Stories & Spaces

At BAKEL, we believe rugs are more than decorative pieces. They shape the atmosphere of a room, bring warmth and texture, and often become the pieces people remember most.

Here, we share practical guidance, interior inspiration, and insights into handmade craftsmanship to help you choose pieces that feel personal, timeless, and made to be lived with.
The Story Behind Afghan Kilims and Why They Are Unique
Afghan Kilims carry something many modern interiors are missing: individuality. Each piece reflects the hand of the person who made it. The variations in colour, pattern, and weave are part of what gives these rugs depth and personality. Unlike heavily manufactured interiors, no two handmade Kilims are ever completely identical. Traditionally, Kilims are flatwoven rugs made without a pile. This creates a lighter, more versatile finish that works particularly well in contemporary spaces. They bring warmth and texture without making a room feel heavy or overly formal. What makes Afghan... Read more...
How to Layer Colour and Pattern Without Overwhelming a Room
People often assume that patterned rugs require neutral interiors. In reality, layered spaces usually feel far more interesting than perfectly minimal ones. The key is balance. A room does not need everything to match. It needs elements to speak to each other naturally. One of the easiest ways to approach colour is to think in tones rather than exact shades. A rug with faded reds, tobacco, sand, or deep blue tones can connect beautifully to a room without perfectly matching any single object inside it. Over-coordination is usually what makes... Read more...
Why Handmade Rugs Age Better Than Machine-Made Ones
Some pieces improve with time. Handmade rugs are one of them. A machine-made rug often looks perfect on day one. Uniform edges, identical patterns, flawless symmetry. But perfection is not necessarily what gives an interior warmth or longevity. Handmade rugs age differently because they are made differently. The slight variations in weave, texture, and colour create movement that becomes more beautiful over time rather than more noticeable. The rug softens naturally into the space instead of remaining static. This is particularly true with Afghan Kilims. Because they are flatwoven and... Read more...
How to Measure Your Space Like a Pro
Choosing the right rug size is less about mathematics and more about proportion. Most people underestimate how large a rug should be. The instinct is usually to go smaller. It is almost always the wrong decision. In a living room, start by measuring the full seating area, not just the empty floor in the centre. The rug should visually anchor the furniture together. Ideally, all pieces sit on it comfortably, or at minimum the front legs do. A rug floating alone in the middle of the room tends to make... Read more...
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Rug
A rug changes a room faster than almost anything else. It can soften a space, add warmth, introduce colour, and completely change proportions. But choosing one can also feel surprisingly intimidating — especially online. Most people focus on pattern first. In reality, size is usually what makes or breaks a room. A beautiful rug that is too small will always feel accidental. A simpler rug with the right proportions immediately makes a space feel intentional and considered. Start with the function of the room. In a living room, the rug... Read more...
Pro Tip: How to Measure Like a Designer
Choosing the right rug size is less about guesswork and more about understanding how a space is meant to function. When proportions are right, everything else falls into place — furniture feels grounded, movement flows naturally, and the room simply makes sense. Here is how to approach it, room by room. Living roomMeasure the full seating area, not just the empty space in the middle. Your rug should either sit beneath all sofas and chairs or, at the very least, anchor the arrangement by fitting comfortably under the front legs... Read more...