Beni Ouarain, Mrirt, Azilal… what is the difference between Berber rugs?

Beni Ouarain, Mrirt, Azilal, Boucherouite, Boujaad, kilim… When you’re looking for a Berber rug, the names seem endless, and it’s not always easy to figure them out. Each name refers to a region or tribe in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, each with its own weaving technique, wool, and patterns. Here’s a simple guide to help you identify each type and choose the one that best suits your home.

The Beni Ouarain rug: thick, ecru, and graphic

The Beni Ouarain rug is the best-known of the Berber rugs. It is woven by the Beni Ouarain tribes of the Middle Atlas Mountains, where winters are harsh; as a result, it has a long, thick, almost “shaggy” pile made of natural, unbleached sheep’s wool. Its patterns consist of black or brown diamonds and broken lines. This is the rug embraced by 20th-century designers, and it complements almost any interior style, from Scandinavian to contemporary.

The Mrirt rug: the softest and densest

The Mrirt (or Beni Mrirt) rug comes from the M’rirt region, also in the Middle Atlas. Its wool is particularly fine and its knots are very tight: the pile is shorter than that of a Beni Ouarain, but much denser and silkier. It is the most luxurious Berber rug to the touch. The patterns are often understated—fine lines, solid backgrounds—but contemporary designs also play with color.

The Azilal Rug: Color and Freedom

The Azilal rug comes from the province of Azilal, in the High Atlas. Against an ecru background, the weavers create very free-flowing and colorful patterns: symbols, diamonds, and abstract shapes in pink, orange, blue, or yellow. Its pile is shorter than that of a Beni Ouarain. It’s the perfect rug for a bohemian-style home or to add a pop of color to a neutral room.

The Boucherouite Rug: The Recycled Rug

The Boucherouite rug was born out of upcycling: it is knotted with strips of recycled fabric (cotton, synthetic materials, old clothes) rather than wool. As a result, they are very colorful, lightweight, and often slightly irregular. These cheerful, graphic rugs showcase the ingenuity of Berber women.

The Boujaad rug: red, pink, and orange

The Boujaad rug comes from the Boujad region, between the Middle Atlas Mountains and the plains. It is recognizable by its warm hues—red, pink, orange, and purple—and its geometric patterns, with a shorter pile. It adds a lot of warmth to a living room or bedroom.

The kilim: the flat-woven rug

Unlike other rugs, the kilim has no pile: it is flat-woven. This makes it thin, lightweight, and reversible—perfect for a kitchen, an entryway, or under a table where a thick rug would get in the way.

Summary Table

How do I choose?

First, consider how you’ll use the rug: for comfort underfoot, choose a Beni Ouarain or a Mrirt; for a high-traffic area, a shorter-pile rug or a kilim. Next, consider the color scheme of your interior: ecru to soften the space, or an Azilal or Boujaad to add a pop of color. Finally, measure your room: most of our rugs can be custom-made, starting at €150 per square meter.

Still not sure? Come see and feel our rugs in our showroom in Biarritz, or browse our entire selection of handmade Berber rugs. We offer free shipping worldwide.

Learn More — Discover our Beni Ouarain rugs, our Mrirt rugs, and all our handmade Moroccan rugs, whether in stock or custom-made.