige rug adds to it by continuing the earthy tones from the outside into the interior. The variety of shades throughout the rug give the impression of shifting sand or sandstone, further adding to the natural style.

Decorative Soft Color Modern Moroccan Area Rug

Not all neutral rugs are devoid of the traditional color wheel colors. Neutrals mixed with a pinch of color can give your decor a bit of interest while still allowing you the flexibility of neutral tones. Consider this decorative Afghanistan made rug, which blends hints of gentle blues and warm pinks with an earthy brown backdrop.

This rug works beautifully in a fully neutral, contemporary space. You can also use lighter pinks and blues in other design elements to draw out these colors in the rug, which will create a subtle harmony that makes your space feel peaceful, organic and elegant.

Bonus Trend—Rug Styles That Make You Happy

Some trends span lifetimes, while others only last a season. That’s why it’s so important to choose a rug that makes you happy at the end of the day. If you think neutral rugs are boring, go for something more colorful and vibrant. If everyone starts asking “Are Oriental rugs out of style?” but that design speaks to you, get an Oriental rug. If the retro vibes of a shaggy rug aren’t your thing, find something a bit more modern. Trends should serve to inspire design choices, not dictate them.

Our Past Predications for 2020’s Area Rug Trends

Predicting rug trends, just like any form of prediction, is always tricky. But as 2019 comes to a close, and we set our sights on 2020, it is a good time to look back on the year past and the year ahead to see if we can figure out what people are going to be wanting most in the coming year.

What did we see in area rug trends during 2019?

What types of rugs were not selling in 2019? Rug and color trends in 2019 were quite fascinating. While we still saw strong prices for mid-century vintage rugs this past year, they have not been selling as quickly as in years past. This holds true for both Scandinavian rugs and Moroccan rugs, for which have seen a sales volume decrease this past year. While these are some of our favorite rugs, and are still beautiful and high quality, they just haven’t been seeing the same sales volume in 2019 as some other rug types.

What types of rugs were selling well in 2019? Now that we know what was not selling as well in 2019, lets turn to the rugs that we did see selling more than others. For the first time in what seems to be an eternity, we are starting to see color come back. Not only is color becoming trendy again, but we are also seeing a strong resurgence in demand for the more classic look of Oriental rug designs.

This new shift in trends is making antique rugs fashionable again. What is even more surprising is that we are seeing less of a desire in the USA for all over design rugs than in the past. Private consumers and even interior decorators are seemingly more interested in finding beautiful pieces of art than having a perfectly symmetrical interior design. Previously, consumers and designers gravitated more toward these all over design rugs so they didn’t have to worry about perfectly centering a rug medallion underneath a coffee table or ottoman. Now, it seems consumers are moving away from that need for perfection and instead are searching for an artful piece that speaks to them.

This new approach for placing more emphasis on getting a quality beautiful rug rather than getting just a decorative carpet is a reassuring sign that people in the USA are finally coming around to the mindset already common in the rest of the world. Now rugs and carpets are being viewed as more than just functional, utilitarian pieces. The USA is starting to take the rest of the world’s approach and are looking for and buying rugs that they will love and want to see every day.

What will we see in rug trends in 2020?

When looking into our “crystal rug ball” we see many interesting rug trends in 2020. Reinforced by the recent Pantone Classic Blue: Color of 2020 announcement, we see color coming back in a big way in 2020. We see the shift to the more original patterns and designs becoming more prominent. Furthermore, we predict that we will see more people shopping for rugs that they love more so than finding rugs that “work”. Finally, we see more people shifting from the recent Scandinavian and Moroccan rug trends to the more classic, traditional designs.

Our specific rug trend predictions for 2020:

If we had to make a guess, we believe that in the USA, these 7 types of rugs will likely become trendier and in demand again in 2020:

Antique Persian Heriz Serapi Rugs

Antique Persian Sultanabad Rugs

Antique Persian Tabriz Rugs

Antique Turkish Oushak Rugs

Antique Caucasian Rugs

Antique Kilims

Antique Khotan Rugs

Still looking for a rug that brings you joy? Explore Nazmiyal’s rug collection, which is one of the largest collections in the world. Described as “like no other,” our collection has nearly any rug you can imagine, from antique to modern and everything in between.