Using scaling arguments to model peripheral chromatin localized near the inner surface of the nuclear envelope (NE) as a flexible polymer chain, we discuss the structural properties of the peripheral chromatin composed of alternating lamin-associated domains (LADs) and inter-LADs. Modeling the attraction of LADs to NE by de Gennes’ self-similar carpet, which treats the chromatin layer as a polymer fractal, explains two major experimental observations: ( i ) The high density of chromatin close to the nuclear periphery decays to a constant density as the distance to the periphery increases. ( ii ) Due to the decreasing mesh size towards the nuclear periphery, the chromatin carpet inside NE excludes molecules ( via non-specific interactions) above a threshold size that depends on the distance from the nuclear periphery.