How to Pick an Oriental Rug

Measure the area where you want to place the rug. Write down the length and width of the area. Keep in mind that oriental rugs do not usually go wall to wall; you might place the rug in the center of a room, for example. Measure for the area you want the rug to cover based on your personal preference.

Take pictures of the room where the rug is meant to be placed. Take these pictures on a digital camera with a viewing screen to the oriental rug store. Hold the images up to rugs that interest you to see how well the color and pattern will match the existing decor.

Consider what kind of material you want your rug to be made of. For thick rugs that aid in room warming, wool oriental rugs are ideal. They are also able to handle heavy foot traffic. If the rug is more for decorative purposes, in a room that gets little foot traffic, or in a room that is generally warm, a thinner silk oriental rug may be ideal.

Check the colorfast quality of the rug. If allowed, gently rub a damp cloth on the rug surface. If any color transfers to the cloth or smears on the rug, the quality is low.

Check the knot count. The higher the knot count, the more durable and higher quality the rug is. Like bed sheets, higher knot counts often result in higher prices.

Ask about the country of origin if high quality or authenticity are important to you. Many consider Persian (Iran) oriential rugs to be extremely high quality. Other countires such as China, Turkey, Armenia and Egypt are also known for high quality rugs.

Ask for proof of craftsmanship, brand and origin from the store. Oriental rugs should come with documentation of their warranty, knot counts, country of origin and material content.