The Iconic Carpet From The Shining That Made Film History

We all remember that mind-bending pattern from the iconic horror movie, The Shining, the movie that made us fall in love with Stephen King all over again. The never-ending geometric pattern became an iconic symbol not only for horror fans but for households everywhere alike.

So…Where Can I Buy the Carpet from The Shining?

If you’ve ever wanted to know where you can buy the carpet from The Shining then you’re in luck! There are hundreds of stores, online retailers, and other companies that are eager to share in your horror fantasy.

If you don’t want to face the full commitment of having your whole carpet be the bright Shining rug pattern, maybe you can opt for an area rug instead. This option actually gives you more flexibility when it comes to irregular-sized spaces.

If you are planning to go full fanatic, there are various carpeting options available. Unfortunately, these options are limited. Luckily, we can help! If you’re looking for a similar pattern, we have thousands of carpeting options available. However, if you’re a true fan and need that exact match, there are a few select online retailers like filmandfurniture.com that are licensed to sell the pattern.

If your addiction to The Shining’s Overlook Hotel carpet runs even deeper, just wait until you see these other options. There are quirky tapestries, geometric shoes or if you’re feeling daring, fabric that you can buy by the yard to make whatever your heart desires.

The Man Behind the Carpet: David Hicks

Fun fact: David Hicks, a renowned interior decorator, didn’t actually create the iconic Shining carpet for the film at the time of production. The carpet pattern actually beat the film into existence by about twenty years. It has yet to be confirmed, but theorists believe the carpet was likely purchased as an off-the-shelf purchase or may have even been a copy from a piece a set decorator stumbled across.

The ever-brilliant carpet designer did, however, lend his expertise to a film, it just wasn’t The Shining. As a favor to a friend, Hicks donated his time and professional work to Dick Lester in the film Petulia. This is the only film work Hicks participated in within his lifetime.

Why This Mysterious Pattern?

This question has plagued Stephen King and The Shining fans alike for years. Through much research, here are a few educated guesses fans have narrowed it down to:

• Purely because Hicks’ pattern is just that haunting
• Hicks Hexagon carpet relates perfectly to Kubrick’s symmetrical, one-point perspective
• Because of the design, it helped elongate the effect of the corridor
• Hex is a curse; Hicks was the perfect play on words other life forms
• Hexagons have six sides, much like the sixth sense Danny has throughout the film
• Hex maps, hex boards, and hex grids are all often used in war and chess strategies, both of which are a common theme in the work of Stanley Kubrick

A Carpet with a Chess Strategy?

At a first glance, it can sound a bit out of left field to hear chess strategy is involved in a carpet from The Shining. There is actually a whole theory that you can learn more about called the Kubrick Carpet trick.

The Kubrick carpet trick plays into the idea that Danny is purposely being moved from hexagon to hexagon in each shot to mimic a renowned chess strategy. This specific strategy is actually a nod to the chess game between HAL and Frank Poole in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Another Piece of Kubrick Symbolism

There is an obvious common denominator in the iconic carpet from The Shining: symbolism. The set design, specifically this Overlook Hotel carpet, is littered with imagery you can relate to the film’s themes. Kubrick is well known for packing his movies with hidden symbols and it’s easy to believe the carpet was simply another one.

Whether you’re a full-fledged Stephen King fan, loved The Shining, or just really dig amazing carpet patterns, we guarantee you’ll love the carpet from the Overlook Hotel. Better yet, there are numerous ways, such as area rugs or custom carpeting, that allow you to incorporate this gorgeous carpet in your day-to-day life. So what are you waiting for? Reach out to our team and we’ll do our best to help you get your hands on this amazing design today.