Carpet Stores in Lebanon: Persian, Machine-Made, and Modern Rugs

Beirut's Tabaris, Hamra, and Verdun host the city's main carpet showrooms — many family-run for three generations. Mount Lebanon and Tripoli also have established traders. The market spans museum-grade antiques to value-priced machine-made rugs.

Categories

• Hand-knotted Persian: from Iran (Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Nain, Qom). Wool or silk, region-specific designs.
• Tribal rugs: Afghan, Turkish kilim, Anatolian — geometric, bolder.
• Hand-tufted: Indian or Chinese-made, modern designs, lower price than knotted.
• Machine-made (Belgian, Turkish): wool or polypropylene, very affordable, durable.
• Modern designer: Nanimarquina, GAN, custom-commissioned.

Authenticating hand-knotted

• Look at the back: hand-knotted shows the pattern clearly with visible knots.
• Knot count per square inch — higher = finer (60–500+).
• Irregularities are signs of handwork (slight asymmetry, colour variations).
• Ask for the certificate of origin and weaver region.

Sizing

• Living room: rug should extend under front legs of sofa.
• Dining: rug 60 cm wider than table on all sides.
• Bedroom: extends 60–90 cm beyond bed sides and foot.
• Runners: hallways, kitchen galleys.

Care

• Vacuum weekly with brush off (suction only) for handmade.
• Rotate every 6 months — sun bleaching is even.
• Professional cleaning every 2–3 years.
• Padding underneath prevents slipping and extends life.