Looking for affordable vintage rugs? I’ve been buying cheap rugs online for years now and am sharing some sources!
For many years, I think I had a vintage rug shopping habit. I’ll admit it. Although I wasn’t buying rugs for spaces that we didn’t need them for, I just kept browsing and buying.
Some people love to browse clothes, but me, I love to browse vintage Persian rugs online. Just give me all the old vintage rugs. =) Someone suggested that I should start a business on sourcing and selling used area rugs… that would be the dream, right?!
Anyways, after so many comments about where I got this rug or that one; I’m here today to spill the beans. Most of these rugs are vintage, which means that you aren’t going to find one that’s the exact same. But, I’m sharing my sources for good rugs on eBay, Etsy and more.
*Affiliate links below. It doesn’t cost you anything to click over to see what I love or where I bought it. I do get a small commission if you decide to buy. Thanks for supporting this blog. Click to read my disclosure policy.
Finding Vintage Area Rugs
First off, let me say that there are tons of amazing, well-curated stores that sell vintage rugs. Lots and lots of terrific small shops have an amazingly well-curated selection. Major props to them for that. Here’s the deal. It takes a lot of time and effort to source amazing used rugs.
Sometimes though, I can’t afford rugs (which are already expensive) that are marked-up because of the curation and time to have them cleaned, etc. With a bit of digging yourself (and cleaning yourself), you can find cheap rugs online for a great price. If you don’t have the time to do your own digging, there are a BUNCH of small shops on Instagram that will do it for you.
Where to Buy Affordable Vintage Rugs
My first source is an eBay rug seller and it’s rugemporium240 on eBay. This store starts almost all of their listings at $0.99. The selection of vintage rugs is amazing and, depending on size/color, you can walk away with vintage area rugs for cheap. I’ve bought a few different rugs from this eBay seller and have been pleased.
**Edited 01/13/2021 to add: a few commenters have said that they have had major problems with this seller. Check the blog comments below before buying.
Another eBay rug seller that I like is qualityforless$$2004. I’ve purchased two vintage rugs from that shop and have liked both of them. I will say that this store curates used rugs that are brighter or more saturated. Not a negative, at all, but just something to think about as you are searching for the perfect vintage Persian rug for yourself. One thing about this store is that almost all of the rugs ship for free and they have a return policy of 30 days (you pay shipping back to them).
While searching for the dining room rug, I came across rug source (another eBay store). This store isn’t as affordable as the first two, BUT you can find inexpensive rugs that are good deals. They have a large collection of used rugs – both runners and vintage area rugs – which is nice.
If you have more money than time, then here are a few more used rug shops that you should check out.
More Vintage Rug Sources
I love to browse the collections of the four above, but just realize that you are paying someone to curate that selection for you. I wouldn’t classify those as affordable vintage rugs, but they have a really great selection of rugs.
I couldn’t help myself from rounding up my favorite vintage rugs that I’ve found recently.
Shop Vintage Rugs Online
Lastly, if you find an amazing source – please share it! I’d love to add to my list.
p.s. I’ve gotten so many questions about where to find vintage rugs, that I just wrote another blog post on exactly how I search for them. Check out Cheap Vintage Rugs for more information! There’s a step-by-step guide for searching eBay and Etsy! Plus, hear more details on rug buying and sizing on an episode of the Your Home Story podcast!
Love seeing your sources and so funny – I just bought a rug from Rugemporium240 (hopefully arriving soon)… 🙂
Was this the kitchen rug?
I’d advise caution with Rugemporium240. The rug I bought had significant dye bleed that was not visible in the seller’s not-sharp photos. I left a neutral rating and was asked by the seller to change it. When I didn’t, the review disappeared. I filed a feedback manipulation complaint with EBay. Now I wonder how many other times this seller has made less than great reviews vanish. Odd that with thousands of reviews there’s not a single neutral or negative one. Proceed with caution.
Thank you, for your comment. I wondered how they had major complaints against them but 100% rating
I am most certainly keeping this list in my back pocket! Thank you for sharing. I always go on eBay looking for rugs and chicken out. I am so happy to know someone who has purchased from there.
Love Ebay! You should go for it.
This is exactly what i’ve been looking for!!!! thank you so much!
yay! Have fun shopping!
I just came across the stores that you introduce above. I must recognize that they are very beautiful and the price is also very good, even some stores have the prices super cheap. But, my trouble is I don’t know too much about the color as well as the type of pattern on the rug of each country. So I seem to feel every rug is as same as each other, I can’t see what is more beautiful than others. If I have to choose, I would choose the rug which fits my eyes best LOL. I truly see the rug you’ve chosen (in the photo you post) is really beautiful, and suitable both in term of size, color and design for each position you spread the rug. May you took a long time to find out those rugs? Have you ever had any secrets when selecting the rug?
I think choosing what you love is most important.
We have a great variety of affordable vintage rugs on our site, TheLoomHouse.com
Sweet! I’ll be sure to stop by!
How are shipping prices for Homestead Seattle? Couldn’t find any listed on their website. Thanks!
You know, I can’t remember but it had to be reasonable. I wouldn’t have paid over $30 for shipping for sure.
Did you wash the rugs before use? Thanks.
I have a rug cleaning post – search for how to clean a rug on my blog. But, if they are large then I vacuum really well and spot clean. I lay them outside to freshen up.
I’ve been bidding on a few rugs on the eBay sites you recommended, but I’m always outbid. Small 4×6 Persian rugs are going for well over $100, and up to $250. Does this sound about right? I was curious what ” a good price” would be before I start bidding too high. Thanks!
Hi Kristen,
So, $200 is around the going price on ebay for that size (or atleast for the sellers that I’m watching). That’s a pretty good price. You will pay more than that on Etsy for sure. Another place to check is esalerugs. They run 50% off a lot so you might be able to beat that price there.
For me, if I love it, I will set my max bid. I will wait until 1 min left and go all in. Good luck!
Unfortunately, on the recommendation of rugemporium240, I bought two rugs in December and they won’t ship them. I have emailed numerous times and get answers like ‘we ship soon.’ I am afraid I need to call my bank and cancel the sale. I really hope I get my money back. I would not recommend them.
Hi Katerine,
I’ll definitely make a note in the post to check comments below. That is so interesting. I bought another one from them last year and didn’t have any problems but I agree… definitely need to point that out. Hope you can get your money back!
Check this my favorite etsy shop good rugs and good prices : http://www.etsy.com/shop/GVSCARPET
This is a very nice read. I will keep this in mind when I buy a new rug. I have a good cleaning company (https://www.silverrugcleaning.com/or/rug-cleaning-services-portland) now that can help with maintenance so I’m not worried about buying one.
Do you know what a large area rugs from rug emporium go for? Like 9X12 or 8×10? Thank you, I really enjoyed your post!
It depends on the age and style but close to $400.
Hi! I just got a rug from rugemporium 240, thanks for the rec! Do you get yours professionally cleaned when they arrive?
I missed your comment – so sorry! Happy mail totally arrived at your house. I don’t have mine professionally cleaned but if I bought an oversized one for a space that we’d be hanging out on all the time, then I would for sure. Of course, I vacuum very good. Spot spray and will lay out in the sun. For smaller rugs, I do this:
https://biggerthanthethreeofus.com/how-to-clean-a-vintage-rug/
My friend Erin, just posted another method that would work for larger rugs: http://francoisetmoi.com/diy/how-to-clean-that-gorgeous-vintage-rug/
Hopefully that helps!
Do you buy rug pads for these rugs? If so, which rug pad vendor do you recommend?
I’ve bought them over time but really like http://www.rugpadcorner.com
Let’s dont forget about my favorite Etsy shop for rugs. It is called Pocovintage. Great rugs and prices. they also have tons of good reviews.
http://www.pocovintage.etsy.com
I just bought Sirius design rug carpet few months ago. I liked the way described on their page how to take care of rugs is useful. And they took little bit more time to delivered. But its worth to wait for good things take place. Nice experience to buy rugs carpet online.
Etsy.com/shop/Otisvintage cheapest shop there is
THANK YOU!! This is such a great resource!
Yay! Glad you found it helpful!
Tirmah interiors has a beautiful collection in its showroom at cape town.These are all rugs for home decoration and interior design
Hi,
This is such a well written and helpful post, thank you! I am interested in learning more about your experiences with rugemporium on eBay. Their listings seem a bit contrived: they attest that rugs are vintage from the 1930s and 40s but I’ve definitely seen customers after buying rugs from them post about how infact the item was machine made and clearly not vintage. The possible spurious claims and pricing worry me as comparably sized true vintage rugs will easily run from 50-100K. Plus they seem to have the exact same rug style in multiple copies rather than as a single item which also makes the claim somewhat doubtful. Have you had your rug authenticated by a third party?
Hi Sam,
So, I buy “vintage” rugs that I just love so as far as authenticity… I’ve never taken them to have then authenticated. I definitely agree that there are multiples of a certain pattern that look similar but to me, I’m ok with that because I’m buying what I love. Hope that helps!
Would you like to check our antique and vintage rug collection on https://www.locrugs.com/product-category/antique-rugs-and-vintage-rugs/. We have an exquisite collection of Oriental and European and Moroccan vintage rugs.
Hi, I just wanted to post a buyer beware: I purchased a rug from qualityforless$$2004 on eBay,. It was marketed as an authentic antique Turkish rug, vintage 1900-1939, wool with cotton backing, and what I received was a new, machine-made synthetic fiber rug. I was SO disappointed to have wasted $300. Please avoid this seller at all costs!
Oh my goodness, that’s the first time I’ve heard that.
Our company is the biggest handmade vintage Turkish rug and kilims supplier of Turkey. Our company sells, vintage small area rugs, bathroom rugs, bathmats, doormats, cushions, large area rugs, runner rugs and all kinds of kilim rugs. You can check our products at the link below. If you have any other requests we would like to work on it. If it is interesting for you please contact us. We would love to work with you in the future.
Sincerely,
® – Emma
http://turkishrugarts.etsy.com
I would like to recommend BohoFlourish on Etsy. Some of their rugs are available on Chairish, as well. They offer free shipping but have a no-return policy that is explained very well on the site. That being said, the rugs come cleaned and from a smoke and pet-free environment. I have several and have had no disappointments. The rugs are vintage rugs, 1930s-1960s, from villages in Iran. Lots of pictures of each rug. And it is also great just for learning about different types of Persian rugs.
I’ll check them out, thanks!
Dear Ashley
On behalf of Art Vintage rug shop, let me take this opportunity to introduce to you our shop and the services that we offer. We have been on top of the vintage rugs and carpets business for the last 10 years, and we continue to strive to deliver the same uncompromising quality that has helped cement our reputation as one of the leading stores in Turkey.
We are certain that your company might need some products that our firm can provide. we specialize in the supply of quality vintage rugs and we offer an efficient and meticulous designing and production process of custom-made rugs that would guarantee satisfying results at competitive prices. We are familiar with a number of delivery methods and other services. In line with the industry’s unique needs, we tailor our approach to help you find the best services to meet your goals.
This is the link to our Etsy Online shop https://etsy.me/2r60lsb with some of our unmatched quality products, Please find time to have a look. It would be a great honour if your company will be added to our outstanding list of clients. we will be more than glad to assist you in this noble enterprise.
Warm regards
Mustafa .A
Do you buy rug pads for these rugs? If so, which rug pad vendor do you recommend?
I 100% recommend rug pads but haven’t found a vendor that I absolutely love.
These are such great sources for authentic vintage rugs! I’ve only had success with the replicas, but I’m so glad I stumbled across this source. Thanks for sharing!
Great post! I would love to add my site, https://jessiesrugs.com/ We also have a make an offer feature that allows customers to make offers on any of our rugs.
We bought our first Turkish rug on Etsy. I am really surprised how fast we received, it only took a few days from when we found it to when it was at our door, half way around the world. I definitely recommend the Etsy shop called Turkish Rug Master.