It might sound cliche, but rugs are a very personal choice. As with the clothes we wear and the vehicles we drive, rugs reflect the personality of the owner. A rug should also blend in with its surroundings, complimenting the space while acting as a means of comfort and setting the room apart. With the rise of modern design aesthetic, so has an increased desire for abstract rugs. Are you wondering about the history of abstract rugs and how they became so popular? If so, you’ve come to the right place today!
What is an abstract rug?
Have you ever heard of an abstract painting? Most likely, your mind goes straight to Pablo Picasso, the famous abstract artist. He’s our first stop on our tour of the history of abstract rugs today.
None of Picasso’s paintings could ever be seen in real life. Perhaps they took inspiration from it in some “abstract” way (pun intended), though his pieces were far from life-like or scenic.
Abstract rugs, therefore, follow a similar design language. Whereas Oriental rugs often incorporate natural colors, wildlife, and flowers into the design, abstract rugs are completely devoid of any sense of reality.
Abstract rugs also focus on a wide variety of colors with varying hues and tones that run contrary to the design language of Persian or Turkish rugs.
When were rugs first used?
The history of abstract rugs has its roots in the history of rugs from several millennia ago. The idea of having a rug in your living quarters dates back to antiquity, with the oldest known rug currently in existence carbon dated to 500BC. Persian rugs have been around for at least 2,500 years and it’s believed that cavemen had a form of “rug” (probably animal skin) in their dwellings for comfort.
The rise of modernism and the history of abstract rugs
Fast-forward to the 1970s and the rise of modernism, which is our next stop in the history of abstract rugs. Think about some of the classic mid-century modern design: sharp angles, flat textures, and not quite natural colors. By this time, Picasso had already made his mark on the world and consumers were looking for similar styles for their homes.
This style gave way to the ’90s more traditional look and feel, with heavier and darker woods replacing the modern, abstract nature of 1970s design choices. However, as with all types of media today, what was old yesterday is suddenly new today. Nostalgia runs hard with Generation X and Y, and a move towards the IKEA “minimalist” design speaks to that crowd.
Likewise, this gave rise to a wider embracing of the modern abstract rug. The history of abstract rugs, while it can be traced back to the Old Testament era, is really more of a
20th and early 21st-century phenomenon compared to the more traditional aesthetic of Persian, Turkish, and Oriental rugs.
From Persian to Abstract, we carry rugs of all shapes, colors, and designs
Our history as the region’s premier rug store means that there is no type or style of rug we can’t carry. If you’re looking for a Persian or Oriental rug, we can help. If Turkish is your chosen aesthetic, we have that too.
And of course, as we’re focused on Abstract rugs today, we have a wide variety to choose from. Visit our showroom floor at 7215 Smith Corners Boulevard or browse through our online options (with free three-day shipping) here!
Read our other blog posts on Abstract Rugs:
- https://rugsource.com/how-are-abstract-rugs-made/
- https://rugsource.com/what-are-some-design-tips-for-using-an-abstract-rug-in-my-home/
- https://rugsource.com/how-do-i-care-for-an-abstract-rug/
- https://rugsource.com/what-is-the-history-of-abstract-rugs/
- https://rugsource.com/what-defines-an-abstract-rug/
