Oriental Area Rugs 101

Are you considering decorating your home with an Oriental rug? If so, I commend you and encourage you to seriously deliberate on it. An Oriental rug is a good investment. It is a great decor to have at home, as it is beautiful in itself yet easily complements any interior design or style. Here are some information you need to know in your quest for the right Oriental rug for your home sweet home.

An Oriental rug is not just any kind of floor covering. It is made from different kinds of fiber, which actually determines its price and durability, from the more expensive silk and wool to the more affordable cotton, sisal and synthetic materials.

Although synthetic materials are stronger, silk and wool contain luscious colors, which in turn give the rug more quality. The rug’s color is from the dye that determines its class factor. Silk and wool are colored with natural dye hence, the higher value.

These rugs can be made by hand or machine made. If you can distinguish a pattern on the back, then you know it has been made by hand. Machine made Oriental rugs can give the appearance of a hand knot while being more durable. Some handmade pieces have a soft cloth backing. This cloth is usually cotton. Before purchasing one, ask to remove the backing to check for flaws. Ensure that the backing has been sewn as glued-on backings do not last long.

Hand knotted authentic Oriental rugs have a handmade fringe. A fringe that has been sewn on is a mark of a non-authentic Oriental. In authentic pieces the border is a part of the material that comes from the loom; it is not sewn on after the fact.

Oriental rugs are originally from the Middle East. There are many sources of this kind from different parts of the globe, but to get one from its native region is a real catch. More expensive, yes, but certainly worth the price. If you live in a big city, you can most probably find specialty rug stores that sell authentic Oriental rugs direct from a Middle Eastern supplier.

If you are shopping in an authentic Oriental rug store don’t rush. Part of the fun of buying your treasure will be your interaction with the carpet seller. You will be offered tea and the dealer will want to know a little about you. Dealers rightly consider these carpets works of art and want them to go to a good home.

Expect that a genuine, Middle Eastern-made Oriental rug is skyrocketing expensive. Before your shopping expedition, mark a budget and work your way around it for a slightly higher quotation or if you’re lucky, a cheaper rate. Whichever the case, try to negotiate. Who knows, you might just charm the dealer to give you a price that’s well within your budget. Perhaps, with the best deal, you can grab yourself an extra area rug to adorn your home.

Decorating with oriental rugs has never been so easy with these traditional oriental rugs.