How To Find the Best Vintage Rugs on eBay

Today on the blog I partnered with ebay and ShopStyle to share all the search terms, sellers, and secrets to scoring a killer deal on one of a kind vintage rugs!

The whole world wants one-of-a-kind vintage rugs. It’s like sweet, sweet air.  I think we’ve all been a part of a conversation (even a one-sided IG convo) where someone shares an amazing rug that they found on eBay for a steal and wholly inspired we click over only to find stuff that is WAY more than they paid (and out of our budget!)

Man, alive, they can be expensive, unless you know the secret handshake + search terms + take a blood oath never to reveal your sources. Well, get ready, cause I am bringing you into the club.

My office has been limping along since we moved into the Merc. There are some really great elements, like the bookcases, and the floors and the propagation planters, but it’s never really been given much overall design attention. To be honest, the biggest thing that the space really really needed was a rug.

And a new planter. That terra cotta one has been making me crazy since I bought it. The tone is wrong with the floors and the desk. It was just SO peachy.

I needed contrast, and I needed it now!

I have teamed up with eBay to show you some of my favorite search terms for killer vintage rugs. And did you know they have amazing rugs that you don’t have to bid on?! Unique rugs that ship freeee!  Gorgeous rugs that are less than what you’d spend on an aimless Target trip!

SIGN ME UP!

Let’s go rug shopping!

Buying a vintage rug on eBay

eBay has literally millions of items for sale. The key is embracing that reality and picking a path. But you have to start somewhere. Here are my best tips!

Tip #1: Know your size!

Vintage rugs are sized differently than manufactured rugs. What I mean is that the dimension will vary by rug. Don’t be nervous about finding something the EXACT size (like 8×10); just know what your range is. For example, you are looking for something that is 8′ wide. Maybe your actual range is between 7’6-8’9.

Tip #2: When you are searching for vintage rugs, a specific keyword will change everything.

In the world of search, the term you use is everything. When hunting for rugs, there are a few things I’ve learned. If you search for a specific geographical location (i.e., Turkish Rug or Moroccan Rug), you’ll get specific styles. This is because different countries/cities/tribes make different styles of rugs! For example, Turkish rugs tend to have sharper cleaner designs and shapes, unlike Moroccan rugs, which are a little more fluid and free.

If you search something more design trend-focused like boho rug, you’ll get a lot of newly manufactured rugs that have similar vibes of vintage ones, and a mix of styles, but they aren’t one of a kind vintage finds.

Step 1: Start your search

We all have to start somewhere. These are some of my favorite keywords to use when I’m searching for vintage rugs! A lot of these keywords are regions where the rugs are made and have their own distinct style. Click through and you can see the different vibes!

• Kilim
• Caucasian
• Turkish
• Moroccan
• Tribal
• Serapi
• Heriz
• Beni Ourain
• Anatolian
• Oushak/Ushak
• Kurdish
• Boucherouite

Tip: If you are using any of these and getting a lot of new manufactured rugs, just put vintage in front of the keyword!

Step 2: Follow the rabbit hole

Once you’ve started searching, its time to fall down the rabbit hole. If you find a style, pattern or vibe that you like, click on the listing (even if it’s the wrong size!)

Scroll to the end of the listing and you’ll see suggestions based on the style. This is how I find all of my rugs. Keep following the breadcrumbs, and clicking deeper until you find your unicorn rug! I always do rug searches on my computer (vs. my phone); that way, when I find something that I like, I right click and open the listing in a different tab. Then I’ll go back through and revisit them with fresh eyes!

Check your favorite trusted sellers (or mine!)

My favorite seller (ecarpetgallery) has thousands of rug options and hands down the best prices. I’ve always had a great experience with them, and I love their selections. I also checked with my favorite rug hunter bestie Suzy and got her faves, check them out below!

• ecarpetgallery
• SugaRugs
• AntiqueRugBazaar
• Atlas Carpet
• VespucciOrientalRug

 

Tip:

One of the best things about eBay is the Buy it Now option. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the time and/or emotional bandwidth to bid on something I love. I just need to know if I can have it, ya know?! When I am searching for items, I ALWAYS turn on that filter! eBay sells so many new decor pieces, right alongside their unique finds.

So now that you are in the club, let me show you what I did to my office!

I ordered 2 different options off of eBay for my office.

Option 1 is a flat woven Kilim with a neutral base that I got for $150. It was a little smaller than my ideal size, but I LOVED the heavy pattern and had my fingers crossed that it would be ok. I’m feeling like it’s not quite right for the space. I love the pattern, but it feels just a little small.

Option 2 is hand-knotted wool Ushak (there is that keyword!) that I got for $170. The size was way better (7’6 long vs. 6′), and the colors are so good. Because it’s knotted and not flat woven, it is cushier underfoot and our dogs love it. They are in here sleeping every time I’m working. Which I obviously love, it’s just a little stinky (French Bulldog. If you know, you know).

Which one do you like better?!

New Planters

I also swapped out the problematic terra cotta planter for a simple white one. It’s a little smaller in size and looks 500% better!

I am always on the hunt for planters (obviously, it’s an ongoing effort with my plant addiction), and I loved this modern bell-shaped terrazzo one! It’s got a little color but is still a good neutral (also, why I love color in EVERYTHING but planters are beyond me!)

All in all, I am thrilled with how this quick makeover turned out!

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite vintage rugs below! Remember these are one of a kind, if they are sold out scroll to the bottom of the listing to see similar styles!