Kilim Rug Bench

A kilim rug is a tapestry-woven rug known for its brilliantly colored, geometric patterns. This type of rug is traditionally made in parts of the Middle East. It can be purely decorative or even function as a prayer rug.

The difference between a rug and a kilim is the specificity of the terms. A rug is any soft floor covering. Artisans produce rugs using a wide range of techniques, and rugs may have a flat surface or a raised pile. A kilim is a handmade rug that features a flat weave and is usually made of natural fibers such as wool, silk and cotton. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of rugs.

Kilim rugs are identified by their flat weaving technique using two sets of wool ropes. The rugs also have no pile because of this hand-woven technique. You’ll find a variety of Kilim rugs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

A Turkish kilim rug is a pileless, tapestry-woven rug that can be used for decorative purposes or as a prayer rug. They are produced by interweaving the warp and weft strands of the weave and typically feature geometrically ornate designs. Shop a collection of vintage and designer Turkish kilim rugs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

To tell if a kilim rug is real, look for labeling that indicates the fibers. True kilim rugs tend to be crafted by hand out of natural fibers such as wool, silk and cotton. Rugs that contain synthetic fibers like polyester or polyethylene or that have "machine-made" or similar verbiage on their labels are likely not kilims. Next, consider the pattern. The weaving technique used to make kilim rugs usually results in linear geometric patterns. Curving forms or irregular or scattered patterns are unlikely to appear on authentic pieces. If you're still not sure about the authenticity of your floor covering, ask a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer for a professional opinion. Shop a selection of kilim rugs on 1stDibs.