Oriental rugs are the most natural form of carpeting to use in a room. They are warm, beautiful and instantly light up the rom. They look best in living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, the study room and foyers; basically, they make any place come alive. When buying Oriental rugs, there are some things to bear in mind, as they will determine the kind of rug you end up buying.

Stick to natural materials. These are fabrics such as wool, silk and cotton. They are more durable and your rug will serve you for many years to come. They are also easy to clean and are safe. Synthetics wear out quickly and are known to release harmful emissions.

Check the rug’s knots per square inch - the higher the number, the better the rug. More knots signify better quality and more durability. Be sure to pay slightly more for it though!

If you want to cover an entire room, ensure that you have the measurements right to get the correct size of rug. For hallways and stairs, you can buy Oriental runners.

Check the rug for color steadfastness. Rub a damp cloth over the rug to see if the color will come of. If it does, stay away from that particular piece no matter how beautiful it looks.

To guide you in choosing colors and designs, use the ambience in the room. The rug may not necessarily be in the same color as other accessories used in the room. It should however, complement them and enhance the décor of the room. If the room is rather dull, choose an Oriental rug with rich patterns to bring it alive. If the room is too colorful, a rug with a rather subdued pattern will work. The beauty of Oriental rugs is in the patterns so place it in such a way that the patterns can be seen by everyone who walks in the room. If you want the rug to go under the table, choose one with patterns on the outer edges as this is the part of rug that will be visible.