Posted on March 9, 2020 by Behnam Rugs

Simple Handbook for the First-Time Persian Rug Buyer

To those who have never done it before, buying a Persian rug may seem like a daunting task. How will you pick between the hundreds of combinations of style, color, material, and other choices? Lucky for you, this guide will give you some insight into the process and simplify it for you.

Designs

Persian rugs come in many designs or styles. We’re going to cover some of the most common and popular designs that you are likely to encounter while shopping.

Gabbeh– These rugs are coarsely woven, resulting in lower knot density. They feature simple, primitive patterns and dense piles as deep as one inch.

Tabriz– These fine rugs have a high knot count and complex designs that include flowers, medallions, and pictorial scenes. Tabriz rugs feature a wide range of patterns which means you have a lot of choice when selecting a Tabriz. They are mostly made of wool with a silk pile.

Kashan– These rugs usually feature a diamond shaped medallion in the “Book Cover” design. They are colored with rich reds, blues, ivory, yellow, and burnt orange.

Kilim– These flat tapestry-woven rugs do not have a pile, resulting in a flatter, reversible rug in a tribal pattern.

Qum– Less rich than Kashan, Qum rugs typically feature bright reds, blues, and ivories and are quite creative in terms of design, featuring central medallions and a smaller size. They are likely to increase in value according to Wikipedia.

In addition, there are three main styles of rug- traditional, transitional, and modern. If you are searching for a Persian rug, you are very likely to end up with a traditionally patterned rug. If you end up falling in love with a rug that is not from Persia, it may be because you actually like the transitional or modern style.

Colors

Pehaps you wish to choose a rug with colors that have meaning to you. In fact, every color in a rug has inherent meaning that we will explain here. Choosing a rug based on the message that the colors convey is another way to select a rug.

Red– power, energy, passion, love, luck,

Orange– enthusiasm, creativity, determination, success

Yellow– happiness, positivity, clarity, enlightenment, loyalty

Green– life, renewal, growth, fertility

Blue– trust, wisdom, confidence, tranquility

Purple– royalty, luxury, ambition, creativity, peace

Pink– friendship, compassion, nurturing, love

Black– elegance, rebellion, power, strength

Brown– security, grounding, warmth, honesty

Ivory– purity, innocence, opulence, virtue

Material

There are two materials that a Persian rug will be made from- wool and silk. The materials affect the durability, cost, and ease of maintenance.

Wool

Persian rugs are most often made of wool. These rugs are the hardiest and the easiest to clean. They are soft and strong. They also last longer than silk when cared for properly due to the strength of the fibers.

Silk

Silk imparts a beautiful sheen to the rug. These rugs are elegant and plush, but sadly more expensive and rare. Silk rugs also show their designs more clearly due to the nature of the material and knotting. Silk rugs are harder to clean and more delicate than wool.

Wool and Silk

Some Persian rugs feature both wool and silk. The wool creates a sturdy foundation while the silk creates the pile.

Shape and Size

Another factor that will affect the buying process is the shape and size of the rug. Consider the room it will be placed in. Large rectangular or square rugs are perfect for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

Smaller rectangular rugs can be shown off in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as under coffee tables.

Runners go in hallways and entryways and are long and narrow. They can also be placed in bathrooms of sufficient length.

Round rugs draw attention to chic dining rooms and also look good under tables as a centerpiece.

We hope you have found this short handbook illuminating and that you feel better prepared to shop for the Persian rug of your dreams.

Call 972-733-0400 to find the perfect rug.