How to choose the right Persian or Oriental rug for your home
Choosing a Persian or Oriental rug should be one of the most enjoyable parts of designing a room. A beautiful handmade rug doesn't simply fill an empty space—it can establish the colors, character, warmth, and personality of the entire room.
But with so many sizes, designs, colors, materials, and styles available, where do you begin?
I'm Bruce Shabahang, a fourth-generation rug dealer and owner of Shabahang Rug Gallery in Waukesha, Wisconsin. My family's rug tradition dates back to 1885, and one thing I've learned is that there isn't one "perfect" rug for every home.
The right rug is the one that works with your room, your lifestyle, and your personal taste.
Here are some of the things I recommend considering when choosing one.
1. Start With the Room, Not the Rug
Before looking at individual rugs, think about where the rug will live.
Is it going into a living room, dining room, bedroom, foyer, office, or hallway? Is the room formal or casual? Does it receive heavy foot traffic? Do you have children or pets?
A rug that works beautifully in a formal living room may not be the rug I'd recommend for a busy family room.
I also encourage clients to look at the entire space—not just the floor.
Consider your furniture, artwork, wall color, flooring, natural light and architectural details. A great rug should feel connected to the room rather than simply placed inside it.
2. Choose the Right Rug Size
One of the most common mistakes I see is choosing a rug that's too small.
A rug should help anchor the furniture and visually connect the room.
In a living room, I generally prefer a rug large enough to relate comfortably to the seating arrangement rather than having a small rug floating in the middle of the furniture.
For a dining room, the rug should extend far enough beyond the table that the chairs remain comfortably on the rug when they're pulled out.
Bedrooms give you several options depending on the bed size and layout.
And remember: handmade rugs aren't always produced in exact standardized dimensions. A rug described as an 8' × 10', for example, may measure slightly larger or smaller. That individuality is part of owning something handmade.
3. Don't Be Afraid of Color
People sometimes come into our gallery believing they need a neutral rug because their furniture is neutral.
Not necessarily.
A Persian or Oriental rug can be the element that brings a room to life.
Deep blues, warm reds, ivory, rust, green, gold and softer earth tones can create completely different moods. Even a rug containing several colors can feel surprisingly calm once it's placed underneath furniture.
Rather than trying to match every color exactly, I prefer looking for a rug that complements the room as a whole.
4. Traditional or Contemporary Rugs? There Is No Wrong Answer.
Handmade rugs aren't limited to traditional Persian designs.
Today you'll find everything from intricate floral and medallion patterns to tribal designs, geometric patterns, Gabbehs and sophisticated contemporary rugs.
And you don't necessarily need a contemporary rug for a contemporary home.
One of my favorite combinations is a beautiful traditional handmade rug in a clean, modern interior. The contrast can give the room tremendous character.
The opposite can work as well.
Good design doesn't have to follow rigid rules.
5. Understand What You're Buying
If you're investing in a handmade rug, ask questions.
Is it hand-knotted?
Where was it made?
What materials were used?
Is the pile wool, silk, or a combination?
How was it constructed?
What condition is it in?
There is an enormous difference between a genuine hand-knotted rug and a mass-produced machine-made rug designed to imitate one.
A knowledgeable rug dealer should be willing to turn the rug over, explain its construction and help you understand exactly what you're looking at.
6. Wool vs. Silk: Which Is Better?
Neither is automatically "better." They serve different purposes.
Wool rugs can be beautiful, durable and practical, making them an excellent choice for many living spaces.
Silk rugs can offer extraordinary detail, sheen and refinement.
You'll also find beautiful rugs combining wool and silk. The different materials can create variations in texture and light that give a design remarkable depth.
Your lifestyle and where the rug will be used matter just as much as the material itself.
7. Look at the Rug in Different Light
Lighting can dramatically affect how a rug appears.
Natural daylight, warm evening lighting and showroom lighting can each bring out different tones.
Even the direction from which you view certain handmade rugs can change their appearance because of the direction of the pile.
That's why I encourage clients not to judge a rug from a single photograph alone.
8. Whenever Possible, See the Rug in Your Room
This is one of the most valuable pieces of advice I can give.
A rug can look completely different once it's underneath your furniture.
At Shabahang Rug Gallery, we often help clients evaluate rugs specifically for their spaces. Even photographs and measurements of the room can help narrow the choices considerably.
When appropriate, seeing a rug in the actual room can eliminate much of the uncertainty.
9. Don't Choose a Rug Just Because It's "On Trend"
Trends change.
A quality handmade rug can remain part of a home for decades and, in some cases, move from one generation to another.
Choose something you genuinely enjoy looking at.
I've watched clients walk past dozens of rugs and suddenly stop when they see the one.
That reaction matters.
10. Buy From Someone Who Will Still Be There After the Sale
Buying the rug shouldn't be the end of the relationship.
Handmade rugs eventually need proper cleaning and sometimes repair or restoration. You may move, redesign your home, need a different rug pad, or eventually want another rug.
Working with an established rug specialist means you have someone who understands the piece and can help you care for it properly over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what size rug I need?
Start with the dimensions of the room and the placement of your furniture rather than simply measuring the open floor space. For living and dining areas especially, the rug should relate to the furniture arrangement and help anchor the room.
Are Persian rugs and Oriental rugs the same thing?
Persian rugs are rugs made in Iran, historically known as Persia. "Oriental rug" is a broader traditional trade term that can refer to handmade rugs originating from a number of rug-producing regions. Not every Oriental rug is Persian.
Are handmade rugs good for homes with pets?
Many quality wool rugs can work very well in homes with pets. The important considerations include construction, material, color, pattern and proper care. Pet accidents should be addressed promptly and appropriately.
Should I buy wool or silk?
It depends on the room and what you want from the rug. Wool is often selected for durability and everyday use, while silk can provide exceptional detail and luminosity. Wool-and-silk rugs can combine characteristics of both.
Can a traditional Persian rug work in a modern home?
Absolutely. A traditional rug can provide warmth, history and visual contrast in a contemporary room. Mixing old and new is often what makes an interior interesting.
Where can I buy Persian and Oriental rugs near Milwaukee?
Shabahang Rug Gallery is located at 160 Kossow Road in Waukesha, Wisconsin, serving clients throughout Waukesha, Milwaukee, Brookfield and surrounding communities. Our gallery offers a large selection of handmade Persian, Oriental, traditional, tribal and contemporary rugs in sizes ranging from small accent rugs to palace-size pieces.
Find the Rug That Feels Right for Your Home
Choosing a handmade rug doesn't need to be intimidating.
Bring your room measurements, photographs and even fabric or paint samples when you visit. My job isn't simply to sell you a rug—it's to help you find a rug that you'll still be happy to see in your home years from now.
Shabahang Rug Gallery
160 Kossow Rd.
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-717-1111
Fourth-generation expertise. A family rug tradition dating to 1885. Independently owned and operated in Waukesha by Bruce Shabahang since 2019.
