Moroccan Rugs
Moroccan rugs, also referred to as Berber or Boujad rugs, were traditionally hand-woven by the indigenous people of Morocco and have been around for centuries. The ancient designs used in these rugs were passed down through generations of weavers. From cold snow-capped mountains to the hot dusty desert, the variety of climates in Morocco is reflected in the different styles of Moroccan rugs.
In the colder regions, the rugs were handwoven from thick fibers in a shag style, whereas lighter weight, flatweave hand-woven Moroccan rugs were more typically found amongst the nomadic tribes who traveled through the Sahara desert. Originally their main purpose was practical rather than decorative and they had various uses including sleeping mats, bed coverings, or even saddle blankets. From bright colors to neutral shades or geometric shapes (commonly found in tribal rugs and bohemian rugs) to something more expressive, each major city in Morocco had distinguishing features. As they were handwoven, each rug was unique and reflected the personality and individual experiences and skills of the weaver. Regardless of the trends, Moroccan rugs have stood the test of time and since the middle of last century, designers in the west have really begun to appreciate these rugs and recognize their high quality. They are very popular amongst rug lovers!
Whether you want to make a bold statement with a colorful Moroccan rug or choose more neutral colors such as white rugs, cream textured, grey rugs, or peach rugs to complement the decor in the room, Moroccan rugs come in many colors, sizes, and patterns. As well as looking amazing and adding character to your home, Moroccan rugs also have practical benefits such as providing insulation and reducing noise, and they can also be very comfortable to sit or walk on. They are also great for protecting your floor and can hide imperfections such as cracked tiles or scratched wood. It is also important to use underlay under these rugs to stop them from slipping or buckling. They can even be layered over the carpet and are a great way of hiding existing carpet stains, particularly when you are renting where you are stuck with the existing carpet and are unable to paint the walls. Moroccan rugs can be an affordable way to brighten up the room and refresh your living space. And unlike wall-to-wall carpet, Moroccan large rugs are portable so you can take them with you when you move or they allow you to change your décor easily and often. In open-plan spaces, Moroccan rugs can be useful for separating different areas such as using living room rugs and dining room rugs to separate the lounge area from the dining area. Some Moroccan rugs are so stunningly beautiful, that it can be like having a work of art on your floor and they can be the centerpiece of the room. You may want to even hang your Moroccan rug on your wall if you really want to make an impression!
Can you clean Moroccan rugs?
Made from high-quality wool, Moroccan rugs are very durable and tend to shed less than other rugs made out of natural fibers, but they still need to be cleaned carefully. Because wool rugs are made from thick fibers, there is a natural tendency for dirt to collect dirt between the fibers, so regular maintenance will help your rug to have as long a life as possible. Given your Moroccan rug is likely to be very precious to you, the safest option would be to take it to a specialized carpet cleaner who has demonstrable experience in cleaning these types of rugs. If you are looking for a cheaper option though, you can clean it yourself. It’s a good idea to hang it outside and give it a good shake or bash it with a broom handle to get rid of any excess dirt. You can then vacuum your rug using a high height setting so you don’t agitate the rug excessively. It is a good idea to vacuum your rug regularly to prevent dirt and grime from building up, and spot cleans any stains as you notice them. If there are any problematic stains you can spot treat them with a very gentle wool wash. If you do clean your rug with water, you shouldn’t let your wool rug get soaking wet as they are not only then extremely heavy, but they can take a long time to dry. You’ll need to make sure it is completely dry before taking it inside so it doesn’t encourage mildew to grow or have an unpleasant smell.
It’s also a good idea to rotate your Moroccan rugs occasionally to prevent some parts of the rug from wearing out or fading more quickly than other sections. If your Moroccan rug is particularly precious you may want to introduce some preventative measures including a ‘shoes off’ policy or no eating on the rug.
Where to buy Moroccan rugs?
Our Berber rugs are made out of a labor of love, based on the same technique established more than 1,000 years ago. Depending on the size of the rug, each piece can take 6 to 8 weeks for a team of weavers to complete depending on the size and style. At Miss Amara, our Moroccan rugs are made from high-quality, durable New Zealand wool so while they are super strong, they also feel incredibly soft underfoot. You can browse through our complete collection of Moroccan rugs online and you’re sure to find one that will look great in your home. To help you visualize how the rug will look in your room, there is a “See this in my room” button under each of our rugs. By clicking on this button you will be able to upload an actual photo of your room (or you can use one of our generic room photos if you prefer). In just 5 seconds, we will superimpose the rug you have chosen onto your photo so you can get a better idea of how it will look. If you don’t know where to start, we also have professional stylists on hand to help you choose the right rug for you. If you email them a photo of your room and your specific requirements and taste preferences, they will curate a selection of rugs just for you. The more information you give them the better! For example, your rug may need to be child-friendly, pet-friendly, or stain-resistant, and you can also provide several photos of your room from different viewpoints.
Once you’ve chosen the rug that you want to buy, simply add it to your cart and place your order online and we’ll send it out to you with free delivery USA-wide. We know that a rug is a big commitment so we want to make sure you are 100% happy with it when it arrives at your home, which is why we offer risk-free returns. If you don’t like the rug when you receive it, you can send it back to us and we’ll give you a full refund. If you’re based in the USA we’ll pay the pick-up and delivery costs too. This is risk-free shopping at its best! So what are you waiting for? Start shopping online for your new Moroccan rug today!