Persia, or modern-day Iran, has been a cradle of carpet-weaving for well over two millennia. Incorporating ornate geometric designs, intricate floral motifs, and other repeating patterns, the Persian rug has become one of the nation’s proudest cultural exports. While a product that dates to antiquity would seem to be out of style, or at least only cyclically popular, these rugs have become timeless aspects of interior design. Today, we’ll discover why the Persian rug will always be in style.
A Hallmark of Mid-Century Modern Design
Postwar America embraced interior design with an international flair. Many of the fundamentals of what we know now as the mid-century modern design came from the German expatriates of the Bauhaus art school. Atop that came other global accents-for instance, veterans who served in the South Pacific brought tiki culture back to the mainland. Though modern-day Iran was not a theater of war, the ornate geometric designs of Persian rugs placed notes of stark contrast against the clean austerity of the style’s lines and angles. Mid-century modern has never gone out of style, and Persian rugs have been a passenger to that style’s cruise through history.
Timeless Boho Chic
1960s bohemian style arose from San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury and has stayed aloft ever since. America’s love affair with The Sixties, not so much a decade as a state of mind, has scarcely waned in the intervening years. The continuing popularity of the Persian rug is a testament to that. These not only served as area rugs but wall-mounted tapestries in countless dorm rooms and apartments, and today, they are a friendly reminder of that cultural golden age. Anyone who saw the Grateful Dead in concert was sure to see their collection of Persian rugs covering the stage. Of course, there’s no telling what else certain concertgoers were able to see.
A Margin for Messiness
No one wants to spill their drink on a lovely Persian rug. No one wants their pet to get sick on one, either. Nonetheless, accidents will happen. When they do, the low pile and intricate designs of these rugs will hide stains better and lend themselves more easily to cleaning than other carpeting options. As long as there are households whose families are prone to little messes, there will always be a place for an aesthetically pleasing rug that can withstand sloshed wine or filthy footprints.
Virtually Endless Possibilities
While there are many designs that are recognizably familiar as Persian rugs, there’s no single design. The range of different designs to embrace is part of why Persian rugs will always be in style. Decor Market accommodates this timeless trend with a collection of rectangular indoor rugs featuring several Persian-inspired designs from Safavieh. Explore our selection and find the design that’s right for your room.