Carpet Buying Guide

India’s multifaceted culture and workmanship manifests itself in the art of carpet making and weaving, providing an eclectic spectrum from northern states like Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Rajashthan to northeastern states like Meghalaya and Manipur. India’s association with carpet making goes back to the days of the great Mughal ruler Akbar. He was instrumental in bringing Persian influences to the north of India and encouraging carpet making. So much for its history.

CARPET MATERIALS

Carpets are made from a variety of materials wool, silk, cotton, or synthetic fibers. So if you live in a place where winters are almost non-existent, woolen carpets may not be the right thing for you. They also tend to be expensive. So make sure you pay as much attention to durability as to price. Woolen, cotton and silk carpets last longer than those made from synthetic yarn.

These traditional Indian carpets are procured from Kashmir. The silk carpet of Kashmir is hand knotted, and is renowned for its softness and the superb skill with which it is crafted.
The type of silk carpet created depends on the yarn used. Silk carpets of India are created on a silk pile, a cotton pile or a woolen pile. The 100 % pure silk carpets have between 400-1600 knots per square inch. This high number ensures their durability.
Silk carpets of Kashmir and the hand-knotted woolen carpets are certainly pricier than the other varieties.

CARPET CLEANING

Pay attention to how dirt and dust particles stick to the carpet. Else you’ll have to spend an awful amount of time cleaning and maintaining it.

Read,

Carpet Cleaning Tips

TYPES OF CARPETS

There are also different ways in which a carpet is made some are knotted, some are tufted (handmade with the help of tufting guns), while others are flat woven. Knots per square inch, tightness of tufts or tightness of weave are all measures to watch out for while comparing two carpets of the same variety. The Bokhara carpets of Kashmir have the largest number of knots per square inch (125-500) and are considered to be the finest in knotted carpets. Read more about Types of Carpets

CARPET COLORS

Next is color. You can choose to echo the color of your wall or furniture in your carpet or add a contrast with colors that accent your décor. Go with a design that matches your style, which can be elegant and intricate, geometric, floral or Buddhist patterns. If your living room furniture is plain with no patterns, a carpet with a lot of detail may fit perfectly well. If you’re looking for rich colors with less detail, look for handmade dhurries instead. Coir carpets of Kerala and grass mats of the south are also becoming increasingly popular today.

Indian carpets can infuse an elegant charm and a splash of color to your living room. You can check out an online Indian carpet store or visit the Indian Carpet Export Promotion Board website.

INDIAN CARPET DESIGNS

The Indian carpet designs are mostly ethnic with a lot of Persian influence from where the carpets came from originally. The carpets are mostly named on their plances of origin in Iran, India and so on. Some of the popular patterns woven into carpets are:

Kashan

This is an interconnected leaf and tendril design. There is no central medallion.

Kashan Carpet

Tabriz Carpet

Tabriz

This is a leaf and tendril pattern, with an intricate motif at the corners and a floral border. There is an elongated medallion.

Ispahan

This is a leaf and tendril pattern with intricate corners, a floral border, and a round medallion.

Ispahan Carpet

Bokhara Carpet

Bokhara

This design consists of repeated oval medallions that are called gulls or ‘elephant footprints'.

Herati

This pattern comprises diamond shapes and leaves. There is usually no medallion.

Herati Carpet

Heriz Carpet

Heriz

This design used in Indian carpets is geometric. There is a medallion resembling a starburst too.

Serapi

This pattern evolved into the heriz design described above. It is geometric and consists of a medallion from which arms extend.

Serapi Carpet

Mir Carpet

Mir

Also referred to as Boteh, this Indian carpet design is a paisley pattern spread all over.

Kerman

This consists of a floral medallion, intricate corners and a border.

Kerman Carpet

Sharouk Carpet

Sharouk

This is simply a pattern of independent flower bouquets.

Mahal

This is an abstract floral design, markedly geometric.

Mahal Carpet

Tribal Carpet

Tribal

These are irregular patterns of various kinds.

Aubusson

A large floral medallion, intricate corners, an elaborate border. This is a French design.

Aubusson Carpet

Savonnerie Carpet

Savonnerie

This is an elaborate Aubusson pattern.

Bidjar

There is a hexagonal medallion, and a herati field surrounding it.

Bidjar Carpet