Rugs and Carpets

(Posted on 16/07/13)

The terms 'rug' and 'carpet' are normally used to denote size-a carpet being any rug with surface area in excess of 4.4 sq-mt, and whose length is not more than 1.5 times its width, i.e., 9' x 6' (2.74 x 1.83 m) or 12' x 8' (3.66 x 2.44 m). This distinction is not always made, however. In the United States, and many other countries, 'rug' is used to describe any item, regardless of size, whereas anything sold in Britain or British Commonwealth is usually clearly identified either as a carpet or a rug.  Some specific types of rug and rug designs have also been traditionally referred to either as carpets or rugs, totally independent of size. Prayer rugs, for example, are never referred to as carpets, and anything employing a hunting design would tend to be called a hunting carpet rather than a hunting rug. Similarly, experts will talk about Persian carpets and Anatolian (Turkish) rugs, regardless of the fact that both countries produce items in all sizes, shapes and designs; this is probably because Persia is most famous for its magnificent Court carpets, while Turkey is viewed as the home of the prayer rug. In practice, the two terms are employed very loosely, and are often interchangeable, but to avoid confusion the term 'rug' will be used as a description throughout this blog, and 'carpet' will be reserved for items of the appropriate size or type.