Afghan rugs stand out with their unique weaving techniques, patterns, and materials. These rugs, predominantly in red tones, are durable, soft, and warm due to the use of wool as the main material. The natural wool, which becomes more beautiful with time, ensures a long lifespan.
Afghan Rugs
An Afghan rug is a hand-knotted rug woven from hand-spun wool coloured with natural dyes, known for gul motifs repeated on a red ground. Every rug on this page is one of a kind: each was measured individually, and its knot count and pile height are on the product page. Below you will find prices, models and the information you need to choose the right rug.
- 92Afghan rugs in stock
- 12,500 - 18,000 TLprice per m²
- Natural-dyed woolcotton warp and weft
- Free shippingworldwide, 14-day returns
Afghan rug prices
In our collection the price per m² of Afghan rugs is between 12,500 and 18,000 TL; for more than half of the rugs it is 14,000 TL. Three things determine the price:
- Size. The total price rises in direct proportion to the area; a 4 m² rug costs about twice as much as a 2 m² rug.
- Model. Bilcik and Bilcik Bukhara cost 17,000 - 18,000 TL per m², Hamyap 13,770 - 17,000 TL, Green Hamyap 12,500 - 14,000 TL.
| Size | Approximate size | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 1.5 m²100 x 150 cm | 100 x 150 cm | 13,020 - 26,100 TL |
| 2 m²120 x 180 cm | 120 x 180 cm | 22,540 - 38,160 TL |
| 3 m²150 x 200 cm | 150 x 200 cm | 39,480 - 54,000 TL |
| 4 m²170 x 240 cm | 170 x 240 cm | 53,340 - 79,380 TL |
| 5 - 6 m²200 x 300 cm | 200 x 300 cm | 77,840 - 111,780 TL |
| 8 m² and above250 x 350 cm | 250 x 350 cm | 158,220 TL |
| Runner80 x 200 - 400 cm | 80 x 200 - 400 cm | 21,840 - 59,940 TL |
Compiled from the prices of rugs in stock; each rug's current price is on its own page.
Afghan rug models
There are five main models in the collection. Most have a red ground; pattern and price per m² vary by model.
Hamyap
1 - 6 m², runners Repeating guls and star motifs on a red ground; in some, navy lozenge guls stand out. The border is wide and has many bands. The largest group in the collection, available in every size and as runners.
Green Hamyap
1.5 - 6 m², runners Hamyap's dark-green-ground interpretation. Small red medallions are more widely spaced on a green ground, and the border is red. The model with the most affordable price per m².
Bilcik
1.5 - 6 m², runners Not tied to a single pattern: large octagonal guls, oval and lozenge medallions are all grouped under the same name. The ground is mostly dark red. The price per m² is 18,000 TL.
Bilcik Bukhara
1.5 - 8.8 m², runners Small octagonal guls repeat at close intervals on a dark red ground; the Turkmen motif known as the Bukhara pattern. This model has the largest sizes in the collection.
Khall
1.5 - 4 m², runners In Khal Mohammadi style, a bright red ground filled from end to end with navy star and hook motifs. Its vivid colour makes it the focal point of the room.Models side by side
| Model | Price per m² | Field | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamyap | 13,770 - 17,000 TL | Red | 1 - 6 m², runners |
| Green Hamyap | 12,500 - 14,000 TL | Dark green | 1.5 - 6 m², runners |
| Bilcik | 18,000 TL | Dark red | 1.5 - 6 m², runners |
| Bilcik Bukhara | 17,000 - 18,000 TL | Dark red | 1.5 - 8.8 m², runners |
| Khall | 15,000 TL | Bright red | 1.5 - 4 m², runners |
Features of Afghan rugs
All the rugs in this collection are woven with the same structure. Common features compiled from the product specifications:
| Feature | In this collection |
|---|---|
| Pile (surface) | Wool; yarn hand-spun with a kirman spindle |
| Warp and weft | Cotton |
| Dyes | Natural dyes |
| Knot type | Hand-tied knots |
| Pile height | 4 - 6 mm |
| Fringe | Continuation of the warp threads, not sewn on afterwards |
| Field colour | Mostly red and burgundy; dark green in Green Hamyap |
| Pattern | Repeating medallions called guls, octagonal and lozenge forms, star motifs |
| Size | 1 - 9 m² and 80 cm wide runners |
Naturally dyed wool gains a slight sheen with use. The slight tonal differences in the field (abrash) are the natural result of natural dyes and hand-spun yarn; they are not a flaw but a sign of hand-knotting. We explain what natural dye is in our article What Is a Natural-Dyed Rug?
An Afghan rug, or another hand-knotted rug?
Among the naturally dyed hand-knotted collections in our store, Afghan rugs are the group with the most affordable price per m². How it differs from other collections in colour language and price:
| Collection | Dominant colour | price per m² (median) |
|---|---|---|
| Afghan rugRed, burgundy | Red, burgundy | 14,000 TL |
| Turkmen rugRed | Red | 17,000 TL |
| Pazyryk rugMulticolour | Multicolour | 17,000 TL |
| SultaniBeige, blue, grey | Beige, blue, grey | 17,000 TL |
| Ushak rugCream, beige, pastel | Cream, beige, pastel | 18,000 TL |
| Mamluk rugMulticolour, turquoise | Multicolour, turquoise | 21,000 TL |
| Hereke rugRed, blue | Red, blue | 28,000 TL |
Median price per m² of the rugs in stock.
If you love a red ground and geometric gul patterns, Afghan and Turkmen rugs are the two closest options. For a light, pastel-toned room, Sultani or Ushak are a better fit; for a colourful medallion design, Mamluk rugs.
Which size should I choose?
Choose the size according to the furniture that will sit on the rug, not the whole room.
- Living room: 6 m² (200 x 300 cm) and above. It should be wide enough for the front legs of the sofas to rest on the rug.
- Bedroom: 4 m² (170 x 240 cm). Laid under the lower half of the bed, extending out on both sides.
- Entrance and hall: 1 - 2 m² (100 x 150 or 120 x 180 cm).
- Hallway: runners 80 cm wide, chosen 30 - 40 cm shorter than the hallway.
In hand-knotted rugs the size varies by a few centimetres from rug to rug: a rug in the 170 x 240 cm class may measure 173 x 231 cm. The size on the product page is that rug's actual size. For room-by-room suggestions see our guides What Size Rug Do I Need? and, for measuring correctly, How to Measure for a Rug.
Which room, which decor?
- Simple, light-coloured rooms: The red ground becomes the focal point; as long as walls and sofas stay neutral, the rug stands out.
- Wooden furniture: Creates a warm, classic harmony with walnut and dark wood.
- Modern living room: Repeating the rug's navy in cushions or curtains ties the room together.
- More than one rug: If two rugs will be used in the same room, choose the same model or the same ground tone.
How can you tell an original Afghan rug?
- Turn the rug over. In a hand-knotted rug the pattern is also clear on the back and the knots can be seen one by one; there is no lining fabric on the back.
- Look at the fringe. The fringe is not sewn on afterwards; it is a continuation of the rug's warp threads.
- Look at the colour transitions. Slight tonal differences in the field (abrash) are a sign of natural dyes and hand-spun wool.
- Look at the symmetry. The design is never perfectly symmetrical; small shifts show the handwork.
- Read the specification. It is hard to compare the quality of a rug that does not state its knot count, knot type and pile height; every rug in our collection lists this information.
For a detailed checklist read our article How to Tell a Genuine Handmade Afghan Rug.
Care and cleaning
- Vacuuming: Once a week, in the direction of the pile, with the rotating brush switched off.
- Rotating: Turn the rug 180 degrees every six months so sun and foot traffic wear it evenly.
- Wiping: To refresh the surface, wipe in the direction of the pile with a slightly damp, well-wrung cloth; do not soak the rug.
- Stains: Blot spilled liquid with a clean cloth without rubbing. Methods for each type of stain are in our stain guide.
- Washing: For a deep clean, give the rug to a company that washes hand-knotted rugs; it should be dried in the shade, not in direct sun.
- Moths and storage: Do not leave a wool rug folded in the dark for long periods. For signs and prevention see our rug moths and storage guides.
Why Art Doku Halı?
- 40 years of experienceRugs chosen with experience built in the wholesale rug trade.
- One of a kind, true sizeEach rug's size, knot count and photos are on its own page.
- Free shippingTo anywhere in the world. Orders within Türkiye are shipped the same day.
- 14-day returnsYou can return or exchange an undamaged rug with free shipping within 14 days.
For the history and cultural roots of Afghan rugs read What Is an Afghan Rug?, and for what sets the Bukhara pattern apart read Afghan Bukhara Rugs.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Afghan rug?
An Afghan rug is a hand-knotted wool rug made in Afghanistan and its border regions in the Turkmen weaving tradition. Its best-known feature is the gul motifs repeated in rows on a dark red or burgundy ground.
All the rugs in our collection are woven with naturally dyed, hand-spun wool; the warp and weft are cotton. For the history and cultural roots of Afghan rugs, see our article What Is an Afghan Rug?
Are Afghan rugs durable, and how long do they last?
The Afghan rug is one of the most durable groups of hand-knotted rugs. There are three concrete reasons for this:
- Dense weave: The knots are tied one by one; a densely knotted surface does not wear easily.
- Wool: Thanks to its natural elasticity, pressed pile quickly springs back.
- Short pile: A 4 - 6 mm pile does not flatten quickly, even in busy areas such as living rooms and hallways.
An Afghan rug that is vacuumed regularly, rotated every six months and protected from moths keeps its original texture for years.
Are Afghan rugs valuable?
Its value is determined by the handwork, natural dyes and the quality of the wool. A rug in which hundreds of thousands of knots are tied by hand one by one is not the same product as a machine-made rug with the same pattern; that is where the price difference comes from.
If you are looking at it as an 'investment', you should know that not every hand-knotted rug gains value over time. We explain in detail which features preserve value and which rugs really appreciate in our article Is a Hand-Knotted Rug an Investment?
What is the difference between an Afghan rug and a Persian rug?
What tells the two rugs apart fastest is the pattern language: Afghan rugs feature geometric guls and octagonal motifs, while Persian rugs feature curvilinear flowers, branches and large central medallions. Afghan rugs mostly have a dark red ground and a repeating layout, while Persian rugs have a wider colour palette.
Our store's Persian collection consists of machine-made modal silk rugs; if you are looking for hand-knotted Persian-style classic designs, see our Hereke rugs. We have gathered the features of Persian rugs in a separate article.
What colours do Afghan rugs come in besides red?
The main colours of the traditional Afghan rug are red and burgundy; this tone comes from natural dyes and gains a slight sheen with use. Most of the rugs in our collection also have this ground.
If you are looking for something other than red, the Green Hamyap model has a dark green ground; we also have a few Bilcik and Hamyap rugs in light brown and grey tones. Blue-ground Afghan rugs are not in stock at the moment; navy is used only in the motifs. If you want a blue-toned rug, take a look at our blue rugs collection.
What do the motifs on an Afghan rug mean?
The octagonal or lozenge-shaped medallions that are the signature of the Afghan rug are called guls. The gul is a symbol through which Turkmen tribes wove their own identity into the rug; each tribe's gul differs slightly in shape and colour.
The best-known example is the octagonal gul seen in the Bukhara pattern, known as the 'elephant's foot'. This motif is associated with the Teke Turkmens and seen as a symbol of unity. We explain the cultural background of the motifs in our article The Cultural and Economic Importance of Afghan Rugs.
Does it make sense to buy a second-hand Afghan rug?
It can make sense if you find the right rug, but it is hard to judge a second-hand rug's condition from photos. Before buying, be sure to check:
- Back: The pattern should be clear, with no patched or re-woven areas.
- Moth damage: Spots where the pile has thinned and the base shows are signs of moths or wear.
- Fringe and edges: Broken fringe and unravelled edges mean repair costs.
- Specification: You cannot compare a rug without knot count and material information with another rug.
The size, knot count and pile height of each of our rugs are on the product page; if you don't like it, you can return it free of charge within 14 days.
Are Afghan rugs available as runners?
Yes, our collection also has Afghan rugs in runner sizes. The runners are woven in the Hamyap, Green Hamyap, Bilcik, Bilcik Bukhara and Khall models; they are about 80 cm wide and range from 2 to 4 metres long.
When choosing a runner for a hallway, we recommend keeping it 30 - 40 cm shorter than the hallway; that way the floor shows at both ends and the runner looks centred.
When is my order shipped, and what if I don't like it?
Orders within Türkiye are handed to the courier the same day, international orders within two business days. Shipping is free worldwide and the tracking number is sent to your phone or email.
If you open the rug, try it at home and don't like it, you can return or exchange it with free shipping within 14 days, provided it is undamaged. For returns from abroad, please contact us first; details are in our return policy.
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