In almost every place you’ve probably been, whether a royal embassy or a palace and even a normal duplex apartment, you can find one Oriental rug. What’s more is that when people often think of rugs, they usually picture oriental ones. It is most likely the style of carpet that one can first think of. So what are Oriental rugs? How does it differ from other styles of floorings? What makes it special? And how come people often consider it first when choosing an area rug?

Oriental rugs are known for their warmth and elaborate designs. Say you feel like your room is empty or missing a certain twist, or you want to feel like royalty living in a palace. Well these carpets are likely to add a luxurious feel to a room. A genuine oriental rug is hand knotted or hand-woven. Such floorings that are machine made or tufted are not considered authentic oriental ones. So don’t be fooled.

Oriental rugs, mostly manufactured in Eastern areas, can also come from Iran and Turkey. And since these carpets are usually made from countries that pay cheap labor costs, they remain of affordable value keeping its high-end character. Oriental rugs are subdivided into specific groups based on the countries where they are produced. Examples of these groups are Persian, Chinese, and Turkish rugs. Nonetheless, Oriental carpets are historically made from China.

Rugs from the Eastern parts of the world are commonly made from natural fibers; namely wool, cotton and silk. Because of its delicate and lustrous quality, oriental floorings made from silk fibers are more expensive than those made of wool and cotton. Nonetheless, since these carpets are typically made from natural fibers, they tend to be more resilient, supple and hard-wearing. Thus, these rugs are great not only for passive parts of the house but also in areas or rooms with heavy foot traffic. Oriental ones made of synthetic fibers are of cheaper price but are not of antique worth. They may offer the same quality that a rug made from natural fibers provides, but they would surely not last longer than genuine natural-fiber Oriental rugs.

Each rug has its own personality based on the color, design and materials used. Colors used for oriental carpets are usually rich dark earth colors, navy blue, gold, black, and crimson. These colors add up to a rugs lavish and magnificent character. Also, light colors such as plum, ivory and white are added for a more glamorous and antique look. Oriental rug patterns are usually vigorous and playful. Designs are one of a kind and are flamboyant, complex and luxuriant.

Oriental rugs add supplementary zing to a room with its unique and intricate design, giving it a more grand and ornate appeal. A lot of efforts have been made to copy or duplicate them due to the evolving modern-day standard of living, but only those rugs that are made by hand through weaving or knotting are real legitimate Oriental rugs. And since these rugs are not machine-made, they tend to be more resilient and durable.