Kilim rugs - the trend

In many cases, high-pile rugs can be found in all kinds of living environments. They create a cosy atmosphere and give your feet warmth. For some time now, another type of rug can be found in living rooms, corridors and bedrooms of modern interiors: the kilim. Find out why..

What is a kilim?

First of all, a kilim is flat, unlike most other oriental rugs. As soon as the word kilim or kelim - Turkish for rug - is said, it is clear that it is about a so-called flat weave rug. Kilims used to be made by nomads for all kinds of purposes. One sat on them while eating in the tent. They decorated the inside of the tent. Kilims were used as saddlecloth or as dowry. The wool always came from the nomad's own sheep. That has changed today, but not everywhere. Because some kilims are still made by nomad tribes in Iran, Afghanistan or the Caucasus. Weaving is done by hand on comparatively small looms. Because nomads had to travel long distances with their animals, larger formats were simply not practical or even feasible.

The patterns of the Kilim and why they seem highly modern

Traditional kilim patterns are geometric shapes that breathe life into rugs in a variety of colors and combinations. What colors are used depends completely on the origin of the rug. There are natural colors - obtained, for example, from plants such as dyer's madder - or those synthetically produced, but which are inferior to natural colours in brilliance and radiance. Patterns are usually quite simple. Rectangles and triangles, diamonds or stripes can be found in irregular or all-over designs. Kilims seem to meet the style of the time: Ethno. The hip look is currently en vogue and is not missing in any design magazine. Kilims and Ethno style just seem to speak the same language. It's absolutely no wonder that design fanatics love traditional nomad rugs.

Nevertheless, there are hardly any limits to design, as each region has developed its own kilim pattern over the centuries. It is therefore also possible to assign kilims to individual countries or provenances on the basis of their patterns. An Iranian kilim certainly looks different from a Moroccan kilim. Specialist dealers also label rugs and indicate the country of origin and material. As a customer, you can thus make sure what you are buying and holding in your hands.

A rug with a long life - the Kilim

Kelims combine design and durability. There are several reasons for this: Even in our modern times, kilims are still woven very tightly by hand. As consequence dirt has little chance of getting between the fibres. And should this happen, the rugs can be easily shaken out or cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. In addition, kilims can be used on both sides, since the back and front of real kilims have the same appearance. There are exceptions for this weave like the Soumakh kilim, but as a rule it can be used on both sides.

The material used for production also deserves praise in this respect: real wool is less sensitive to dirt than artificial textiles. It is not for nothing that there are Oriental rugs of great age that shine impeccably and venerably. Not for age: antique kilims must be over 80 years old. Such pieces are rarities and accordingly expensive. However, you also buy a piece of real history.

Why not a Kilim?

Anyone who tries to combine fashionable design with genuine handicraft should consider buying a kilim. Thanks to its diversity, the ethno look fits into almost every home and inspires interior designers all over the world. You can also look forward to a rug that is a real value-for-money winner due to its durability. You can't buy more rug than that.

Would you like to find out more about Kelims? Take a look at our short video here.