Why Russians Love Carpets (And What to Do If You Live With One)

Looking at carpet myths and memes with a critical eye, we recall the true history and talk about carpets in modern interiors.

Encyclopedia of Misconceptions

1. The homeland of carpets is the East, and Russia has nothing to do with it.

In fact, the oldest woven carpet was discovered by Russia during excavations of burial mounds in the Altai Mountains in 1949. The carpet was well preserved, having lain in ice for about 2500 years, and is now kept at the Hermitage.

2. A carpet on the wall is a Soviet invention, a sign of poor taste.

Carpets adorned European homes for centuries—especially the plush ones with familiar ornaments. Tapestries, which have been made in Europe for over 11 centuries, were specifically intended for walls.

3. Russian carpets are worthless and not appreciated by anyone.

Why did the first emigrants after the October Revolution take carpets from Russia to Europe as the most valuable items? In the 1920s, the Soviet government exchanged hundreds of pud of carpets for light bulbs and medicines abroad. In 1928 alone, exporting carpets brought the state ten million rubles.

5. A 'Grandmother's Carpet' from the USSR is better off thrown away.

The most expensive carpet in the world was sold at a Sotheby's auction for 34 million dollars: its image is below. Therefore, it’s better to have your grandmother's treasure appraised by a specialist.

The masterpiece, titled in the auction catalog as 'Clark Carpet with Crescent-Shaped Leaves', was made in early 17th century in Southeastern Persia (Kerman).

Such was the case with an elderly Moscow woman who wanted to get rid of a velvet tablecloth. The Museum of the East explained at the time: the woman owned a rare silk non-looped carpet from the 17th century, made at the court of the Great Mughals in India. In the world today, such carpets can be counted on fingers—it's a rare find. The value matches the rarity.

6. Carpets are only good for warmth and sound insulation.

Like fine wool clothing, a natural carpet maintains temperature well, smoothing out sudden fluctuations. It's a thermostat, not a heater. Carpets also absorb noise—they do that. But to protect neighbors from excessive sound, carpets in adjacent apartments are more effective than your own. On the flip side, footsteps and even children running around won’t disturb those living below if a carpet lies on the floor of your apartment.

Psychologists say carpets warm the soul, especially for the generation that grew up in Soviet-era 1960s–70s. People strive to recreate the environment that surrounded them in childhood.

Art Object or Investment?

Some modern Russian carpet manufacturers are gaining a reputation and attracting clients with provocative campaigns.

For example, a Samara-based company producing tufted carpets works with private orders based on designs by Moscow designers and gained media attention after showing its first Pop Art piece titled 'Doubling GDP' in St. Petersburg. A reduced-size replica, placed in the gallery's hallway without security, was immediately stolen.

Their eye-catching red 'Soviet' carpet with a relief hairstyle inspired by the grille of Park Culture and Leisure in Moscow was even attempted to be bought by a famous collector with a suitcase full of cash.

Only a few people buy domestic carpets, even if they are high-quality and unique. Meanwhile, so-called European handmade carpets cost from 4,500 euros per square meter. Moreover, they are still produced in the East—Middle or Far East—and shipped from there by resellers with a 'made in…' label.

What remains for carpet lovers? Relying on flea markets, online bazaars, or auctions (which is more reliable) in search of worthy pieces with history: their value can grow by up to 30% annually, but they require professional, costly care.

Are Carpets Suitable for Modern Interiors?

Why abandon a decorative element with a rich history when it can be combined with loft brick walls, Chesterfield sofas, or ethnic decor? Designers continue to use carpets freely when decorating interiors.

A carpet can be used as a dominant feature or local accent, to define space zones or as the central element of a composition, either alone or in combination with other carpets.

Balance the carpet's proportions, brightness, and details with other furnishings and room size to achieve the desired atmosphere.

Let the lines of the carpet, its pattern, geometric motif, or structure echo the general lines of the room’s interior and complement them: the key is maintaining a coherent image.

Eastern style, ethnicity, and boho allow you to enhance an impressive carpet with poufs and pillows, layer carpets of different sizes one on top of another. Don’t forget about low wide window sills, where plush, woven, or felt carpets fit perfectly in size.

Monochrome Scandinavian style: here, a restrained 'grandmother’s carpet' quoting Eastern motifs and neutral graphic items in authentic Nordic design are appropriate.

Minimalism and hi-tech require that the carpet slightly pops out of context, contrasting with its surroundings by principle: clean furniture and restrained overall palette—bold color and expressive texture.

Avant-garde and contemporary, on the other hand, require organic integration, balance of all interior elements, including carpets.

Loft, industrial, and rustic styles with their abundance of stone, wood, and metal do not dictate muted tones; on the contrary, carpets are the main character here—vivid color spots that should balance brutality.

Richly patterned carpets blend beautifully into eclecticism and add energy to it—as well as into cottage, Provence, and Art Deco styles.

Classical style may require special attention. When choosing and using carpets, it’s better to rely on the advice of experts.

The method of fixing can be displayed openly: wooden strips, forged brackets, decorative eyelets, thick chains.

How to Properly Lay a Carpet

Proud of their truly valuable carpet, owners build the entire interior around it. But one doesn’t have to be a snob and simply choose a carpet for comfort, and find an appropriate place for the carpet.

In rooms larger than 20 sq. m, it's acceptable to use two carpets on the floor, provided they are different: this highlights the purpose of various zones. In medium-sized rooms (from 15 to 20 sq. m), the carpet should be chosen so that it doesn’t have to accommodate heavy furniture, pressing down a sofa or cabinet. It’s not necessary to place it in the center: more likely, in the comfort zone where household members spend most of their time. In small rooms where it's difficult to cover more than 6 sq. m with a carpet, smaller carpets with non-standard proportions (2:3) or more elongated ones are better.

The optimal size of a floor carpet is one that allows you to arrange furniture and create a sense of spaciousness. If the carpet serves as a conceptual accent, it should unite elements: for example, armchairs and a coffee table are fully placed on the carpet, while the sofa is at least one-third on it. If it’s a subtle accent enhancing the composition, place a smaller carpet in front of the sofa or armchair, bed or mirror to read the entire pattern.

Are you highlighting a dining area with a carpet? The legs of the chairs pulled out from the table shouldn’t lift up the edges of the carpet. When choosing a carpet and arranging furniture on it, add extra space from each side.