4 Myths about Oriental Rug Values

You probably don’t shop for a new Oriental rug every day. This means you don’t know much about the industry or the history of these amazing pieces. We want you to feel confident as your shop for a new area, not fall prey to believing myths and misconceptions. Here at Serafian’s, we don’t just sell Oriental rugs. We take pride in also educating our shoppers. We are here to tell you what you need to know so you can feel a peace of mind that you’re buying a high quality Oriental rug in Albuquerque. This is why we are the go-to Oriental rug experts in the area!

Myths about Oriental Rug Values

There’s a lot about hand-made, Oriental rugs that is confusing and can be misunderstood. This, understandably, makes the average rug shopper less than confident about making a rug purchase. Let’s bust these myths about Oriental rug value right now!

Myth #1 All Oriental rugs appreciate in value.

It isn’t fair to say “all” Oriental rugs do anything at all. We encourage you to buy a new Oriental rug because you appreciate the craftsmanship and love the way it looks, not because you’re planning on selling it for a profit in a few year’s time. 

Myth #2 Oriental rugs aren’t worth the price.

Nothing could be further from the truth! Oriental rugs can last more than 100 years. The secret to their durability is in the materials that are used and the way that they are handmade. The highest-quality Oriental rugs can last for generations, even if they are placed in high-traffic areas of your home. This means that while they may be costly up front, you could end up saving money in the long run because you aren’t replacing it every few years.

Myth #3 Old Oriental rugs are worth more than new ones.

This myth is somewhat the same as myth number one, and so a myth just the same. The condition is most important when determining value, not when it was made. An old Oriental rug in poor condition is just an old rug. An old Oriental rug in good condition may be quite valuable if it is one of high-quality that has been well cared for over the years. The key here is to care for your Oriental rug, meaning regular spot cleaning and vacuuming, plus professional cleaning every two years.

Myth #4 A rug pad does nothing for your value.

A rug pad is not a waste of money, because it provides a protective layer between the rug and the floor. This means a rug pad helps minimize slippage, increases the life of your Oriental rug, makes the rug feel thicker and more luxurious, smoothes out bumps in the floor, as well as absorbs noise. 

Buy in Oriental Rug in Albuquerque

You want the best rug for your home, which means buying an Oriental rug. Hopefully, armed with this new information you are ready to buy a new Oriental rug with confidence. If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to reach out and ask us!

How Long Does an Oriental Rug Last?

Buying an Orinetal rug is an investment. After all, you want a high-quality rug and not something cheap. This means you’ll want your investment to last a long time, hopefully for many years to come. How long can you expect your Oriental rug to last? What affects how long yours will stay in good shape? We’re so glad you asked these questions, because we are here to answer them!

How Long Does an Oriental Rug Last?

We have great news for you. When we say that an Oriental rug will keep it’s value for your lifetime, and possibly even longer, we mean it. With regular care and maintenance, an authentic Oriental rug can last more than 100 years. The secret to their durability is in the materials that are used and the way that they are handmade. The highest-quality Oriental rugs can last for generations, even if they are placed in high-traffic areas of your home. 

Is There Any Way to Make it Last Longer?

There are a few ways to ensure your Oriental rug will last for as long as possible. The first happens before you actually buy the rug. You want to make sure you buy as high-quality a rug as possible. This can be done by looking at the wool quality, Knots Per Square Inch (KPSI), and whether or not it was handmade. Authentic Persian rugs have earned the reputation of being the highest quality Oriental rug due to the fact that they have perfected weaving techniques used in Iran. In fact, Persian rugs had been around for more than 2,500 years. Over this time, they’ve gotten pretty good at it- to say the least.

Once you have your Oriental rug at home, you’ll want to make sure you take care of it. Dirt is the worst enemy of fine Oriental rugs! Beyond being careful with your rug at parties or when storing and moving it, you also need to pay special attention to how often it needs to be cleaned. We recommend vacuuming your rug at least weekly. Blot up spills with clear, cold water as quickly as possible. Try your best to keep your rug clean and clear of damage, but we all know that life happens. That is why we also recommend having your rug professionally washed every two years. If you keep up with regular cleaning, you can expect your Oriental rug to last for many, many years to come.

Here at Serafian’s, we don’t just sell Oriental rugs. We take pride in also educating our shoppers. Here’s what you need to know so you can feel a peace of mind that you’re buying a high quality Oriental rug in Albuquerque. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us and ask!

How can You Tell Good Quality Oriental Rugs?

An Oriental rug is a big purchase, and it is certainly not something you buy every day. For this reason, you may be a bit nervous about shopping for one. How can you know for sure you’re going to buy a good quality Oriental rug?

We’re here to help you! Here at Serafian’s, we don’t just sell Oriental rugs. We take pride in also educating our shoppers. Here’s what you need to know so you can feel a peace of mind that you’re buying a good quality Oriental rug in Albuquerque:

#1 Wool Quality

One of the most important factors in the longevity and beauty of a rug is the quality of the wool. The best Oriental rugs are hand-woven with Persian wool. This is why Iranian rugs have always been the most sought after rugs in the world. The best wool is called “kurk”. Kurk comes from the first shearing of lambs between nine and 14 months old, and only from the softest parts of their body. Kurk wool has a very soft feel, but is exceptionally strong.

#2 Knots Per Square Inch (KPSI)

The number of knots within a rug determines the density, durability, and clarity of pattern. The more knots, the higher the quality- it’s that simple! Less knots means a looser weave, and a looser weave means the rug will be less able to withstand and uphold against your everyday foot-traffic without incurring visible damage. A higher quality rug with a higher KPSI will look fabulous for years to come.

#3 Handmade

You want an Oriental rug that is handmade, not made in a factory by machines. How can you tell the difference? One way is to look at the fringe. If the fringe is sewn on, the rug is probably machine made. If a rug is handmade, you’ll be able to tell by looking at the pile, or the main fabric of a rug. This should be made of tufts of yarn that have been individually tied into the carpet. These knots can be seen on the back of the rug as small, individual squares. Machine made rugs lack this kind of definition.

#4 Attention to Detail

A sharp pattern means more time and hand-labor was taken to build a clear and precise design and therefore the rug is of higher quality. The amount of time and labor spent on creating a handmade Oriental rug varies from design house to design house and from country to country. Authentic Persian rugs have earned the reputation of being the highest quality Oriental rug due to the fact that they have perfected weaving techniques used in Iran. 

There are many things to consider when investing in a good quality Oriental rug, and it’s not always a simple task to choose the best carpet for you. If you have any more questions or you’re ready to buy your rug in Albuquerque, we want to hear from you!