Monday, March 23, 2009

Choosing The Perfect Oriental Rug

By Lucy Johansen

Adding an oriental rug to your collection will give you the change you want at a price you can afford. There are several steps that go into creating a wonderful oriental rug. Every stitch creates a unique pattern and design that give the Oriental rug style and individuality.

If you are purchasing an oriental rug to go down a staircase you will need to measure the length and the width needed. The same goes for a room; if you are placing an Oriental rug in a room then you also need to measure to see what size room you will need. Do you want to cover the entire room or do you want to cover the entire floor except for around the edge?

When shopping for an Oriental rug you need to take a picture of your room and carry it with you so you can match your rug perfectly. This will help you make one trip to the store do it and you are ready to decorate when you get home.

Wool is a material used to make some Oriental rugs. Wool can make the rugs keep the floor warm and resist high traffic. If silk is what you want you need to keep in mind that silk cannot withstand high traffic floors or cold temperatures. Only use these rugs if you live in a warm climate.

Be sure when shopping for Oriental Rugs that you check into the history of the origin of the rug. You want to make sure that the rug was made in Persia, Egypt, Morocco, Armenia, Nepal, Turkey, China, Afghanistan, Romania, Azerbaijan, and more. Hereke is the number one place to purchase elegant rugs made of the best quality.

Oriental rugs should also be examined on the back for the weave. Some rugs have aged using artificial process. This is a sign that these rugs have been washed and painted. They will appear to be lighter in color on the back because it is not exposed to the light.

When checking the details of the rug, make sure to note the knot count. If the count is higher than chances are it is made more durable. This is good for the life of the rug but bad for your wallet.

Another tip for buying an Oriental area rug includes testing the rug to determine if it is colorfast. If you rub a damp rag across the rug and color comes off you do not want to purchase the rug.

Part of the fun for many people in buying an Oriental is bargaining. Always ask the sales person if they can do better on the price. You can count on most Orientals being priced between $20 and $80 dollars a square foot. Prices will vary depending on where the rug was made. - 15252

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