Afghanistan Kilim Rugs
Afghanistan kilim rugs, flat-woven by hand in Maimana, northern Afghanistan, in 100% wool. The pattern shows the same on both faces. Each rug is a single piece: when it sells, it is gone.
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Label STEP dealer
Audited for fair weaver wages, no child labour
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Woven in Maimana
Shipped to you from Pakistan, with customs and import taxes paid by us
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Sold once, never restocked
A repeat needs a fresh commission and a new listing
Shop by size
Sizes in cm with feet beside them. Every listing shows its exact size.
How a Maimana kilim is made
Weavers in Maimana, in northern Afghanistan, pass weft threads over and under the warp by hand, in wool, until the pattern builds. There is no pile to knot or tuft, so the design reads the same on the back.
- Construction
- Handwoven flatweave
- Material
- 100% wool
- Origin
- Maimana, northern Afghanistan
- Each piece
- Only one made
Where it is woven matters.
Imaco Rugs is a Label STEP dealer. Label STEP audits producers for fair weaver wages and no child labour.
About this collection
Read more
What is an Afghanistan kilim rug?
A kilim is a flatweave. Weft threads pass over and under the warp until the pattern builds up, so there is no pile to knot, tuft or trim. Turn the rug over and the design looks the same on the back. Ours are woven in wool in Maimana, northern Afghanistan.
Where is Maimana, and how are Maimana kilims woven?
Maimana is a city in northern Afghanistan. Weavers there work in wool on hand looms, passing the weft over and under the warp thread by thread until the pattern builds. Because each rug is woven by hand, no two look exactly alike.
Are Afghan kilims reversible and hard-wearing?
A kilim has no pile, so the pattern shows on both faces and the rug can be turned to spread wear. With no pile to flatten, it takes daily walking in a hall or living room. Put a rug pad underneath so it stays in place.
| Size (cm) | Size (ft) | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 60 x 90 | 2 x 3 | Doorway, beside a chair |
| 90 x 150 | 3 x 5 | Hall, bedside, kitchen |
| 120 x 185 | 4 x 6 | Reading corner, small bedroom |
| 150 x 215 | 5 x 7 | Bedroom, home office |
| 185 x 275 | 6 x 9 | Living room with a sofa |
| 200 x 300 | 7 x 10 | Large living room, open-plan space |
| 245 x 305 | 8 x 10 | Large living room |
| 275 x 365 | 9 x 12 | Largest rooms |
What size Afghan kilim rug do I need?
Every listing gives its exact size in cm. Leave about 30 cm of bare floor around the edge of the rug. Use the size tiles above or the size guide below to match a rug to your room.
Which rooms suit an Afghan kilim?
Living room, bedroom, kitchen or hall. With no pile to flatten, a kilim runner takes shoes and daily walking without matting down. Measure your hall first, and leave a little bare floor at each end so the runner sits square.
How do I clean and care for an Afghan kilim?
Vacuum without the beater bar, which can catch the weave. Turn the rug now and then so wear spreads evenly, spot clean spills quickly, and use a professional rug cleaner when it needs more. Keep it out of strong direct sun, because natural tones can soften over time.
Why can each Afghan kilim only be bought once?
Each kilim is woven as a single piece, so a listing is never restocked. When one sells, the listing stays up marked Sold, so you can see the piece really was one of one. A repeat needs a fresh commission and a new listing.
Where does my kilim ship from, and can I return it?
Woven in Maimana, in northern Afghanistan, and shipped to you from Pakistan. Imaco Rugs is a Label STEP dealer, listed on the Label STEP site. UK delivery is free over £75 and takes 10 to 14 days door to door. We pay customs and import taxes, so there is nothing to pay on delivery. You have 30 days from delivery to request a return.
Frequently asked questions
Are Afghanistan kilim rugs made of wool?
Yes. Every kilim here is woven in 100% wool, as each product page states. The wool is flat-woven by hand in Maimana, northern Afghanistan, so there is no pile and the pattern shows on both sides.
Is a kilim the same as a rug?
A kilim is a rug woven flat. The weft is woven across the warp, so there is no pile and the pattern shows on both sides. A pile rug has knotted or tufted yarn standing up from a backing.
What sizes do your Afghan kilims come in?
From doormat sizes to oversized room rugs and long runners. Every listing gives its exact size in cm and feet, and the size tiles above take you to each size range.
How do I clean an Afghan kilim?
Vacuum without the beater bar, turn the rug now and then so wear spreads evenly, and spot clean spills quickly. Use a professional rug cleaner when it needs more than that. Our guide, How to Clean a Kilim Rug, goes through each step.
Will the rug in the photo be the one I receive?
Yes. Each kilim is woven as a single piece, so the rug in the photos is the rug you get. For a rug made to your size and colours, see our Custom Rugs collection, which starts with a free CAD preview.
Do I pay import duty on an Afghan kilim?
No. We pay customs and import taxes, so there is nothing to pay on delivery. UK delivery is free over £75 and takes 10 to 14 days door to door, and you have 30 days from delivery to request a return.
