Pakistani Rugs More than 500 years ago, the Persians invaded Indo-Pak sub-continent from the northwest, bringing with them their most treasured possessions, their meticulously handcrafted rugs. Over time, this mingling of cultures gave birth to carpets with their own unique themes, delicate patterning and vivid palette of colors. Today, handmade carpets are produced in different cities in Pakistan like Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan among many others. Considerably less expensive than other rugs of this genre, they are ideal for virtually every room in your home. Understanding Pakistani Rugs and the Factors to Consider When Buying Them. The most popular rugs in the world come from Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, India, China, and Afghanistan. These rugs, referred to as oriental rugs, are handmade and have been in use and production for many years. In the Western world, you are only likely to find machine-made copies of these rugs. The quality of these Pakistani rugs is well known, bearing in mind that it takes around 3,000 hours to weave a single oriental weave. It also takes extra time for designing, dye preparation, wool spinning, and loom set. All types of oriental rugs are hand-woven. Locally, the loom is made using wood and is not very accurate. Specialized looms are made of metal and are more accurate and precise. In the old days, color options for Pakistani rugs were limited, and there were no chemical dyes to use on these rugs. Weavers were using plant-based dyes or vegetable dyes. These handmade Pakistani rugs were rich in long-lasting because the natural dyes helped in preserving the fabric. Chemical dyes were introduced around the 1860s. Hand-spun wool is less perfect in formation compared to machine-spun wool. Intensely saturated wool displays some color variation. This will be evident when these rugs start to age. When you want to buy rugs from Pakistan, you should factor in color variation. It’s also known as “abrash.” The color variation is essential as it gives the Pakistani handmade carpets and rugs an artistic touch. Presently, people are using hand-spun wool and natural dyes to make Pak Persian rugs with traditional designs. It’s possible to find Pakistani rugs for sale infused with art. You can also buy Baloch rugs created with real basics from the tribal weavers. To be a bit economical on time, Pakistani carpets and rug weavers use the Kilim weaving technique. A Pakistanis rug is made of wefts and warps. Kilims unique geometric patterns and features with colors appearing over larger areas. The modern Pakistanis rugs are great for modern home decoration and also give a lovely appearance to your house when hanged on walls. Factors to Consider When Buying Pakistani Rugs. There are several factors when you want to purchase oriental rugs from Pakistan. You must look at the colors and combinations. It would be unwise to invest in a Baloch rug or Pakistani rug that does not appeal to the eyes. Consider the drawings on it as well as the design elements. It must offer a feel of depth and balance in terms of colors and layout. The wool in the rug you take home should be of high quality to serve you for long. It should not be dry on touching. Avoid oriental rugs made of dreary cast wool. Pakistani rugs made from high quality can last for more than half a century. Only proper care is required. High-quality rugs should slightly feel heavy when lifted. They should be reasonably priced and should be new. Never buy an oriental rug that appears to be repaired in a way. The presence of patches on Pakistani carpets is evidence that you are purchasing an old carpet that has been repaired. Finally, it would be best if you bought an oriental rug from a reputable seller. Nowadays, buy rugs online, but you must be very keen to avoid wasting your money on inferior quality rugs. It is good to buy from physical outlets whenever possible if you can’t find a reputable online seller.