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Making an informed purchase will ensure that you are happy with your new rug for many years to come. There are a number of things to consider.

What is an Oriental Rug?

A true "Oriental" rug is one that is produced in Asia. It can be from one of a number of countries. There are many regional styles and there is the "Persian" style.

True Persian rugs are made in Iran, once known as Persia. Many consider these to be the finest rugs. Persian-style rugs are made in other countries, including India, Pakistan, and China. Common patterns include traditional garden or floral designs, often with a central medallion. Other rugs have a geometric design or look like a painting.

Nomadic tribes in Afghanistan made rugs in a different style. Rugs are also made in the area between the Caspian and Black Seas, called Caucasian rugs, and from Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey. Many rugs made in these countries have distinctive styles, but many are also made from Persian designs.test

How Will The Rug Be Used?

If you are buying a rug to use as the centerpiece of your living room you'll have a different approach than you would if you were buying a runner for a high traffic hall or stairway. Consider how much traffic there is in the area, the amount of direct sunlight that will hit the rug, and the size of the area.

Placement of the rug is important in choosing a design as well. If the center of the rug is going to be covered by a table or bed, choose a design that is geometric or repetitive and has detailed borders. On the other hand, a rug that will be placed where the center is visible should have a highlight in the center, such as a medallion.

Make sure you measure the area where the rug will go! You don't want to get a rug that is too large or too small. That's why it is important to measure the area where you intend to put the rug. It is helpful to layout the room on graph paper or our online room planner. That way our experts can help you fit the rug properly to the space that is available.

If you are putting the rug in a room that is already furnished, bring samples to the store when you shop. If you can't bring samples, a good photograph will help. Pictures, pillows and paint swatches can help us make sure your rug will exist in harmony with your furniture and walls.

The Material

Natural fibers like wool, cotton, and silk are usually more durable than synthetic fibers. They are less likely to cause allergies or release chemical fumes. But they are more expensive. Again, the placement of the rug and the way it will be used are important considerations in deciding what material should be used in your rug.

The Dye

High quality rugs throughout history have been colored with all natural, vegetable dyes. Rug experts prefer the vegetable dyes to synthetics, but man-made dyes are common in lower priced machine-made rugs. Camp bowie rugs sells both, and clearly marks those rugs that are produced using vegetable dyes.

Craftsmanship

Many rugs are made by machine, others are hand-tufted or hand-knotted. Rugs made by hand are more expensive than machine-made. If you are buying a hand-knotted rug, some experts believe the number of knots per inch are test of the rug's quality -- superior craftsmen tie smaller knots yielding more knots per inch. Other experts disagree, saying the quality of the wool or silk and the dyes that are used are more important indicators of quality if the weave is regular and tight.

There is disagreement among experts about the importance of a rug's country of origin as well. Some purists believe Persian design rugs that are made anywhere other than Iran, once known as Persia, are inferior. Others contend that the quality of Persian design rugs made in India, Pakistan, China, Tibet and Nepal can be higher than Iranian products.

What is Your Budget?

The most important consideration before you buy is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on a new rug? Budgetary limits may prevent you from getting the most expensive rug in the showroom, but you can still buy a beautiful, well-made rug. Camp Bowie Rugs has rugs in a wide price range for just this reason.