An antique or vintage hand-knotted Oriental rug can completely change the look of your space. But if you are just starting out it can be hard to know where to begin with decorating using Oriental rugs.
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Rugs historically go on the floor, but with a real beauty you can hang it on a wall as well for an exotic look.
Rugs with dark colors and complex patterns are good for high traffic areas such as an entryway or kitchen. These hide dirt, wear and stains much better than those with more subdued designs. Use durable rugs in high traffic spaces like Bidjars and Kazvins and save the more fragile antiques for low traffic areas.
If you are looking for a room-size carpet, find one 1-2 feet smaller than the actual size of the space. You don't want the rug climbing the walls, but you do want it to anchor the furnishings. Having at least the front legs of chairs or dressers on the carpet will make your space more cohesive. Layering is another great option for utilizing a large area of space on a budget. By using a large cheaper rug of jute or other natural fiber you can place a smaller antique rug on top.
Choose low-key patterns if you already have busy wall paper. If you have your eye on a carpet with an intricate and complicated design, make sure your walls don't have too much going on to create a balanced atmosphere.
Utilize highlight colors in your Oriental rug to your advantage. If there are small spots of teal or periwinkle in your Persian rug, you can use your other furnishings to pull those colors.
Lastly, rug pads are important to keep your rug in great condition and to protect your floors. They also make walking on your carpet extra comfortable.