Introduction to Moroccan Area Rugs
The history of Moroccan rug design dates back to the Paleolithic Era. As the name suggests, these historic textiles were originally hand-crafted by the people of modern day Morocco, though today the ancient styles and patterns have been adapted for mass production and modern aesthetics. Authentic Moroccan style rugs are distinguished by their unique fabric content, knotting techniques, and traditional dyes. Along with hand-crafted styles, the term today includes any rug featuring a pattern lifted from traditional Moroccan design. Revisited and reimagined throughout centuries of production, Moroccan style rugs were widely popularized in the West by designers such as Le Corbusier in the mid century, and Moroccan style rugs have enjoyed a status of pervasive relevance in the modern era. Moroccan area rug textiles appear well over wood flooring, laminate, or vinyl, and make a fine addition to any furniture arrangement. A large Moroccan area rug can help to ground any interior or home aesthetic, while smaller styles are well-suited to hallways or small nooks.
Types of Moroccan Area Rugs
Historic moroccan rug styles were handwoven, and included both thick pile and flatweave variations. The distinctive climate of the Moroccan region demanded varying rug thicknesses for different regions. Thick and cozy Moroccan carpets were ideal in the cold temperatures of the Atlas Mountains, while the heat of the Sahara desert called for flatweave designs. Types of ancient Moroccan rugs include Beni Ourain rugs and Berber rugs, and many Moroccan rug types are named for the region where they were first crafted or the populations who originated them. Beni Ourain rugs were traditionally tribal in design with dichromatic patterns. Berber rugs too featured tribal patterns, often set in horizontal bands, and vivid colors. Ancient Moroccan rug makers never shied from a bold use of color, but only hues that could be found in nature or created using pre-modern methods were used. Today, Moroccan rugs are crafted with a wide spectrum of artificial dyes, materials, and machine-techniques. Available styles include modern, traditional, transitional, and even kid-friendly rugs. The diverse variety of colors, sizes, and styles available makes it easy to find a rug to match any existing aesthetic or decorative preferences.
Benefits of Moroccan Area Rugs
With a centuries-old and ever-evolving story, Moroccan carpets bring an element of historical intrigue to any interior. The bright colors and timeless patterns of Moroccan style rugs add a dose of decorative panache to a room, while neutral designs introduce subtle style and dimension into a space. No matter the look to achieve or style to match, a Moroccan rug is just the ticket. A Moroccan area rug will also help to protect wood floors from everyday damage and wear, while making any setting feel more cozy and inviting.
To learn more about different rug styles and patterns available, read LuxeDecor's Rug Buying Guide.
