Mashad rugs have several design elements that are common with Kashan rugs, with only very small differences between them. However, Mashad rugs have one unique feature that helps distinguish between the two and that is their elongated corners. In the Mashad rug layout, the corners are so elongated that they sometimes touch or almost touch near the center of each border on each side of the rug.

The wool used in Mashad rugs is softer than that found in most other types of Persian rugs. The colors are non varying and most use exclusively red and blue as the dominating colors with ivory or khaki used to provide interesting contrast. The background is typically deep, dark red with dark blue highlights found in the center medallion, corner pendants and border. The red background is a distinguishing characteristic of Mashad rugs.

With their high quality, soft wool, bold colors and stunning design elements, Mashad rugs are in high demand all over the world. Moreover, the construction techniques that are used to create these rugs make them sturdier and longer lasting, which are qualities most people look for when they are investing money in a rug.

Other motifs that the Mashad weavers use in addition to the Shah Abbasi motif are boteh and herati motifs. Unlike the single, large, central Shah Abbasi motif, botehs and heratis are smaller and woven in a repeated, all-over pattern.