I’m finally catching up from this past weekend and it feels good. We drove to KC this weekend to spend the night, tailgate and watch the Chiefs beat the Saints (Who dat?!). It was so much fun, yet exhausting. I put Greyson to bed right after we got home Sunday night (I think it was 8:30) and then immediately went to bed myself. I’m one of those people who need at least 8.5 hours of sleep each night but would prefer 9. =)
Now that I’m well-rested though, let’s chat about Where to Buy Affordable Vintage Rugs. I *may* have a rug buying problem. I’ll admit it. Although, I’m not buying rugs for spaces that we don’t need them for, I still may have a problem. I recently found one for the upstairs hallway and before I got it rolled out up there… I was curious to try it in the kitchen. I posted it on IG because I loved it in the kitchen and, low and behold, everyone else loved it as well.
I’ve gotten so many comments about where I got this rug or that one and I’m here today to spill the beans. So, most of these rugs are vintage, which means that you probably aren’t going to find one that’s the exact same. But, this post is still valuable because I’m giving you my go-to sources (specific eBay/Etsy stores)!
*Affiliate links below. It doesn’t cost you anything to click over (or buy!) to see what I love or where I bought it. I do get a small commission if you decide to buy. Thanks for supporting me and this blog. Click to read my disclosure policy.
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-curarted selection. Major props to them for that. Here’s my deal, I love what I love but I can’t afford rugs (which are already expensive) that are marked-up because of the curation and time to have them cleaned, etc. Most of the smaller stores will have the rugs cleaned before they sell them. They are vintage, so this is a huge perk. I’m going to list a few of my favorite rugs at the bottom and some will be at a bit higher price-range.
Ready to get to my list of Where to Buy Affordable Vintage Rugs?
My #1 go to is rugemporium240 on eBay. This store starts almost all of their listings at .99. The selection is amazing and depending on what size/color, you can walk away with an amazing rug for super cheap!
My next go-to is qualityforless$$2004 and is another eBay store. I got the rug above from there and really love it.
My next find is a more recent find. 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, YET you can find good deals. I sort by price at stores that have things definitely out of my budget. I find that helps keep me in line.
I bought the above rug from them as well as one that hasn’t arrived for our kitchen reveal (yep! It’s coming next week!!!!).
My next source is a small shop (Homestead Seattle) and it’s a bit higher than the last three. It’s extremely well-curated and, although higher, I do think that they are still affordable. I bought the runner that you see right above from them and seriously love it.
If you are in the market for a specific rug and don’t want to wait on one to pop up on ebay. You should check out stores on Etsy (Urban Rug for one is great), lots of great finds on Chairish and more small shops like The Vintage Rug Shop, Woven Abode, etc.
*Edited 10/30/17: 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. So, check out Cheap Vintage Rugs for more information! There’s a step-by-step guide for searching eBay and Etsy!
**Edited 04/20/18: Even more details on rug buying and sizing on my newest episode of the Your Home Story podcast!
I couldn’t help myself from rounding up my favorite vintage rugs that I’ve found recently. They aren’t all super affordable but they are amazing and maybe just maybe, you have a bigger budget than I do. You can thank me later. =)
Lastly, if you find an amazing source – please share it! And, if you buy one that you love, tag #currenthomeview on Instagram so that I can see it and possibly share it with my readers!
Don’t forget to check out my newest post about rugs.
How to Search for Cheap Vintage Rugs!
Love seeing your sources and so funny – I just bought a rug from Rugemporium240 (hopefully arriving soon)… 🙂
Was this the kitchen rug?
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!
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.