Guide
Beni Ourain vs Azilal rugs: what is the difference?
Both are Berber rugs knotted by hand in the Atlas mountains, both have an ivory base. Yet they do not look the same and do not suit the same rooms. Here are the differences, plus two other names you will meet.
Beni Ourain: ivory wool and graphic lines
- Origin: the Middle Atlas mountains
- Wool: thick, mostly undyed ivory sheep wool
- Pattern: dark lines forming diamonds, lattices or single signs
- Pile: high and soft
- Look: calm and minimalist, easy to place in Scandinavian, Japandi, modern or boho interiors
Azilal: colour on an ivory base
- Origin: the Azilal region of the High Atlas
- Wool: an ivory base with dyed wool in bright colours (orange, blue, pink, green, violet…)
- Pattern: freer, abstract motifs and Berber signs, sometimes asymmetrical
- Pile: usually lower than a Beni Ourain
- Look: joyful, a statement piece that brings colour to a neutral room
Two other names you will meet
Mrirt rugs come from the area of the town of M'rirt, in the Middle Atlas. They look like a Beni Ourain but with a finer, denser and softer wool and a lower pile.
Boucherouite rugs are rag rugs knotted from strips of recycled textiles. They are very colourful and light, a different object from a wool rug.
Which one for your room?
- Living room in neutral tones: a Beni Ourain adds warmth and texture without adding colour
- White or minimalist room that needs life: an Azilal or a colourful Berber rug
- Bedroom: a Beni Ourain, for its soft high pile underfoot
- Busy hallway or entryway: a runner with a darker or colourful pattern hides traces better than plain ivory
- Dining room: a lower pile is easier to move chairs on
Questions
Is an Azilal rug softer than a Beni Ourain?
Usually not: a Beni Ourain has a higher and thicker pile. An Azilal is often a little flatter, which also makes it easier to clean.
Do the colours of an Azilal rug fade?
Dyed wool can fade slowly in strong direct sunlight. Turning the rug every few months keeps the colours even.
Can a Beni Ourain have colour?
Yes. The classic one is ivory with black or brown lines, but many weavers now knot coloured lines, such as red, blue or brown, on the same ivory base.