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Rugs are basically the perfect home accent—they can instantly cozy up any space while elevating your interior design with pretty colors, patterns, and personality. Plus, they do it all without encroaching on precious livable square footage.
And when it comes to timeless rugs that never fail to look fresh and trendy, it’s hard to beat mid-century modern rugs. Mid-century rugs can range from subdued and neutral to super colorful with bold geometric patterns, so there’s truly one for every style sensibility.
Here, we rounded up our favorite mid-century modern rugs for every style, need, and budget so you can find the ideal complement to your home decor.
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Mid-century modern rugs vary quite a bit, but they often feature clean lines, organic shapes and patterns, and/or a sense of elegant simplicity, all of which were inherent in the modernist design movement.
According to Justin Soleimani, “Mid-century rugs favor geometric patterns and clean lines. The mid-century style turned away from embellishments and excess in the home; it is characterized by functionality, organic materials, and bold patterns. Mid-century modern rugs are excellent ways to add personality to any room without jeopardizing simplicity.”
"Mid-century modern rugs are excellent ways to add personality to any room without jeopardizing simplicity.”
Credit Allison Knizek/Erika Bierman Photography
Another reason mid-century rugs are so popular is that they work well in a wide range of styles, largely thanks to their classic colors, shapes, and patterns. “I integrate mid-century modern items into all styles of rooms,” says Allison Knizek. “With all of the natural, round edge furnishings that are currently trending, a mid-century modern rug, especially in a shade of slate blue or avocado green, flows seamlessly with traditional, contemporary, and transitional room identities.”
“What I love about mid-century style is that it can be mixed with other styles—especially with transitional styles and modern pieces,” adds Rozit Arditi.
This 100% wool rug is the perfect addition to any mid-century modern living room thanks to its geometric design and retro Mustard Yellow hue. But it also comes in a Pale Sage Gray color if you want something a bit more neutral.
“I personally recommend the Tsung for a fun pop of yellow. This one-of-a-kind rug was flatwoven in Turkey and features a unique, ‘70s-inspired motif,” says Ben Hyman.
With its fun, lively pattern, this abstract area rug offers a fresh take on mid-century modern looks. It also comes in a variety of sizes, whether you’re looking for a new runner rug for your hallway or an expansive area rug for your living room.
According to Allison Knizek, “The selection of Sarah Sherman Samuel rugs at Lulu and Georgia is amazing. The Line Drawing Flat Weave rug has an abstract, organic motif that really speaks the mid-century language — simple, clean, uncluttered and would serve as a visually interesting base for many styles of furniture.”
Not only does this abstract area rug look great with its soothing pastel hues and organic pattern, but it’s also machine washable, so it’s a particularly great option for areas that see a lot of foot traffic.
The rug also features a spill-proof surface that will resist stains, and it comes with a cushioned non-slip rug pad, so you can feel confident that once you place it, it will stay put.
Made by Interior Define, this geometric shaped rug is hand woven from 100% natural wool fibers. It's simple, yet elegent design means it'll work in almost any mid-century modern inspired room.
Retro colors give this rug a distinct mid-century modern style, while Art Deco details elevate it with bold sophistication. The bold, statement-making rug also comes highly recommended by Revival’s CEO:
“I love the Syria rug. This colorful piece was hand-loomed in India and features playful Art Deco elements,” said Ben Hyman.
If you prefer quieter mid-century modern style, then you’ll love this gray area rug from Overstock. It rocks a recessed rainbow design that will instantly add subtle texture and organic movement to your interior design without overwhelming your look.
Plus, it’s super soft to the touch and features a high-low pile that won’t shed, even when put in high-traffic areas.
This indoor area rug’s geometric pattern can complement all sorts of mid-century modern decor and furniture. But it’s also versatile enough to suit other interior designs as well, such as contemporary or boho looks.
The rug comes in two different color schemes and features a 100% wool design, which is hand-woven by expert craftspeople.
Speaking of versatility, this kilim rug from Pottery Barn comes in seven different neutral hues that will elevate virtually any color palette. And thanks to a special printing process wherein skilled craftspeople create a random coloring effect, each rug is unique.
According to John Linden, “The vintage distressed rugs from Pottery Barn have a retro feel that is perfect for a mid-century modern room. I love the distressed look and the neutral colors.”
This geometric area rug features a classic honeycomb pattern that will never go out of style. It rocks a medium pile for comfy softness and it comes in 11 fun hues, including Ivory, Pink, and Navy Blue.
The indoor area rug also comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, ranging from small circular accent rugs to expansive octagonal and rectangular area rugs.
Hand-tufted in India, this abstract area rug features a cozy medium pile and a bold blue design that will liven up any look.
It also comes in 20 different sizes(!) so you can purchase a small size for your entryway, an expansive size for a large living room or home office, and pretty much everything in between.
With its quiet geometric design and chic coloring, this handwoven rug is the ideal complement to a mid-century modern design.
The rug’s low-pile height means it will look like new for years to come, even if placed in a high-traffic area. Plus, its timeless design looks just as great with modern furniture as it does eclectic, contemporary, boho, and other looks, so you can keep enjoying it even if your tastes change.
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This mustard yellow and soft gray area rug is a no-fail way to add a splash of mid-century modern goodness to your interior design.
But the modernist rug doesn’t just look great; it’s also highly stain-resistant thanks to its recycled polyester performance fabric, so it’s an awesome option for busy households with pets and kids.
Soft, organic colors pair with a color-block design to create this inviting indoor area rug, which will look amazing in all kinds of of different spaces.
And you can choose from three different rug sizes, ranging from 5 x 8 to 9 x 12, so you should have little trouble finding just the right fit.
This handmade, subtle shag rug is made from 100% wool with a cotton and latex backing, and it comes in many sizes, so you can use it as an area rug, runner, or large rug to sit under a bed.
Regardless of the rug size you choose, you can buy with confidence knowing the rug comes with a one-year limited warranty while enjoying the plush, comfy goodness that its shaggy weave offers.
Looking for something neutral without sacrificing a compelling design? Well, look no further than this beauty from Modloft. The rug, woven from viscose, has subtle tonal shifts and a smooth texture which gives it a luxurious look. Perfect for a stunning mid-century modern living room design.
Featuring a dark and light blue color-blocked design created by an independent artist, this rug can turn your floor into a work of art.
But you needn’t worry about keeping this artwork pristine; the rug is a breeze to clean with a vacuum or a quick soap-and-water scrub, so it’s a good match for busy households.
Kelly Weimert is a writer, editor, and interior design expert with 10 years of experience writing about design and home decor. She's written for interior design publications such as MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, Domino Magazine, and Hunker. When she's not writing or editing, she's probably busy obsessing over how to beautify her home.
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