Tips on Buying Oriental Rugs

Oriental and Persian Rugs

• The term "Oriental" comes from '"Orient," a term used for the region that includes the nations of China, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Iran. These nations are the most famous for producing Oriental rugs, where the craft of rug-making has endured for thousands of years. A Persian rug is an Oriental rug that was woven in Iran (formerly Persia). They're considered among the finest of Oriental rugs for their design and color quality.

Size, Color and Design

• Consider the room where your rug will be placed and its decor. The colors in your rug should enhance your decor, not conflict with it. Write down the dimensions of the room where the rug will be, so you'll be looking at the right sizes. Bring some paint chips or a piece of curtain or upholstery fabric from the room. Hold these items near the rugs as you're looking through them. In addition to being the right color for your decor, the design and colors of the rug should be pleasing to you. The rug should impart a sense of depth, and there should be balance in the overall color scheme.

Wool Quality and Weight

• Touch the wool. If it's dull and dry to the touch, it is a lower-quality product. A poor quality wool will not wear very well and the rug won't last long as a result. Rub your hand across a high-quality wool rug and you'll notice the difference; it will not feel dry. Oriental rugs made of high-quality wool are more expensive, but they will last for 50 years or more and grow more interesting as they age, developing a unique patina.

Older Oriental Rugs

• If you're buying a used or antique Oriental rug, check for patch marks and holes. Also, look closely at the pile to make sure it's full. Sometimes rugs are restored with only surface color touch-ups, which hides the actual wear and tear of the pile.

Color Trends

• Like other areas of designs, there are trends in Oriental rugs The brown, green and orange color schemes that were hot in the 1960s are not selling well these days. It's best to buy Oriental rugs in the more classic styles and color schemes, as they will likely retain their value.