Old-School Looks, New Age Feel – Here Are the Best Vintage-Style Rugs That Offer All the Charm of a Secondhand Find but Are Made for Modern-Day Life

These rugs promise the look of a vintage style, but they're durable, easy to clean, and much more affordable

a living room with built-in shelving around a small fireplace, two accent chairs, a boucle stool, and a vintage-inspired persian rug on the ground
(Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd)

Don't get me wrong – I love vintage rugs. They're woven with character, glowing with charm, and hold a level of uniqueness that few new styles can replicate. That said, what I don't love about vintage rugs are their unfortunate downsides – the potential damages, delicacy, and high costs.

To avoid any of the problems that come along with decorating with antique textiles, I've found it beneficial to go for the next best thing – vintage-inspired rugs. Now, as a vintage lover myself, it feels wrong to admit that I'd choose a vintage-inspired rug over one that's truly vintage. However, it all comes down to one thing: practicality.

Rugs are subject to high-traffic – especially living room rugs – and vintage styles might not be able to handle that kind of constant wear and tear. Plus, some vintage rugs might already have damages from their past life. That's why choosing a new rug that's durable for modern life but woven with the same charming details of a vintage style might be a wise decision for your home.

a dining room with a large vintage-inspired area rug, a wood dining table with dining chairs surrounding it, and floral wallpaper on the walls

(Image credit: Loloi)

Shop Vintage-Inspired Rugs

Finding a vintage-inspired rug that actually looks as good as a true vintage style is no easy feat. Unfortunately, lots of rug designs try too hard to nail the vintage look, and end up missing the mark.

So that you don't fall victim to a try-hard, vintage-inspired rug, I've scoured the internet to find you the best designs that actually get it right. Not only do these rugs feature designs full of character and personality, but they're durable for modern living. Shop them, below.


One of the benefits of buying a vintage-inspired rug instead of a rug that's over 20 years old is that the newer styles are typically much easier to keep clean, and some are even machine washable.

To maintain the look of your vintage-inspired rug, read up on our tips on how to clean an area rug. This way, you can have a rug that maintains its charming old look without appearing tarnished or dirty.

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Devin Toolen
Style Editor

Devin Toolen is a New York-based Style Editor for Homes & Gardens. After achieving her Bachelor’s Degree at Villanova University, Devin moved to Paris, France, to obtain her Master’s Degree at Parsons School of Design. Upon returning to the United States, Devin began working in the media industry with Cosmopolitan Magazine, where she wrote trend-driven fashion stories and assisted on set for many photoshoots, and later Livingetc, where she wrote interior design stories and assisted with the magazine’s social media pages. She has an appreciation for every aspect of personal style – from the clothes we wear to the design of our homes. In her spare time, Devin enjoys embroidery and antique shopping in the city.

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