Hang A Rug From Your Wall This Winter
A BRIEF HISTORY OF RUG HANGING
Tapestries have donned walls long before they were draped behind beds like a canopy or used as a focal piece. We can trace the act of hanging tapestries to ancient Egypt, somewhere between 1483 and 1411 BCE.1 While this predates the hanging of rugs, it’s not by too long. Intricate and valuable rugs were used as decorative wall hangings in palaces and temples back in the 6th century BCE in the Persian Empire.2
While the tapestry is made specifically for wall display, rugs have many other purposes, as we detail in our post about the difference between hand-knotted, hand-woven, and hand-tufted rugs. Dhurries—Indian or Pakistani handwoven textiles—are a perfect example. They have historically been used as floor covers, bedding, table covers, or for packing and wrapping.
The tradition of using textiles, including rugs, as wall decor has continued to evolve and remains popular in many cultures today.
WHY HANG RUGS ON WALLS?
Most of us aren’t lounging in palaces, and even fewer of us secretly lived beside Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, so why are we still hanging rugs?
Tapestries are widely popular for their ability to liven up a room without a paint job as they come in a variety of patterns, designs, and images. Rugs operate in the same way and can be woven to add color or texture to accentuate your home decor.
Beyond the artistic design element, there are practical reasons. Rugs, whether on the floor or the wall, offer soundproofing and insulation.

THE BEST RUGS TO HANG
When making your decision, remember that heavier rugs will need more support. Also, any rug you hang will likely get exposed to more light which could leech the color over time. You will also have to vacuum wall-hung rugs more often to prevent dust buildup.
Here are some types of rugs that are particularly well-suited for wall hanging:
1. Persian Rugs: One of the oldest and most popular wall-hung rugs, the intricate designs and rich colors of Persian rugs will add centuries of historically-backed elegance to your home.
2. Oriental Rugs: The other best-known rug to hang, Oriental rugs—which originate from places like Turkey and Afghanistan—utilize high-quality materials and bright patterns.
3. Antique Rugs: Antique rugs, whether from the Middle East, Central Asia, or Europe, bring a one-of-a-kind refinement to your design.
4. Kilims and Dhurries: Flatweaves are ideal for hanging. They are lightweight, reversible, and often feature detailed geometric or tribal patterns. They also take less maintenance than a plush rug.




When it comes to hanging rugs as wall decor, the choice largely depends on your aesthetic preferences and the function you want the rug to serve.
HOW TO HANG A RUG
First, be sure your wall can withstand the weight of whatever rug you’re hanging. Use drywall hangers with your screws or find the studs in your wall if necessary.
There’s a step-by-step guide on the Catalina Rugs YouTube channel which goes into greater detail, but here’s the quick list of instructions.
Materials:
- Scissors
- Cotton fabric
- Thick enough to hold the weight of the rug when hanging
- Thread
- Strong enough to hold the weight of the rug
- A color that won’t stand out
- Needle
- Large enough for the thread to pass through the hole, and sturdy enough to push through the rug
- Wooden dowel
- Brackets
- Curtain, adhesive, whatever can handle the weight of your rug

Steps:
- Cut cotton fabric into strips, 4” wide that cover the length of the rug, minus an inch on each side.
- Sew the fabric into the rug, leaving about 2” of space from the top. Be sure to thread through the back of the rug so the thread lines are not front-facing.
- Fold the loose fabric over the sewed line to create a channel for the dowel to pass through. Sew.
- Insert the dowel.
- Hang your brackets, then set the dowel into the brackets.
- Admire your new wall art!
When it comes to rug hanging, your options are nearly endless. For more information, reach out the the James Royce team.
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Sources:
1- https://www.britannica.com/art/tapestry/Techniques
2- “The Art of Persian Rugs” by Murray L. Eiland and Josephine Power