Rugs of the 1960s

Color

• The color palette of the 1960s interiors was made up of earthy tones. Rusts, oranges and browns were all popular as were gold and green, often in tonal shades, blending into each other. Toward the end of the '60s, psychedelic themes were a popular choice and bright, contrasting colors were paired together.

Texture

• The classic 1960s rug would be made from shag pile, a long-stranded carpeting style that gives a shaggy or fluffy appearance. Often called a shag rug, this style is perfect for adding texture and warmth to a space, making it a good choice for a placing on a hard surface, such as tiles or wood. Because of the make-your-own ethos of the hippy movement, another popular choice in the '60s was the rag rug, a shaggy rug made from strips of fabric pulled through a woven backing fabric.

Patterns

• Abstract, swirly patterns were popular choices for 1960s rugs as floor coverings imitated the fashions of the day. Waved lines were fashionable, as were circles and squares. For the "mod" look, concentric target-like circles in a blue, red, white and black color scheme were used.

Placement

• Although wall-to-wall carpeting was fashionable, rugs would often be placed on top of the carpet to add pattern and color. As the rugs of the 1960s were highly colored and patterned, they were often placed so as to be fully visible, in front of a fireplace or even hung on a wall.