
However, the terms are interchangeable in many parts of the world, and, in the end, it won’t matter what you decide to call it. Rugs, on the other hand, are designed to cover a specific area and can easily be moved to new locations. In modern usage, “carpet” typically denotes a wall-to-wall floor cushioning that is fixed to the floor. In Europe, carpet-making was fundamental to folk art, and Asian carpets imported to European countries were at one time considered a precious luxury and not intended to remain permanently on the floor. (It may have traveled there from Persepolis in Iran.) For the flat-weave floor rugs crafted by Native Americans, cotton was the primary material before sheep’s wool was introduced in the 16th century.

The oldest known carpet was found in southern Siberia. Carpets quickly became such a valuable trade commodity that the weavings could easily travel far from their places of origin. Although many of these early textiles are still in existence, tracing their precise origins is difficult.


A 2016 study suggests that "cave lions" were hunted for exactly this purpose, and that decorating your cave with their pelts may have conferred strength and prestige. Prehistoric humans turned to animal skin, wool and fur to craft simple fabrics to soften hard terrain. Good antique, new and vintage rugs have made their way into homes across the globe, becoming fixtures used for comfort, prayer and self-expression, so choosing the right area rug is officially a universal endeavor.Ĭarpets and rugs have been around for thousands of years.
