Oriental rug is a general term for rugs that are Caucasian, Chinese, Indian, Persian and Turkish. These rugs are named after the place where they were made or the people who made them. All have unique traditional designs. Many have a center medallion. The richness of color and and the intrinsic design value make them works of art for the floor. Oriental rugs suit both contemporary and traditional design. They are timeless and highly versatile. An Oriental rug is a purchase that you will have forever. Here are the major types of Oriental rugs:

come from the region between northwest Iran and eastern Turkey including Armenia and Azerbaijan. Of these rugs, there are three main types: Karabakh, Kazak, and include Daghestan, Kuba, Shendje, and Soumak. Although there are more refined, they generally have primary colors and a provincial look.

dating from early times are sometimes called Nangxia after the region where they were made. Basically all traditional have Buddhist or Taoist motifs including the endless knot and the dragon. The predominant colors in are navy blue, ivory, and yellow. A Chinese rug will almost always have blue in it. They are made with silk and wool piles and often have a pale background with a more deeply colored design.

often from Agra and Amritsar. Other types of Indian rugs include Kashmir, Lahore, and Srinagar. Most Indian rugs have softer colors and a less rigid design than other Oriental rugs. The designs are similar to but tend to be less opulent.

come from the area that is now Iran. They include the popular Tabriz, Heriz, and Sultanabad rugs. Tabriz rugs, which come from town in northwest Iran, have a more formal look than some other . Heriz rugs tend to have geometric patterns and colors in jewel tones, meaning deep reds and blues. Subtanabad rugs come from the Arak region in northwest Iran and have a short pile. Other types of are Bakhtiary, Bijar, Feraghan, Kerman, Sarook, Senneh, and Serapi rugs.

come mainly from central Turkey and include Anatolian, Hereke, and Oushak rugs. Oushak rugs are quite popular and for good reason. The designs are fairly informal and larger in scale. In general they are attractive and highly versatile.

are literally paintings that go on the floor. Heavy canvas is stretched and painted, often using stencils, and coated with protective finish. Floor cloths were first popular in early eighteenth-century England and America. It is possible to buy pre-primed canvas for this purpose at art supply stores. If you ‘re preparing the canvas yourself, which you might do for a floor cloth that is not a standard size, the canvas must be stretched first and both sides of it primed before painting. It’s important to talk to an expert at an art supply store about which products to use. Painted floors offer a great opportunity to have a custom-made floor treatment with the right scale, colors, and pattern for the room.

are traditionally made using scraps of cotton and wool textiles. were born of necessity on the American prairie in the late nineteenth century, out of clothes worn thin from hard work. They are generally not very big and often are round or oval. During the Arts an Crafts Movement at the start of the twentieth century, the rugs were particularly popular. They are made by pulling scraps of cloth through burlap with a hook or with braided strips of fabric sewn together. They tend to have simple designs. can be used in a country house, a beach house, a child’s room, or by a bed. They have a cozy handmade feel. They go very well with the light and airy Scandinavian or Swedish style.

were first made in France and graced the grand estates of nobility in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The savonnerie rug factory was established in the early seventeenth century in an old soap factory, thus the name, which means “soap factory” in French. A Savonnerie rug, which has a thick pile, is best used in a special room without a lot of traffic. They are formal and have a very European look. The style has been widely reproduced and Savonneri-style rugs come from all over the world.

, with a luxuriously thick pile, are mostly handmade in Nepal for export to the West. are made with wool or silk pile or a combination. The motifs are sometimes traditional Tibetan Buddhist images, but many of the rugs are made in solid colors and with contemporary designs to meet the demands of the Western market. Their rich simplicity makes them suitable for almost any style. The colors are generally very beautiful. have become widely available and more popular in recent years. They are generally high-quality rugs that are a good value.