Moroccan rugs are a one-of-a-kind option that can give your space the highest degree of luxury and culture. They have been used to give an impressive appeal for homes, resorts, hotels, restaurants, and office spaces. But, do you have any idea why they are so desirable, their origin, and how they are made? The world of rugs can feel a bit intimidating and comprehensive for a beginner.
One of the most captivating elements of Moroccan style is the authentic Moroccan rug, with its geometric patterns, vibrant colors, and deeply rooted tribal craftsmanship. A great example of that is the pink Moroccan rug. It’s a total work of art, don’t you think?? But I hear often that it can be intimidating to select a rug, especially a one-of-a-kind Moroccan rug. So today, I wanted to share my go-to tips and tricks to help you find the best Moroccan rugs!
Regardless of the category of rug style you choose, what its purpose serves (transitional rug, area rug, outdoor rug, as a coverlet), where it goes (kitchen, dining room, entryway, living room), a significant amount of information still needs to be clearly understood before dealing with the style.
What is a Moroccan Style Rug?
In essence, a Moroccan style rug refers to textile floor coverings woven by Morocco’s indigenous traditional people. The rug's prominent role in Morocco is to allow utmost utility, tons of people worldwide like collecting and using this rug style for pure decoration. Its primary material make-up constitutes wool. So, you'll find it super soft, comfy, and comes with high piles. The unique orderly patterns with relaxing colors are what makes it different from the Moroccan hand-knotted wool rugs.
History of Moroccan Rugs
Moroccan rugs are a one-of-a-kind option that can give your space the highest degree of luxury and culture. They were first woven in Morocco by the Berber women in Northern Africa and Sahara back in 622AD. These rugs were greatly valued and primarily used in palaces and sacred places.
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The daughters and granddaughters of Berber women watched and learned the art of weaving the Moroccan rugs since childhood. For that reason, they crafted these tribal rugs for specifically domestic uses such as bedding and flooring. In fact, the designs of the rugs have been handed down by generations of weavers.
After some time, the Eastern tribes like Beni Ourain started to make these Beni rugs professionally and used them as gifts or awards for high-class families. These nomadic crafters obtained wool from the Atlas mountain sheep and wove it to form yarn. The camel’s hair also served as a perfect option for the sheep wool.
These artists could sometimes dye the wool or leave them in their original undyed plain color. And for sure, this neutral Moroccan rug looked very beautiful during those days. Interestingly, the crafters had a superstitious belief that the rug's elegance could attract evil spirits. In order to keep the rugs safe from the evil spirits, the architects burnt the edges of the Moroccan rugs.
To date, the accessibility of these highly desired rugs is at an all-time high. From Moroccan rugs comes the great inspiration for the history and culture of the traditional people. Typically, the rugs are differentiable using their colors and patterns. This makes it easier for you to know which tribes made which rugs. Moreover, every tribe boasted a distinct culture that their usage would portray.
The city of Marrakech, where ancient traditions and modern influences meet to create a captivating tapestry of culture. Nestled within the heart of Morocco, this enchanting city is renowned for its vibrant souks, labyrinthine streets, and an array of exquisite handmade crafts. Marrakech has long been a paradise for rug enthusiasts, offering an abundance of choices that showcase the rich heritage of Moroccan craftsmanship. Whether you're an interior design aficionado or simply seeking a unique piece to adorn your home, the journey of buying a rug in Marrakech promises an unforgettable experience but also an overwhelming experience. The majority of what you'll find in Bazars is made by one of Morocco's forty-five distinct Berber tribes. Every Moroccan Berber rug is handmade on a loom and has a distinct style. Women are more likely to do it in their spare time. Rugs can take anywhere from 10 days to 6 months to complete, depending on size, complexity, and the amount of time she has available. Rugs are primarily used in homes or for special occasions.
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Characteristics of Moroccan Rugs
Let's look at some of the common characteristics to note.
Thickness
With Morocco's distinct climate, thicker rugs were made for colder places at high elevations like the mountains. Besides, thinner and flat-weave cloaks were used in hotter places found at low elevations like the Sahara desert.
For instance, the Beni Ourain tribe used sheep wool to weave a thicker Moroccan rug. This distinct rug was made to keep them warm while in the chilly climate of the Atlas Mountains. Lighter and thinner Moroccan rugs are made to help cope up with the Sahara Desert’s hot climate.
Size
The movement of Moroccan tribes from one place to another largely influenced the sizes of woven rugs. Rug sizes usually ranged from 5-7 feet in width and from 3-10 meters in length to ensure ease and comfort of traveling, but they can usually be customized if you have a small space for example that you need to fit a particular piece into.
Colors and Patterns
Moroccan-style rugs are incredibly unique - no two rugs are looking alike. They are hand-woven by expert women of the tribe who use their hands to incorporate symbolic languages and personal experiences in the rugs. The ultimate aim is to narrate the maker's stories. Additionally, the tribe forms a vital detail of these rugs. And these tribes deliver various types of Moroccan-style rugs.
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Common Moroccan Rug Designs
Antique Moroccan rugs are one of the commonest and most captivating art pieces across the world. Their thickness, weaving styles, and design patterns mainly intend to give essential varieties in the world of rugs. Some of the most famous types of vintage Moroccan rugs include:
- Beni Ourain: These rugs are made from pure wool in the middle Atlas Mountains with 17 different Berber tribes known as the Beni Ourain. Usually, these rugs have simple and orderly patterns yet elegant. A genuine old-fashioned Beni Ourain rug should have a cream color, not snow white. The rug contains hints of henna-black or brown hues and many symbols associated with the tribe. More importantly, you'll find this type of rug soft and fluffy to feel.
- Azilal: These rugs originate from the high Atlas Mountains and boast bold and bright colors with irregular patterns. They are tangled, thinly peeled rugs created from the natural wool fiber. What's more, the rugs maintain a natural wool color. However, you can make colorful abstract designs from either dyed wool fibers. Moreover, these rugs are true inspirations from the lives of women living in the Azilal region. The most common themes for this rug include marriage, maternity, birth, and farming. Even though they use a different weaving technique, these rugs are still elegant, soft, and very comfortable.
- Boucherouite: The Boucherouite is the most unique and impressive type of Moroccan rug available. That's because of the materials used to make them. Since wool was declining and hard to obtain, other scraps of fabric materials like cotton, nylon, and lurex were used. Their main aim was to provide excellent warmth in cold places that lack wool or where the people couldn't afford it. Additionally, this rug’s style doesn’t have a specific pattern meaning that they can be symmetrical or geometric. Still, they are exceptionally soft and feel cozy while giving a vibrant color.
- Boujad: Boujad rugs from the Central Plains areas are identical with their deep red, purple, pink, and orange tints. The Berber tribes practice typical knotting by using a tighter knot that requires less wool. The wide array of geometric patterns with colors crafted from natural dyes of leaves, flowers, berries, and henna. Therefore, these rugs are very colorful and trendy that will impress every eye.
- Beni Mguild: These rugs are made using fluffy, thicker weave, making them an excellent choice for use during colder periods in the western parts of the Atlas Mountains. Besides that, these rugs are knotted on a vertical loom with deep tints of brown, red, purple, and blue. Depending on the season, these rugs are often flipped to use the fluffy side for colder seasons and the flat surface during warmer periods. With this versatility, the Beni Mguild rug is quite a blessing for you.
Every Moroccan rug from Benisouk represents the legacy of a specific tribe. This Pink Moroccan Rug is no exception. Beni Ourain rugs are typically characterized by their simple geometric designs on a creamy white background, while Boujad rugs offer a burst of color and unconventional patterns. Boucherouite rugs, made from recycled materials, present a feast of colors and textures. Beni Mguild rugs showcase deeper, more jewel-toned colors with beautiful intricate patterns. The Mrirt tribe's rugs are renowned for their high-quality wool and unique knotting technique.
What Materials are Moroccan Rugs Made From?
Typically, the ancient Moroccan rugs were made from pure sheep wool in different piles and thickness depending on the region. The rugs made from thicker piles of wool were made for the colder and snowy Atlas Mountains. On the other side, lighter flatweave rugs are made to suit the Sahara desert’s hot climate.
Nowadays, most kinds of Moroccan rugs are produced in large quantities using various materials like nylon, cotton, and olefin together with wool.
The Pink Moroccan Rugs from Benisouk are made using 100% organic wool. This material not only gives the rugs their plush, luxurious texture but also ensures their durability and longevity.
Why Are Moroccan Rugs Popular?
With varying intricacies like tassels, minimalist appeal, multicolor, it is the dynamic color, art designs, and bold geometric patterns are the most features that make these rugs so popular. They have been passed down for many generations now and continue to be the hottest trends in decoration for many interior designers.
Furthermore, many collectors like them for their incredible striking beauty, ease, and distinct primitivism give a childish-like appeal. More importantly, they blend with any room décor in an elite curated style. You'll also find them pretty soft and cozy materials that give a comfortable feel on your skin.
Perfectly blending a Moroccan rug into your space is a true artform. A particular designer will ensure that in a certain room that their rug matches fine details like the placemats, tablecloths, table linens, shower curtains (if in a bathroom), poufs, outdoor furniture, dining furniture, duvet, chandeliers, wall art, and everything in between.
Our Pink Moroccan Rug isn't just pink. It's a stunning medley of hues ranging from blush to fuchsia, from cotton candy to deep rose.
Matching your Pink Moroccan Rug involves harmonizing it with your existing décor. Complement its vibrant pink tones with neutral furniture or wall colors. Or you could make a bold statement by pairing it with contrasting colors like greens or blues.
How to Choose the Right Size
Moroccan and vintage rugs in general come in so many various, random, un-uniform sizes. Because of this, I always recommend staying a bit flexible in the size you need. Know how small you can go and how big you can go. Plus, don’t forget that there is always the option of layering a smaller rug over a neutral jute rug - especially when you fall in love with one that isn’t 100% the correct size!
Whether you need a rug to cozy up a small reading nook or to grace a grand living space, Benisouk has a Pink Moroccan Rug in just the right size.
How to Clean a Moroccan Rug
Like any other fabric material, keeping a Moroccan rug is pretty essential. When it comes to cleaning your hand-woven traditional rugs, the process is very effortless, and you can do it in just a few easy steps.
- Step 1: Find a cleaner place where you’ll wash the rug.
- Step 2: For better cleaning results, hang the rug on a close line and vacuum it to remove any dirt or dust particles.
- Step 3: After that, lay the rug on a clean surface and pour water on it. Sprinkle a laundry or mild detergent soap on the Moroccan rug and wash it gently using your hands to create foam on the surface. This will make cleaning easier and ensure that your rug stays in good shape for long.
- Step 4: With clean water, rinse the rug thoroughly.
- Step 5: Hang the Moroccan rug on a line outside your house and let it dry in the sun to retain freshness. Make sure you don't dry it in a dryer machine as it may cause wrinkles or damage to the rug.
Tips for keeping your Moroccan Rug Clean
- Regular vacuuming of the rug to keep it shiny and dust-free
- Dusting a little baking soda to remove any odors
- Spray a tiny amount of vinegar on the rug to prevent damage from your feline friends
How Are Moroccan Rugs Made?
In Morocco, the hand-spun rug makers are named after their tribes. A loop pile construction is what the current mass-producing Berbers use to make these rugs. The outcome of the hand-knotting process provides something similar in appearance to the traditional way of tying and weaving rugs.
The process starts by acquiring the wool from the sheep from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Then the wool from the sheep gets cleaned and scoured as it may contain natural oils. After that, the wool is spun using the hands. This process transforms the wool, twisting the fibers together to form yarn. The wool is then spun to form fibers that are excellent for weaving.
The next part involves knotting the rug. Here, you’ll get to see the talented and experts weave and knot the fibers to make incredible rugs. And before finishing the knotting, natural dyes are used to color the pattern formed.
Are you wondering how long does it take to make the Moroccan rugs? Well, the making process involves different tasks until the final product comes out. It takes multiple busy weavers many days, specifically 2 to 3 weeks, to thread the wool and tie every pile of knots. In the end, the outcome is a beautiful piece of art.
How to Tell a Moroccan Rug is Authentic
Moroccan rugs can be extremely high-end and one of the most expensive pieces of art for home decorations and fashion. So, it is essential to know tell-tell signs that the rug design you’re about to buy is authentic to avoid any future disappointments. Learn How to Authenticate a Moroccan Rug Using the Following Tricks:
- The rug should be made from 100% sheep wool or cotton threads; say no to any rug made from synthetic materials.
- Check for softness; make sure it is incredibly soft to touch
- Good quality wool must have a sheen
- Understand the city or tribe that make the Moroccan rug
- Look for uniquely handmade rugs, not machine made
- Try to burn the rug’s string. If it ignites, it’s fake. Please don't buy it!
- What about the price? Authentic Moroccan Berber rugs are often expensive for a small size. Therefore, be wary of cheaper rugs and do your own due diligence.
4. Authentic Moroccan rugs are made from genuine wool. One way to tell if you’re getting a real wool rug or a synthetic is to hold up a lighter to one of the loose edges. If it doesn’t light or put itself out it's made of wool. If it ignites it’s synthetic.
Tips and Tricks for Finding the Best Moroccan Rugs
For every decor project I take on, I start a pinboard on Pinterest (usually a secret one). Then, I save images of anything I like the look of. This helps you to have a more focused approach while shopping. For example, if you’ve pinned 10 rugs that have orange tones, then you know that you’re looking for a rug with orange tones.
Specialty rugs can get expensive, especially because they are handmade, one of a kind, are highly sought after, and travel a great distance. Be realistic with your budget, but also have some wiggle room. Etsy, Chairish, and eBay are some of my favorite sources for quality, OOAK rugs online. But sometimes it’s hard to know what you’re going to get based on a small description box and a few photos. I highly recommend always reading the reviews to find out others’ experiences. How was shipping? Was the item as promised? I will say that I find more people are inclined to post negative reviews since they are angry and feel compelled to share that.
Where to Buy Pink Moroccan Rugs
My favorite source of locally sold rugs is Neon Doves. Hayley always has truly gorgeous options (hello, our hallway runner) AND you can work with her directly to source something based on your needs. For example, for our runner I gave her dimensions, a rough idea of the colors I wanted, and photos of the location. She showed me some options from her team in Morocco and I picked based from a photo.
There's no better place to purchase your Pink Moroccan Rug than at Benisouk. We offer a range of high-quality, authentic Moroccan rugs, each representing a piece of Moroccan heritage and craftsmanship.
Moroccan Rug Price Range
Many people tend to ask this, what is the price range for an authentic Moroccan rug? Well, the answer may not that easy as you may think. Similar to their Persian and Turkish counterparts, the reason is that there are plenty of variables that generally influences the price. Some of these variables include style, design, the material used, age, and place of making.
We here at Lawrence of La Brea have a wide selection of Moroccan rugs available, which may give you a better idea of the price range for the highest quality rugs on the market.
Navigating the Souks of Marrakech: Tips for Rug Shopping
Do not believe anyone on the street who tells you specific shops or alleys are closed (this applies to almost every shop or attraction in Marrakech) or not open, or anything of the sort. The person will most likely tell you this, and then "offer" to take you to a different shop that they work with, requesting (or forcing) you to tip them for the convenience of taking you. If you ever happen to be approached by these scammers, it's always best to assertively inform them that you will report their activities to the authorities.
As you embark on a journey of home décor, you may find yourself drawn to the tantalizing allure of Moroccan design.
Whether you are looking to give your property a minimalistic look, create that new-aged boho look, or take on a thrilling new interior design project, getting a premier quality Moroccan rug is the best way to go. You'll find them handcrafted and super elegant and comfy to suit any expensive modern homes. Boasting impressive historical and culture art, these are one of a kind piece of art that does a lot than just acting as unique counter pieces for your home. Their pattern, designs, and colors are incredible.
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