How to buy rugs – right questions to ask.
Everyone enjoys a comfortable home. After all, your home should be
your haven and center of balance in your life. A beautiful rug can
add volumes to the décor of a room and today, more than ever,
consumers can find exactly what they are searching for. There are
new materials and styles available in stores everywhere, and
particularly online. Contrary to common belief, it is possible to
make your home the perfect environment for you and your family
without overspending. Of course, however, you should educate
yourself with basic information on rugs before you begin your
shopping. The purpose of this article is to provide basic
information and some guidelines that will help you find precisely
what is right for you; and at the most value for your dollar.
Plan Before You Buy
One of the best ways that you can rest assured that you will save as
much money as possible, without being disappointed, is to keep a few
of the basic points of rug buying in mind before and during your
shopping experience.
Know
what you need
Evaluate your needs with care. Whether you are looking to buy
multiple rugs for office or home, or simply buying a single rug,
decide first what exactly it is you need and how long you will need
it. For instance, are you purchasing a playful rug for a children’s
room that will be outgrown soon? This would be considered a “short
term” item. Or are you looking for something that will be
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more “long term” such as an elegant rug for your dining room that
will be used for many years to come? If you keep your needs in
mind, you will save yourself valuable money and time.
Know
how it will be used
If you thoroughly understand how your rug will be used, and who will
be using it, choosing the style of rug and the material will be a
much smoother process for you. For instance, an older couple
or someone who is single may easily choose styles and materials that
a couple with young children and a pet would not choose. The
use of your rug is a factor that is important to consider before you
make your purchase.
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Know
how much you can spend
As a general rule of thumb, a shopper should always have some sort
of budget. Mind you, having a budget and keeping a budget are two
completely different things. Before you begin shopping for your
rug, make sure you know exactly how much you can spend. You may be
willing to pay more for a better quality or more unique rug that you
plan on using for many years. Meanwhile, you may aim to spend less
for a low or medium quality rug that your child may outgrow sooner
than later.
If you keep your needs, space, budget, and use in mind, you can
continue planning your rug purchase in further detail. Perhaps
visiting the model rooms at furniture stores will help you spot rug
styles and uses that would suit you and your home. These types of
models can help you generate numerous ideas regarding rug style, but
they can also show you how rugs can be selected for each room
individually in order to suit the given room and available space.
*Tip*: It is always a smart idea to measure the actual rug yourself
before purchasing.
In addition to all of this, looking through various home and
decorating magazines and catalogs will also help you generate great
ideas of how you can utilize the space that you have. You’ll be
able to find advertisements for rug manufacturers in many of these
magazines and catalogs. Carefully reading over these types of
advertisements should also help you get a general idea of the
different styles and materials that are readily available on the
market. You can also find many of these types of advertisements in
your local newspaper. Keep in mind that you’ll be looking at
everything from expensive oriental rugs to more practical and less
expensive rugs. If your budget allows, keep your options open.
Rug
Types and Terms
AUBUSSON
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The origin of the Aubusson rug is France. They were
first produced in the 17th century, and while
rare and expensive, the antique Aubusson rug can be
considered quite a find and perhaps something you should
consider purchasing, if within your budget. The rug is
a flat-weave rug which is very similar to the Kilim rug.
Typically, the colors of the Aubusson rug are delicate and
soft. You’ll find detailed floral and architectural
designs on these rugs. If scouting out an authentic
Aubusson rug is a project too time-consuming and/or
expensive for you, there are alternatives. Many
manufacturers today have created gorgeous Aubussons and they
have used the same techniques as the 17th century
French. You can find these types of Aubussons much
more easily and for a much lower price. |
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HOOKED
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If you’re searching for a rug that is a cross between a pile rug and
a needlepoint rug, then what you are searching for is a hooked rug.
When a weaver creates a hooked rug, they begin with a piece of
burlap fabric. The weaver then sews the design throughout the
material and leaves a short loop on the side that is finished.
Weavers will vary the heights of the loops used, which creates a
desirable sculptured effect. |
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KILIM
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If you’re searching for a rug with a more tribal feel and origin, a
Kilim rug may be what you want. The designs on these rugs are
usually geometric and they tend to incorporate various symbols. The
Kilim rug is a flat-weave. These rugs are usually first made in a
tribal or village environment. One of the most distinctive
characteristics of the Kilim rug is that there are slits made along
the warp of the rug when the color changes. Older Kilims were
typically woven on portable looms-which were much smaller than many
modern looms. Therefore, it is difficult to find an older Kilim in
a large size. New Kilims, however, are made in a full range of
sizes and they are considered to be extremely affordable.
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NEEDLEPOINT
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Needlepoint rugs are a type of flat-weave rug. They are made by
sewing a design into a large section of fabric. The weaver can use
various stitches and produce a wide range of patterns and general
appearances. Note that where ever the thread color changes with
these rugs, the excess thread is left hanging along the back side of
the rug.
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SUMAK
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The sumac rug, like many mentioned already in this section, is also
a flat-weave rug. However, the technique used with the creation of
the sumak is a bit different. When weaving the sumac, the
horizontal threads are wrapped on the vertical threads. This
created a chain stitch brocade appearance. This rug is favorable to
many because the process behind it results in a rug that is
reversible and does not have a darker or lighter side. The Sumak
name originates from the Caucasian rug because they were also made
using the above technique. In fact, numerous designs today have
emulated the designs of original Caucasian rugs. Many Sumaks today
are also produced looking antique or worn. |
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TAPESTRY
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Another flat-weave rug is the tapestry, which can also serve
as a wall hanging. The tapestry usually incorporates a
detailed design or image. There are many different
colors of threads that are woven into the piece of fabric.
Because this process requires extensive skill and time, the
tapestry, depending upon its source, may be more expensive
than you imagined it would be. Normally a light fabric
of some sort is sewn to the back of the tapestry in order to
conceal the loose ends of the threading. |
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TRADITIONAL PILE
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This category will describe the knotted pile rug. The
knotted pile rug is made by tying the pile to the warp
threads. Once this is done, the final rug is trimmed
and an even surface is produced. Because each knot
must be tied by hand, this type of rug takes a lot of time,
as well as effort, to produce. In addition to this,
some of the pile rug designs utilize exceptionally fine silk
pile or wool. Just one square inch in these designs
can contain hundreds of knots. Other types of pile
rugs are the village or tribal rugs. These rugs
typically use yarn that is thicker and they have fewer
knots. However, these rugs are desired by many because
of their very unique appearance. |
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TUFTED
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A tufted rug is a type of pile rug wherein the yarn wraps around the
warp threads, but it is not tied. Instead of being tied, the pile
is secured with a latex type coating on the back of the rug. This
reduces the expense and the time of making the rug, but the end
result is still a beautiful rug that looks similar to a traditional
knotted rug. |
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ADDITIONAL REMINDERS
While the types of rugs described above are some of your most
frequently found and desired rug types, they are, by no means, the
only types of rugs available on the market. If you’re searching for
details on a different sort of rug not described here, an easy way
to acquire the knowledge you need about that rug is through the
internet. Simply typing the style or even the origin of the rug
into any notable search engine should provide you with numerous
links to web pages that can help you learn more.
Where to Shop
Luckily for consumers today, there has never been such a wide choice
of places where rugs can be bought. This includes department
stores, specialty stores, and stores found online. If you shop
around many stores, you will gain a much clearer understanding of
what sorts of prices, styles, and availability you can expect to
find in the marketplace. While shopping, make sure you are
considering the quality, the price, the credit terms, and the
service the store is offering you toward your rug purchase. Keep a
lookout for delivery charges and higher credit charges. Be sure to
include these charges when you are comparing prices from store to
store.
When
to Shop
If you are planning your furniture shopping in advance, make sure
you check around to see if any stores are offering seasonal sales or
‘clearances’. There are also often times reduced prices for rugs
that have been discontinued. This also applies to rugs that are
marked as ‘display’ or ‘as is’. If you find a rug that suits you in
one of these categories, make sure to take advantage of the
discount. Take as much time to look for your rug as you can. For
example, if you’re looking for a rug that will be used outdoors,
perhaps a waterproof addition to your deck, the best time to buy
this sort of rug may be during the winter when summer item sales are
at a low. Also, take delivery time into consideration. If you are
ordering a rug that needs to come straight from the factory, this
could take up to 8 extra weeks. If you need the rug by a certain
date, it will be especially important to know how long it will be
until you receive your rug.
Read
the Label
One of the biggest mistakes many consumers make is ignoring the
information listed on the tag and label of the product. Keep in
mind that these labels are there for a reason. They include
important information about the materials used-particularly those
used that give the appearance of leather; such as vinyl. You should
also know that the name of a country, such as “French” or “Japanese”
cannot rightfully be used to describe a rug if it was not actually
made in the named country. However, you should be careful with your
label reading because any country can be named if a word like
“style” or “design” is used in conjunction with the name of the
country. Be sure you don’t confuse a “Japanese Style” rug with one
that was literally woven in Japan.
Warranties and Returns
Be sure to investigate the precise terms of the warranty for your
rug, if there is one. You should also make sure you know the
store’s return policy. While we all hate to purchase something with
the idea of returning it in mind, you must consider the possibility
that you will change your mind about the purchase. Make a point to
know all of your rights and responsibilities and be certain to get
all of these specifics in writing.
Credit Buying
Make sure you are aware of the seller’s credit service if you are
buying on time. You should know the full terms and the conditions
of it. Make sure you know exactly what the finance charge will be
and how many-and the precise amount- of each installment payment.
You should also know the total time sales price-this should include
the sales tax. Make sure you remember that federal law requires
everyone who gives credit to state the annual percentage rate. This
way you can compare on percentage rate to another when making your
purchase decision.
Know
Your Seller
Any intelligent consumer will make a point to know their seller
before buying. You can ask your colleagues, your neighbors, and
your friends for any recommendations they might have for you. If
you have the time, try to shop around before you make your
purchase. You should remember that any business with a solid
reputation will have employees who answer your questions in full and
do not rush you into buying anything. If you feel like your
questions aren’t being answered truthfully or in entirety, or that
you are being rushed into making a decision, it is probably best to
search for a new seller whom you can better trust. The truth is
that any good business aims to satisfy their customers. They want
you to continue doing business with them and they want you to refer
other to them. If the business is not aiming to satisfy you, then
they are not operating the way a good business should and you should
move onto another company or seller. For any questions you have
about how reliable a company is, you should check with your Better
Business Bureau.
Checklist
In order to make the most of every dollar you spend on your new
rug, be sure to read over the following checklist:
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Research and plan carefully before shopping.
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Figure out what your budget is and follow it.
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Make sure you shop around considering everything from quality and
price to credit and service.
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Read all of the information on the tags and labels carefully.
Remember that it is there for a reason and a good consumer is
one who is well-educated about their purchase.
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Make sure you consider the materials and the construction of your
rug, as these elements directly affect the rug’s durability.
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Know the return policy of the seller.
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Make sure you understand the warranty-what it does and does not
cover.
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If any agreement is made between you and the seller, make sure
you get the specifics put into writing. This will secure the
deal as a legal contract.
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If you are buying on time, make sure you know all of the details
regarding the seller’s credit service.
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Get in touch with the Better Business Bureau if you have any
questions about the reliability of the seller.
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