9' x 12' Afghan Rug Persian Bakshaish design

How to Choose Oriental Rugs for Your Home

 

Oriental rugs offer a depth of history and level of craftsmanship unmatched by mass-produced rugs manufactured today. These one-of-a-kind rugs can add warmth and energy or calm tranquility to any space in your home. 

 

However, choosing the right Oriental rug can be challenging if you’ve never purchased one before. We’ll walk you through what you should know.

 

What Constitutes an Oriental Rug?

 

Oriental rugs embody a tradition and shared history, rather than coming from a single place in the world. The term applies equally to a handcrafted Persian rug as it does to a Pakistani rug or a rug from India made in the traditional way. Some of the names you’ll find these authentic rugs sold under include:

 

• Jaipur rugs

• Afghan rug

• Kilim rugs

• Nepali rugs

• Turkey rug

 

What about Aubusson rugs? While they share some visual similarities in terms of patterns, these rugs originate in France and cannot be called Oriental rugs. 

 

Colors and Dyes

 

When it comes to choosing a hand-knotted rug for your home, color is one of the more important places to start. You’ll find rugs in teal, as well as options for an Oriental rug in blue, an Oriental rug in red, and more. Choose a color that will complement the space where you’ll use it and tie it into your existing color scheme.

 

Patterning

 

All Oriental rugs have a rich pattern, although they can vary a lot in terms of depth and amount of decoration. The patterns will also vary from region to region. Choose a pattern that’s appealing to you, but that will also work well in your space.

 

Size

 

Size is a major consideration, whether you’re purchasing an Oriental rug, vintage Oushak rugs, or something else. For instance, if you’ll be using the rug in a narrow space, Oriental runner rugs will be better suited than classic rugs. 

 

Make Sure It’s Authentic

 

Finally, make sure any Oriental rugs you might consider are genuine. They should be made with hand-spun yarn and colored with organic dyes. Vegetable dyes offer softer, more muted tones than what you’ll find with many of today’s Art Deco rugs or pile rugs. Genuine hand woven rugs should also feature a traditional pattern and knotted fringe.

 

Unsure if that Oriental rug is antique? Worried a hand-knotted rug you’re considering might not be the real deal? Check the backing. If it has plastic or synthetic backing, it’s not genuine. A true Oriental rug is hand knotted and has no backing material – the knots are plain to see.

 

When it comes to purchasing authentic rugs, it’s important to work with a trusted retailer. At Kurosh Persian Rugs we make sure to import our rugs directly from other nations and that they provide us with a guarantee of authenticity. We are highly knowledgeable about where each rug comes from, the materials used to craft it, the dyes used in coloring, as well as the history of the style. 

 

Follow these tips and you’ll find choosing the right rug is easier than you might have thought, no matter where you want to use it.

Exploring the Beauty and History of Afghani Rugs

 

The right rug is more than just a focal point in the room. It can be a work of art, as well as a direct connection to the past. Afghani rugs offer both incredible beauty and workmanship, as well as being a traditional craft dating back hundreds of years.

 

What Is an Afghan Rug?

 

Is a vintage Afghan rug the same thing as an Oriental rug? How do these fine rugs compare to Persian rugs?

 

Technically, these classic rugs are both Oriental and Persian. They use the traditional Persian knots rather than Turkish knots, and they originated in what was at one time called the Orient.  They also maintain the quality and durability these fine rugs are known for. 

 

Today, Afghanistan exports hundreds of thousands of authentic rugs for sale around the world. Afghani handwoven rugs are crafted using traditional techniques and high-quality materials, including some of the world’s finest wool, as well as silk. While they come in several different types, two of the most sought-after are the Shindand style, which originated near Herat, and the Baluchi style, which is made in the southwest region of the country.

 

How Are Afghani Rugs Made?

 

These one of a kind rugs are handmade using handspun yarn. An Afghan rug should use vegetable dyes (organic dyes) and can feature many different patterns and motifs. For instance, rugs from around Herat often feature elongated humanoid shapes, while a Bukhara (elephant foot) pattern or an Adraskan pattern will feature repeating geometric shapes, usually surrounded by a defined border. 

 

Whether you’re looking for a red rug to add vibrancy to your space, a blue wool rug for calm and tranquility, or a combination of colors to add style, these handwoven rugs help you achieve your goals.

 

Where Can You Use These Timeless Rugs?

 

A vintage Afghan rug can be used almost anywhere in the home, including:

 

• As area rugs for sitting rooms and bedrooms

• As a focal point rug for the living room

• As wall hangings in any room of the home

 

They can also be used in office spaces and many other areas – anywhere you want to add a pop of color and warmth. 

 

How to Keep Rugs from Afghanistan in Good Condition

 

Authentic rugs from Afghanistan, including kilim rugs and other knotted rugs, should be cared for carefully. To help them last as long as possible, keep pets off them, limit traffic over them, and try to avoid eating or drinking near them.

 

With a little bit of TLC and the right knowledge, you can keep Afghani rugs pristine and beautiful. This will also help prevent wear-and-tear-related damage, whether you’re using it as a rug for the living room, in the bedroom, or somewhere else.

Handspun Yarns

Traditional Persian rugs are made using handspun wool rather than machine-spun wool. This requires more labor, but many feel that it is a better process because it is not as abrasive. It allows for the retention of more of the natural oils and fewer fibers are broken. Using handspun wool helps to ensure the rugs and carpets are more resilient and can last for decades without issue.

 

The wool used is called winter wool or long strand wool. It features more natural oil than other types of wool. Additionally, handspun wool tends to absorb more dye when loosely spun and less when tightly spun. This creates gorgeous variegation in the rug’s colors. Buyers who want a traditional rug will always opt for handspun.

Organic Dyes

Organic dyes are used in traditional Persian rugs for several reasons. First, vegetable dyes were the only option available when these rugs were first created. Before 1850, there weren’t other choices aside from animal or vegetable dyes. Even after synthetic options were available, traditional craftspeople often kept using pure organic dyes.

It’s a common misconception that organic dyes result in dull and muted colors. Anyone who has seen Persian carpets and rugs that use pure organic dyes can attest to their beauty and vibrancy. Craftspeople using organic dyes can create stunning colors including royal blue, earthy brown tones, and brilliant red. Just look at the variation of traditionally made rugs available today to get a sense of the colors.

Manual cleaning is recommended for these rugs and if your rug is heavily soiled or stained, you’ll need to have a professional cleaning for hand knotted rugs.

Kurosh Persian rugs  can guide you when it comes to caring for your new rug. We also recommend that you put them in lower-traffic areas of the home to preserve them as much as possible.

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