Whatever the reason, few can deny that Oriental rugs have an unmistakable mystique. The Oriental Rug Retailers of America define an Oriental rug as one that is hand-woven of natural fiber made in geographical areas that include the Near East, Middle East, Far East and the Balkans. The country most associated with Oriental rugs is Persia, known today as Iran. High-quality rugs also come from Afghanistan, Turkey, India, China, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and the former Soviet Union. In flat-woven, pileless rugs, horizontal and vertical threads form both the rug itself and the design.
Interior designers advise clients to always start from the floor up when decorating a room.
Because most Oriental rugs have several colors, it's easiest to start with the rug, then pull colors from it when selecting furniture, paint or window treatments. Get something that you know that you'll enjoy for years to come because they will last for years and years. Choosing a rug size can be confusing. Oriental rugs are not just for formal rooms. They can be dressed up or down.