Hand Made vs Machine-Made Rugs: Which is Better?

• 07 November 2019
• 5 Min Read
• By Jaipur Rugs

Nothing makes a house feel like a home than when it is filled with loved ones and treasured items. After…

When it comes to décor elements that champion both, rugs are easily one of the most favoured. They instantly light up a room, add a lot of character, and lend heft to space. 

Rugs are also a perfect avenue for you to explore your personal style and express yourself through your décor. But, buying such rugs can often be confusing as you try to navigate handmade vs machine-made rugs. Both add to making your house a home and add a distinct artisanal touch that is hard to beat. 

As a globally inspired brand of carpets and rugs, Jaipur Rugs is here to answer one of the most commonly asked questions on why handmade is better than machine-made. 

When choosing between handmade and machine-made rugs, the following things will help you make the right decision. 

Handmade Rugs Are More Durable

As with most things, the handcrafted aspect means that extra care makes each carpet and rug.

In the battle of handmade vs machine-made rugs, handmade rugs take the brownie points for being artisanal, long-lasting, unique, and truly one of a kind. Unlike machines, handcrafting anything requires a much longer time. Still, the slower process promises a more considered approach with every thread, resulting in better-made and higher quality carpets that are more durable. 

Handmade rugs are one of a kind

It’s common knowledge that mass and machine-made rugs lack a unique personality. And what’s worse than filling your home with ordinary or identical pieces that others can get their hands on? 

It is one of the first things that come up when judging why handmade is better than machine-made rugs. The pattern and design will never be the same as a weaver involved who lends it their personality. If uniqueness is essential to you and your style, then handmade rugs are a perfect match. The fact that each warp and weft is rendered by hand makes each handmade rug unique and one-of-a-kind.

Handcrafted carpets and rugs are a more sustainable choice

Materials and supply chain asides, handcrafted carpets and rugs are a more sustainable choice as the handcrafted element means better quality. Though this is increasingly under-emphasized, quality is the foundation for sustainability. 

Why? Well, that’s because true sustainability is when something is used for long and for good.

Machine-made rugs are faster and easier to produce, which ultimately implies more wastage of materials used. To battle this, handmade rugs take a lot of time and single-sighted dedication to make. 

Some handmade rugs are also naturally dyed. Given that handmade rugs last longer, they can also be overdyed after years of use when the designs start to fade slightly to render them in a bright, striking hue and a unique vintage appeal.
 
Unusually for us here at Jaipur Rugs, sustainability is central to our processes and designs. Each purchase with us directly supports our collective weavers’ livelihood, helping them overcome life’s challenges in the most remote parts of India. 

The Jaipur business model utilizes a grassroots network to help transport raw materials to and from, which means that our artisans can work despite inaccessibility to urban areas. 

Each of our handmade rugs goes through 180 hands, which means buying a single handmade rug ultimately connects you to 90 weavers and artisans and their livelihoods. It is why handmade is better than machine-made. 

Handmade rugs embody exemplary design work

The practice of rug making came to India with Emperor Akbar several centuries ago. Since then, this particular art form has been passed down the generations in weaver families. 

Like any other ancient art form, this one is a revered craft tradition in India wherein thousands of weaver families practice it both for passion and earning a living. 

Machine-made rugs are only a recent phenomenon that is an outcome of urbanization and industrialization. 

Handmade pieces often allow artists to express their eclectic mix of cultures, backgrounds, personal storytelling capabilities, and inspiration. 

In this scenario, handmade carpets and rugs are unique to the person who made them as it is a consequence of their knowledge and experience. 

It is where our Manchaha rugs create an impact by connecting our global customers directly to the weaver-turned-designers so that they know who made their rug by hand, what was the inspiration, and the story behind it. 

It makes handmade rugs earn even greater points in the fight of handmade vs machine-made rugs.

Fun fact, because weaving durable and intricate carpets or rugs require so many years of refined skills that many often categorize this handicraft as art. So basically, rugs are pieces of art that you can walk on.

Handcrafted Rugs Often Come In Strong, Natural Materials

Given the effort and time to make one handmade rug, only the best materials are typically used to create them. In other words, this means that the carpet will be more valuable and more likely to last a lifetime with the right care. Best quality, sturdy wool, and the most luxurious silk imported from China go into making our wool rugs and silk rugs. Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon are often used in machine-made rugs. Natural rugs materials like wool and silk last much longer and are extremely luxurious. They are also the more sustainable choice for a carpet that itself takes months to make. Here is our guide for identifying a hand-knotted rug.

Rug selection is a highly personal decision and often includes more consideration than just sustainability and artisanal touch. Even though the answer to why handmade is better than machine-made is clear, it doesn’t always mean you have to opt for handmade rugs. Machine made-rugs also have a set of pros and fit a specific set of purposes. Since carpet and rug choices are aplenty, make sure you do your research before making your purchase.

FAQs

Are handmade rugs worth it?

Yes, handmade rugs are worth it. They offer unique beauty and character, as each rug is one-of-a-kind and made with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Handmade rugs are also durable and often last for generations. Additionally, investing in a handmade rug supports traditional arts and crafts, and helps to preserve cultural heritage.

What is the difference between handmade and machine-made rugs

While machine-made carpets are created using automated gear, handmade rugs are created by trained craftsmen utilizing traditional processes. Each handmade rug is unique, giving them a special beauty and personality. Because they are produced with the best possible materials and craftsmanship, the finished product is more robust and long-lasting. Despite being less expensive, machine-made carpets lack the distinctiveness and quality of handcrafted rugs. Purchasing a handmade rug contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional arts and crafts.