Buying an oriental rug: what should you bear in mind?

Find the right oriental rug quickly with these tips

Furnishing is as individual as the person. The way a home is arranged says a great deal about someone and usually underlines the personality of whoever lives there. Thanks to the huge variety of interior design on offer, you can certainly find something that fits. But which factors should you actually bear in mind when you are looking for the perfect rug? First of all, think in advance about which material and design would suit the place you have in mind and your own style. Every material has its strengths and weaknesses and suits different uses.

Oriental rugs are something special

Extremely popular with young and old alike are oriental rugs, which are made from synthetic or natural fibres. The natural-fibre rugs such as jute or sisal convince with a long life and are also particularly sustainable. A popular material for rug production is wool. Cotton and wool convince with a certain warmth and softness.

You should also choose colour and shape to suit your own wishes: whether you prefer a round rug in green or a square piece in beige is entirely up to you.
The oriental rug is a popular type among the classical rugs, and one used widely and gladly today. It comes from regions of the world that fall under the term Orient. The oriental region today stretches from North Africa to Central Asia, taking in the Middle East. With an oriental rug you can bring a particular flair into your home and set fine accents.

Oriental rug, Persian rug, silk rug …

The field of the oriental rug has kept widening over time. Today there are many different kinds of oriental rug. Anyone who reads up on the variants in advance can certainly find the right product.

Oriental rugs can be divided beautifully by style. There are oriental styles with geometric shapes, but also floral, figurative and arabesque designs. The fact that oriental rugs are often patterned all over matters a great deal to the type of rug as well.

Does the main field of the rug carry a pictorial motif, a panel pattern or a medallion pattern? Geographical origin can be used as a criterion for grouping them too.

Was the oriental rug made in the Nepal region, in Persia or somewhere else? Many different names are used, referring to origin, tradition or style – for example Persian rugs, Nepal rugs, Gabbeh rugs, Ziegler rugs and many more. Each of these categories has particular characteristics of design, material and so on. But what else should you look for when investing in a good oriental rug?

With rugs from Persia especially, it is worth looking closely at origin, knotting and material, since they tell you a great deal about quality and authenticity. Authentic Persian rugs are recognised not only by the pattern but also by the workmanship, the back and the harmony of the colours.

Anyone wanting to compare the best Persian rugs should therefore not decide on looks alone but weigh knot density, material and origin as well. That way the decision fits your own style of living better and still convinces years later.

If you want a hand-knotted rug, there are several marks of quality to look for. Rugs knotted by machine are often flawless and immaculate to look at. Hand-knotted rugs, by contrast, have many knots per square metre, which means small variations can occur. So look at a classical rug from the back and see whether small variations are there. A hand-knotted rug can also show small differences in width and length. Measure each side with a tape measure and you will quickly see whether there are any.

How do you care for an oriental rug?

With an oriental rug, as with any other, regular care is what keeps its original beauty over a long time. A clean, well-kept rug can show itself at its best and will certainly draw the eye. If heavy soiling does cost a rug its beauty, have it cleaned and washed professionally.

Valuable pieces above all should be treated as genuine works of art and cleaned by a professional. Smaller dirty patches you can deal with yourself. Every clean should of course be carried out carefully and handled according to the material.

The particular material should always be taken into account. Exquisite rugs in silk above all can be very delicate. Morgenland offers cleaning and repair – tell us about the rug through the form. Cleaning should be done at regular intervals in any case, so that heavier soiling cannot build up. Regular care includes vacuuming, so that dirt such as pet hair and dust particles never reaches deep into the fibres. For a well-kept condition, beating and shaking it out matters a great deal too.

While vacuuming lifts mainly surface dirt, beating sends deeper-lying dirt on its way as well. Another tip is to air the rug regularly. A rug longs for fresh air too, so that it can give up old loads and odours. Beat the rug in the fresh air and you give it a real lift, rescuing it from stale smells and dirt particles.

So it is fair to say that material, origin and design all play a large part in the purchase. Think in advance about how much time you want to spend on cleaning. Where the rug will be used matters too. Will it lie in a busy spot where dirt builds up? Then invest in a robust rug. To set stylish, elegant accents in special places, more demanding materials suit well. Planning ahead is therefore an important step on the way to the perfect Morgenland rug.

FAQs:

How do you recognise a genuine oriental rug?

A genuine oriental rug can be recognised by several features. First of all, look at the material the rug is made from. Genuine oriental rugs are usually made from natural fibres such as wool, silk or cotton, while rugs in synthetic fibres such as polypropylene or polyester are often regarded as imitations. Another feature is the design. Authentic oriental rugs are marked by artistic patterns and motifs such as ornament or geometric shapes. They are also often hand-knotted and of high quality. It matters to look at details such as the density of the weave, colourfastness and durability. It is advisable to buy an oriental rug from a trustworthy seller such as Morgenland to be sure that the rug is genuine.

Which rug insulates best?

If you are looking for the best insulation from a rug, a wool rug is your first choice. They are not only beautiful but also give a soft, luxurious feel underfoot. Wool is a preferred material for rugs because of its exceptional properties.