What is the difference between Persian and Turkish rugs?

What is the difference between Persian and Turkish rugs?: Many rug shoppers in America are obsessed with all kinds of oriental rugs, but there are certainly many subcategories within this broad industry structure. Two of the most popular textures include Persian rugs and Turkish carpets.

Although these rugs are sometimes similar in appearance and overall design, these two rugs generally differ greatly in style. We at Rug Source, Inc. We partnered with rug industry experts in the US to help create this article on the difference between Persian and Turkish rugs, and you can check out their selection of Turkish rugs via the links below:

So here are some differences between Persian and Turkish rugs that you should know about:

Both rug styles use unique knitting techniques.

It is true that both Persian and Turkish carpets have always been handmade, but it is safe to say that they use different hand-knotting techniques. A Turkish knot looks similar to a double knot and requires wrapping short fibers around each strand of the rug’s foundation.

Persian knots are slightly different, as they use a knot that wraps the fibers around each strand at the base of the rug. This means that every fiber is literally wrapped around every other fiber, which usually leads to tighter knots overall.

Although both rug styles are incredibly popular, these different knitting techniques play a major role in distinguishing them in terms of cost, durability, and clarity of design.

Persian rugs generally offer more knitting than Turkish rugs.

As mentioned in the section above, Persian rugs generally have a higher knot count than their Turkish counterparts, and this is due to the tighter knitting technique.

This is an important distinction because it means that Persian rugs are generally more durable than Turkish rugs. This also means that Persian rugs offer more design clarity and contrast than Turkish rugs, which is one of the main reasons why Persian rugs are usually priced much higher.

Design difference

When it comes to distinguishing Persian and Turkish carpets from each other, one of the most obvious differences is the design. Both styles use traditional designs, but are very different from each other.

Turkish rugs often use geometric patterns and straight lines, and Turkish rugs are also more likely to come in circular shapes. Turkish rug designs often include stories and motifs that are heavily influenced by Turkish culture and folklore.

Persian rugs are known all over the world for featuring incredibly elegant and elaborate design schemes. Because the knots in Persian rugs are so tight, they are more likely to feature incredibly intricate patterns and themes. Many people love the medallion designs commonly found on Persian carpets, as well as the floral and animal motifs found in this space.

Various origins

As is easy to imagine, Turkish carpets come from all different regions of Turkey. There are many differences between specific Turkish regions when it comes to rug design and weaving techniques, and Turkey has long been one of the top producers of area rugs worldwide.

Persian rugs can often come from several different countries, but they are usually sourced from Iran.

Unique mattress material

Turkish rugs are often made from artisanal materials that come from the Turkish environment and culture. One particularly special mattress material that comes from Turkey is a very unique type of sheep’s wool, which is why most Turkish mattresses are made from wool. Turkish rugs are also made with natural dyes, and these dyes are found throughout the country.

Persian rugs are also often made of wool, but are more likely to be made of a finer rug material such as silk. The type of wool also varies between Turkish and Persian rugs, and Persian wool is generally slightly softer than Turkish wool.