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Buying Rugs and Kilims By Nazmiyal

Rug and Kilim – What Is The Difference And What To Buy?

One of the more frequently ask rug related questions that we get has to do with differences between a rug and kilim. In the simplest terms, a kilim is a flat weave area rug while the term “rug” or “carpet” is generally reserved for area rugs that have pile and that were knotted by hand.

Rug and Kilim by Nazmiyal Collection
Rug and Kilim by Nazmiyal Collection

Lets explore this rug and kilim question a bit further.

What Is A Rug?

In it’s most basic definition, a rug is a woven fabric that is used to cover a specific area of the floor. This is distinct from the term “carpet”,  which is generally but not invariably used to refer to carpeting that extend wall-to-wall, or are fixed to the floor; the difference between a rug and carpet is explained further below. The origins of rugs and carpets are varied, but the method for weaving rugs is largely cross-cultural. For the most part and generally speaking, rugs are made on frames called rug looms.

Picture of the pile of a knotted pile area rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Picture of the pile of a knotted pile area rug

Learn more about the differences between rugs and carpets

What Is A Kilim?

Flat woven area rugs are called “Kilim rugs”. The term “kilim” primarily refers to a type of flat weave rug that was produced without knotted pile. Because these antique rugs are found across the globe, each region has a different pronunciation and spelling of the name Kilim. Homers Iliad and Egyptian tomb paintings, from the same time period, depict weavers producing flat weave area rugs and carpets of this kind.

Picture of the pile of a flat woven kilim rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Picture of the pile of a flat woven kilim rug

Learn more about Kilim rugs

Should you buy a pile rug or kilim?

Here are 3 points to consider when trying to decide if you should buy a pile area rug or a flat weave kilim:

The different types of kilims and rugs:

For the most part, most weaving centers produced both flat weave kilims and pile area rugs. But the main types of flat weave rugs would be:

Shopping for a rug or kilim? Here are some great options:

Antique Afghan Beshir Tribal Pile Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Antique Afghan Beshir Tribal Pile Rug 71313
Picture of Antique Tribal Turkish Kilim Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Antique Tribal Turkish Kilim Rug 48609
Art Deco French Kilim Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Art Deco French Kilim Rug 49256
Antique French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Antique French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug 70946
Antique Northwest Persian Pile Runner Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Antique Northwest Persian Pile Runner Rug 71841
Antique Indian Agra Pile Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Antique Indian Agra Pile Rug 71772
Antique Persian Sultanabad Pile Rug by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
Antique Persian Sultanabad Pile Rug 71818

This rug blog post about buying a rug or kilim was published by Nazmiyal Rugs / Collection in NYC