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You’ve got the sofa in, and the armchairs. Coffee table? Check. What’s left? Oh yes, a rug. A well-chosen rug can really be the finishing touch to a room, adding a splash of colour and unique style. But where can you find that perfect rug that’s just what you’ve been looking for?
On the high street
You can’t beat actually seeing and feeling a rug before you buy, as this will let you see the quality up close and feel the fabrics to make sure it’s as good as it should be. You can still find carpet shops on the high street, which will often sell rugs too, though like many high street stores, these are in decline. Even large supermarkets will sell them, though these will often be cheaper, mass-produced synthetic items. Markets and craft fairs are also good places to look, with the latter often providing some unique handmade options to choose from.
Traditional Rugs
When it comes to buying a traditional Persian rug, you really can’t do better than actually travelling to Iran to see them for yourself. Rug making is an art in Iran, with rugs hand knotted in the way they’ve been made for centuries, and there are hundreds of markets across the country that sell them. To be able to actually see and feel the rug for yourself before buying is, of course, the best way to ensure it’s the perfect one for you.
Next best for traditional rugs is to buy through a dealer. Check out the dealer first to make sure that they are reputable and provide a fair price to weavers when selling their rugs.
Used
Genuine, handmade wool rugs can last for decades without showing severe signs of wear, so there are many traditional rugs available on the market second hand. These will usually be made to the same quality as brand-new rugs, sometimes even better, and can be a good option if you want all the charms and durability of a classic, hand loomed rug without the expense of buying one brand new.
Buying bespoke
Many things today are customised, you can have your favourite movie characters or band logos printed on t-shirts and the like, and rugs are no different. On sites like Etsy, you can get rugs made to your own specifications, with unique, shapes, designs and patterns, literally anything you want.
Buying online
For many of us, the internet is the first place we turn to when we want to buy something, and there’s good reason to do that. When shopping online you get access to hundreds of thousands of options from all over the world, giving you even greater choice. This of course has its own let-downs. With so many traders operating online, it’s hard to know which ones are legit and which ones aren’t.
The first place many people will turn to is Amazon. They have a typically large range of rugs for different needs, and you get to see customer reviews before parting with any cash, to give you peace of mind that you’ll get what you pay for.
Finally, don’t forget to do your research. Read through publications such as Ideal Home to get an idea of the manufacturers and dealers available. There are dozens of websites and blogs devoted to rugs, often running selections of their favourites and where to buy them, they can also help you decide which style of rug to go with.
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