Oriental Rug Restoration in San Francisco
Some rugs aren't just floor coverings — they're heirlooms. Inherited pieces, wedding gifts, rugs that traveled across continents. When damage happens, the right response isn't replacement. It's restoration.
At Boga Rugs, Cengiz Boga has spent decades working with antique and semi-antique Oriental rugs. He handles restoration work personally, using traditional techniques matched to the rug's original construction. Nothing gets sent out. Nothing gets rushed. Free pickup and delivery is included throughout the Bay Area.
What We Restore
Structural Damage
Tears, holes, and foundation breaks — where the warp or weft threads have failed. We reweave damaged sections by hand, matching pile height, knot density, and direction to the surrounding field. On a well-done repair, the area is difficult to find even under close inspection.
Fringe and Selvage
Fringe is the most vulnerable part of any rug and the most commonly neglected. We repair and replace fringe to match the original — overcasting, binding, or hand-knotting depending on how the rug was finished. Side selvages get the same treatment: re-wrapped or re-corded to stop unraveling before it reaches the pile. For lighter damage that doesn't require full restoration, see our rug repair service.
Moth and Pest Damage
Moths attack the foundation and pile from underneath, often going unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. We assess the full extent, treat the rug, and reweave affected areas. We'll also advise on storage and prevention so it doesn't happen again.
Pet and Stain Damage
Urine, wine, bleach — some stains penetrate the foundation and require more than cleaning. We assess whether color correction or pile replacement is the right approach. We won't promise what isn't achievable, and we won't charge for work that won't make a visible difference. In many cases, professional cleaning is the right first step before any structural work begins.
Color Correction and Bleeding
Antique rugs with unstable dyes sometimes bleed during cleaning or over time. We assess dye stability before any wet work and, where needed, perform targeted color correction to restore the rug's original balance.
How the Process Works
Step 1: Free Inspection
We examine the rug — pile height, knot structure, dye stability, foundation integrity — and photograph all damage before we touch it. You receive a written assessment and a clear cost estimate. No surprises. We offer free pickup throughout the Bay Area — we come to you.
Step 2: Cleaning First
Restoration work always starts with a clean rug. Dirt embedded in the pile affects how we assess the pile, and cleaning sometimes resolves issues that looked like they needed repair. We use our full 9-step hand-wash process before any structural work begins.
Step 3: Structural Restoration
Repair work is done by hand, matched to the rug's original construction. We source wool and dyes to match the existing pile as closely as possible. Timelines vary by complexity — we'll give you an honest estimate upfront.
Step 4: Final Inspection and Return
Before the rug is returned, we do a full review of all restored areas in natural light. We photograph the completed work and document what was done. If something isn't right, we fix it before it leaves.
What It Costs
Restoration pricing depends on the extent of damage, the complexity of the rug's construction, and the materials required. We charge for actual work, not estimates.
Free pickup and delivery is included for all restoration work within the San Francisco Bay Area.
Schedule Your Free Inspection
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you restore a rug that's been badly damaged?
It depends on the rug and the damage. Some pieces with severe foundation loss or extensive pile damage may be past restoration — or the cost may exceed the rug's value. We'll tell you honestly which situation you're in before any work begins.
How long does restoration take?
Minor repairs typically take 1–2 weeks. More complex reweaving work can take 4–8 weeks depending on scope. We'll give you a timeline at inspection and keep you updated if anything changes.
Do you restore machine-made rugs?
No. Our restoration work is focused on hand-knotted Oriental and antique rugs. Machine-made rugs aren't built with the foundation structure that makes reweaving possible.
My rug has sentimental value but isn't worth much monetarily. Is restoration still worth it?
Yes. We work on rugs that matter to people, not just rugs with market value. We'll give you an honest assessment of what restoration will cost and what the result will look like so you can make an informed decision.
Related Services
- Oriental Rug Cleaning — hand-washed, 9-step process
- Rug Repair — fringe, selvage, and minor structural work
- Free Pickup & Delivery — throughout the SF Bay Area
- All Services & Pricing
Cengiz Boga has repaired carpets for our company for over 15 years. His professionalism and work ethic is unsurpassed. I have found his repair work to be the best that can be found in the Bay Area and beyond.
