Are you looking to transform the décor setting of your home? Do you want your home interior to look like a 5-star hotel?
If so, then consider buying the best mamluk rugs or another Egyptian rug. Before Oriental rugs became so popular, Egypt was the hub of handmade rugs. Egyptian rug-making was at its height in the 15th century before being taken over by the Turkish Ottomans.
However, their rugs have remained popular up to this day and were adopted by Turkish and Persian weavers. The designs have stood the test of time and can help you completely transform your home décor.
Whether you are looking to buy handcrafted Mamluk Rugs or other thick pile rugs, Egyptian rugs are amongst the finest available.
So, how can you be sure that you are getting the best Egyptian Rug for your home? Read on for professional rug buying tips!
What Makes Egyptian Rugs Unique?
Egyptian Rugs have made a place for themselves in the rug market thanks to their unique weaving style and durability. But what makes them truly unique is the patterns and designs. Egyptian Rug designs are so popular that many Persian Rugs, Tribal Rugs, and Pakistani Rugs have copied some aspects of their designs!
Placing an Egyptian rug in your living room will give it an elegant look, especially if it’s a Mamluk rug. These rugs come in various shades and can be used in any home décor setting. Best of all, they are amongst the most durable rugs in the market, and can easily last a century if they are taken good care of.
So, if the term “Mamluk” sounds foreign to you, then how can you be sure that you are buying an authentic Egyptian rug? Here are some buying tips to help you make the right choice:
1. Buy From a Handmade Rug Supplier
Do you have a barbershop or hair salon that you always go to? Or maybe you prefer to buy certain products only from one store?
When going to a shop that you trust, you won’t even think twice about the quality. You already know from experience what the store is going to deliver. The same concept applies when buying online Mamluk Rugs.
If you buy from a supplier that specializes in handmade rugs, you can be sure to get the best quality authentic rugs. Many online rug sellers may only offer a handful of handmade rugs and Mamluk Rugs are usually not in the product categories.
The best stores will stock a range of Mamluk rugs as they know their value. After Persian Rugs, Mamluk rugs are some of the most sought-after oriental rugs.
So, next time you need a good rug, look for a quality supplier and most of your troubles will be solved!
2. Look at the Rug’s Material
If you have any doubts about the supplier, then take a look at the rug’s material. Is the rug made from natural wool or does it have a mix of polyester and cotton? How many materials are the rug’s fibers made of?
The best handmade Egyptian Rugs are made using 100% natural wool. In many cases, they may have a cotton base, but the fibers won’t be made of cotton. Rugs need to be durable as they have to bear foot traffic and cotton tears easily.
Synthetic materials such as polyester are out of the question. They are too soft and weak and don’t even have the natural feel of handmade wool rugs.
Check out a few rugs and compare the material before making a choice. If you are buying online, then always go for wool rugs as they are more durable.
3. Shape and Symmetry
Handmade Rugs are not perfect. However, they shouldn’t be uneven and all over the place either!
The best handmade rugs are made by skilled artisans, who put time and effort into each rug. This time is well worth it considering the value of these rugs. For example, Mamluk rugs can take many months to complete, depending on the size.
So, if you are going to invest in a handmade rug, then you’ll want to make sure that it is symmetrical in shape. Most rugs are rectangular, but you can get Square rugs for certain settings.
Keep in mind that slight variations are possible and may even be a sign that the rugs were hand-crafted, so don’t worry over these.
4. Knot Density
This is one aspect that you should always look at when buying a new rug. Egyptian handmade rugs like Mamluk rugs often have a higher knot density. If you don’t look at knot density, you may end up buying a low-quality rug, so don’t leave this factor out!
In many cases, you won’t even recognize the difference between a rug with a high knot density and one with a low knot density as they often look the same.
So, before buying a new Egyptian rug, always inquire about the knot density to help guide your buying decision.
5. Don’t go for Tufted Rugs
Tufted Rugs can be handmade, but are usually machine-made. In many cases, they may even have the same design as authentic Egyptian rugs because a machine can print the same pattern on multiple rugs.
Always avoid tufted rugs because they indicate that the rugs were not made with enough care.
The good news is that most of the best handmade rugs like Mamluk rugs are not tufted, so you can expect the best quality from these rugs.
Are Egyptian Rugs Worth the Cost?
If you are looking for quality and durability, then they are certainly worth the cost. However, if you are looking for a cheap rug that will last a year or two, then handmade rugs are not for you!
Besides, handmade rugs are a great investment and will increase in value over time. So, whether you want a new rug for investment or to improve your home décor setting, buying handmade Mamluk rugs is definitely worth the cost!
