Our Moroccan Beni Ourain Rug Collection

Image Credit - Enchanting Travels

HISTORY OF MOROCCAN BENI OURAIN RUGS

Morocco’s Middle and High Atlas Mountains serve as the birthplace for several tribes who were collectively known as the Berber. One group of Moroccan people comprising of seventeen different Berber tribes is, The Beni Ourain. Primarily, shepherds who have historically raised their livestock high in the mountains, moving with their herds from one graze land to the next - they are also known for their iconic rugs.

The Beni Ourain rugs are traditional carpets, hand-woven by the women of these Moroccan tribes, boasting patterns that symbolise fertility, survival, and the natural world. Originally the rugs were used for a variety of household functions including; bed coverings, sleeping mats, as well as for self-adornment, and burial shrouds. The materials are hand-selected; each rug takes weeks to make by a skilled Artisan, with tones ranging from extraordinarily vibrant to neutral, in either distinct patterns or more free-form designs. Any handwoven rug created by the Beni Ourain tribe is made from High quality 100% wool, guaranteeing a plush, luxurious pile that makes these rugs particularly resistant. 

Traditional Beni Ourain tribal patterns can be traced back hundreds of years, some as far back as the Palaeolithic era. They are the most renowned Moroccan Berber rugs, often featuring the typical monochrome, diamond pattern. Because of the diversity of the seventeen different tribes that make up the Beni Ourain, there is a fascinating and subtle difference in the patterns and design elements present in the rugs and carpets that they produce. Their geometric, abstract designs can lend themselves to contemporary households, lying upon a stone or rustic wooden flooring as originally intended. In this post, we feature some of our favourites from our Beni Ourain Rug Collection.

STYLING A MOROCCAN BENI OURAIN RUG

Image Credit - The Spruce

We love Moroccan Beni Ourain rugs! These gorgeous handwoven pieces add a surprising personality and touch of graphic glamour to a space. It’s no wonder these rugs have become so popular today - their style and uniqueness has spread far and wide across the globe, gaining attention from top designers and home decor stores. There is no interior magazine you can read without seeing a Moroccan carpet in it. Moroccan rugs are a decor necessity for design enthusiasts because they are one-of-a-kind, statement-making pieces that give any room a special feel. Due to their understated elegance and endless variety, they work just as well with contemporary maximalist interiors as they do with relaxed, eclectic settings. 

The beauty of the rugs is that they are timeless; we are continually amazed by how a canvas with such subtle patterns can say so much. They are so soft and warm, which makes them perfect for adding a little texture and making your interior feel cosy. Furthermore, neutral colours and geometric decorations make them easy to fit in any home and adaptable to different styles, from Nordic interiors to more minimal homes. All our rugs are handmade in Morocco using traditional methods that have been in practice for centuries. Our Beni Ourain range provides a more neutral, subtle style to your interior space if a contemporary, minimalist look is more appealing.

CONTEMPORARY 

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, Crismatec, Pinterest, Swell Made

Despite being around for over 1,000 years, Beni Ourain rugs are an enduring classic, acting as a neutral to blend seamlessly into any interior. They are minimalist by definition, so if you have a flair for clean, functional design that let’s the light in, feels cosy, keeps things tidy, and yet can be strikingly beautiful, these rugs deliver. When you’re designing a modern home, you’ll likely lean towards accents that are simple with clean lines. But even in newly built contemporary spaces, wabi-sabi or nordic interior design will seamlessly marry sleek modern design pieces with heirloom antiques and organic textures. The patterns are surprisingly modern looking, featuring minimalist designs of crosses, diamonds, and geometric motifs, and they are guilt-free too as they are all eco-friendly, fair trade, and produced from local sheep’s wool, laying the foundation for a calm, comfortable atmosphere.

Featured Rugs (left to right) - SAKI, FEMKE, TAD

ECLECTIC

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, Kaitlin Madden, Lemon Loves, Pinterest 

What if your home is an eclectic mix of colours and funky furniture? The good news is that Beni Ourain rugs can work in any style of home. Eclectic decor has become prevalent in recent years; it allows you to mix the old and new, textures, trends, and colours. The style offers so much freedom in creating the home you've been dreaming about, which is what made eclectic decor popular in the first place. 

To turn your home into an eclectic fairytale, choose one bold statement piece (a free-form patterned Berber rug would be our choice) and allow it to shine as a focal point of the room. If your room is full of shining metallics, mirrored surfaces, and touchable velvet textures, then a Beni Ourain rug is the perfect final touch. They come equipped with the decadent luxury that glam-styled spaces thrive on - their simple geometric designs draw the eye in, and the neutral shades of the wool can be used to tie a mix of bright colours together. Our new range is all about rustic, unfinished, and purposefully uneven texture on rugs, with unfinished edges, and differential pile lengths, which all work towards creating a dishevelled and unrefined look. With a range of designs from ordered geometric to free form, there’s sure to be a Moroccan rug that matches your decor style and taste. 

Featured Rugs (left to right) - BRETT, HAROLD, HEATH

Cuddly, rustic and neutral, Beni Ourain rugs are the teddy bear of carpeting. That’s why they are still going so strong. What do you think? Will they become a true modern classic or finally fade into design oblivion?

Check out our blog archives for guides and tips on interior design and home decor ideas. 

You can check us out on Pinterest and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest trends and rug inspo.  COVID-19 UPDATE - ONLINE SALES FULLY ACTIVE. Warehouse visits are now open by appointment only. House visits remain on pause for the time being. You can view one of the largest collections of Persian Rugs in London on our website and if you have any questions, you can contact us here.