Laying it out straight

It is now possible to buy almost any type of rug anywhere, which can be confusing. To help you identify the many types of rugs available, here is a rundown of the most common.

TUFTED RUGS

These types of rugs make up the vast majority of the rugs and carpets sold. The tufted material is injected into a backing material, which is then bonded to another material, such as hessian, for added strength.

KNOTTED RUGS

These rugs can be machine-made or human-made, depending on their origins. The thread making up the carpet is pulled through the backing material and arranged in colours and patterns.

FLAT WEAVE RUGS

Threads or long pieces of material are woven in and out of the cotton instead of being tied around it. Soumak, dhurrie and kilim rugs are all examples of flat weave rugs.

PERSIAN RUGS

Persian rugs are incredibly elegant and their patterns tend to be elaborate as they're often crafted by hand. Often valued higher than other rugs, they can be collectable.

EMBROIDERED RUGS AND AUBUSSON RUGS

These two types of rugs are also highly collectable and are traditionally hand-stitched onto a cotton or linen backing, while held taut by a frame.