Vintage Rug Picks from Tuesday Made
Happy Friday, friends! I’m going to keep today’s post short & sweet, but I’m excited to share a peek behind the scenes at my shop, Tuesday Made. The past few months, I’ve been carefully collecting a big pile of vintage rugs. Yesterday, I made the collection live and it’s one I’m really proud to share with you. From larger area rugs to runners and lots of small rugs, it’s a well rounded haul. Vintage rugs add so much warmth and character to a home- they’re honestly my favorite part of having a shop, and while a lot of work- it’s always been the most enjoyable part of my job. Click through for some of my vintage rug cleaning & care tips, and to see my top picks from yesterday’s rug haul! If you’re ever in the market for a new (vintage) rug, please keep us in mind…
Last week I shared keywords to use when searching for large vintage rugs, and many of you said it was helpful. Like I mentioned, I’d like to think vintage rugs are kind of my thing! I’ve learned so much much about them over the years. From selecting the right rug to installing wool rugs in the bathroom (I promise you it’s a wise choice!), I’ve still got some tricks of the trade to share with you. Scroll on for my top picks from our latest haul in the shop, and for my best cleaning & care tips! Vintage rugs really are the most durable… a worthy investment for your home, that will withstand the test of time.
Unpacking Your New (Vintage) Rug
This is how we pack rugs at Tuesday Made… but it may look different for other sources. We always try to roll rugs (to minimize creasing), but sometimes folding is necessary to keep shipping affordable. Creases & folds are totally normal after opening, but it’s best practice to unroll your rug immediately- allowing it to relax & flatten 24-48 hours before installing it beneath furniture.
Creases and folds always work themselves out. Occasionally, you may have to train the corners by rolling them in the opposing direction. Your vintage rug will actually continue to look better with time, if cared for properly! You know how I love a good aged patina.
Vintage Rug Cleaning & Care Tips
Vacuum your rug regularly on low power. High-powered vacuums can pull threads from the rug, so be careful with the settings. Spot clean as needed (this my preferred cleaner!), and clean spills immediately. Blot the stain and use lukewarm water to remove any residual cleaner, followed with a dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture. Avoid using harsh chemicals, as they could damage or fade your rug. Always perform a spot test (unless you use the cleaner I linked, which I’ve tested on everything). You can also lay your rug flat in direct sunlight to remove odors, and make sure to dry it thoroughly after cleaning.
My Top Picks From My Shop
Click directly on each vintage rug below to be redirected.
Naturally, the rug I’m holding is my favorite from the collection. I had a really hard time parting with this one and was super tempted to keep it for our basement renovation! The colors are just perfect.
Styling Ideas for Small Rugs
Small rugs are really my specialty. I love that they can be styled pretty much anywhere, are fun (and easy) to move around for a quick refresh, and they’re an affordable way to add pattern, texture, and character.
If you’ve ever wondered how or where to style smaller vintage rugs, here’s a little list to brainstorm…
- In a powder room
- In front of the kitchen sink
- In an entryway
- In a small hall
- On the stair landing
- In front of the entry garage door
- In front of a soaking tub
- In front of the bathroom vanity
- In front of laundry units
FAQ
You can find it here (it’s customizable). It’s a fun way to display vintage rugs, but it would also be ideal for textile art- like a tapestry or wall hanging!
Most vintage rugs are made from wool… which means they can definitely give off damp sheep smell, ha. Most of the time, they just need cleaned or aired out. All of our Tuesday Made rugs are professionally cleaned before they’re packaged up and shipped out. I’ve definitely purchased a few from Etsy that have arrived with a very strong odor, and cleaning them or allowing them to air out in direct sun does the trick. You can also sprinkle some baking soda or carpet powder on them, allow it to sit in the sun, then vacuum it up. Easy fix!
Most definitely! This is why you shouldn’t skip the rug pad. If you care about your flooring beneath the rug, or the rug itself… use a rug pad.
If you sign up for our email list, you’ll automatically receive a 15% off code! And you’ll get first dibs on vintage goods…
Related Rug Posts
If you’re looking for more rug & carpet related home ideas and information, I’ll link some helpful posts for you below:
- Roundup : Neutral Area Rugs
- How to Remove Furniture Indentations from Carpet
- Design Discussion : Wool Rugs in the Bathroom
- Keywords to Use When Searching for Large Vintage Rugs
- Replacing Our Upstairs Carpet
- Designer Trick : Selecting the Right Rug
- Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Rug Pad
Vintage rugs have been a design passion of mine for a very long time. It’s funny, we never had any in the home I grew up in. The first vintage rug I purchased was from a flea market…. I saw it and immediately loved it. I think I paid $20 for it and put it in my college dorm. I wish I would have kept that little rug! It kind of started this entire obsession. Since then, I’ve been collecting them and haven’t looked back. Just out of curiosity- how many vintage rugs do you have in your home? More than one? More than five? I’ll admit, I’m in the 5-10 category… which feels like a design flex. Ha! Though, they’re constantly being rotated and swapped. Cheers to a beautiful weekend ahead! We’ve got house projects on our agenda. I hope you have a good one!