The Complete Guide to Moroccan Rug Types
Discover the Different Traditions, Regions, Patterns & Textures of Moroccan Rugs
When you search for a Moroccan rug, you may come across names such as Beni Ourain, Azilal, Boujaad, Taznakht, Zanafi, Beni M’Guild, Mrirt, Boucherouite, and Moroccan Kilim.
These names are not simply different colors or design trends.
They are connected to different regions, weaving traditions, materials, techniques, and visual languages that have developed across Morocco.
At Atlas Made Rug, we believe knowing where a rug comes from—and understanding how it was made—makes choosing one much more meaningful.
This guide introduces the major Moroccan rug types and explains what makes each one distinctive.
What Makes Moroccan Rugs Different?
There is no single "Moroccan rug style."
Morocco has a remarkable diversity of weaving traditions. The appearance and character of a rug can be influenced by:
- The region where it was woven
- The local Amazigh community
- Wool and other fibers available locally
- Weaving and knotting techniques
- Pile height and density
- Natural or dyed colors
- Traditional motifs and symbols
- The intended use of the textile
- The individual woman who created it
Two rugs from different regions can therefore look completely different while both being authentically Moroccan.
And even two rugs from the same region may never be exactly alike.
That individuality is part of the beauty of handmade Moroccan rugs.
Moroccan Rug Types at a Glance
Moroccan Rug Type| Region| Typical Character| Best For
Beni Ourain| Middle Atlas| Cream wool, geometric motifs, plush pile| Minimalist & neutral interiors
Azilal| High Atlas| Colorful, abstract, expressive| Artful & eclectic spaces
Boujaad| Central Morocco| Warm colors, expressive patterns| Warm contemporary interiors
Beni M’Guild| Middle Atlas| Dense, substantial, deep colors| Cozy & atmospheric rooms
Taznakht| Anti-Atlas / Ouarzazate region| Rich patterns, wool & flatweave traditions| Character-rich interiors
Zanafi| Southeast Morocco| Graphic flatweave & geometric designs| Modern & minimalist spaces
Mrirt| Middle Atlas| Dense, soft, refined pile| Luxury & sophisticated interiors
Boucherouite| Various regions| Colorful recycled textiles| Eclectic & artistic homes
Moroccan Kilim| Various regions| Flatwoven, lighter, graphic| Dining, layering & warm climates
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Beni Ourain Rugs
The Iconic Moroccan Wool Rug
Origin: Middle Atlas Mountains
Beni Ourain rugs are among the most internationally recognized Moroccan rugs.
Traditionally associated with Amazigh communities of the Middle Atlas, they are particularly known for their warm, natural wool and simple geometric designs.
How to Recognize a Beni Ourain Rug
Traditional examples often feature:
- Natural ivory, cream, or ecru wool
- Dark brown or black geometric motifs
- Diamond and lozenge patterns
- Thick, plush pile
- Soft, insulating wool
- Handmade irregularities
Their restrained palette makes them particularly versatile in contemporary interiors.
Where Does a Beni Ourain Rug Work Best?
Beni Ourain rugs are especially suited to:
- Minimalist living rooms
- Scandinavian interiors
- Japandi spaces
- Bedrooms
- Neutral interiors
- Homes where texture is more important than strong color
A Beni Ourain can add warmth and depth without overwhelming the rest of the room.
Azilal Rugs
Color, Expression & Individuality
Origin: Azilal Province, High Atlas
Azilal rugs are among the most expressive Moroccan textiles.
They are known for their energetic compositions, irregular geometric forms, and combinations of natural wool with colored wool or other fibers.
What Makes Azilal Rugs Special?
You may find:
- Cream or natural wool backgrounds
- Pink, red, orange, blue, yellow, green, or black accents
- Abstract geometric motifs
- Asymmetrical compositions
- Irregular lines
- Medium or soft pile
- Highly individual designs
Rather than looking perfectly symmetrical, many Azilal rugs have a spontaneous quality.
That is precisely what makes them compelling.
Who Should Choose an Azilal Rug?
Choose an Azilal if you want your rug to become a focal point.
They work particularly well in:
- Creative interiors
- Eclectic homes
- Contemporary spaces
- Art-inspired rooms
- Neutral rooms that need color
Boujaad Rugs
Warm Colors & Vintage Character
Origin: Boujaad and surrounding areas of central Morocco
Boujaad rugs are loved for their rich color palettes and expressive compositions.
Many vintage examples feature warm shades such as:
- Dusty pink
- Rose
- Terracotta
- Rust
- Coral
- Red
- Orange
- Burgundy
- Aubergine
Their patterns can feel spontaneous rather than rigid, creating a softer and more atmospheric appearance.
Why Choose a Boujaad Rug?
A vintage Boujaad can bring:
- Warmth
- Color
- Patina
- Character
- Texture
- A lived-in feeling
They work beautifully with natural wood, linen, leather, neutral walls, and contemporary furniture.
Beni M’Guild Rugs
Deep Colors & Substantial Wool
Origin: Middle Atlas Mountains
Beni M’Guild rugs are traditionally associated with the colder Middle Atlas and are often substantial, dense wool textiles.
Vintage examples are particularly admired for their deep colors and beautiful changes that develop with age.
You may encounter shades of:
- Deep red
- Burgundy
- Plum
- Aubergine
- Brown
- Dark earth tones
The Beauty of Patina
An older rug may show variations in color, softened pile, fading, or other signs of use.
These aren't necessarily imperfections.
For collectors and lovers of vintage textiles, they can be part of the rug's history and character.
Beni M’Guild rugs are particularly suited to interiors that call for depth, warmth, and a more atmospheric feeling.
Taznakht Rugs
A Rich Weaving Tradition of Southern Morocco
Origin: Taznakht and the surrounding Anti-Atlas / Ouarzazate region
Taznakht is an important center of Moroccan rug production, with distinctive weaving traditions and a wide range of designs.
Taznakht rugs can vary considerably, so there isn't one single appearance that defines every piece.
You may find:
- Rich geometric compositions
- Strong colors
- Natural wool tones
- Intricate motifs
- Flatwoven structures
- Pile rugs
- Traditional regional patterns
The region is particularly interesting for anyone who wants to explore Moroccan weaving beyond the better-known Beni Ourain and Azilal categories.
At Atlas Made Rug, we are especially interested in working directly with women artisans and weaving communities in and around Taznakht.
Zanafi Rugs
Graphic Geometry & Flatwoven Texture
Origin: Southeastern Morocco
Zanafi rugs are known for their graphic geometric designs and flatwoven construction.
Compared with thick high-pile rugs, a Zanafi can have a lighter, more structured appearance.
Why Choose a Zanafi?
They can be particularly useful for:
- Dining rooms
- Hallways
- Layered interiors
- Modern minimalist homes
- Warmer climates
- Spaces where a lower-profile rug is preferred
Their strong geometry also makes them visually striking without requiring bright colors.
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Mrirt Rugs
Plush, Dense & Refined
Origin: Middle Atlas region
Mrirt rugs are often associated with dense construction, soft wool, and a refined appearance.
They can be an excellent choice for someone looking for the softness of a traditional Moroccan wool rug with a more sophisticated and restrained aesthetic.
Look for:
- Dense pile
- Soft wool
- Neutral or tonal colors
- Subtle geometric designs
- Luxurious texture
Mrirt rugs can work beautifully in high-end contemporary interiors where the emphasis is on material, texture, and craftsmanship.
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Boucherouite Rugs
Recycled Textiles Turned Into Art
Origin: Various rural regions of Morocco
Boucherouite rugs are different from traditional all-wool pile rugs.
They are made using available textile materials, which can include fabric remnants, recycled cotton, wool scraps, and other fibers.
The result is often highly colorful and unpredictable.
Boucherouite Rugs Can Be:
- Vibrant
- Playful
- Multicolored
- Textural
- Irregular
- Highly individual
There is often an extraordinary sense of creativity in how discarded or available materials are transformed into something decorative and functional.
If you want a Moroccan rug that feels more like folk art, Boucherouite may be the style for you.
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Moroccan Kilim & Flatweave Rugs
Lightweight, Graphic & Versatile
Not every Moroccan rug has a thick pile.
Flatwoven Moroccan rugs—often referred to broadly as kilims—are created without the raised pile found in many hand-knotted rugs.
They can offer:
- A lighter profile
- Strong geometric patterns
- A more structured surface
- Easy layering
- Durability for many everyday spaces
- Suitability for warmer climates
They can work particularly well beneath dining tables, in hallways, or layered beneath another rug.
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Moroccan Rug Types by Style
Not sure which Moroccan rug is right for you?
Start with the feeling you want.
For a Minimalist Home
Consider:
Beni Ourain
Mrirt
Zanafi
Look for neutral colors, restrained patterns, and strong texture.
For Color & Personality
Consider:
Azilal
Boujaad
Boucherouite
These styles can become a focal point within an otherwise neutral room.
For Vintage Character
Consider:
Boujaad
Beni M’Guild
Vintage Azilal
Look for natural fading, softened wool, patina, and the individual character that develops through age and use.
For a Lightweight Rug
Consider:
Zanafi
Moroccan Kilim
Flatwoven rugs are particularly useful where you want a lower profile.
For Maximum Softness
Consider:
Beni Ourain
Mrirt
These styles are often associated with dense, plush wool textures.
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New vs. Vintage Moroccan Rugs
One of the most important choices isn't the rug type.
It's whether you want a newly woven or vintage rug.
Vintage Moroccan Rugs
Vintage pieces can offer:
- Patina
- Faded colors
- Softened wool
- Signs of history
- One-of-a-kind character
Their irregularities are often part of what makes them special.
Newly Woven Moroccan Rugs
Newly made rugs can offer:
- Fresh wool
- Stronger structural integrity
- Brighter colors
- More predictable dimensions
- The possibility of choosing specific sizes and designs
Neither is inherently better.
They simply offer different qualities.
Choose based on whether you are looking for history and patina or freshness and a more precise fit for your home.
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Handmade Moroccan Rugs Are Not Perfect—and That's the Point
A handmade rug should not necessarily look like something produced by a machine.
You may notice:
- Slight variations in dimensions
- Small differences in pattern
- Uneven edges
- Variations in pile height
- Subtle color changes
- Individual knots
- Minor irregularities in the weave
These characteristics can be evidence of the handmade process.
Rather than hiding these details, we believe they should be understood and appreciated.
Every rug carries the physical traces of the person who made it.
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How to Choose the Right Moroccan Rug for Your Home
Before choosing a rug, consider five things:
1. Your Room
Measure the room and determine how much floor you want the rug to cover.
2. Your Furniture
Decide whether the rug will sit underneath the entire furniture arrangement or only the front legs.
3. Your Color Palette
A neutral Beni Ourain can calm a colorful room, while an Azilal or Boujaad can become the room's visual focal point.
4. Your Lifestyle
Think about foot traffic, children, pets, dining areas, and how much maintenance you want.
5. Your Personal Connection
Most importantly, choose something you genuinely love.
A Moroccan rug can remain in your home for many years. Its meaning shouldn't end with whatever interior trend happens to be popular today.
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Why Every Atlas Made Rug Is Different
We don't believe handmade rugs should be treated like mass-produced home accessories.
We work to discover individual pieces through relationships with Moroccan artisans and weaving communities.
Each rug is selected for its:
Craftsmanship.
Material.
Character.
Regional identity.
Story.
Our goal is not simply to sell a Moroccan rug.
It is to connect a handmade textile with someone who will appreciate the hands, knowledge, and tradition behind it.
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Find Your Moroccan Rug
Whether you are drawn to the quiet simplicity of a Beni Ourain, the expressive colors of an Azilal, the warmth of a Boujaad, the depth of a Beni M’Guild, or the graphic character of a Taznakht or Zanafi, there is a Moroccan weaving tradition with its own language and personality.
Explore our collection and find the piece that speaks to your space.
Looking for a particular size, color, or style? Contact us →