What Is a Moroccan Rug? A Complete Guide to Types and Styles

A Moroccan rug is far more than a piece of decor for the floor. It is a craft with centuries of history behind it, and each one carries the story of the woman who wove it and the region it came from. In this guide we explain what truly makes a rug Moroccan, the main types you will come across, and how to choose the right one for your home.

What makes a rug Moroccan

A genuine Moroccan rug rests on three things: natural wool from Moroccan sheep, work done entirely by hand without a machine, and Amazigh (Berber) motifs that each carry meaning. Moroccan wool is rich in lanolin, which keeps it soft and strong and lets a good rug last for decades.

The main types of Moroccan rug

There are many types, each from a different region with its own character:

Beni Ourain: cream with sparse black motifs and a deep, soft pile. We cover it in detail here.
Taznakht: from the Anti-Atlas, colourful and finely woven. See why it is prized.
Azilal: colourful and free in design, each one telling a personal story.
Kilim and Hanbel: flatweave with no pile, light and easy to move.

To understand how the Atlas rugs differ, read this comparison.

How a Moroccan rug is made

It all begins with the wool: washed, carded, and spun by hand. The weaver then sits at the loom and ties knot after knot, a process that can take months for a single rug. That patience is exactly what gives a Moroccan rug its value.

A genuine rug versus a Moroccan-style rug

Many rugs sold in large stores are labelled Moroccan-style yet made by machine from synthetic fibres. They imitate only the look. A real Moroccan rug is woven by hand from wool, and it is the one that lasts and gains value over time. To tell them apart, look at these signs.

How to choose the right rug

Before you buy, think about three things: the right size for the space, a colour that works with your decor, and the type you are drawn to. We have full guides on size and colour to help you choose well the first time.