Persian Rugs

When it comes to area rugs, Persian rule the roost and, budget being the only restraining factor, the first choice of almost all potential rug owners is sure to be a Persian rug. There are many different types of Persian rugs, which vary as much in shape, size and design as well as the way in which they are made. Persian rugs can be either woven or knotted and the quality of knotted rugs is determined by the knot-count per square inch.

The area of Iran, once known as Persia was world-renowned for its art of making woven and hand knotted rugs. Early Persian rugs were made out of spun and dyed wool that was acquired from sheep. Silk was also used in Persian rugs and is still employed today in some rugs. Authentic Persian rugs were made only with wool and silk, although synthetics such as nylon are commonly used in the factories, particularly in the larger mills.

Knotting the rug consisted of tying the small fibers into a backing. The more fibers you could manage to fit into a square inch, the plusher the rug. Hooks, which were almost similar in design to crochet hooks, are used to complete this arduous task. The process may be painstaking but the stunning results are well worth the effort!

Weaving consisted of using a weaving loom to mesh the threads together. The major drawback with making woven rugs was that longer threads were needed for weaving and also the weaving loom took up a sizable area in the house.

Both methods of making Persian rugs required that a design be incorporated into the rug and rug makers followed a pattern and learned to make exquisite designs. The designs varied depending on the region of Persia where the rug is made. Whereas the carpets made in certain areas only depicted people, birds and flowers; in other regions the focus was on geometric patterns.

Persian rugs are not only designed to be used as carpets. Many of them are so intricate and ornate that they can be used to stunning effect as wall hanging. When used as wall hangings, Persian rugs add a certain regal splendor blended with coziness and warmth that you are unlikely to find in any other kind of wall hanging.

While traveling to Iran just to buy a Persian rug would undoubtedly place you at the top of Forbes magazines "500 Richest People In The World", if you do not have the budget to be that extravagant, you can still avail of several cheaper options for buying one.

Authentic Persian rugs are easily available online at several reputable sites. Authentic Persian rugs can be rather pricey, but are well worth the money. These rugs are designed to last a lifetime and then some. What's more, besides enhancing the beauty and splendor of any room, they also increase in value as they get older; an antique genuine Persian rug could be well worth several times more than the original cost that it was bought at.