Choose by weave first and origin second. For a soft, warm feel underfoot, look at knotted pile rugs, or at a Gabbeh, which has a thick pile and simple designs. If you need a rug that lies flat, such as in a hallway or under a door, a kilim is flatwoven rather than knotted, so it is thinner. Once you know the weave, origin sets the style: Usak rugs are Turkish, Khal Mohammadi rugs are Afghan, Bokhara rugs come from Pakistan and Kazak rugs from the Caucasus. The product page names the origin and weave of each rug.

Sizes differ from piece to piece, and many oriental rugs exist as a single piece, so a different size of the same design often isn’t available. Measure first. In a living room, aim for at least the front legs of your sofa on the rug. Under a dining table, allow 60 to 70 cm on each side so the chairs stay on when pulled out. Our rug size guide has more room-by-room guidance and expert advice.