Posted on June 21, 2016 by Behnam Rugs

Buying Persian Rugs:

The 3 Biggest Mistakes People Make

Buying a hand-knotted Persian or Oriental rug can be a big investment, so you’ll want to make sure you are getting the best possible value for this new addition to your home. Here are the three most common mistakes you’ll want to avoid while shopping for your dream rug.

1. Not Measuring

Many people simply estimate how large a space is by looking at it. Obviously, this can cause some issues. Once the rug has been brought home, many people discover that their new purchase is too large or too small. Not every rug dealer accepts returns, and if the rug was purchased on sale, it almost certainly cannot be returned.

Furthermore, even if you can return your rug, there is so much hassle involved in moving all of your furniture out of the way, rolling the rug up, and loading it into your car. Take five minutes to measure the area where you want your rug to be. Measure the size of your room- its length and width, and also a diagonal measurement. Then, plan exactly how much of your room you’d like your rug to cover and take those measurements, too. It’s better to over-prepare than to under-prepare.

2. Color Matching
   

While you might think that you know what colors will match well with your room, we always recommend either bringing a swatch or trying a rug out in your home before making your final purchasing decision. There are many things to take into consideration. Different materials can cause rug colors to look different. Red silk will take light differently than red wool, for example.

You’ll also want to take a rug’s pattern into consideration. If you have a sofa that you know looks horrible with green, maybe a floral patterned rug isn’t the best choice. You’ll have to match the flower colors and the color of the leaves, too.

Try browsing Pinterest to see what sorts of rugs are used in rooms similar to yours. You can also bring in photos of your room to a showroom and ask a rug expert about their opinion. Any good rug dealer, including Behnam Rugs, will also allow you to try a rug out to see exactly how it matches with everything in your home.

3. Not Quality Checking
   

Your rug might be the right size and color, but is the quality right for you? When you walk across your rug, you’ll want something soft and even. While it might not be realistic to expect a high knot count from a $1,000 rug, you still should be getting a rug of satisfactory quality.

When you’re shopping for a rug, ask questions. Ask about the material, condition, age, and quality of a rug. If you simply care about the looks of a rug, these factors might not be crucial, however, it’s still good to know exactly what you’re buying. Be able to tell the difference between a hand-knotted rug, a tufted rug, and a machine-made rug. An authentic antique rug will only ever be hand-knotted. Don’t let yourself fall victim to common scams.

One factor to consider in a rug is the knots per inch (KPI) count. An inexpensive, coarse Persian rug might only have 30 knots per inch. Fine antiques that sell for thousands of dollars can easily have hundreds of knots per inch and will feel much softer in comparison.

You should also be aware of the condition of a rug you are considering purchasing. One thing to note is whether or not the rug is deteriorating or cracking. First, put the rug face down and look on the back for any light-colored patches. If you see any, proceed with caution. While this could simply be normal discoloration, these light patches are often the first signs of mildew.

We also recommend gentle bending the corners of a rug. If you hear any popping or splitting, it is a sure sign that a rug’s foundation is coming apart.

Finally, when looking at silk rugs, stay away from brittle rugs. Silk, no matter its age, should never be brittle or coarse. It should always be soft and smooth.

We know the rug shopping process can be a bit daunting, and we invite you to visit our showroom to learn more about the wonderful world of rugs. You can also request a rug on our rug request form.