It is no secret that Moroccan rugs have a vast and international audience in the home decor scene. It is the impeccable quality and diverse selections that make Moroccan rugs a whimsical piece of furniture with endless possibilities.
Seeing how Berber rugs are quite famous for their bold geometric patterns & dynamic colored designs, this opened the door for Moroccan Berber rugs to become one of the firm leaders in the handcrafted sector and to be recognized as one of the most sought after home decor objects.
Origin of Moroccan Rugs – A Brief History
The history of the Moroccan carpet goes all the way back to the Paleolithic Era. It is an ancient technique handcrafted by Berber women who were used to weaving these carpets primarily for their utility, given Morocco’s distinctive climatic conditions in the Atlas mountains.
The sharp and dry cold air gave rise to the use of thick, heavy-piled carpets and bed coverings. Berber rugs are made from pure virgin wool of thick fiber structure that act as a shield to keep thermal exchange to minimum.
It's worth noting that the quality of Moroccan rugs highly depends on the quality of the wool. Similarly, the weavers unanimously confirm that the quality of wool depends on their flock of sheep as they follow specific guidelines for handspun wool to achieve the apex quality standards.
For instance Beni Ourain rugs are used by the natives who live in the mountains under harsh weather conditions. On the other side of the spectrum, the nomadic tribes of the south, staying closer to the Sahara Desert in extremely hot climate use the lighter version of Moroccan rugs which are typically flat-weaved and displat festive colors and intricate symbols.
Different Types of Moroccan Rugs
Now, let us acquaint you with some famous types of Berber Moroccan rugs, which you can explore while looking to buy your own:
- Beni Ourain Rugs
Beni Ourain carpets are the handmade jewels from the mid Atlas Mountains as they're considered a repertoire of traditions and well kept secrets. As the artistic embodiment of neutral tones where black symbols delightfully animate the shimmering cream background, many consumers are drawn to the Beni Ourain rugs for their softness, style and sustainability.
- Azilal Rugs
As its name suggests, these rugs are produced by the Berber tribes residing in the high Atlas mountains around Azilal area. In terms of pile and plushness, Azilal rugs are quite similar to Beni Ourain carpets. The color is the only element of distinction, as the white backgroud welcomes a psychedelic tableau of mixed colors forming a series of intertwined shapes.
- Boujad Rugs
Moroccan Boujad carpets belong to the middle Atlas Mountains woven in bright purple with accents of black, lemonade pink, magenta and coral.
- Boucherouite Rugs
This is another majestic piece of art by Berber carpet weavers. Recycled fabrics are used to to produce these eco-friendly rugs. Buyers gravitate towards Boucherouite rugs because of their "honest" charm, vivid colors and sustainable ethics.
- Kilim Rugs
Kilims are often associated with Romanian or Turkish rugs, however; Morocco also produces awesome Kilims, notably the new breakout star known as the Zanafi rug. Although these Berber rugs aren’t as soft as the Beni Ourain carpets, they are thinner and remain the ideal choice for homes in warmer parts of the world.
Undoubtedly, Bohemian Moroccan rugs have become a popular choice in modern interior design. As much as they carry symbols and proud traditions, their essence seems to unite different cultures and backgrounds towards a common root where we thrive most by celebrating our differences and where homes are designed on the basis of exchange and mutual acceptance.
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