Coral / Salmon / Pink Rugs

Which rug traditions are known for coral, salmon and pink?

Chinese rugs lead the coral and pink rugs in our collection, with 177 of the 542 rugs on this page, led by Art Deco rugs in rose and coral. Persian, Caucasian and Turkish rugs follow, many of them with reds that have softened to salmon. Here is how our stock breaks down.

• Chinese Art Deco, 94, including 59 by Walter Nichols. Rose, coral and hot pink from the 1920s and 1930s, often with floating flowers on open fields. Chrome dyes kept many of these colors strong. See Chinese Art Deco rugs and Walter Nichols rugs.
• Peking and Ningxia rugs, 53 together. Apricot and soft salmon, as accents on Peking blue and ivory, and as grounds in older Ningxia rugs. See Peking rugs and Ningxia rugs.
• Oushak, 30. Apricot, coral and salmon with soft green and ivory on large, open drawing, one of the most sought-after palettes for decorators. See Oushak rugs.
• Persian rugs, 147. Salmon and rose fields in Heriz, Serapi, Bidjar, Sarouk and North West Persian rugs, many of them madder reds that have mellowed with age. See antique Persian rugs.
• Caucasian rugs, 40, including 24 Kazaks. Rose and salmon madder tones set against indigo and ivory in bold geometry. See Kazak rugs.
• Irish Donegal and other European rugs. Arts and Crafts carpets and French rugs with coral and rose in their florals. See Donegal rugs.

Are antique pink and salmon rugs just faded red rugs?

Some are and some are not, and both are genuine. Weavers made pink and rose on purpose by using madder in a lighter bath or with a different mordant, and they made apricot by combining red and yellow. Other rugs were woven in madder red that a century of light and washing has softened to salmon.

• Dyed pink. The color is even from the tips of the pile down to the knots and on the back.
• Mellowed red. The back and the base of the pile are deeper red than the surface. This is normal aging, and many designers prefer it.
• Synthetic pinks. Synthetic dyes reached most weaving areas in the late 19th century. The chrome-dyed pinks of Chinese Art Deco rugs are stable; some earlier synthetic pinks and magentas faded unevenly. Our natural vs synthetic dyes guide explains how to tell.
• Abrash. Soft bands of lighter and darker salmon are common and welcome in antique fields.
• Ask for the back. Every listing states origin, approximate age and materials, and we can send close-ups of the back or a condition report.

How does a coral or pink rug look in different light?

Coral and pink are among the most light-sensitive colors to judge, because they sit between red, orange and violet.

• Warm bulbs and evening light push coral toward peach and apricot and make a room glow.
• North light pulls pink toward dusty rose or mauve and salmon toward a muted terracotta.
• Bright sun brings out orange in coral and can make pale pink read almost ivory.
• Next to skin tones these colors are flattering, which is one reason they suit bedrooms and dining rooms.

How do you decorate with a coral or pink rug?

Use coral, salmon or apricot where you want warmth without the weight of a deep red. These colors are more versatile than they look, and the earthier apricots and terracottas read as neutral in many rooms.

• With wood floors. Pale oak and walnut both suit coral. On cherry or red-toned floors, choose a rug with plenty of ivory, blue or green so the tones do not clash.
• With stone. Salmon and apricot warm gray stone and concrete, which makes them good choices for modern rooms.
• With walls. Warm white, soft green and gray walls let coral glow. Blush walls over a coral rug make a gentle, tonal room.
• With upholstery. Green is coral's natural complement; navy and soft blue are the classic Oushak pairing. Ivory, camel, gray and brass also work.
• Room by room. Apricot Oushaks suit living rooms and bedrooms; Chinese Art Deco pinks make statements in dining rooms and dressing rooms; salmon Persians give warmth to a library or study.
• Measure first. Our rug size guide explains how to measure, and every listing gives the measured size.

How do you care for a coral or pink rug?

Care for a coral or pink rug the way you would any fine wool rug: a good pad, rotation once or twice a year, gentle vacuuming without a beater bar, and professional washing every few years.

• Sun. Natural pinks keep softening in direct sun, often more on one side. Rotate the rug and use curtains or UV film in bright rooms.
• Spills. Blot at once with plain water, never rub, and ask a specialist before trying any home remedy on a pale pink ground.
• Professional washing. Our rug cleaning service in Manhattan washes hand-knotted rugs with a pH-balanced process.
• Moths. Moth damage shows clearly on pale grounds once it starts. Our moth-proofing service washes the rug first and then treats the fibers.

Glossary of coral and pink rug terms

These are the terms you will meet most often in our listings and guides for coral, salmon and pink rugs.

Apricot

A soft orange pink, typical of Oushak and Chinese rugs. Shop Oushak rugs.

Salmon

A pink with orange in it, often a madder red softened by age.

Coral

A brighter, warmer orange pink.

Rose

A cooler pink, often from madder in a light bath.

Madder

The plant root behind most traditional reds and pinks in rugs.

Mellowed color

Color softened by decades of light and washing, deeper at the base of the pile than at the tips.

Chrome dye

A synthetic dye fixed with a chrome mordant, fast to light, used in 1920s and 1930s Chinese Art Deco rugs.