Posted on November 28, 2020 by Behnam Rugs

If you are in the market for a new rug, you will have a more successful shopping experience by being prepared. Advance preparation makes any task easier.

So, what five things should you keep in mind when shopping for that perfect Persian rug?

1.Size– Measure the space you plan to place your rug in with a measuring tape. Write down the maximum length and width the rug can be, as well as the minimum length and width it can be. Be exact in your measurements. This prevents you from falling in love with a rug that simply won’t fit in the room properly.

In addition, knowing these sizes gives the rug merchant flexibility in what rugs they can show you. Be aware that standard American sizing such as 6 x 9, 8 x 10, and 9 x 12 often don’t translate precisely to Persian rugs, which use the metric system. A Persian rug might be 3 square meters, 6 square meters, or 12 square meters. This just means that if you want a 6 x 9 rug, you may end up leaving with a 6 x 10.5.

Handmade rugs that are listed as a specific size, may not be that exact size. The weaving process is not perfect, so it’s common for rugs to be an inch or two off from the size they are listed as. Feel free to bring a measuring tape to measure the rugs you are interested in yourself if the space it needs to fit in has little to no wiggle room.

2.Color- Pantone’s 2020 color of the year was Classic Blue. The color of the year often dominates goods being sold- everything from fashion, to furniture, to cars, and cookware. Designers predict the colors that will be hot that year. However, these “hot” colors don’t stay in style for long- usually not more than three years.

We recommend you go with your personal preferences over arbitrary popular colors. Persian rugs can always be found in rich reds and deep blues, and will never go out of style because traditional rugs are so popular and hold their value with proper care. Take the décor of the room the rug will be placed in into account. The furniture, drapery, paintings, pillows, floor, and wall color should influence your choices. Choose a rug that complements the décor you already have.

Persian rugs are also more likely to come in certain colors that always sell. If you are looking for a unique color combination, such as pink and grey, you may find your options for Persian rugs to be quite limited. Traditional Persian rugs are likely to feature reds, blues, greens, golds, and creams that vary in intensity from rug to rug. Certain areas in Iran (Persia) are known for utilizing specific colors in their designs. If you want a pink Persian rug, for example, you will probably purchase a Kerman Persian rug, as 99% of rugs from this region include pink.

3.Design– Like color, popular designs change from year to year. A Persian rug may be quite traditional, floral, and ornate, or it might be more bold, geometric, and even modern. What you choose is a matter of preference and taste.

You want to choose a motif that blends seamlessly with your décor. This does not mean that the rug fades into the background, rather, the rug elevates the rest of the room with a beauty that complements its environment.

If you have solid-colored furniture, you have more wiggle-room for a complex pattern. On the other hand, if you have a patterned sofa or wallpaper, the room would probably benefit from a simpler rug. If you are not sure what goes best with the room, consult an interior designer. Because “Persian” encompasses all the cities in Iran that weave specific rugs, you should read our blog to discover what the different cities Persian rugs are named for mean for the design. 

4.Material– Rugs are made from a wide range of materials, including wool, silk, wool and silk, cotton, jute, other natural fibers, and synthetics like viscose, polyester, rayon, and more. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks. Persian rugs are typically woven of wool, silk, or wool and silk.

Wool is the most durable rug fiber and is a practical choice that is easy to maintain at home. Whether the wool is taken from a sheep or lamb, as well as the country and region the animal is from affects the quality of the wool. Silk is delicate but quite popular for its sheen and softness. It is more expensive than wool and can have a higher knot count than wool because of the fineness of the fiber.

If the rug is going to be in a high traffic area, wool is the way to go. Choose a wool rug with a better quality weave and good knot count if it is going to experience heavy daily traffic. Silk rugs work better in low traffic areas like bedrooms, formal living rooms, or as wall hangings. Although Persian rugs are not generally made with artificial materials, if you do buy a viscose, rayon, or polyester rug, it needs to be placed in a low traffic area as well.

Please note that mixed material rugs often require special care when it comes to professional cleaning. Some decorative rugs feature pom poms or frills made of different material and are not really meant to last long enough to require professional cleaning. Note that if you choose looks over practicality you may have difficulty maintaining the rug over the years. Thankfully, Persian rugs are well-made pieces meant to stand the test of time, which includes regular professional cleaning every 3 to 5 years.

5.Budget– The four previous sections will play a big role in determining the cost of rugs that meet your criteria. Size, color, material, design, and quality all influence a rug’s value. Knowing what you want will greatly aid the salesperson in selecting pieces that suit your tastes. Keep in mind that since these parameters affect the price, you may have to compromise if your budget is tight.

The bigger your budget, the more options you will have. Good quality handmade Persian rugs are not cheap, and if your budget is less than $1,000, a machine-made or hand-loomed rug may be what you can afford.

Room-sized Persian rugs range in cost from $4,000 to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. A rug with a higher knot count, which affects the density of the weave and the detail of the pattern, will cost more.

It takes research and legwork to properly prepare to shop for a Persian rug. If you go into a showroom with no idea what you’re looking for or what you’re willing to spend, the rug dealer will have a hard time giving you what you want, since neither of you has any idea what that is!

Take measurements, and bring pictures of the room you want to display the rug in. This will improve the chances that the rug you pick truly works in the space. Only work with a reputable and experienced local rug dealer- they will stand behind their inventory, and allow you to take the rug home for a day or two to be certain that it looks the way you want. As long as you leave a credit card on file and bring the rug back in the condition it was given to you, a full return should be simple.

Work with a rug merchant who has been in business for a long time, as when you tell them what you want and at what price, they will know immediately if they have what you need. We do recommend that you work with a rug dealer and not a department store or chain. A knowledgeable salesperson does not need a tag to tell you about the rug- they can identify the rug at a glance and tell you all about the meaning behind the design, its history, where it was made, its quality level, and more.

A respectable dealer will give you a certificate of authenticity that details the origin, design, colors, and replacement value for insurance purposes. Stay away from estate sales and auctions if you are not a rug expert. We have written a blog about common rug scams- read it to prevent being cheated. If you have any additional questions about fine rugs, call 972-733-0400 and a Behnam Rugs expert will assist you.