If you are looking to add warmth, color, and character to your home, simply adding a rug can transform any space into a personal sanctuary. But there is one prerequisite to this rule: it can’t be just any old rug. It has to be special. Each person’s definition of “special” is different, but to me, a special rug is one that is handwoven and vintage. It has to be made with love and hours of thoughtful and sentimental detail. If you look closely enough, every rug tells a story. And choosing your own personal rug has a lot to do with selecting the story that resonates most with you.

I love so many types of rugs, but lately, I’ve been gravitating toward Turkish and Moroccan textiles. I’ve been selling rugs for almost three years now and the one thing I’ve learned is that everyone leans toward something completely different. It is hard to predict what will sell or what to buy because with rugs it seems they are a matter of the heart. The colors, the style and the weave, it’s almost as if the carpet has to choose you. I chatted with the team and we rounded up nearly 20 of our favorite rugs that we’ve seen online lately. Which style and design are your favorite and what types of textiles are you gravitating toward as of late?

A Little Bit About Global Rug Styles

Moroccan: I recently traveled to Morocco this past fall and was surrounded by an endless sea of beautifully woven textiles. I absolutely fell in love with the Moroccan people, culture, and woven goods. Moroccan rugs have traditionally been hand-woven by the different tribes in Morocco since the Paleolithic era. Because of the vastly different climates in Morrocco, rugs can be very thick when you are seeking warmth in the Atlas Mountains or thinly woven if you are residing in the Sahara Desert. Here are a few vintage rugs you may have heard of before that are native to Morocco: Beni Ourain, Azilal, Boucherouite, Boujad, Rabat, and Kilim rugs. All of these woven carpets are beautiful and unique in their own right.

Persian: Persian rugs, native to Iran, are typically finely woven and somewhat heavy textiles comprised of wool or silk. Rug weaving is an integral part of Persian culture. You may recognize a Persian rug for its intricate and timeless details. Although the majority of the time Persian textiles are considered to be more pile-woven, flat-woven carpets like the Kilim, Soumak, and embroidered Suzani pieces are a rich part of the Persian tradition as well. According to geographical locations, here are just a few (of the many) different types of Persian carpets: Tabriz, Heriz, Kashan, Gabbeh, Isfahan, Nain, Mashad, Balouchi, and Qum.

Turkish/Anatolian: Turkish rugs are generally knotted and/or pile-woven rugs. These rugs are often made of wool, silk or cotton. The most common rug you may have heard of is the flat-woven Kilim. A few others that come to mind are: Ghiordes, Kulah, Bergama, Ladik, Anatolian, Melez, Kirsehir, Oushak, Sivas, Tulu, Kayseri, Hereke, Borlou, and Konya. Turkish rugs tend to play on positive and negative space and you may see the color red appear quite often in these carpets. Turkish textiles are generally known for their vivid colors and beautiful, complex patterns.

Shop a few of our top favorite textiles online right now, at just about every color, weave and price point.

(links by row)

First: Anthropologie // West Elm // Arden Trading Co.

Second: Anthropologie // Revival Rugs // Swoon Rugs

Third: Swoon Rugs //Frances Loom // IKEA

Fourth: West Elm // Revival Rugs // World Market

Fifth: CB2 // Anthropologie // Frances Loom

Sixth: West Elm // CB2 // IKEA

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Image Sources: top / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Stefani Ellenbecker is the Editorial Director at Wit & Delight. When she’s not feverishly editing or writing about style and interiors, she runs her bohemian shop  Arden Trading Co. where she sells artisan-made home goods. She lives in Minneapolis with her fiancé Muhamed.

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