Area Rug Guide: Kilim Rugs

“To spread roughly,” is a surprising definition of a name used to identify stylish and beautiful handmade carpets – Kilim rugs. According to experts, the origin of the term can be traced to the Persian word “gelim’ which is translated as such. This once lowly flat-woven Oriental carpet has found its way in many modern homes and is one of the most popular types of area rugs today. If you’re planning an overhaul of your interiors, it’s a good idea to learn more about Kilim rugs and how they can take your floor design to the next level.

Kilim Rugs: Origin and History

Experts say the Kilim has been in existence since the eleventh century A.D. but there have been archaeological discoveries of textiles dating to 7,000 B.C. that showed the unmistakable weaving patterns of Kilims. Regardless of which time frame is accurate, it only proves that the Kilim is one of the oldest known rug designs to ever exist.

Like all hand-knotted Persian and Oriental rugs, Kilim rugs were woven out of necessity. Nomadic tribes in Turkey and Anatolia first used them as floor covering inside tents that served as ‘mobile homes’ as they moved from one location to the next. The flat-weaving technique produced pileless rugs that were easy to make and saved them on valuable wool and other resources. Kilim rugs were also lighter and easier to carry around especially in regions with harsh weather conditions. 

Kilim Rugs: Colors and Patterns 

The Kilim might be one of the oldest handmade rug weaving styles but the designs and patterns used in making them are considered modern and are often found in spaces with contemporary interiors. Traditional Turkish Kilim rugs are well known for geometric shapes and use of vivid colors. But the often intricate details are not just random figures that weavers use. Many of them are symbols and visual representations of tribal beliefs, traditions as well as depictions of everyday life. 

The famous thirteenth-century explorer Marco Polo encountered the Kilim rug in one of his travels and recorded its incredible beauty in one of his diaries. He described how Turkmen tribes brought the weaving technique to Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey. The designs evolved with time as weavers infused their own styles which is why so many Kilim designs exist today. 

Why Choose Kilim Rugs for Decorating Your Home

While Kilims are often favored for modern and contemporary spaces, they can actually work with any interior design. Unlike traditional rugs with floral and scenic patterns, it’s a lot easier to mix and match a rug with shapes and lines to different types of furniture and decor. Being flat and having no pile, the Kilim rug is also lighter so you can easily use it as wall decor or tapestry for tables and chairs. And because it weighs less, it’s quite easy to do a redesign of interior spaces without the hassle of lugging around heavy rugs.

Finally, Kilim rugs cost considerably less than other handmade carpets which means you can get more without breaking the bank. Most people think Kilims are of lesser value compared to other fine rugs which is why they’re cheaper but that is not the case at all. On the contrary, most rug collectors and connoisseurs start out with Kilim rugs as they are very attractive and don’t require heavy maintenance.   

Author: Carlo Vincent Mollenido