4 Ways To Convince Your Significant Other to Invest in a Vintage Rug

When you’re in a romantic relationship with someone (or any kind of relationship, for that matter), conflict is inevitable. Whether you disagree over what to eat for dinner or you’re not in alignment over what the best national healthcare policy might look like, it’s likely you and your significant other won’t always agree on everything. 

It’s funny, we receive a lot of DMs on Instagram asking, “How do I convince my partner to buy a vintage rug?” Like, a lot of them. So many, in fact, that we decided to write a whole post about it. 

At District Loom, we spend time sifting through thousands of vintage and antique rugs to curate a selection for you that is high quality and would be right at home in your modern space. And it’s no secret that quality vintage rugs do come with a higher price tag than, say, a newly made rug that’s made to look vintage (but in reality is probably machine made from some combination of polyester). 

If you’re reading this, you’re probably well aware of the value of a timeless vintage rug. If your significant other isn’t quite there yet, here are a few tips that might help. 

1. Start Small 

District Loom customers love tinies! We know this because our small rugs always sell quickly, and our customers always ask when we’ll have more available. We believe that a vintage rug is a precious item, one that should be cherished. 

If your partner seems skeptical or is outright against using a vintage rug at home, tiny rugs can be a great way to dip a toe into the wonderful world of vintage. Our favorite ways to style them include in front of the kitchen sink or next to a bathroom vanity. They make great wall art, too! 

2. Help Them See The Value

We love vintage rugs because they’re beautiful, storied, and generally a more sustainable option. Because of the value they bring, they do tend to be an investment. If your partner is fixated on the price, try to help them see the value. The phrase “they just don’t make ‘em like they used to” absolutely applies here. 

District Loom curates a collection of wool rugs in good vintage condition. Did you know that wool is one of the most durable, stain-resistant materials that a rug can be made from? It’s true! There’s a reason that a carpet that’s more than 50 years old is still around. Vintage rugs aren’t like your grandmother’s china that’s carefully stored in a hutch all year –– these rugs are made for living. Plus, by buying vintage, you help divert waste from the landfill. 

While we will look for similar, popular colorways when curating our rug collections, each piece in the District Loom collection is unique –– no two are the same. If you’ve ever found the rug of your dreams only to have someone else buy it, you know this better than most. Part of the value of vintage rugs is definitely their uniqueness. Try explaining to your partner why you don’t want your home to look like you bought one of everything from West Elm’s showroom. 

3. Start A Home Decor Fund 

Anyone who’s ever had to spend an unexpected, large amount of money to repair or replace something –– on your car, in your house, and so on –– knows that it’s not pleasant. So you can imagine how your significant other might react to the suggestion of a large, unexpected (to them) purchase. 

Again, this is where a little extra communication comes in handy. Consider having a conversation with your partner about your goals for your home –– both shared and individual. Some questions you might ask each other are how do you want our home to feel or what values do you want to bring to the table when choosing items for our home. 

Once you’ve both had space to lay everything out on the table, it might be a good idea to set up a home decor fund, where you designate a portion of your income for home improvement and decor projects. That way, once you find your dream rug, you’ll have money set aside already that you and your partner both feel good about spending. 

For more tips on talking about money, we found this article about having money talks with your partner to be very helpful. 

4. Talk About Your Dream Rug Before You Fall in Love With Your Dream Rug

If you’ve experienced the unique heartache that comes with finding your dream vintage rug only to have someone buy it before you do, well, we feel your pain. Our collections can move fast, and while we can always try our best to source rugs in your ideal colorway, you will never find the one that got away once it’s gone. Sorry! 

This final tip is more of a call-to-action than anything. If your partner is on the fence (or in the dark!) about your dream for a vintage rug, try having a conversation with them to bring them into the light. Having an open, honest chat will probably be a million times more effective than texting them a link accompanied with “I NEED THIS!” (Oh, you haven’t done that before? Just us?) 

Do you have any tips that you’ve found particularly effective? Share them in the comments!

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