Tapis Kilim
Kilim rugs are flat-woven: no pile, and the pattern shows the same on both faces. Ours are handwoven in wool, most of them in Maimana, Afghanistan, and sent to you direct from the maker. Sizes run from 60 x 90 cm up to oversized rugs, with runners from 150 cm to 500 cm long.
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Label STEP dealer
Audits for fair weaver wages
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Most sold once
A sold piece stays listed as Sold and is not restocked
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Mostly sold once
One-of-one pieces are not restocked
How a kilim is made
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. We buy direct from the artisan and ship direct to you.
- Construction
- Handwoven flatweave
- Material
- Wool
- Woven in
- Maimana, Afghanistan (most pieces) and Pakistan
- Most pieces
- One of one
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 a 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. That is the quickest way to tell a kilim from a pile rug. The Suzani kilims in this collection have hand embroidery worked over the flat-woven base.
Kilim hall runners and stairs
With no pile to flatten, a kilim runner takes shoes and daily walking without matting down. We list runners from 150 cm (5 ft) to 500 cm (16 ft) long. Measure the floor first, and leave a little bare floor at each end so the runner sits square.
Kilim rug sizes in cm and feet
Every listing gives its exact size in cm. Leave about 30 cm of bare floor around the edge of the rug. For a size we do not list, see our custom rugs, which start with a free CAD preview.
| Size (cm) | Size (ft) | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 60 x 90 | 2 x 3 | Doorway, beside a chair |
| 75 x 120 | 2.5 x 4 | |
| 90 x 150 | 3 x 5 | Doorway, bedside |
| 120 x 185 | 4 x 6 | Entrance, small bedroom |
| 150 x 215 | 5 x 7 | Reading corner, under a coffee table |
| 150 x 250 | 5 x 8 | Long narrow room, bedroom |
| 185 x 275 | 6 x 9 | Bedroom, small dining table |
| 200 x 300 | 7 x 10 | |
| 245 x 305 | 8 x 10 | Sofa and chairs, dining table for six |
| 275 x 365 | 9 x 12 | Large or open-plan living room |
Real kilim or kilim-style rug: what is the difference?
A handwoven kilim is flat-woven, so the pattern shows the same on both faces and the ends finish in a fringe formed by the warp. A printed or machine-made kilim-style rug usually has a plain backing and the design on one side only. Turn the rug over to tell them apart.
Where our kilims are woven
Most of our kilims are woven in wool by weavers in Maimana, Afghanistan, on hand looms. The Suzani embroidered kilims and the contemporary flatweave kilims are made in Pakistan, and each listing names where it was made. We buy direct from the artisan and ship direct to you. Most pieces are one-of-one: when one sells, the listing stays up marked Sold and is not restocked.
Frequently asked questions
What is a kilim rug, and how is it different from a pile rug?
A kilim is a flatweave. 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.
Where do your kilims come from?
Most are woven in Maimana, in Afghanistan. Our Suzani and contemporary flatweave kilims are made in Pakistan, and each listing says where. We buy direct from the artisan and ship direct to you.
Can a kilim go in a hall or on stairs?
Yes. A kilim has no pile to crush, so a kilim runner suits a hall. We list runners from 150 cm to 500 cm long.
How much does a kilim rug cost?
Most of our ready-to-ship kilims cost under £200, and the price rises with size. Every listing shows its price and exact size in cm.
What size kilim rug do I need?
From 60 x 90 cm (2 x 3 ft) up to oversized rugs, with runners from 150 cm to 500 cm. The size we list most often is 75 x 120 cm. Every listing shows its exact size in cm.
