If you are looking for a new handmade rug to add to your home, you have come to the right place. We’ve got you covered on all things oriental rugs. From choosing the right size and style to selecting a color scheme, we can help you find the perfect one for your home. Handmade oriental rugs are timeless and elegant additions that can completely change the look of any room. They also make a great investment, as they will be in high demand for many years to come. But where do you start? There are literally thousands of choices to choose from at all price ranges and styles.
1. Know How Handwoven Rugs Are Made
1. KNOW HOW HANDWOVEN RUGS ARE MADE
Handmade rugs are traditionally made by weaving yarns into a long strip called a weft. Warps are then interwoven with the wefts. The weaver’s job is to weave horizontal rows called wefts, weaving in and out between the warps. The warp and the weft make up the basic foundation of most carpets.
A weaver takes many months to create a carpet. Depending on the knot count and weave, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to weave a typical 8×10. The higher the number of knots the better the quality of your rug, and the more intricate the pattern you will be able to make.
If you’re standing at the top end of a room, you’ll notice that the rug looks noticeably brighter as compared to when you see it from the bottom. This is called the light and dark side of the rug which is created by the nap. The last weaving step is to make the fringe from the unraveled warps.
2. KNOW WHAT MAKES AN ORIENTAL HANDMADE RUG EXPENSIVE
An authentic handmade rug is an investment. Here are 5 reasons to why. It begs the question, “what increases the value of a hand knotted oriental rug?” There are five important elements that influence the cost of an authentic oriental rug: age, knot density, weave consistency, technique, and fiber used.
Quality varies from region to region in the Middle East, so be sure to shop around for a high-quality handmade rug.
Rug buying is one of those decisions in which you need to do your research. A handmade rug is a piece of art. You’ll want to be aware of the important variables in the decision, including the fibers of the carpet, color of the carpet, texture of the carpet and size of the room.
A silk oriental rug will often be more expensive than a wool rug simply because the raw material is more expensive and also because it takes a lot longer to weave a silk rug as the material is finer.
3. Choose The Best Quality Handmade Rug Store Possible
When it comes to buying an handmade rug, you have to make sure that you buy only the best. Otherwise, you may end up spending a lot on a rug that isn’t worthy of your money.
Be wary of small rug caravans. They might claim that they are selling rare antique rugs and disappear after a few days of collecting money from unsuspecting consumers.
Always check reviews of any business that sells handmade oriental rugs. Look at what customers say about these companies on google or yelp. If they’re negative, move on to a different vendor. With positive reviews, you will likely have a great experience.
If you’re still trying to find an area rug store, you can always ask friends and relatives about rug stores in their area.
If you’re in the Berkeley area, Ruby Rugs is a 5-star luxury rug store that has an incredible selection of modern rugs and traditional rugs.
4. How can you tell where a handmade rug was woven?
Most handmade rugs and carpets are classified by their original location, such as a city or town.
Town carpets: cities such as Tabriz, Heriz and Kashan are synonymous with carpet weaving, especially in Iran. However, you will find rugs named by Persian cities that are actually made in Pakistan or elsewhere. The reason for this is because the original designs are usually Persian.
Persian Rugs: Made in the 16th and 17th centuries in Iran for the Islamic courts, royal carpets had the greatest influence of all on carpet design, although relatively few survive today.
Tribal Carpets: Nomadic, or tribal carpets, are produced by different ethnic groups; predominantly woven for the tribe’s own use, rather than as commissions or to be sold, their designs are a reflection of distinct histories and traditions. The “Kazak” rug is a good example of the village carpets that were woven in settled environments where the loom was erected within the home.
Each of these rugs contain a unique pattern and construction, making it possible for each carpet to have its own charms.
After completion, the rugs were taken to the regional market, where they carried the name of that village. These oriental rugs would either be sold to locals, or handled by a merchant for export.
A reputable rug store will have the origin of the rug listed on the tag, which makes it easier for you to determine what you like.
5. Which handmade area rug is better: Traditional or Modern?
This is a question of personal taste, just as color is a personal taste. Traditional carpets are very popular for many reasons. They are timeless and classic, making them a great choice for your home. However, if you are looking to add a modern touch to your home, then choosing to buy a modern carpet may be the way to go.
Modern handmade rugs vary a lot in design, style and color. The weave of the majority of modern handwoven rugs today are between 80-100 knots, whereas traditional rugs vary dramatically in knots. Modern carpets are a contemporary and stylish choice. If you’re wondering which is better and cannot decide for yourself, you can easily ask an interior designer or rug store consultant and they will help you choose based on your room and furnishings.
6. Does the Handmade Rug Design Create a Sense of Movement and Harmony?
Handmade carpets are not just functional but also an important part of your décor and design. Is it balanced, well-spaced and harmonious? Does it have a sense of movement, spatial depth and clarity?
If these elements are lacking, the design may have been misunderstood, and you could end up with a carpet that is visually incoherent or just annoying to your senses. The overall carpet design is very important to your sense of style and comfort.
7. SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC DYED RUG?
Handmade rugs are greatly enhanced by the use of hand-spun, naturally dyed yarns, which are far more subtle and beautiful than synthetics. Natural dyes were used long before synthetic dyes.
If you’re looking for an area rug that’s made from natural materials, look for carpets with abrash patterns. These are formed when different color layers are woven in, and are more likely to be found in wool carpets. These occur because each batch of dipped yarn has a slightly different saturation of dye.
8. fall in love 😍 with a handmade rug
Rugs can add so much to the comfort and beauty of your home, so get to know them well. Fall in love with the rug and you know you will love it for the long term. Look for the artistic appeal and see if it matches your aesthetic.
Buy a high quality handmade oriental rug, instead of a cheap or machine made oriental rug and you will be much happier.
Sometimes people make mistakes and purchase a rug online, which often is not exactly the right colors, look or feel that is desired. This is the most common mistake people make when purchasing a rug. It is best to shop in your own city or nearby as not only are you supporting the local economy, but you get all the perks of seeing the rug in your home before you purchase.
It’s important to fall in love with an handmade rug before you buy it. You’ll get the chance to see the rug in your home, in your light, with your furnishings.
9. test drive the rug at home
A good area rug store will allow you to test drive the rug in your home, which is also called taking rugs home “on approval“. It is a great way to see how the rug improves or changes the vibe in the room. If you are changing out an old rug, this a great way to see the difference.
Usually a full 24 hours in the space will give you the idea if it works. The design will either make your space more beautiful or it won’t. You will know best.
Refer to earlier advice and make sure you love the rug. Don’t be forced into a decision as it is an investment.
To keep the rug safe, be mindful of the kids and pets away as you don’t want to damage a rug you haven’t purchased yet.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING HANDMADE RUGS
1. how much should a handmade rug cost?
The cost of oriental rugs depends on a number of factors such as: age, knot density, weave consistency, style, technique and fiber used.
Just as you can go out and buy clothing for cheap at one store, may be much more expensive from a designer. The same holds true for handmade rugs. A designer rug store will have more expensive options than a typical rug store.
For example, a quality handmade oriental rug measuring 6’ x 9’ can sell from as low as about $2,000 all the way up to $12,000 or more. It all depends on the above factors.
Whether you’ve always wanted to own an authentic handmade rug, or are thinking of getting one for your home, consider price as part of your research.
2. How Many Knots Per Square Inch Is A Good Handmade Rug?
A good handmade rug has a knot density of about 80 knots per square inch or kpsi. A lower quality rug will typically have a knot density under 80 knots.
It should be noted that in today’s modern world of handmade rugs, some designs are made at a lower kpsi as it creates a more relaxed and modern look. There are some attractive pieces with only 25-35 knot rugs that are very pretty and still very durable. The main difference will be in price as they do not take as long to make due to the wider knot.
However, if you are seeking a medium to high-quality rug, look for 80 – 150 kpsi. A very fine rug is anything above 150 knots.
3. Are Handmade Rugs A Good Investment?
Yes, definitely. Persian rug pieces over 100 years are considered rare collector’s items. They have a history of many years, and they might be valuable in a higher range of the original price.
Even the new modern or traditional rugs hold their value. A certificate of authenticity is usually furnished by the rug store selling the oriental handmade rug which can be used for insurance purposes as well.
4. Which Country Makes the Best Handmade Rugs?
This of course is a matter of opinion. The people of Iran will always say that their carpets are the best quality rugs in the world, and indeed, they do have some of the finest carpets the world has ever seen. However, in 2023, there are so many rugs from different sources that have incredible design and quality that we cannot pick the best as it is a matter of taste and preference. The countries that are weaving the most high quality handmade oriental rugs these days are: Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Tibet, Turkey and Iran.
5. How to Deal with Old Oriental Rugs?
Questions to ask are “What condition is my old rug?”. If the condition is still good, you can do many things such as getting the simple flaws repaired. If you prefer not to have them on the floor anymore, they may work better if they are hung on the wall instead. A recent customer did exactly that with one of her old flatweaves. Or if the rug is small, you could put it in a frame and use it on a feature wall.
If you are tired of the rug and the condition is still good, you could consider selling your oriental rug. You can consult a rug appraiser to identify the value. Or you can also choose to sell it at an auction.
If the condition is not so good, you can consider cutting them into smaller rugs.
Ruby Rugs does not do professional appraisals (which is an expensive and labor intensive process), but we do offer certificates of authenticity. We also do “Trade Ins” which is a great way to get a new rug at a discounted rate. Please visit us to find out more.
6. How To Clean Wool Handmade Rugs?
How to clean a wool handmade rug is a question that is often asked. When you are in the market for a new rug, you want to make sure that it will be easy to keep clean. Consider the materials in the rug. All wool rugs usually clean very nicely due to the natural lanolin from the sheep. This is why wool is still considered the king of fibers in oriental rugs.
Rugs only need to be cleaned if they are visibly dirty. A rug in a low traffic area may only require cleaning every 5 years. Whereas a rug in a high traffic area may need cleaning once a year. For regular maintenance cleaning, it is advised to get it professionally cleaned.
Silk rugs are a little more challenging to clean and require more specialized care. That being said, silk rugs usually clean up very well. Read our blog on “How to Safely Clean a Silk Rug” for more information.
The best way to keep rugs tidy is to vacuum them with a brush attachment. Do not use the beater brush as this may do more harm than good.
If you have serious stains from wine or animal urine, you should get it professionally cleaned. Most surface stains can be cleaned with water and blotting the area with a towel.
7. How to Care and Maintain your Handmade Rug?
One of the best ways to keep it in good shape is to move your furniture or change the direction of the rug in the room. This will prevent erosion of the rug in certain places. Also, avoid sunlight as it can cause an oriental rug to fade, especially over time. If your oriental rug is in a room with a lot of sunlight, then you should rotate it once a month to avoid fading in one spot.
Vacuuming regularly without the beater brush is important and always move with the grain of the rug, and especially the fringes.
If the rug gets wet, dry it immediately using towels to blot it dry.
Insects and bugs can be avoided by spraying the rug with a light mist of lavender or peppermint oil. No matter what kind of rug you have, it will smell great after this treatment.
8. Can I Place a Wool Oriental Handmade Rug in outdoor areas?
Most wool rugs are not appropriate for outdoor areas and as such it is NOT recommended. Wool will likely rot in humid areas. However, there are synthetic flatweave rugs that are built directly for the outdoors which is a much better choice. Search for “outdoor rugs” with your favorite search engine.
9. What’s the Best Way to Store a Handmade Rug?
It is important to clean your wool or silk handmade rugs regularly. This can be done using a domestic vacuum cleaner on a light setting, but if it requires a more thorough clean it should be handled by a professional rug dealer.
After you store carpets, roll them from the bottom, pile facing inwards. Roll your silk carpets with the fibers on the outside so they won’t tear or come loose. Always hang or fold a rug or carpet by making sure it is level on both sides before folding it. This will help them last longer.
The most common problem we see when a carpet has been poorly stored is damage from insects, flooding, and mildew. It’s important to check on these regularly.
Ruby Rugs, Luxury Area Rugs store in Berkeley, has been in business since 2019 and maintains a 5 star rating on google and yelp. Consider your next handmade rug purchase at Ruby Rugs. You will be sure to get the best quality rugs and service.
