Tips for How to Shop for a Turkish Wool Rug in Türkiye

Original Post November 22, 2023 || Updated Post: July 11, 2024

I seldom buy big souvenirs when we travel, but the one thing I absolutely wanted to do in Türkiye was shop around for a Turkish runner rug. Because we had so little time in Istanbul, I waited to shop in Cappadocia since we were staying in Göreme, the heart of the region, for a few days.  In Göreme, we found a family-owned carpet shop, Seven Brothers Carpet, where we would find our runner rug and learn a few tips on how to shop for a Turkish Wool rug.

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Hunting for the Rug

Before I share tips on how to shop for a Turkish rug, I’d like to share my story about how we found our runner rug. When we walked into Seven Brothers Carpet, I initially hesitated to enter. Like any other carpet store, I was afraid I’d be pressured into buying something I didn’t want or their prices would be dramatic; the experience was the complete opposite.  

One of the brothers, who happened to be one of the owners, immediately assisted us without being pushy. He offered insights on finding an authentic wool rug and showed us all the different types of rugs and carpets he had, which surprisingly were not all just Turkish rugs.  Some were Persian/Iranian rugs, Kilims, vintage rugs, and more. I didn’t find what I was looking for style-wise in his store, so we kindly walked away and thanked him for his time.

The next day, we explored more carpet stores in Göreme.  I found one runner rug I wanted, but it was not within my budget.  So, the husband and I returned to Seven Brothers Carpet and spoke with the gentleman who helped us the day before.  I showed him the rug I wanted at another store and asked if he had any insight on where I could find one or if one of his other brothers’ stores may have one. Though he didn’t have what I was looking for, he knew someone who did. 

He went out of his way to find the runner from another source, identical to the other store’s rug I wanted that was dramatically too expensive; this was half the cost.  

I decided this was the right rug, so we purchased it from him at a decent price (with some negotiation) and folded it to fit in a carry-on. Otherwise, a €50 shipping fee (which I thought was reasonable) to Germany was also ideal; but not before I requested for a certificate of authenticity, which he provided. It was a smooth experience, for sure, and I’m so glad I was able to find something, even if it was not the Turkish rug I’d leave with.  

Because I showed him the style I was looking for, he mentioned that I leaned more towards Afghan/Persian-style or Bokhara rugs made in Iran/sometimes Pakistan than Turkish rugs.  

I wasn’t completely shocked because I own second-hand Persian-style carpets at home, which I acquired cheaply from Flohmarkts and thrift shops.  

It’s the style I kept referring back to, so the owner knew what I was looking for.  

How to Find an Authentic Turkish Wool Rug

After a few years of research, antiquing around Germany for second-hand woven rugs, and obsessing over them, I learned a lot during our trip to Türkiye on how to find the perfect wool rug. Here are a few tips I’ve learned.

↠ First, know your style, color, size, budget, and what room the rug will be placed in.  Have a photo ready for what you’re looking for.  I was strictly there for a runner and had a color in mind.  

↠ Do your research; it’s good to know the basics.  The only thing I knew about wool rugs before Türkiye was the difference between hand-knotted and machine.

↠ Before you buy, have the shopkeeper educate you on a few things to look for.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

↠ Never feel pressured to buy anything. But be honest with your intentions. If you are browsing around, simply let them know that you are just looking.

↠ Ask where the rug is made from.

↠ There’s a difference between vintage and antique rugs. Vintage is anything less than 100 years old. Anything antique will be over 100 years old and way more pricey. Depending on the quality and age of the rug, these will be quite a bit more expensive due to the quality and age. I did find that even though they were a bit more pricey, the price would not have compared to the cost it would be to buy in the States for an authentic vintage/antique Turkish rug. Check for cleanliness and imperfections (there will be a few as these have been second-hand rugs, but still of good quality).

↠ Etsy was mentioned a few times by the shop owner as another means to order wool rugs but the only difference is not being able to physically see the exact rug in front of you. He mentioned it’s better to see the rug in person versus buying it online, like Etsy. I actually went onto Etsy after learning about this and did see quite a few rug retailers (from Türkiye) on there. I read the reviews for the rugs and the retailers, which were very decent. ** Always be mindful of the rugs you find online, and be sure to check for authenticity.*** I have never ordered online, but I’ll be sure to read all the reviews if I ever decide to purchase online.

↠ One thing I learned, authentic wool rug will smell like burnt hair if you light a fire on the rug and will not burn (flame-resistant)

↠ Make sure the rug is made of natural materials, such as wool, cotton, or silk. They will last you a lifetime.

↠ The thinner the rug, the better the quality; check the knots on the backside and the tightness; the closer, the better.

↠ Hand-knotted rugs are not made perfect; you can spot the imperfections, which I love.

↠  Make sure you request a certificate of authenticity, even before you buy.

↠ Also, if you visit Türkiye, save money for wool rugs.  I have a thing for vintage rugs, and I knew I wanted a rug from Türkiye, so we have been saving for a while for a new one. Though the price is not as high as I’ve seen here in Germany (or twice as much as it would be Stateside), it was decent in Cappadocia and well within the budget I set for myself.  

The runner rug I ended up purchasing.

Final Thoughts

Probably one of the best souvenirs I bought for myself; I’m happy with the hand-woven wool rug we purchased in Cappadocia! I had a little knowledge coming into Türkiye as I readied myself to buy an authentic rug from Türkiye, and I am so grateful for the help of Seven Brothers Carpet in Cappadocia. If you’re ever in Göreme, definitely stop by (this is not sponsored; I just love supporting family businesses, especially those that have been helpful). I’m still continuously learning my way through Turkish rug shopping.  If you have any tips, please share them below!  

Until next time friends! Bir dahaki sefere kadar arkadaşlar!

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