How to Choose an Oriental Carpet

Oriental rugs bring a richness to a room not easily matched by any other floor covering. For thousands of years, Asian artisans have woven rugs in distinctive patterns from individually knotted strands. Careful shopping involves knowledge and scrutiny of pattern, material and craftsmanship.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Measure your space carefully so you know what size rug will fit. For stair runners, measure and count the number of risers.

2. Bring a photograph of the room where the rug will go so you can choose the colors and pattern. Patterns include geometric, floral, pictorial and decorative.

3. Opt for wool for warmth, softness and resilience. Consider less-rugged but sensuous silk for luxury, low-traffic areas and warm climates. If a rug is labeled as art silk, it's actually rayon.

4. Ask what the country of origin is. Traditionally, Persia (now Iran) produced the finest rugs. Genuine Oriental rugs come from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Romania, Albania, Morocco and Egypt. True Oriental carpets are not made in Western countries. Also find out in what area of the country the rugs were woven or by what people. For example, while Turkish rugs run the gamut in quality, the city of Hereke is known for its exceptional silk carpets.

5. Inspect the rug carefully. Turn it over to examine its color and weave. Artificially aged (called washed and painted) rugs are usually lighter on the back than on the front. This contradicts normal fading, in which the back would never be exposed to daylight, and the face of the rug might fade. Washed and painted isn't necessarily a bad thing; just know that you are not getting a naturally aged rug.

6. Check knot count. A higher count creates more detail and usually adds durability, but the count can vary by design and country of origin. A higher knot count usually equals a higher price per square foot.

7. Test for colorfastness by rubbing a damp cloth over a dark area of the rug. If the color comes off, keep shopping.

8. Ask the salesperson to "do a little better." Bargaining is expected. Depending on their country of origin, quality, age and condition, contemporary rugs sell for $20 to $75 per square foot.

9. Arrange to take the rug home as a trial run on approval. Get a due-back date in writing.

10. Insist on a receipt with a detailed description, including age, country of origin, and materials, such as silk or wool. Based on this, many stores will accept the rug as a trade-in later.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a reputable store with knowledgeable salespeople. Beware of perpetual going-out-of-business sales and traveling hotel-room sales.
• Avoid stores with no price tags on rugs and buy only from reputable auction houses.
• Wilton, Karistan and Couristan brand rugs are made by machine in Oriental rug designs, but they are not considered Oriental rugs. No genuine Oriental rugs are made of nylon or polypropylene.
• Buy abroad to get extraordinary deals. Be prepared to bargain. See How to Ship Foreign Purchases to the United States.
• Discounts exceeding 20 percent usually indicate the original price has been inflated.