Size Matters: A Designer's Guide to Large Handmade Rugs

When it comes to commercial interiors, few things command attention like a large handmade rug. Whether it’s setting the tone in a grand hotel lobby, zoning a luxury dining room, or softening the acoustics in an open-plan office, scale speaks volumes. But as any designer or architect will tell you, choosing the right oversized rug involves more than just measurements.

From practicality and performance to provenance and personality, this guide explores everything you need to know about specifying large handmade rugs — with plenty of real-world insight, historical context, and a few nuggets of textile trivia for good measure.

Choosing a Large Handmade Rug

Large handmade rugs do more than cover a floor—they define the mood, movement, and material identity of a space. In commercial interiors where acoustics, layout, and visual impact matter, these rugs become a central design tool. Whether anchoring a seating area in a hotel lobby or guiding guests through a gallery-like restaurant, a well-chosen rug adds cohesion, comfort, and character.

Beyond aesthetics, handmade rugs bring a wealth of practical advantages. Wool, a favoured material in handmade rugs, is naturally fire-resistant—a critical consideration for commercial interiors. Unlike synthetic fibres, wool has a high ignition point and self-extinguishing properties, often helping rugs meet fire regulations without the need for chemical treatments.

Durability is another key advantage. Handmade rugs are densely woven and structurally sound, able to withstand the demands of high-traffic environments. For outdoor or semi-outdoor areas, PET fibres—crafted from recycled plastic bottles—offer an excellent, eco-conscious alternative with impressive stain resistance and UV stability.

Large Taureg PET Rug

To further enhance performance, we offer the option of action backing on bespoke rugs. This is a heavy-duty, synthetic secondary backing applied to the underside of the rug to add structural rigidity and dimensional stability. Especially useful in commercial settings, action backing prevents stretching or distortion over time and allows for secure installation with adhesives, making it ideal for wall-to-wall applications or large rugs that need to stay firmly in place.

Bespoke Hand Tufted Rugs

Our bespoke service also solves the logistics of scale. We can create extra-large rugs in two or more pieces to ease handling and shipping. These are then invisibly joined by our skilled restoration team on-site. For challenging layouts, we can cut around fixed features—from architectural columns to built-in seating—and finish the edges with rewhipping to maintain a clean, professional look.

So whether you're planning for function or finesse, a handmade rug provides a foundation of style, substance, and safety.

Large Antique Rugs: Rare, Refined, and Resilient

Finding an antique rug in large sizes is no easy feat. Time takes its toll on textiles, and only a select few pieces have survived the decades with enough integrity to withstand continued use.

Some of the most desirable options include:

Large Antique Heriz Rugs

Originating in Northwest Iran, Heriz carpets are known for their bold geometric medallions and structured, tribal aesthetic. Woven with high-quality wool and a particularly resilient foundation, they were originally made to endure generations of use. In commercial settings, they bring boldness and cultural depth, particularly in grand entrances or gallery-like interiors.

Large Antique Heriz Rugs

Indo-Persian Herati Carpets

Subtle and elegant, these rugs feature an all-over Herati motif that reads as understated yet intricate. Their scale and typically muted colour schemes make them perfect for dining rooms, corridors, or transitional spaces. Many Herati rugs are woven with a thick, plush pile, which makes them practical for heavy footfall while their soft patinas mature beautifully over time.

Large Vintage Herati Rug

Mahal & Ziegler Mahal Rugs

A personal favourite among antique collectors, these soft-toned masterpieces were once woven in the Arak region of Persia for export to European markets. Their subdued palettes and flowing floral designs give them a uniquely versatile character, blending effortlessly with both traditional and contemporary decor. At London House Rugs, we have several rare examples in sizes up to 500cm long, each taking multiple weavers several months to complete.

Large Ziegler Mahal Rugs

Bespoke Rugs: When Size, Colour, and Style Must Be Just Right

When off-the-shelf won’t do, our bespoke rug service opens the door to truly tailored design. From large-scale modern hand-knotted rugs to aged-effect vintage-style flatweaves, we work closely with designers and project leads to bring unique concepts to life.

We offer a wide range of options:

• Choose from custom colours, shapes, and patterns
• Hand-tufted options for tighter deadlines
• PET, wool, silk, and blended fibres
• Reproduction vintage and antique looks
• Modern, transitional, or traditional aesthetics

For very large installations, we can create the rug in two or more pieces to ease shipping and reduce lead time. These are then joined on-site by our expert team with such precision that the seams become invisible.

Whether you’re outfitting a rooftop terrace, a five-star hotel suite, or a private cinema, our bespoke service ensures the rug works perfectly for both the space and the story.

Bespoke Hand tufted Rug

Final Thoughts: Big Rugs, Big Impact

Specifying a large handmade rug is not simply a design choice — it’s a commitment to craft, sustainability, and enduring beauty. Whether you fall in love with the architectural lines of a Heriz, the softness of an Indo-Persian Herati, or the eco-conscious strength of a PET flatweave, the right rug will always bring the room together.

At London House Rugs, we make big statements feel seamless — literally and figuratively. And we’re here to help every step of the way.

Need help specifying a large rug for your next project? Get in touch with our team and let’s make something extraordinary together.