Berber Rugs

The Berber rug has become one of the most emblematic rugs in contemporary interiors. Originally from the Berber tribes of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, these traditional rugs were hand-knotted by the women of the villages, each motif carrying a meaning tied to life, fertility or protection. Today their strong visual identity, a light ground with raw graphic motifs, wins over every decorating trend, from Scandinavian interiors to bohemian schemes.

The main families of Berber rug

Several inspirations sit side by side in our collection. The Beni Ouarain, from the Middle Atlas, is recognisable by its cream ground and the black or brown lines that form diamonds, and it is the signature of the modern Berber rug. The Azilal, from the High Atlas, allows more colour and asymmetric patterning, with touches of pink, blue or yellow on an ecru ground. The Boucherouite, more recent, offers a vibrant patchwork style inspired by recycled weaves. Versions with a short pile give a more supple alternative, perfect for a dining room or a hallway runner.

Which room for a Berber rug?

The Berber rug settles naturally into a living room, where it brings comfort and character underneath the seating. In a bedroom, it works at the foot of the bed or across the whole floor for a cocooning feel. In a dining room, choose a short-pile design so the chairs move easily. Small sizes are perfect for an entrance hall or a home office corner.

Decorating styles it works with

Contrary to received wisdom, the Berber rug fits into almost every decorating style. In a Scandinavian interior, its cream ground sits happily with pale woods and clean lines. In a bohemian scheme, it converses with ethnic textiles and natural materials. In a minimalist or contemporary living room, it creates a graphic contrast people love. It also layers beautifully over our plain textured rugs to build up relief.

Material and care

Most of our contemporary Berber-style rugs are woven in polypropylene (hard-wearing, easy to look after) or in polyester shaggy for the deliciously soft long-pile versions. These modern fibres reproduce the Berber look while being far easier to live with than a traditional rug. Care: a weekly vacuum, and any stain blotted straight away with a damp cloth. Machine washable versions are available for families.