There are so many things to love about an Oriental rug. They are stunning to look at, really light up the room with rich color, and last for many years to come. If you’re getting started with decorating your home with beautiful Oriental area rugs, chances are good you’ve found yourself looking at a wide variety of different rug options you can choose from. From color scheme to rug size, there are many, many options out there.

How will you ever choose? Can you know for sure you’re buying not only a high-quality Oriental area rug but also the one that is perfect for your house and your lifestyle? That is what we’re here to help with! After you read this guide to Oriental rugs, you’ll understand everything you need to know in order to make the best purchasing decision. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Rug 

Sizes

Shapes

Styles

Materials

Pile

What Size Rug for the Living Room?

What Size Rug for Under the Dining Table?

How to Place a Rug Under a Bed

What Size Rug for Under a Queen Bed?

What Size Rug for Under a King Bed?

How to Get a Rug to Lay Flat

How to Get Wrinkles out of Rug

How to Keep Rug From Sliding

How to Clean Oriental Rugs 

Our Deep Immersion Rug Cleaning

Can You Put a Rug in the Washer?

Where to Buy Rugs

How to Choose a Rug 

Choosing a rug is a serious business! Selecting the wrong color, material, shape, or size for the room it will be placed in can make it look awkward or cause impractical annoyances. So, what do you look for in order to know you’re getting the right one?

It’s all about identifying the room you will be placing the rug in and the purpose it’s meant to serve. Rugs indentended to be a statement piece can be purchased based on aesthetic. A functional rug needed to prevent slips in high foot traffic hallways will need to be a bit different. If you have pets and little ones, you’ll want one that is easy to clean. If this is an outdoor rug, a delicate silk option is not advisable. 

As well, you’ll want to think about the rug’s size, shape, style, materials, and pile.

Sizes

You want a rug that fits the space you’re placing it in. Something that isn’t too big won’t look good, because there is not enough floor visible between the wall and the rug. Something that is too small will look like a postage stamp under your bed. You want to find a rug that can contain the major elements of a room, meaning the corners go under the furniture and connect them.

Shapes

Your main shape options are round, quare, and rectangle. The key factor for choosing a rug shape is the location you’re putting it in. What is the shape of the room and what is the shape of the focal point you’re placing the rug under?

Styles

If you browse our online gallery of Oriental rugs, you will see many different aesthetic styles. You can select a rug with bold reds and blues, sultry blacks, or one with more neutral tones. Do you prefer a rug that features a pattern or one that is more understated? A lot of this depends on the decor in the room you’re planning to put the rug in. Will this rug be the focal point of a currently-bland room or is the room actually busy with colors and design?

Materials

Natural fibers, meaning wool, cotton, silk, jute, and sisal, are the best materials for authentic Oriental area rugs. These materials are durable and long-lasting. Jute rugs are becoming increasingly popular for their eco-friendly appeal. Wool rugs are the best at hiding dirt and stains in high traffic areas.

Pile

The “pile” of a rug describes the density, or thickness, of it. Pile height is a big factor in the quality of a rug, because density is related to knot count and affects the longevity of a carpet. The tighter and denser the pile is, the better the rug will withstand wear. 

Take your fingers and try to wiggle them into the pile of a rug. If it is difficult to work them all the way to the bottom of the pile, the carpet is dense and likely to wear well. Pile heights fit into these three categories: 

Less than 1/4″ (low pile)

1/4″ to 1/2″ (medium pile )

1/2″ to 3/4″ (plush)

Low pile rugs have shorter fibers and loops and are more flat weaves. This makes them best for high traffic areas such as the kitchen or front entryways. High pile rugs feature longer fibers and loops and are often called shag rugs. Because they are more plush, these rugs are ideal for the bedroom or living room.

What Size Rug for the Living Room?

A living room often feels incomplete without a rug, like it’s missing the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. For this room, you’re going to want to look for a rug that is mid- to high-pile and larger in size. Standard dimensions for a living room rug are 8′ x 10′, 9′ x 12′, and 10′ x 14′.

What Size Rug for Under the Dining Table?

The perfect rug put in the wrong place won’t feel like the “perfect rug” for very long. You’re going to want to select a flatweave or mid-pile rug, made from sturdy, durable wool. Standard dimensions for a dining room rug are 9′ x 12′, 10′ x 14′, or 8′ round.

Yes, round! Round Oriental rugs are an especially popular trend in modern living and dining rooms. You can place a round rug under a round dining room table. If you have a square table, select a square rug and if you have a long, rectangular table you would select a similar-shaped rug. 

How to Place a Rug Under a Bed

Most people like simple designs in softer, more plush materials for their bedroom. Given the probability that you’ll be barefoot more often here, a high pile rug is a good choice. Square rugs are ideal for square shaped rooms or smaller spaces. Placing a square rug at the foot of your bed would look wonderful. Standard dimensions for a bedroom rug are 8′ x 10′, 9′ x 12′ or 2′ x 6′, or 4′ x 6′.

What Size Rug for Under a Queen Bed?

You may want to choose your rug based on the size of your bed. Many people place a rug right under their bed so they step on it first thing in the morning. Your rug should extend at least 18 inches beyond the sides of a queen-sized bed. For a queen sized bed, your rug should be at least 8 feet long.

What Size Rug for Under a King Bed?

A bigger bed requires a bigger rug! Because a king bed is 76 inches wide, your rug should be 112 to 124 inches wide. This is about 10 feet wide. The rug should extend at least 18 inches beyond the sides of your bed, if not 24.

How to Get a Rug to Lay Flat

Whether you drive it home from the shop yourself or have it shipped to you, rugs are rolled up to travel. This means unrolling and flatting your rug is job number one. Our best trick is to reverse roll the rug so the bent fibers are forced to lay in the opposite direction. After you do that for a while and unroll it again, flatten the rug by applying weight evenly and firmly.

How to Get Wrinkles out of Rug

You may also notice wrinkles once your rug arrives at your home. There is actually such a thing as wrinkle-removing spray. Top industry professionals use it to quickly remove creases from area rugs. Shop online or ask your rug dealer for a wrinkle-removing spray that’s safe for your specific material, so as not to damage it. 

The spray releases the “memory” of the fibers, and allows them to relax more easily. You will simply spray the creased, wrinkled, or curled areas liberally on the back of the rug. Then, let the rug dry flat. The wrinkles will be gone soon!

How to Keep Rug From Sliding

You need a rug pad! An Oriental rug pad to go underneath your new rug is essential for protecting your floors, keeping the rug from sliding, making the rug more comfortable to walk on, and making sure the rug you love lasts a long time. 

You see, an Oriental rug pad that is placed under your rug acts as a buffer. It cushions the impact between the sole of your foot above it and the hard floor underneath it. This pad will be absorbing most of the impact of your steps, making sure the rug itself does not get worn out as easily. 

Authentic Oriental rugs are hand-woven by true artisans. The back of these braided rugs feature a series of knots that are hand tied. When an Oriental rug is placed directly on the floor, it will slowly slide around and the knots will rub against the floor as it is walked over. The friction of the knots against the floor will eventually open the knot, and the weave will get loosened. Over time, the rug is likely to lose its even, tightly knotted look and its compact structure. That is why putting a rug pad underneath your Oriental rug keeps it from sliding around and also helps to increase the life of your rug by protecting it from damage.

How to Clean Oriental Rugs

Regular vacuuming and quickly cleaning spills are both important for maintaining fine area rugs. That being said, these methods are only sufficient for keeping the surface of your carpet clean. A professional deep cleaning treatment, done by industry experts who know exactly what they’re doing, is the only guaranteed method to remove the stains and smells that are bothering you.

There are a number of things you can do at home to clean the rug, but nothing will come close to results you can expect from a professional rug cleaning. Investing in a professional Oriental rug cleaning service is worth it to save your rug from being ruined by stains and smells.

Our Deep Immersion Rug Cleaning

Our process is the most effective method of removing contaminants from your area rug’s delicate fibers. At Serafian’s, we utilize specially built equipment that replicates traditional methods of cleaning fine Oriental rugs, while at the same time utilizing the most modern technology available. Our highly trained staff has taken care of and improved thousands of Oriental area rugs!

Our total immersion process removes the maximum amount of dirt and contaminants. By doing so, we are able to return your valuable rug to the highest level of beauty. While removing the musty smell from the rug, we are also gently preventing any damage.

Can You Put a Rug in the Washer?

Trying to use your home’s washing machine to clean an authentic Oriental rug will cause irreparable damage. Wool does not go in the washing machine! These are handcrafted pieces of art and meant to be cleaned delicately. They can last for decades to come when properly maintained, but improper maintenance, including harsh washing in a washing machine, will significantly reduce that lifespan.

Where to Buy Rugs

The only thing left to do now is actually shop for Oriental rugs. This is an easy one! Whether you’re in the Albuquerque area or shopping online, the place to buy Oriental area rugs is Serafian’s. 

At Serafian’s, we know buying and caring for an Oriental rug can be an intimidating process. You don’t need to be an expert to find the rug that suits you. Our rug professionals have built a wealth of knowledge through decades of experience, and enjoy sharing and guiding our customers towards finding the perfect rug.

Hand knotted oriental rugs are more than just a floor covering, they are an art form with a history spanning thousands of years and a wide variety of cultures. Not only do we offer the best-quality Oriental rugs, hand-made by true artisans, but our customer service is top-notch as well. Reach out to us at any time with any additional questions you may have. We take pride in not only selling Oriental rugs but also educating the community.

You want your home to be a lot of things. You want it to be beautiful, of course. Yet, it must be more than that. You and your family actually live there after all! You also want your home to be comfortable, warm, and welcoming. An Oriental rug achieves all of these things, and much more.

Yet, the purchase of the rug alone is not enough. When you buy an Oriental rug, you should also purchase a rug pad to go underneath. Why, though? What do rug pads do? As the Albuquerque experts in all things related to Oriental rugs, Serafian’s is here to answer all of your questions!

Table of Content

What is a rug pad?

What do rug pads do?

What happens without a rug pad?

Buy rug pads at Serafian’s

What Is a Rug Pad?

An Oriental rug pad to go underneath your new rug is essential for protecting both your floors and the rug you love. An Oriental rug pad that is placed under your rug acts as a buffer. It cushions the impact between the sole of your foot above it and the hard floor underneath it. This pad will be absorbing most of the impact of your steps, making sure the rug itself does not get worn out as easily. 

What do Rug Pads do?

The most important reason to put a rug pad underneath is that it helps to increase the life of your rug by protecting it from damage. When you have a fine area rug in your home, you want your investment to last a lifetime. This can be done with a rug pad. It isn’t just about the rug, but also you. A rug pad also adds comfort to you and your family by providing a softer surface to walk on. 

What Happens Without a Rug Pad?

An Oriental rug pad avoids premature wear and tear. You see, authentic Oriental rugs are hand-woven by true artisans. The back of these rugs feature a series of knots that are hand tied. When an Oriental rug is placed directly on the floor, the knots will get rubbed against the floor as it is walked over. The friction of the knots against the floor will eventually open the knot, and the weave will get loosened. Over time, the rug is likely to lose its even, tightly knotted look and its compact structure. 

That’s not all. If you don’t have a rug pad under your new Oriental rug and you have hardwood floors, you are likely to damage your floors. Continually walking over the tiny knots can lead to scratches, discoloration, and/or wearing the finish down on your floors. 

Buy Rug Pads at Serafian’s

What do rug pads do? As it turns out, they do a lot! You don’t need to shop around for a rug pad. You can buy a rug pad at the same place you buy your gorgeous new rug! Serafian’s is Albuquerque’s home for authentic pieces that you will love today and pass down for generations to come. 

An authentic Oriental rug is a fantastic addition to any Albuquerque home. Purchasing a new rug nearly ensures your home will look great and feel welcoming for many years to come. Yet, you’re not finished with the purchase of the rug itself. You also need to know where to buy rug pads.

Table of Content

What is a rug pad?

Why are rug pads important?

Where to buy rug pads

What Is a Rug Pad?

Once you find the perfect rug, you’re going to want to look for an Oriental rug pad to go underneath it. This is absolutely essential for protecting both your floors and the rug you love. An Oriental rug pad that is placed under your rug acts as a buffer. It cushions the impact between the sole of your foot above it and the hard floor underneath it. This pad will be absorbing most of the impact of your steps, making sure the rug itself does not get worn out as easily. This is particularly important for Oriental rugs because of the way that these rugs are constructed.

Genuine Oriental rugs are woven by hand. The back of these rugs will always feature a series of knots that are hand tied by the expert artisan weaver. When an Oriental rug is placed directly on the floor, the knots tend to get rubbed against the floor every time somebody walks over the rug. The friction of the knots against the floor will eventually open the knot, and the weave will get loosened. Over time, the rug is likely to lose its even, tightly knotted look and its compact structure. 

Why Are Rug Pads Important?

It’s no wonder that Oriental rugs are sought after by the entire globe. They are known for extremely rich color combinations and unique designs, as well as a tremendous variety in design, color, size, and weave. 

The most important reason to put a rug pad underneath is that it helps to increase the life of your rug by protecting it from damage. When you have a fine area rug in your home, you want to protect your investment. An Oriental rug pad avoids premature wear and tear.

That’s not all. A rug pad also adds comfort to you and your family by providing a softer surface to walk on. If you don’t have a rug pad under your new Oriental rug and you have hardwood floors, you are likely to damage your floors. This can be done by scratches, discoloration, and/or wearing the finish down. 

Where to Buy Rug Pads

When wondering where to buy rug pads, know that the answer is easy. You can buy a rug pad at the same place you buy your gorgeous new rug! Come to Serafian’s for all things related to fine Oriental rugs. We are Albuquerque’s home for authentic pieces you will adore for generations to come. Remember, don’t leave without the rug pad!

When you purchase a high-quality, authentic Oriental rug, you expect it to last for many years to come. This hope is not unfounded, as these rugs can last for generations and even centuries. That being said, they still need to be cared for in order to achieve this kind of life span. If your rug is showing signs of wear and tear, it must be attended to before the damage gets worse. Today, let’s discuss exactly how to fix a rug that is unraveling so you can do so.

Table of Content

The Most Common Need for Rug Repair

How to Fix a Rug That Is Unraveling

Expert Rug Repair at Serafian’s

The Most Common Need for Rug Repair

The most common Oriental rug repair needed is end repairs. With hand woven rugs such as these, when the fringe is torn or worn, the knots of the rug start to slide away and off. Your rug starts slowly shrinking, getting shorter and shorter. This end is unraveling and losing its wool knots. Once a knot has pulled loose, it is lost for good! That’s why when your rug begins to unravel, you need to pay attention. The value of your Oriental rug is in those tiny little knots and so you want to keep them intact. 

How to Fix a Rug That Is Unraveling

Each year, your beautiful rug is walked across thousands and thousands of times, thereby wearing down the weave. Even a well-made rug will probably fray at the edges over time. This happens when the material that supports the weave becomes worn or damaged. The decorative fringe along the edges often unravels, or in extreme situations becomes detached from the body of the rug.

One option is to purchase a premade replacement fringe from a fabric store to match the damaged fringe. It is generally sold by the yard. If the ends of the original fringe are visible beneath the new fringe, trim them for a neater appearance. Do not use a machine; they are not delicate enough to properly thread the fringes together and can make your situation even worse. Use a blind hem stitch to neatly attach the replacement fringe. This is sewn primarily along the back of the material, leaving only tiny, neat stitches visible from the front.

It’s important to note that repairing a rug can damage its value. Expensive, authentic Oriental rugs should be repaired only by professionals. When damaged, fine Oriental rugs require top quality repairs to maintain their value and beauty. Someone who is a trained and experienced expert will most likely choose to reweave the damaged portions instead of replacing the entire fringe.

Expert Rug Repair at Serafian’s

Now, you know a little more about how to fix a rug that is unraveling. Those in Albuquerque don’t need to handle this on their own. Owners of handmade or valuable rugs should have the fringe repaired by a professional, in order to avoid messing it up further. Bring your Oriental rug to the rug repair experts at Serafian’s!

There are so many things to love about an Oriental rug. They are stunning to look at, really light up the room with rich color, and last for many years to come. That’s not to say you don’t need to do anything to keep your rug in top shape, though. On occasion, you’ll need to bring your area rug in for professional rug cleaning. This is commonly needed when you discover your rug has a musty smell.

Serafin’s Professional Area Rug Cleaning

Wool rugs are durable and beautiful. It may surprise you to know that the reason Oriental rugs are so valuable is also the reason they can sometimes, well, stink. The main factor in authentic Oriental rugs being so durable and can last for hundreds of years is due to their high animal fiber content. This is the same reason they can eventually develop a musty odor. Wool comes from sheep. When this wool gets wet, it can smell like a wet animal. The longer the moisture lingers, the more likely it is to develop into mildew, causing a foul, musty odor.

Regular vacuuming and quickly cleaning spills are both important for maintaining fine area rugs. That being said, these methods are only sufficient for keeping the surface of your carpet clean. If the musty smell is coming from within the fibers, vacuuming alone won’t suffice. Even steam cleaning often fails to remove deep particles and penetrated stains. A professional deep cleaning treatment, done by industry experts who know exactly what they’re doing, is the only guaranteed method to remove the smell that is bothering you.

There are a number of things you can do at home to dry out the rug, but nothing will come close to results you can expect from a professional cleaning. Investing in a professional carpet cleaning service is worth it to save your wool Oriental rug from the musty smell that will eventually ruin it.

Our Deep Immersion Rug Cleaning

Our process is the most effective method of removing contaminants from your area rug’s delicate fibers. At Serafian’s, we utilize specially built equipment that replicates traditional methods of cleaning fine Oriental rugs, while at the same time utilizing the most modern technology available. Our total immersion process removes the maximum amount of dirt and contaminants. By doing so, we are able to return your valuable rug to the highest level of beauty. While removing the musty smell from the rug, we are also gently preventing any damage.

For any rug cleaning needs, the team to trust in the Albuquerque area is Serafin’s. Our highly trained staff has taken care of and improved thousands of Oriental area rugs. Reach out to us today and book your cleaning appointment. We’ll give you a free estimate!

Buying a new area rug is an exciting time. It also leads to many questions. Do you need a rug pad underneath it? Are there certain materials that are better than others? Can you have the same rug out all year round?

This last question is the one we want to focus on today. Buying an authentic Oriental area rug is a wonderful purchase, and it’s one that is sure to make your home even more beautiful. You’re going to want to show off this gorgeous piece of art. The good news is that you can, no matter what the season or weather!

Area Rugs Warm Up the Room

Particularly if you have hardwood or tile floors, your home can get chilly in the cooler months. An Oriental rug helps with this! Beyond the decorative interest that a pop of color, pattern, and texture bring to the room, these rugs also provide comfort and warmth. Wool rugs are very luxurious, allergy-friendly, and extremely durable. Plus, they’re so cozy!

Rugs have the ability to make any room warmer. As an example, let’s consider a rug in the bedroom placed just under your bed. Imagine waking up on a freezing winter morning, then placing your feet on the floor. Your feet don’t land on cold tile, though. You step onto a soft, plush area rug. All of a sudden, getting out of bed doesn’t seem so bad!

Colors and Patterns

That’s not to say that a rug is only suitable for the winter months. In fact, with all of the color and pattern options available, it’s easy to find one that celebrates the warm weather. Pops of bold, rich colors are the perfect way to celebrate spring and summer. Your home will be just as colorful as a garden!

Don’t Put Your Area Rug in Danger

While you certainly can leave your rug out all year round, there are certain times you may want to put it away. It’s best to avoid placing or leaving area rugs in a spot where there are likely to be spills and accidents. For example, let’s say you’re hosting Easter dinner at your home this year. Extra feet on the floor and people eating casseroles at the table mean a heightened chance for rug damage. When in doubt, roll it up and store it for later.

Even though they’re easier to clean than regular carpet, you don’t want to damage your Oriental rug if you can help it. Keep this in mind, especially if you have children and pets coming for a visit.

With any additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Reach out via our website or stop into our Albuquerque location and see our rugs in person.

If you’re getting started with decorating your home with beautiful Oriental rugs, chances are good you’ve found yourself looking at a wide variety of different rug options you can choose from. Depending on the style you’re going for in your home, you have numerous color and pattern options. What about the shape, though? Are there certain rules or style guides that tell you which rug shape to place in certain rooms?

Learn About Rug Shape

Choosing the rug shape for your intended space can be tricky. Maybe you want a round rug, but your space might be the sort where a round rug doesn’t look good there. This may be the case with a rectangle-shaped room. We take pride in educating our customers, so don’t worry that you have to figure this out on your own. In order to make things simpler, we have come up with a few ways to help you choose the best rug shape for your space:

Rectangle

This is by far the most popular rug shape out there. It is also the classic rug shape. Some of the oldest rugs on record are rectangular. This shape was widely popularized by tapestry style rugs and Persian antique rugs centuries ago.

Will a rectangle rug look great in a rectangle-shaped room? You bet! They go well with traditional decor. As well, they can also help blend a transitional room together if you’re working with a plethora of other design elements that fall more into the modern category.

Square

Square rugs are ideal for square shaped rooms or smaller spaces. You wouldn’t want to put a square rug in a long hallway, as it would look awkward and cut the space apart. If you want to use one in a rectangular room, though, this can be done. For example, placing a square rug at the foot of your bed would look wonderful. In a living room, a square rug can be placed partly under the couch and partly under the coffee table.

Round

Many of the same ideas regarding square rugs apply to round rugs as well. This shape is an especially popular trend in modern living and dining rooms. You can place a round rug under a round dining room table. You may also want something more circular for a family room, where it’s often used as additional seating space, and you can tell people to “circle up.”

Choosing a rug shape is a serious business! The perfect rug put in the wrong place won’t feel like the “perfect rug” for very long. Selecting the wrong shape and size for the room it will be placed in can make it look awkward or cause impractical annoyances. If you have any additional questions, come into our Albuquerque store and we’ll guide you through the process.

When you imagine an Oriental rug, where do you picture it? Many people would answer either in the living room or in a fancy study of some sort, perhaps a den. These are all fantastic spots to place an authentic Oriental rug, but it’s far from an exhaustive list. In fact, you can put Oriental rugs anywhere and everywhere in your home!

Tips for Placing Oriental Rugs in Each Room of Your Home

Don’t limit yourself to only placing Oriental rugs in certain living areas. In fact, they are perfect for family spaces, like living rooms, kitchens, or dining rooms, because they hide dirt and spills well. Here’s a few tips for getting it right:

Bedrooms

These rugs can change the dynamics in the room and bring your entire look together. They connect the different elements and give your room a sense of softness, comfort, coziness, and harmony- all things you want in your bedroom. 

What you’re looking for here is a rug that is incredibly soft. It will be the first thing you touch in the morning and the last thing at night, so pay close attention to the materials. We encourage you to find an Oriental rug made from “kurk.” Kurk comes from the first shearing of lambs between nine and 14 months old, and only from the neck and under the arms. Kurk has a feel almost like velvet, but is exceptionally strong.

Living Room and Other Common Living Spaces

Oriental rugs are perfect for family spaces, like living rooms, dens, TV rooms, playrooms, or dining rooms, because they hide dirt and spills so well. Not only is wool a natural dirt repellent, but you can purposefully find a design that hides stains. Find a bold and beautiful design with multiple colors, designs, shapes, and borders. Something like the Ardebil is incredibly not only gorgeous, it will also go a long way to hide dirt and spills. 

Kitchen

If you’re nervous about taking the leap with a large living room rug, try a smaller one for your kitchen instead. A smaller rug is more affordable, and you can ease yourself into expert rug purchasing. You’ll be amazed at the difference a small rug can make in a kitchen that seems bland and sterile.

A word of advice, though- be sure to stick with a dense and sturdy material. Stay far away from materials like viscose and silk. These materials are pretty, but even water droplets will stain it. This makes them a poor choice for the kitchen floor. 

Wall

That’s right- you don’t even need to limit Oriental rugs to the floor! Rugs are art and great art hanging on your walls can give your space warmth and depth. With a few dollar’s worth of supplies, you can hang your rug on the wall to showcase it properly.

No matter where you plan to place it, there is an Oriental rug for you at Serafian’s! We encourage you to shop with us to find your new rug, either on our website or in-person at our Albuquerque location. If you need help finding the ideal rug for your desired spot, we would be happy to help.

Whatever Oriental rug you choose, you are likely to have it for a long time, possibly even passing it down to future generations. This is because Oriental rugs are known for their longevity– if it’s authentic that is. There are many things to consider when investing in an Oriental rug, and it’s not always a simple task to choose the best carpet for you and determine whether it’s top quality.

That’s what we’re here for! We take educating our shoppers, in Albuquerque and across the country, very seriously. It’s important to feel confident about your choice in Oriental rugs. That is why we put together a few tips and guidelines for judging the quality and authenticity of a rug.

Judging the Authenticity of Oriental Rugs

What you’re looking for are hand-woven Oriental rugs made from the best wool in the world. It’s not as difficult to find as you may imagine. A few things to consider when purchasing an Oriental rug are:

Tightness of the Weave

What you want is a rug with a tight weave. A tighter weave is one that expresses the design as clearly as possible. This is referred to as its “pile.” This is the term to describe the density related to knot count and affects the longevity of a carpet. The tighter and denser the pile is, the better the rug will withstand wear. Are you unsure about a particular rug? Take your fingers and try to wiggle them into the pile. Is it difficult to work them all the way to the bottom of the pile? If so, the carpet is dense and likely to wear well.

Iranian Wool

Synthetic rugs are made from materials like Polypropylene, Nylon, Acrylic, and Polyester. An authentic rug will be made from the best materials. In fact, one of the most important factors in the longevity and beauty of a rug is the quality of the wool. We have found that the best carpet wools in the world come from Iran. The best Iranian wool is called “kurk“. Kurk comes from the first shearing of lambs between nine and 14 months old, and only from the neck and under the arms. Kurk has a feel almost like velvet, but is exceptionally strong. Iranian rugs have always been the most sought after rugs in the world, and it’s clear to see why.

Hand-Knotted

An authentic rug will be hand-knotted. Only an authentic Oriental rug will offer the strength and structural integrity of a true hand-knotted rug. When the back of the rug is hard plastic, this means that your rug’s top pile is made from a synthetic material and the hard plastic back is holding the rug together. 

The fringe on hand knotted oriental rugs not only is a design element, it is a structural element. When the rug is being hand knotted, the fringe is the first element on the loom. The fringe is a part of what’s holding the rug together. Manufacturers add fake fringe to a rug to make it appear hand knotted. If you flip an inauthentic rug over, you’ll see that the fringe is either glued or sewn on. This is one of the easiest ways to determine if your oriental rug is not authentic.

If you have any additional questions, we’re always here to answer them. Contact us or stop into our Albuquerque store! 

You may have an idea of the kind of home that Oriental rugs would look good in or perhaps the type of person who would own one. We’re here to tell you that these misconceptions are not true! In fact, because there are so many colors and designs, there is an Oriental rug for everyone. That includes you!

Who Needs an Oriental Rug?

There is a beautifully-crafted Oriental rug for every space and every person. This is because they never go out of style. Oriental rugs are surprisingly versatile in all kinds of homes; there are thousands of options in terms of color, fabric, scale, and style. No matter if you’re looking to accent a funky bedroom, an opulent library, or a sleek modern living room- there’s a rug out there for you! Consider the following: 

People With Kids Want a Rug That Hides Stains

Oriental rugs are ideal for a family home! Accidents happen. What you’re looking for is a rug that is designed in a way that a few spots here and there won’t ruin it. Find a bold and beautiful design with multiple colors, designs, shapes, and borders. Something like the Antique Reproduction Heriz is incredibly eye-catching, and will also go a long way to hide dirt and spills. Stay far away from materials like viscose and silk. These materials are pretty, but even water will stain it. If a noticeable stain does happen; don’t worry. We offer Oriental rug cleaning services!

Pet Owners Need a Durable Rug

You’re looking for a rug that can stand up to paws and teeth. An authentic Oriental rug that is hand-dyed and woven rug will be superior to one that is mass manufactured in a factory. You’re going to want to pay attention to the materials as well. A wool blend will last the longest. One of the most important factors in the longevity and beauty of a rug is the quality of the wool. We have found that the best carpet wools in the world come from Iran, which is why Iranian rugs have always been the most sought after rugs in the world. If your furry friend chews a hole in your rug, you can always bring it in for professional rug repair.

Those in a Small Size Can Add a Focal Point to the Room

If your house is short on square footage, you may think you should avoid placing a large rug in the center of the room. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to get a stunning Oriental rug of any style or color you want and make it the focus of attention.

Those with a Modern Decor Can Make the Space Cozier

Oriental rugs are classic, but you don’t need to have classical decor in your home to have one. The most popular complaint of modern decor is that it feels sterile and boring. These rugs can change the dynamics in the room and bring your entire look together. They connect the different elements and give your room a sense of softness, comfort, coziness, and harmony.

There is an Oriental rug for you at Serafian’s! We encourage you to shop with us to find your new rug, either on our website or in-person at our Albuquerque location.