Are Handmade Oriental Rugs Still in Style? Pros and Cons of Rustic Home Décor

Home décor trends come and go, but some stand the test of time better than others. Shag rugs ignited a craze in the 1960s and 1970s with their plush, wooly textures and vibey, retro style.

Oriental rugs bring color, texture, and global inspiration to any interior. But some question if these antique-style woven wonders still have a place in modern homes. Handmade carpets connect us to ancient craftsmanship and natural dyes rarely seen today.

Yet their ornate patterns and faded hues may seem outdated for sleek, contemporary spaces. As interior trends shift back towards the earthy and artisanal, should handmade oriental styles stay packed away as relics? Or do they lend unique characters that mass-produced deco rugs still lack?

And much like vinyl records and Midcentury Modern furniture, they’ve experienced a major revival over the last decade. Handmade Oriental Rugs offer a cozy, nostalgic look that feels right at home in both vintage and contemporary rooms. But are these statement-making floors still in vogue today?

Let’s weigh the pros and cons of bringing shag back into modern living spaces.

The Comeback of Retro Rugs

After falling out of favor in the 1980s and 1990s, Oriental Weavers Rugs have enjoyed a huge comeback thanks to the renewed popularity of Bohemian and Midcentury décor. With their relaxed, lived-in charm and playful vibe, it’s easy to see the appeal of a flokati or wooly shag underfoot.

These natural fiber rugs have an approachable feel that complements formal spaces and casual, everyday living areas. The cozy factor of shag rugs also fits with larger interior design trends embracing textures, layers, and statement pieces. Just take a scroll through Instagram or Pinterest for proof. Bold shag carpets are starring in living rooms, bedrooms, foyers, nurseries, and even kitchens.

The indulgent depths add coziness and visual interest to hard surface flooring like wood, tile, and concrete.

The Downsides of High Pile

However, the distinctive piled-high construction of Shag Rugs for Sale isn’t without its downsides. All that glorious fur can be tricky to clean and care for, especially in high-traffic areas. Wool and synthetic shags show every footprint, making them impractical choices for households with kids or pets.

Over time, consistent crushing of the pile causes it to flatten and “traffic lanes” to appear where walkways see the most action.A thick pile also makes shag rugs prone to shedding and pilling. Loose fibers collecting as balls of fuzz can be an annoying (or deal-breaking) quirk for people wanting a fuss-free floor.

Along with frequent vacuuming, shag owners should expect to give carpets a shake-out regularly. Some even recommend using a fabric defuzzer to keep surface piles tidy.The density of shag’s pile also impacts how it interacts with furniture. Most shags will flatten underneath heavy pieces like sofa legs, creating dips and divots. Rugs with taller piles can be tricky to walk on in high heels too.

Adding a quality rug pad can help prolong the life of a shag carpet by preventing uneven wearing. But the pad also raises the overall height, exacerbating wobbliness and trip hazards.

The Luxury Factor

In the world of rugs, taller pile height equals higher cost. Producing substantial amounts of high-quality wool or velvet-like polypropylene fibers makes Modern Area Rugs one of the most expensive styles on the market.

Handwoven wool flokati, a traditional Greek shag rug, can sell for upward of $5,000 for a standard size! Machine-made shags cost considerably less but still range from $100–500+ for a 5×8’ depending on the materials used.

The lofty pile demands delicate care too. Most modern area rugs for living room require professional cleaning to preserve their structure and keep dirt from becoming trapped deep inside the woven base.

Annual or biannual professional steam cleaning quickly adds up. Some shag owners even resort to costly rug replacement when piles become too matted and damaged to revive.

The Final Outcome

At the end of the day, shag rugs offer undeniable coziness and vintage vibe. But like bellbottoms or beehive hairdos, they’re more high maintenance than their modern counterparts. Shag carpets require diligent upkeep and may not suit households with kids, pets, or traffic-heavy spaces.

Their eye-catching texture calls attention to every speck of dust and dirt too. Weigh these factors along with your decor goals and lifestyle to decide if bringing home shag is fashionable or just a fleeting fad.

At the end of the day, no machine can truly replicate the artistry of handmade oriental rugs. Their intricate motifs and muted color variations add depth, heritage, and warmth to both classic and modern rooms. For those seeking next-level texture and global flair, invest in the real deal.

Avoid flat-looking imitation prints that lack the luxury of real wool and natural dyes. To source authentic vintage Persian, Turkish, or Moroccan styles need to contact GetBySize, LLC . So, bring some rug sophistication into your home.