Criteria, Questions & Tips for Buying Rugs & Carpets

Different people have different needs in mind when they look for a rug. It is important to be aware of these concerns before even beginning to look.

Passion for Rugs

Some people buy a rug purely as a household furnishing. For them a rug is an integral piece of a larger puzzle, like a sofa, table, or a drapery. Others have what may be called a passion for rugs. They are rug enthusiasts, rug lovers. They like the very idea of rugs. They may be quite knowledgeable in terms of rug history or typology, or they may have a purely visual interest and response to the rug, a reaction that perceives the individual personality inherent in all handmade rugs, especially antique ones. To a rug enthusiast, the rug is more like a painting. It is a focus for detailed attention. It should go with the accompanying décor, but it is not immediately subordinate to it. For this type of buyer there are various levels of concern and interest.