The purchase of a Persian rug is normally considered to be an investment. This is not only because these rugs are normally quite expensive but also because they are very beautiful works of art! Antique oriental rugs hold a great deal of history attached to them, and the effort and skill invested into the creation of the rug itself makes it even more valuable.
All this taken into consideration, it can seem almost sinful to place this masterpiece onto the floor to be walked all over. Oftentimes owners will decide to use the rug as a wall hanging. This decision could be made based on them wanting to protect the rug, but it is also a very nice way to display their prized possession.
Using Persian rugs as wall hangings has been a part of Eastern tradition for many centuries. Rugs were often displayed on the walls of palaces, museums and the homes of the Royals alongside other paintings and works of art.
Almost any carpet can be used for a wall hanging but a lighter rug is more preferable. The problem with hanging a rug that is too heavy is that the weft and warp of the carpet will be strained over time and the carpet will become misshapen. Many older antique rugs would be more suited for hanging and would last decades longer than being subjected to the wear and tear of being placed on the floor. For more visually pleasing reasons, there are beautiful pictorial and silk rugs which will be well suited for hanging. Pretty rugs that are displayed in good light will enhance and portray the images and design wonderfully. In this way full appreciation of the rug can be achieved, whilst keeping it protected from damage.
There are two ways to hang an oriental carpet, depending on whether the rug is light or heavier. The first method for hanging a light-weight rug is simple and effective. The most important thing is to get a strong circular solid rod made from wood or metal. Sew a strip of fabric or binding tape along the entire top edge of the rug, being careful to use small stitches that catch the warp and weft of the rug with every stitch. Pass the circular rod through this newly formed pocket, ensuring that you have a rod which is at least 2 inches longer than the width of the carpet. Attach the rod to the wall brackets and you will have a perfect wall hanging.
The second method is almost the same as the first but instead of sewing the fabric or tape along the entire top edge; it should be sewed into three sections with gaps in between. This method is for the heavier rugs and the gaps will allow for the rug to be attached to brackets in three places for more support. Periodically, your heavier rug should be removed from the wall and placed flat on the floor for a few weeks. This is to help the fibers to spring back into shape after being pulled and misshapen whilst hanging.
It is important to remember never to sew curtain rings into your carpet, or to hammer your carpet to the wall using nails. This will only damage your rug at the point where you have put these kinds of supports, and will cause a wave-shaped end to your carpet over time.
An oriental carpet can be displayed in full light to best portray its beauty, but do not place the carpet where it will be subjected to direct sunlight as this will cause your rug to fade over time.