Among the various categories of high-quality rugs that are available on the market, none raises as many questions as distressed rugs. What are they and how can you use them in your home? Let’s unpack both of those questions today.

Are distressed rugs also antique?
Initially, one might be inclined to think a distressed rug will also be considered to be antique. However, this isn’t exactly the case. An antique rug may have a distressed look, but that doesn’t mean it’s a distressed rug. Likewise, a distressed rug may look old but this doesn’t automatically mean it’s antique.
So what makes a rug antique?
As we’ve stated elsewhere, an antique rug is highly desirable. These rugs are hand made, using hand-knotted techniques that have been around for centuries. Some definitions apply a specific timeframe for an object to be considered antique. Most commonly, this is at least 100 years, with the term “vintage” being used to describe items less than 100 years old but older than 50.
Then what makes a rug distressed?
Within the rug industry, there are several other categories to keep in mind when defining the term “distressed rug.” The first is modern: while often used to refer to an aesthetic, a modern rug is one that was crafted by a skilled weaver relatively recently.
The second category to remember is vintage. Again, as we mentioned these rugs are at least 50 years old but less than 100.

A distressed rug falls within this range: older than a modern rug, younger than an antique, and possibly old enough to be considered vintage. In addition, to be considered distressed a rug has had various “distressing” techniques applied to it, giving it an aged look and feel.
As far as using them in your home, distressed rugs come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. They can fit in with just about any decor and space. As with other styles of rugs, pairing it with your existing room colors, layout, and style is vitally important to making the rug work for you. And more often than not, even with the applied distressing techniques, their high-quality, hand-woven nature will help them last for decades to come.
One final note: while a distressed rug can also be a vintage rug, not all vintage rugs are considered distressed. Remember, distressing is an intentional process to give the rug a worn look. If properly cared for, a vintage rug can look virtually brand new.
If you’re looking for a distressed rug, look no further than Rug Source
A distressed rug can add a special vibe to just about any space, whether you’re using it in your living room, dining room, or one of your bedrooms. Their unique attributes help to set them apart from anything you can buy at a big box retailer and add a distinct flair to your home.
If you’re looking for a distressed rug for your home, let us know! You can give us a call at 980-422-4080, visit our showroom at 7215 Smith Corners Boulevard in Charlotte, or contact us HERE.