Buying a Persian rug for the first time can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. Browsing through the many types of Persian rugs available can be a real delight but choosing just one from these choices can be challenging. This quick guide will help to make the buying process easier for you.
Choose A Persian Rug By Design
When it comes to Persian rugs, there are many designs to choose from. When choosing a design, think of what will look best with your existing décor.
Bokhara rugs are characterized by their geometrical patterns surrounding repeated rows of guls.
Gabbeh rugs have dense, coarse piles, simple patterns and low knot densities.
Tabriz rugs are woven by professional weavers and have a sleek finished look. They have a high knot count with intricate, curvilinear designs created with a combination of flower motifs, medallions, hunting scenes and a variety of flowers.
Kazak rugs have short piles. The designs are made up of geometrical motifs in a variety of sizes. Most of these rugs have an antique finish.
Kilim rugs are easily recognizable by their tight knots, dense, flat finish and geometric patterns.
Choose A Persian Rug By Color
Although most Persian rugs are woven in several colors, you will find that most rugs have one predominant color.
What’s interesting is that each color has a special meaning. When buying a Persian rug, consider what message you want to convey through the colors.
- Red – joy, happiness, luck, courage, wealth
- Blue – honesty, tranquility, solitude, inner peace
- Brown – Earth, fertility
- Green – life, hope, renewal
- Yellow – the color of the sun, energy, joy of life
- White/ivory – peace, cleanliness, innocence, selflessness
Choose A Rug By Material
The materials used in constructing a Persian rug have a huge impact on more than just the looks of the rug. They also affect the durability and cost as well as the ease of maintenance.
Wool
Wool is the most common material used in weaving Persian rugs. Wool rugs have a soft feel underfoot and are easy to maintain, requiring just a regular gentle vacuuming to remove the accumulated debris. They also last longer than silk rugs and are priced more affordably.
Silk
Silk rugs look more elegant than their wool counterparts. They have a beautiful, luxurious sheen and a plush feel that is incomparable. The only downside to silk rugs is that they can be very expensive. The high price is due to two factors. One is the difficulty in procuring enough silk to create a rug. Knotting silk is also more difficult and time consuming, which adds to the higher price.
So which material is right for you? A wool rug is the better choice for you if you are looking for a rug that is affordable, durable and easy to maintain. If you can afford it though, you’ll find that nothing can compare to the beauty and luxury of silk rug. Silk is also the best choice if you are looking for a rug to be used as a wall hanging.
Choose A Rug By Shape & Size
The shape and size of the rug you buy will depend largely on which room you are buying it for.
Large rectangular rugs will help bring together the other décor elements in a large living room, dining room or bedroom.
Smaller rectangular rugs are better placed in the kitchen or bathroom. They are also a great choice if you just want to place a rug under your coffee table.
Long runners are great for the hallway and entryway.
A round rug will draw focus when placed under a standalone side table.
There are several things to think about when buying a Persian rug so be prepared to spend some to choose one that ticks all the boxes for you.
