Kilim rugs, having rich and potent Turkish origins, are a low-pile, thin, and remarkable article of décor. If you know nothing about this Turkish rug, but interested in exploring types of area oriental rugs, then you’re at the right place. Here is what to know about kilim rugs.

Origin Of Kilim Rugs

Kilim rugs originate from Anatolia (the Asian portion of Turkey today). Known as a thin, lint-free, and water-resistant rug, Kilim rugs were used by nomads in their tents to protect them from the wet soil. Since then, Kilim rugs have come a long way and they are used in contemporary house décor.

Kilim has a history that stretches back to almost 4000 years. It was primarily made out of wool or hair and that tradition is pretty much still alive, but instead of hair, cotton is being used in combination with wool, for a more manageable and lightweight rug.

The designs and patterns on Kilim rugs are also a reflection of the Anatolian culture and colors, all weaved together in a perfect visual symphony. The bright and bold colors and the ethnic and tribal patterns are the perfect balance of vintage and contemporary, which is why these rugs are much loved by the masses to this day.

In the older days, Kilim rugs also consisted of verses and pictorial stories of different events that took place in Central Asia, which were in equal amounts beautiful and nostalgic.

What Makes Kilim Rugs Special?

Low-Pile Rugs

What makes Kilim rugs extremely unique and unorthodox is the fact that they are thin, low-pile rug, but they are made out of wool. Usually, wool rugs are known to be cushiony and very thick.

Not to mention, wool rugs fray and produce lint like there is no tomorrow. Because of a simple weaving technique, Kilim rugs have completely changed the reputation of woolen rugs.

Smaller Rugs

These rugs are also smaller than traditional woolen rugs. They’re usually available in area rug sizes, and sometimes in floor covering lengths, on demand. Kilim rugs are also quite low maintenance and this quality makes them a winner in many people’s books.

A beautiful Representation Of The Turkish Culture

Kilim rugs are the epitome of Turkish history and culture, weaved in infinite strands. And something about these rugs just makes them so effortless, yet outstanding.

Uniqueness

Kilim rugs aren’t as loud as Persian rugs and they’re not meant to be blended in the background like other minimal rug designs. So, they are the perfect liaison if you want something that will add that extra oomph to the room without taking away all of the attention and balance of décor. These rugs are the first choice of décor enthusiasts.

What To Know Before Buying Kilim Area Rugs?

Here are the things you need to know when you want to buy a Kilim rug.

Looking At The Weaves

It’s all in the weaves. Kilim rugs have a very interesting weave pattern and it can be spotted from a mile away. The weave used in making Kilim rugs is known as a flatweave, but many types of flatweaves define the different textures and patterns of Kilim rugs. They are:

• Slit weaves is essentially the weaving pattern that is used to make reversible Kilim rugs. In this technique, a weave is wrapped around another colored strand that makes the rug smooth on the surface.
• Interweaving is a technique that’s used to make low-pile rugs. Since Kilim rugs are essentially thin and their characteristic is low pile, this is the most common technique. It’s just how it sounds. There is a lot of interlocking of the weaves that makes the rug flat but structured at the same time.
• Brocading is also a very common weaving technique that’s used to make raised patterns on the rug. If you’re someone who likes a bit more substance, then brocaded Kilim rugs will be your favorite.

Buying From Authentic Stores

The next important thing to consider when considering Kilim rugs is to think about where you want to get them from. Oriental rugs have a pretty big retail footprint and there are lots of boutiques and stores that carry Kilim rugs.

You want to go for these stores when buying a Kilim rug, rather than opting to go for social media and online forums. Unless authentic stores have reliable online service, you don’t want to spend too much money on an online rug because chances are that those are going to be gimmicks.

Quality Of Rugs

Kilim rugs are mostly handmade, but there are varieties available that are machine-made as well. You want to try your best to go for handmade rugs because they’re generally better quality and you’ll get superb durability and beauty. One way by which you can identify a handmade rug is to look at the back.

If the pattern on the back is a mirror image of the front, then you’re certain that what you’re looking at is a real, handmade Kilim rug. A machine-made rug doesn’t have the same pattern as the front and there are a lot of gaps in the design as well.

Color Of The Rugs

You want to look at the color of the rug too. The dyes used in making authentic Kilim rugs are organic and derived from plants and herbs. Each strand is doused in the potent dye and the color is extremely vibrant with no bleeding whatsoever.

However, machine-made rugs use powder and chemical dyes that can bleed into one another, and the color can fade away or transfer pretty quickly too. So, you want to steer clear of these rugs as much as you can and try to get your hands on the real deal.

Maintaining Kilim Rugs

If you’re going for Kilim rugs, then you need to know the basics of maintaining these important pieces of décor:

• Firstly, Kilim rugs don’t shed. This property makes them amazing for everyday use around the house and they don’t bald either. This can be a huge problem with other woolen rugs since they’re extremely thick and there’s just no way that you can prevent it from fraying. However, Kilim rugs are very robust and they can withstand a lot of damage.
• Since Kilim rugs are made out of wool, and sometimes in combination with cotton, you need to ensure that you’re only getting them professionally cleaned. You can’t just throw a huge Kilim rug in the washing machine and call it a day. If you want the rug to last reasonably, then vacuum clean it regularly and have it cleaned by an expert every 6-12 months.
• These rugs are pretty good when it comes to stains, however, it’s still not recommended that you let the puddle of liquid get permanent. Clean it up as soon as you see it because blotchy rugs are not in trend.
• Daily vacuuming and shaking of the rug will prevent it from looking dull and dirty.

Conclusion

Kilim rugs are truly fascinating. Their beauty is incomparable. If you want a speck of history and excellent craftsmanship in your décor, then definitely consider getting a Kilim rug. Take a look at wholesale oriental rugs VA to buy high-quality, handmade rugs at affordable rates.