Kilim Rugs

Tips For Placing, Hanging And Storing Kilim Rugs

What exactly can you do with kilim rugs?

kilim rugs are a big part of all home decor at Rug Source in Charlotte, NC

Kilim rugs have traditionally been crafted for longevity and versatility, and this is mainly because they were originally used by nomadic communities within village homes! These days kilim rugs are only just slightly different than many centuries ago, which is why they generally require a little bit more care and attention from modern homeowners.

All of us at Rug Source understand how modern kilim rug weavers put an incredible amount of detail and hard work into each and every rug they produce, and that every kilim is intended to be durable and last a very long time. So on this page we’re going to go over some tips on how to take care of your kilim rugs, including placement, hanging and storage suggestions!

Placing Your Kilim Rugs

Homeowners can always help prevent any potential damages and loss of value by properly placing their rugs, so here are some tips to keep in mind regarding your attempts to increase the overall lifespan of your kilim rugs:

Underlay

It’s always absolutely critical to ensure that the flooring underneath your kilim rug is completely even, and this is mainly due to textile fibers being subject to potential abrasions. We recommend using an underlay (padded backing) to place underneath kilims, and this is especially the case if your desired space is on hardwood floors or other smooth flooring surfaces.

A conventional rug pad is also a good option in terms of preventing any bunching and slipping from your area rugs, and high-quality pads are also known to provide an extra sense of softness!

Sun Exposure

It’s always important for homeowners to keep in mind the overall sun exposure their area rugs are receiving on a daily basis. It’s a general rule of thumb that you shouldn’t be placing your rugs in strongly sun exposed areas, and this is especially the case if only part of the rug is in the sun and another part is consistently shaded.

The reasoning for this is that it’s possible that discoloration can occur over long periods of time, and this can happen no matter how high the overall quality of your rug is!

Avoiding Dampness and Sharp Edges

Kilim rugs (particularly fragile/antique kilims) shouldn’t be placed in heavy traffic areas within your home. There are instances in which people want a kilim underneath a piece of furniture, and if this is the case for you then you should make sure that you’re at the very least consistently re-positioning the rug in order to avoid unwanted wearing.

It’s also important to note that you typically shouldn’t put houseplants on top of your kilim rugs, and this is due to rot and mildew potentially spreading from plants and damaging the rug. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t keep your kilim rugs in any damp or moist areas!

Moths

Moth larvae is undoubtedly one of the worst enemies of all wool area rugs, and although this isn’t typically a serious factor with kilims and other pile rugs, it’s still a serious consideration for homeowners to keep in mind.

The risk of moth problems is one of the many reasons why it’s so important for homeowners to frequently clean and air out their area rugs, and these days there are many different moth-proofing sprays that are on the market as well. Just make sure that your moth spray doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals!

Hanging Kilim Rugs

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re considering hanging your kilim rugs:

The Sleeve

One great way to properly hang a kilim rug is to sew a sleeve into the wall-facing side of the rug just below the edge, which will end up creating the top area for your hanging. It’s important to note that this sleeve is always going to be an extremely narrow fabric that will develop a small slot within the back of the kilim. The main purpose for this type of sleeve is to accommodate a rod that will allow a really nice, suspended appearance that’ll undoubtedly provide an added aesthetic to any wall.

It’s important to make sure that this sewn-in sleeve is completely straight and on a leveled horizontal line, because any unevenness could result in vertical folds. The rod itself can then be attached to your wall via nails/screws, brackets or even thin piano wire.

Velcro

Another good way to hang a kilim is via Velcro, and in this hanging scenario you’ll essentially use a strip of Velcro instead of the sewn sleeve we described above. You’ll still want to sew the Velcro in a very straight line just below the top edge of the rug in order to avoid any vertical folds and a more aesthetic, suspended appearance.

The stiffer Velcro tape should be attached/stapled or glued into a wooden slat that’s then properly mounted onto your wall. What you’ll end up doing is firmly pressing the rug-attached Velcro strip onto the wall-mounted wooden slat to finalize the wall art.

Kilim Rug Storage

The following are some do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind in case you’re in the position where you need to store your kilim area rug:

  • DO wash and dry your kilim rug as thoroughly as possible prior to putting it into storage
  • DO make sure the kilim is mothproofed, but do this by placing the moth flakes or spray materials not in direct contact with the rug. Instead you should use a cloth or paper folds to act as a separator while you’re storing your mothproofed rug.
  • DON’T store your kilim rugs in hot, moist areas, or in any room that doesn’t have a good amount of ventilation.
  • DON’T store your kilim rug in any room or part of your home that’s potentially susceptible to rats, mice or other types of creatures that like to eat fabric.

Reach Out To The Experts At Rug Source To Learn More About Our Online Inventory Of Kilim Rugs!  

All of us at Rug Source understand just how incredible kilim rugs are within the broader landscape of the international rug marketplace, and we’re very proud to continuously be helping our clients better understand how they can utilize these very special area rugs within their homes.

So always feel free to reach out to us online or call us at 980-422-4080 or 704-763-0979 to get in touch with our specialists and learn more about how our inventory of kilim rugs can provide value to your home’s décor!

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