Persian Rugs in Pakistan: Styles, Knots, Materials and Rates
Persian rugs are a style first: a design built on medallions, flowers and borders, made by hand or by machine. A good Persian-style rug in 5 by 8 ft costs PKR 55,000 to 78,000. A Turkish-style rug costs PKR 25,000 to 35,000, and a large hand-knotted piece costs PKR 75,000 to 135,000. This guide explains Iranian, Afghan and Pakistani rug styles. It shows how hand-knotted differs from machine-made, how to check the knots on the back, and what to know about materials, sizes, rates and care. For other carpet types, see carpets and rugs.
What makes a rug Persian
Persian describes a design tradition: a central medallion, curved floral lines and layered borders in red, navy and ivory. Shops also say Iranian or Irani carpet for the same tradition. The word describes the look, so a Persian-style rug may be hand-knotted or machine-made. Ask which one you are buying, because the price and the life of the rug differ a lot.
Persian, Afghan, Turkish and Pakistani rug styles
The main styles you will see in shops.
| Style | Look | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Persian or Iranian | Medallions, florals, curved lines, rich red and navy | Drawing rooms and formal lounges |
| Afghan | Geometric patterns in deep red and black | Studies, halls and dining rooms |
| Turkish-style | Softer colours, abstract or traditional, lower price | Bedrooms and everyday lounges |
| Pakistani hand-knotted | Often Persian or Bukhara designs in wool | Formal rooms and long-term pieces |
Hand-knotted or machine-made
Weavers tie a hand-knotted rug knot by knot. It takes weeks or months to weave and lasts for decades. A loom weaves a machine-made rug fast, so it costs far less and the pattern is uniform. Both have a place. Choose hand-knotted for a long-term piece in a formal room, and machine-made for a rug that sees everyday traffic. Never pay a hand-knotted price for a machine-made rug.
How to check the back of the rug
Turn the rug over and look at the back. In a hand-knotted rug the pattern is clear and slightly uneven, and each knot shows as a tiny dot. In a machine-made rug the back is flat and even, and it often has a stitched grid or a latex coat. Pull the fringe gently. In a hand-knotted rug the fringe is part of the weave. In a machine-made rug it is sewn on.
Materials: wool, silk and cotton
Wool is the standard material for the surface. It is durable, warm and takes dye well. Silk gives sheen and fine detail, but it costs far more and needs gentle care. Cotton often forms the base of the weave and holds the knots. A wool-and-cotton hand-knotted rug balances cost and life. Rub the surface to test it. Good wool feels springy and does not shed heavily.
Sizes and rates
Typical rates in Pakistan for a good-quality piece.
| Rug | Size | Rate (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Small synthetic rug | 2 by 3 ft up to 4 by 6 ft | 2,000 - 8,000 |
| Machine-made rug | 5 by 8 ft | 8,000 - 25,000 |
| Turkish-style rug | 5 by 8 ft | 25,000 - 35,000 |
| Persian-style rug, fine wool weave | 5 by 8 ft | 55,000 - 78,000 |
| Hand-knotted rug, large | 7 by 10 ft and above | 75,000 - 135,000 |
Where a Persian rug suits
A Persian rug anchors a drawing room, a dining area or a formal lounge. Place it under the front legs of the sofa. Under a dining table, leave a 60 cm border beyond the chairs. Keep patterned walls plain so the rug is the focus. Avoid wet areas and direct sun, which fades the colours.
Care and cleaning
Vacuum without a beater bar (the spinning brush), and turn the rug round twice a year to even out sun and wear. Blot spills at once and never rub. Have a hand-knotted rug washed by a specialist every few years. For stain methods that suit rugs, read the carpet cleaning guide. For sizes and placement of other rugs, see rugs and runners.
Mistakes buyers make
- Buying on pattern alone, without checking the back.
- Paying a hand-knotted price for a machine-made piece.
- Choosing a rug that is too small, so the furniture sits half on it and half off.
- Skipping the underlay, which protects the rug and stops it slipping.
- Not checking the colour in daylight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Persian and Iranian describe the same design tradition. Persian is the common name for the style, and Iranian or Irani carpet is the name many Pakistani shops use. Both can be hand-knotted or machine-made.
An Afghan carpet is a rug with geometric repeats, usually in deep red and black, and often hand-knotted in wool. It suits studies, halls and dining rooms.
Turn the rug over. A hand-knotted rug shows the pattern clearly on the back, with slightly uneven knots. A machine-made rug has a flat, even back, often with a latex coat. The fringe of a hand-knotted rug is part of the weave.
A Persian-style 5 by 8 ft rug costs PKR 55,000 to 78,000 in good quality. A large hand-knotted rug costs PKR 75,000 to 135,000. Machine-made rugs cost PKR 8,000 to 25,000.
Many Pakistani hand-knotted rugs follow Persian and Bukhara designs and use wool. Quality depends on the knot density, the wool and the maker, not on the place name.
Vacuum without a beater bar, blot spills gently and never rub. Have a hand-knotted rug washed by a specialist every few years, and rotate it twice a year.
Under a dining table, choose a rug that extends 60 cm beyond the chairs. In a lounge, pick a rug large enough for the front legs of all seating to sit on it.
Choosing a rug?
Send the room size and the style you like. We reply with a written rate.