Many people don’t realize there’s a big difference in quality between a rug that costs $1000 and one that costs upwards of $10,000. Because many home and business owners wish to save money on large purchases like that, they often skimp on quality to save money. Problem is, like with many other home décor and furniture choices, the saying “you get what you pay for” certainly comes into play here.

From contemporary area rugs to antique area rugs, quality really does matter. Cutting corners now will almost certainly detract from the long-term lifespan, durability, and vibrancy of your rug. Putting in the investment now will ensure longer-lasting enjoyment of your floor covering for decades to come.

You may wonder: why spend so much money on something that just gets walked on? Why shell out thousands when your budget is already tight? Sure, you could pick up a cheap rug for $1,000 at a big box store, or even $100 at a department store, but you’d be short changing yourself in the end.

Let’s take a look at what the difference actually is between a $1K rug and a $10K rug.

Quality of Materials

First and foremost, quality is the top reason to pay such a high amount for a rug. Cheap rugs are not made by hand. It’s generally fast and easy to make a hand-tufted rug and other semi-handmade products; machine-made rugs can be churned out even faster.

An expensive rug is made from high-quality wool, silk, and other natural fibers. A cheaper rug, on the other hand, is made from synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, olefin, low-quality wools, or natural fibers such as jute. These less expensive materials simply are not as sustainable as their high-quality wool and silk counterparts because they can shed, pill, fade, and stain – not to mention, they don’t last nearly as long.

Unfortunately, while some homeowners are rightfully focused on sustainability, many others are only interested in home furnishings that are disposable and cheap, with the goal of simply replacing them after a few years.

Time Commitment

Making a $10,000+ rug is not done overnight. In fact, it can take many days, months, or even years to create one. Because of this, these high-quality rugs are truly a labor of love, backed by an investment of time that demands intricacy, precision, and craftsmanship. The ancient art of rug-knotting (something we take pride in here at Roja Rugs) is becoming a lost craft that not many people know how to do any longer.

Knotting takes patience, artistry, and years of experience to achieve, often involving a million individually hand-tied knots that can take up to 1500 hours to make. The value of a rug is often determined by the density, or the number of knots per square inch. The count is also a determining factor. Higher counts equal a higher level of detail. As a comparison, think about the difference between a high-def graphic with more pixels per inch as opposed to one with a lower pixel count.

The pattern, design and colors also determine value, as does the antique value of the rug, if any. With so many factors playing into the final value, you know you’re getting something truly special.

Beauty

The beauty and appeal of a hand woven rug cannot be matched, especially when you consider the fine details and one-of-a-kind result. When you invest in a high-end luxury rug, you are assured that no one else will have one like it. If you opt for a cheaper version in a store that only sells a few patterns, the chances of you seeing that same rug in your neighbor’s house are high.

Luxury rugs may come with a higher price tag, but they can transform a space with their unparalleled beauty rooted in ancient design. Thus, you get a personalized piece of décor that is truly a one of a kind conversation piece. In fact, they’re much more than just rugs. They are a reflection of the pride you have in your home.

In the end, the main difference between a high-end rug and a low-end rug is the unique character and skill of the weaver. Each piece involves intricate decisions, making it an extension of the designer’s personality rather than just another piece of fabric.

Browse Our Catalog of Premium, Hand-Woven Rugs

Roja Rugs is your premier source for hand-woven and individually knotted rugs in Mill Valley, crafted from the finest materials of wool and silk. All of our designs are original and carefully curated to suit many home decor tastes and budgets. Browse our wide selection of rugs today, then contact us about our area rug services, including cleaning, rug restoration, and repair.