Thinking Outside The Box – How To Decorate With Overdyed Rugs

Everyone knows oriental rugs are high-quality pieces and can last for generations. But, at one point, the colors start to fade and the rug loses its original charm. It’s exactly for these situations that a special technique was created. Overdyed rugs are created using a special process which basically covers them in a vivid new color and gives the rugs a second life.

DIY techniques

Over-Dye-DIY

The first step is a gentle bleaching process that removes inbuilt colors before applying an overdye. Then a natural dye is used on the entire surface of the vintage rug. Then it’s all washed by hand and the rug is dried in the sun to let the color set permanently.{found on paperblog}.

diy-overdyed-rug-with-spray-bottle

You can try to recreate the whole process at home. One option is to use water-based screen printing inks. Pour the color into a spray bottle and mix it with equal amounts of water. Shake vigorously and spray an even layer onto the rug. Let it dry and use a hot iron to help the color fix onto the rug.{found on theredbrick}.

DIY-Overdyed-Rug

A different option is to submerge the rug in colored water and to soak it for around 3 hours. Then lay it over a table out in the sun and rinse it with water until it runs clear. You can then hang it over a fence and let it dry for 2 days.{found on designlinesltd}.

Inspiration

vividly-colored-overdyed-rug

A vividly-colored overdyed rug can become the perfect focal point for a simple room defined by neutral colors. Consider adding one to the bedroom as a splash of color.{found on eatsleepcuddle}.

bold-overdyed-rug

An overdyed rug can stand out without being disturbing. The color can be bold but also soothing such as this beautiful shade of blue. It evenly covers the floor and complements the other dark accents in the room.{found on vantageimagery}.

bathroom-featuring-an-overdyed-rug

Any room can make good use of an overdyed rug, even the bathroom. In here, the vintage rug will add a warm and welcoming touch to the décor and the color you choose can suit the style present in the space.{found on andreaschumacherinteriors}.

match-the-color-on-your-overdyed-rug

Match the color on your overdyed rug to other elements in the room such as the accent pillows on the living room sofa. Orange and gray seems like a really great combo in this case.{found on theorientbazaar}.

revive-the-colors-and-turn-into-a-beautiful-decor

You can use this ingenious technique to revive the colors on an old Oriental rug or to even change its design and chromatic palette completely.{found on sarahwittenbraker}.

perfect-pink-living-room-bright-over-dyed-rug

If you’re looking to buy an overdyed rug, you can also opt for a patchwork design. This technique is used when a rug is badly damaged but still has a good portion. That piece is saved and combined with several others to create a complete rug.

dining-room-with-overdyed-rug

Patchwork overdyed rugs are always unique. That’s because each little portion comes from a different rug with a different story. Together they form a new piece ready to inspire new memories.{found on jasonballinteriors}.

furniture-showroom-with-a-overdyed-rug

A rug like this one, made from scrap pieces from other rugs, has a lot of character. It’s a great way to personalize a simple space with no other interesting focal points.

patchwork-overdyed-carpet

In the case of a patchwork design, each portion looks slightly different. Even though the color is the same on all of them, there are still slight differences.{found on greencouch}.

dining-room-patchwork-overdyed-rug

An even more interesting possibility is to have a patchwork overdyed rug that combined several similar but different colors. The idea here is to emphasize the unique construction of the rug instead of hiding it behind a single color.{found on callawayarchitects}.

how-to-place-furniture-in-a-living-room

When you purchase an overdyed rug, sometimes, custom colors and sized can be created so you can make sure your new accessory perfectly matches the existing décor.{found on fitzsimmonsdesign}.

contemporary-kitchen-room-with-pink-overdyed-rug

Pick a color that complements the rest of the space’s décor, like this shade of pink is subtly reflected into the color of the kitchen island. In addition, the pink sets a nice balance in combination with the cool tones used around it.

attic-room-with-green-overdyed-rug

If you decide to add an overdyed rug to your home’s décor, you should first check and see how it would look like in the desired setting. Imagine how the rug will interact with the rest of the elements in the room.

residence-living-room-grey-accents-overdyed-rug

Although using a really bright and vivid color is a popular option, not all voerdyed rugs are like that. Let’s say you have a vintage Oriental rug but all the colors on it don’t blend in well with your neutral and modern décor. Perhaps a gray layer of color could solve the problem.{found on byblye}.

modern-and-contemporary-living-room

This technique allows vintage rugs to be successfully integrated in modern and contemporary decors. This way memories and heirlooms can stay a part of the décor a while longer.{found on susandianaharris}.

nordic-decor-with-gold-hanging-lamps-and-overdryed-rug

Even a minimalist, Nordic décor can integrate such a rug given the right choice of colors. This one looks like it’s been completely depleted of color and the looks suits it beautifully.{found on studio-mcgee}.

eclectic-decor-with-overdyed-rug

An eclectic décor can be the perfect setting for an overdyed wool rug. Even if there’s no pattern to see anymore, it still looks interesting.{found on touchinteriors}.

neutral-sofa-blue-overdryed-rug

The rug, the accent pillows on the L shaped sofa and the framed artwork on the wall all work together to create a unique color palette. They also all feature their own unique patterns.

start-with-a-rug-when-you-decorate

When decorating a room, you can start with a rug. This is a good suggestion especially when you have a rug with an eye-catching design or color such as an overdyed one. Everything else in the room can be based on this piece.

yellow-living-room-carpet

The gold yellow color on this vintage rug is a really charming accent for this spacious living room. It’s a color that stands out and looks cheerful but, at the same time, blends in easily given the rest of the accents in the room.

overdyed-wool-rug-bedroom

Add an overdyed wool rug to a beach house to make it feel more inviting and warm. It would be its texture that does that. The color can blend in easily such as in this case.

mountain-living-room-overdyed-carpets

Use two or more overdyed rugs and create your own patchwork design. They can each have a different shape, size and color so they stand out as individual pieces.{found on wyarch}.

erin-and-jeff-texas-dining-room

In case you decide to give the old Persian rug a makeover yourself, try to get a uniform color on all its surface. Also, let the rug dry completely in order to let the color set.{found on apartmenttherapy}.

Color and texture for bedroom

Use a small overdyed rug to accentuate a certain portion of the room like a seating nook, a dining area or a workspace. This works out great in open floor plans.

color-and-texture-for-bedroom

This overdyed antique rug may not look like much but it’s actually the most interesting piece in the room. Its colors and texture are excellent details that balance out the rest of the features in the room.{found on postcardfromparis}.