Shopping for imported carpets can feel like going to a foreign bazaar. Carpets are often stacked, folded or hung by the tens if not hundreds. Sorting through all the selections can be daunting if you don’t know what you are looking for. Before shopping for imported carpets and area rugs, do your homework—it will save you time and sometimes money.

 

Before deciding to invest in an imported new, vintage or antique rug, do your research. Online is a good place to begin.  Learn what kinds of carpets come from which countries. Knowing the difference between a Dhurrie and a Kilim will cut down on what you’ll look for at the store.

 

Identifying what your color palette is and what colors you are looking for in a carpet will narrow down the selections once you are at the rug store. Bring paint chips as well as fabric and upholstery samples to get the best rug for your color palette.

 

Measure your room and the space for the rug so you will know what sizes will work for you and which will be too large or too small.

 

Most importantly know your budget. Once you see a rug and fall in love with it you don’t want to be disappointed that it is out of your price range. You can do some research online to get a general sense of what imported rugs may cost. When you get to the store inform them the size, colors, type and the price range you want.