A Brief History of the Shag Rug

Not much embodies snugness more than furry shag rugs. They’re conspicuously soft and cozy, and they’re also strong insulators. This means the heat your body gives off moves more slowly across their surfaces because it becomes trapped between the fibers. As a result, these rugs feel warmer to the touch, making them perfect for the brisker seasons. If you find these high-pile rugs attractive, you may want to know where they came from. Here, we’ll delve into a brief history of the shag rug, from its early beginnings to its relevance in the present.

Ancient Origins

Historians trace the origins of shag rugs back to Ancient Greece, the Middle East, and Central Asia, though their definitive starting point is unclear. Back then, shag rugs were usually made of woven goat hair. In Greece, they came to be known as Flokati rugs. In contrast to the decorative rugs that were also prominent at the time, Flokati rugs served to provide people with warmth and kept them comfortable as they walked around or sat on the ground. Their utilitarian purpose meant they were not strictly limited to the elites of society.

Prominence in the 60s and 70s

For a great length of time, shag rugs led a humble existence in terms of style until they suddenly took center stage in American culture during the 1960s and 1970s. In this period, people who belonged to the hippie movement adopted the shag rug as a staple of their home décor. When you look at shag rugs, this makes sense. The unkempt, untraditional, and often vividly hued rugs were a perfect fit for the aesthetic of the experimental, colorful counterculture. Soon, the general population in the U.S. also took up the trend. However, the same marked features that were responsible for shag rugs’ prominence rapidly made them seem dated in the decades that followed.

Shag Rugs Today

The story of shag rugs’ popularity doesn’t end there. In more recent years, shag rugs have undergone a resurgence as people have come to appreciate the depth, contrast, and richness they can bring a home. Unlike before, people tend to stick with neutral tones and quieter colors to offset shag rugs’ striking form. When used in this way, they don’t override the other elements in the room. Instead, they meld with them to create a holistically interesting ensemble.

Having learned the brief history of the shag rug, you may want to add one to your home. You can find shag rugs along with an assortment of other types of area rugs online at Boutique Rugs. Visit us today!