A Guide to Choosing Berber Rugs
Whether used in a living room, bedroom, or hallway, a rug is an interior accessory that’s hard to do without. Indeed, this decorative element can add—depending on personal taste—a touch of serenity, whimsy, or luxury to your home. In bedrooms, it helps create a warm, cozy atmosphere. Furthermore, using Berber rugs to enhance interior design or living room decor has become increasingly popular in recent years. Why is that? What are their aesthetic appeal? In which room should you place one, and with what decor? Let’s take a closer look at Berber rugs and their different varieties.
How can you tell if a rug is a Berber rug?
Berber rugs originate from North Africa. The term “Berber rug” encompasses various types of weaves. How can you tell them apart? And how can you distinguish a Berber rug from a Berber-inspired rug?
The Different Types of Berber Rugs
Berber rugs come in various shapes and materials. Their shape and color vary depending on the region they come from: the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the Aurès Mountains, the Sahara, or Kabylie in Algeria, etc.
There are generally 4 or 5 main categories of Berber rugs.
- The Beni Ouarain rug is distinguished by its use of two colors: white and black, or white and brown. Among the patterns commonly found in these rugs are diamonds and triangles outlined in black or brown on a white background.
- The Babar rug, originating from Khenchela, is recognizable for its richness and density of patterns and colors.
- The Azilal rug, which is also a colorful rug. It features original and dynamic patterns that create a very inviting look.
- The Boucherouite rug, which is a type of rag rug. It is a recycled rug in that it is made from fabric scraps, pieces of clothing, and even recycled bedding. All of these materials are cut into thin strips, which are then woven together to create a comfortable, thick, and colorful rug.
- The kilim rug, which is distinguished by the fact that it is woven rather than knotted. This method of production is not unique to the Maghreb, as it is also found in the Middle East.
It should be noted that these various rugs are available in both handcrafted and industrially produced versions. Handcrafted Berber rugs, made by hand, feature irregularities that are not found in industrially produced, Berber-inspired rugs.
Materials Used to Make Berber Rugs
Traditional, non-industrial Berber rugs are made from sheep’s wool or recycled fabrics. The wool used to make Maghreb and North African rugs can be long or short. Long-pile rugs have a thick appearance and are soft to the touch. Short-pile rugs, on the other hand, are called “hanbel.” They feel less soft to the touch than long-pile rugs. Both types of wool can be used in Beni Ouarain, Azilal, or Babar rugs.
Industrial Berber-inspired rugs, on the other hand, can be woven from wool, but they may also use or incorporate synthetic materials such as nylon.
How do you choose a rug that matches your interior decor?
Berber rugs offer a wealth of decorative appeal, both in terms of their shapes and their colors.
For a minimalist or understated decor
Two-tone Berber rugs (Beni Ouarain) can be used to complement a minimalist interior, but also to add a touch of understated elegance to a space with extravagant decor. Given the simplicity of their patterns and the lack of color in these rugs, using them helps create a soft and elegant atmosphere.
For a bohemian or hippie decor style
The Lirette (Boucherouite) rug complements a bohemian decor. Another advantage of this type of rug is that each one is one-of-a-kind. In fact, its design varies depending on the strips of recycled fabric used to make it.
Depending on its size, a Boucherouite rug can be used to decorate a living room or hallway, as well as a bathroom or kitchen. Since it is made from recycled fabrics, it is easier to care for and clean than a wool rug such as the “hanbel.”
For a classic or authentic decor
Classic interiors can benefit from the use of rich, colorful Berber rugs such as the Azilal or the Babar. When the furniture allows, a Beni Ouarain rug is the perfect choice to add a touch of understated elegance.
It should be noted that Azilal and Béni Ouarain rugs can also be used in a bedroom.
For wall decor
Short-pile wool rugs, or “Hanbel” rugs, were originally intended to adorn walls, given their thinness and lightness. Their tight, knotless weave is indeed similar to embroidery. As a result, they can be used not only as rugs but also as wall hangings.
What precautions should you take with a Berber rug?
When a rug is made of wool and dyed with natural pigments, it can be difficult to care for. For this reason, it should be placed in an area with little foot traffic to avoid any disappointment. Furthermore, these days, designers and weavers who specialize in Berber rugs prefer dyes that are easier to maintain. Berber rugs made with natural pigments are becoming rare.
Berber rugs should be vacuumed daily to prevent dust from building up. If the rug is delicate, you can let the dust settle naturally by placing it on the balcony or near a window. It may be a good idea to turn it over so that the pile faces the floor for several hours to allow the dust to fall out. While this last option is the gentlest, it is also the most time-consuming.
We recommend these other pages:
- What are the benefits of a wool rug?
- What are the benefits of a jute rug?
- How to Choose an Entryway Rug?
- How to Choose a Kitchen Rug?
- How to Choose a Rug for Your Bedroom?
- How to Choose a Dining Room Rug?
- How to Choose a Living Room Rug?
- How do you choose a rug for a child's room?
- How do you choose a rug for a baby's room?
- How to Choose the Right Colorful Rug?