How to Buy an Oriental Rug

Do you live somewhere? Good. Then you probably have a floor. To find out for sure: look down. Is something under your feet? That something is a floor!

Do not be alarmed. Humans have lived in places with floors since the dawn of human history. It is what separates us from the wild animals. Many wild animals do not even have feet to put a floor under.

You might want more than just a floor, however. Perhaps a floor covering is for you. You could get a carpet, but what you really want is a rug. The difference? While a carpet can be expensive, a rug can be ridiculously, astronomically expensive. No matter, a rug is what you want. An oriental rug.

Actual oriental countries are far away. Most of them are now located in Asia. Nevertheless, you can buy rugs made in the orient at fine stores everywhere. Below are a few helpful hints for buying an oriental rug.

1) Avoid lumpy or bumpy rugs. Furniture set on these will often appear tilted.

2) If the rug you are interested in is wool, ask to see the sheep that produced the wool. Does it look healthy? Trustworthy?

3) Many handmade rugs contain a weave. Take along a magnifying glass and see if you can spot a weave in the rug. If left alone weaves can produce weevils. You do not want that.

4) Real oriental rugs do not say 'Welcome' on them, or 'Please wipe your Hooves' or anything like that. They don't even speak English in the Orient, so of course they would not write English words on their rugs. Don't be a fool!

5) If you are going for practicality, get one of those indoor/outdoor oriental rugs.

6)Some people like to hang their rugs on the wall. What's with that?