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Hanging Turkish carpets on our wall

We happily bought a rug from a Rick Steves’s recommended store, Vezirhan Carpet &Kilimanjaro, near Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. We told them we were going to hang the carpet and they said they would add wool loops. We received the carpet my mail, and we love it, but the loops are small. If you bought a rug how did you hang it? This rug is heavy.

Thank you and keep on traveling.

Posted by
563 posts

I have 2 rugs that I hang. Each can only be hung one way. They are gorgeous. So bought 1/4 inch thick wood strip to the dimensions of the rug. Nailed the strip to the wall and used tacks to tack the rug to the strip.

Posted by
46 posts

Thank you. Never thought of that. Appreciate your help.

Posted by
7367 posts

Depends on the size and weight (and value) of the rug. The traditional method was to sew a muslin or heavy cotton tube of fabric to the top edge of the rug, forming a sleeve, and slip an appropriate size dowel rod through the tube. Hang the rod on wall mounted brackets. For small and/or light rugs, you could use velcro, with one side sewn onto the back of the rug and the other attached to the wall. There are also special felt lined clips that can be used. The aim is to avoid small hang points that dont fully support the weight of the piece and that can result in sagging or even tearing of the fabric. This is similar to the recommendations for hanging any fabric art, such as prize quilts. There is a danger using nails or tacks directly through the fabric which tears the fabric fibers and can also stain over time.

My experience is from many years of doing quilt shows, but I believe the procedures for safely hanging valuable rugs is the same.

Posted by
1175 posts

Once you have fastened the nailing strip to the wall (through studs please, not just wallboard) you can add heavy duty picture hangers at each wool loop or put dowels that will fit through the wool loops in, and hang the dowels from the picture hangers. The concept is to distribute the weight as evenly as possible and perhaps add a little tension at the ends to prevent sagging.