Detailed Guide On Rugs

Defining Rugs Vs. Carpets

According to Merriam-Webster, a rug is "a piece of thick heavy fabric that usually has a nap or pile and is used as a floor covering." Additionally, a carpet is "a heavy often tufted fabric used as a floor covering" and "a surface or layer resembling or suggesting a carpet." Synonyms? Sure.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, both 'rug' and 'carpet' indicate:

"any decorative textile normally made of a thick material and now usually intended as a floor covering. [...] Both in Great Britain and in the United States the word rug is often used for a partial floor covering as distinguished from carpet, which frequently is tacked down to the floor and usually covers it wall-to-wall. In reference to handmade carpets, however, the names rug and carpet are used interchangeably."

So, What's The Difference?

Colloquially, at least in the South, the difference between a rug and a carpet seems to be how movable it is. What we call a carpet is a covering that stretches from wall to wall, affixed to the floor. On the other hand, rugs tend to be smaller than the room's square footage (by a lot or a little) and are not affixed to the floor. They can be rolled up and moved from place to place.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Carpet Vs. Rugs?

If you’re trying to choose between an area rug or carpet, there are pros and cons to each option. From maintenance to price, to function, here’s how rugs and carpets can differ.

Rug Pros

Rugs are easy to clean, some are machine washable, and they can be replaced easily.
They can be moved from room to room.
Different rug colors, patterns, and textures can transform a space.
There are no labor or installation costs.

Rug Cons

Rugs are an investment piece, which means they can be expensive, especially hand-knotted, high-knot count rugs made of natural fibers like silk or wool.

Carpet Pros

Carpet is a more affordable option than rugs when trying to cover large spaces.
It is quiet, soft, and comfortable, which makes it great for bedrooms, playrooms, and stairs.
It is cheaper than hardwood and tile flooring.
There are many colors and textures to choose from.

Carpet Cons

The carpet absorbs odors and can stain easily.
Carpet attracts allergens, and water damage can cause the growth of mold.
It’s not appropriate for high-traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
The carpet should be vacuumed frequently and requires deep cleaning.
Carpet can show wear and tear in high-traffic areas and will need replacing faster than hardwood or tile.
Replacing damaged carpets is a big project.

10 CHARACTERISTICS OF TURKISH RUGS

A Turkish rug can make a beautiful complement to any home, but there are some issues to be aware of when you are purchasing one. You want to be sure you are buying a high-quality, handmade Turkish rug that will last you a lifetime. Here are 10 characteristics to consider.

1. PRICE

When shopping, don’t tell the seller how much you are willing to spend. You can negotiate a great deal, but start out only by asking what the rug will cost.

2. SIZE

The size will affect the price quite a bit, so it’s helpful to measure the space where the rug will live so you can make sure you buy the right size.

3. MATERIAL

Turkish rugs are made from only the most high-quality materials. Hand-spun wool and silk are much more valuable than cotton or wool-cotton combinations. You will notice a difference between a silk rug and a cotton rug immediately.

4. COLOR

Turkish rugs come in many different colors, so it’s really up to you to decide which color scheme will best suit your tastes. Look for a rug that uses natural dyes, which tend to hold color longer so they won’t fade. Chemical dyes can look more washed out.

5. TYPE

There are four basic types of Turkish rugs: Hali, Kilim, Cicim and Sumak. The Hali is a thicker rug, but the other three are all flat weaves made without knots. They are often used as wall hangings and smaller rugs.

6. STYLE

Many experts can look at a rug and immediately know the region it came from and the story it tells. The stories are usually those that the creators, generally women, want to tell. Look for the story in a Turkish rug so you can understand its significance.

7. AGE

Older carpets are more valuable than newer ones because they are antique works of art. Newer carpets can still be high quality but don’t have as much inherent value as older ones.

8. HANDMADE

Handmade rugs are more expensive than machine-made, but the difference in quality is clear. Very few carpets are handmade today, so they are rare finds. A handmade rug may have some imperfections, but those only heighten the overall aesthetic.

9. REGION

Ask where a rug originated. Not all of them come from Turkey. Some come from Anatolia, Persia, Afghanistan, and other neighboring countries.

10. BACKSTORY

Every Turkish rug will have its own story. You can learn about the region they were made, the age of the rug, the people who made them, and what was going on in their country at the time it was made.

The History Of Prayer Rugs

It all began with the Prophet Mohammed, who prayed on a “khumrah”, a mat made of palm fronds.

In Islam, a prayer mat is placed between the ground and the worshipper for cleanliness during the various positions of Islamic prayer. These involve kneeling and sitting on the rug. A Muslim must perform wudu (ablution) before worship and pray in a clean place.

The primary indicator of a prayer rug is the “Mihrab” – a niche motif woven into the upper end of the rug that indicates where the devotee places one’s head during his five times a day prayer. The “mihrab” design is intended as a replica of the “qibla,” an archway in the wall of every Mosque that denotes the direction of Mecca. This motif indicates where each practitioner must be oriented when they begin prayer. More notable examples may display detailed architectural motifs, including pairs of columns supporting the archway, a delicate hanging lantern, or intricate flower-filled vases. Alternately, tribal weavings tend to feature more nature-inspired designs like the ‘tree of life’, or a striking unadorned field often found in antique Turkish prayer rugs.

They are sometimes even decorated with images. These images are usually important Islamic landmarks, such as the Kaaba, but they are never animate objects because drawing animate objects on Islamic prayer mats is forbidden.

Across the carpet-weaving regions, prayer rugs were often unique to the villages in which they were woven. The weavers created individual patterns and motifs and contained designs related to the village or its weaver. Particularly in Caucasian prayer rugs, elements of daily life are featured, such as the weaver’s combs, animals, birds, and flowers. Some prayer rugs include a pitcher to remind the devoted to wash before prayer or small areas denoting where to put one’s hands during prayer. Stars are used to depict the heavenly world that human beings are a part of.

The sizes of prayer rugs are also quite specific. Since practitioners are required to pray five times every day, prayer rugs need to be compact enough for travel and light enough to carry great distances as necessary. For this reason, prayer rugs are usually from 2.5 X 4 ft. to slightly larger than 5.5 ft.

In Islam, the prayer rug has a powerful symbolic meaning and is traditionally taken care of in a holy manner. It is disrespectful for one to place a prayer mat in a dirty place (as Muslims have to be clean to show their respect to God) or throw it around disrespectfully. The prayer mat is traditionally woven with a rectangular design, typically asymmetrical by the niche at the head end. Within the rectangle, one usually finds images of Islamic symbols and architecture. The designs found on a Muslim prayer rug also represent the promise of paradise and eternity.

Seasoned collectors and novices alike find that the artistry and uniqueness of a prayer rug can culminate in an excellent wall hanging. The prayer rug industry flourished under the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal dynasties (c. 1299-1736), and carpets became national treasures. Prayer rugs traded to Europe and the Far East were often considered too precious to be prayed on and hung like paintings in a home or palace.

Weavers competed to make the most beautiful prayer rugs, and the different tribes or groups would work hard at making the most memorable creation. As time passes, these rare and magnificent pieces, when well maintained, will only increase in reverence and value.

Conclusion

Colloquially, at least in the South, the difference between rugs and a carpet seems to be how movable it is. What we call a carpet is a covering that stretches from wall to wall, affixed to the floor. On the other hand, rugs tend to be smaller than the room's square footage (by a lot or a little) and are not affixed to the floor. They can be rolled up and moved from place to place.

Its Rug Styling