Beni Ourain vs Azilal vs Kilim: A Guide to Moroccan Rug Styles
"Moroccan rug" covers a much wider range of styles than most buyers realize. Beni Ourain, Azilal, Boucherouite, kilim, Taznakht — each comes from a different region, tribe, and weaving tradition, and they look genuinely different from each other once you know what to look for.
Beni Ourain
The style most people picture when they hear "Moroccan rug" — a cream or ivory wool base with sparse black or dark brown geometric diamonds and lines. Originally woven by the Beni Ourain tribe in the Middle Atlas as thick bedding and tent insulation, which is why the pile is famously plush. It's the most internationally recognized style and the one most often imitated by machine looms.
Azilal
Bolder and more abstract than Beni Ourain, with bright, often asymmetric color and freeform pattern rather than strict geometry. Each Azilal rug reads almost like a piece of folk art — no two are alike, even within the same cooperative.
Boucherouite
Made from recycled fabric strips rather than wool, originally a resourceful solution in communities with limited wool access. The result is a rug with vivid, unpredictable color combinations — genuinely one-of-a-kind, since the input materials are never the same twice.
Kilim
A flat-weave technique rather than a knotted pile — thinner, lighter, and reversible, with the same pattern visible on both sides. Kilims tend to be more affordable than thick-pile knotted rugs because they use less wool and less time per square meter, but a well-made hand-woven kilim is just as authentic and durable as a knotted rug.
Taznakht
Woven in narrow looms in the Taznakht region, traditionally used for runners and elongated formats. Rich, saturated colors — deep red, saffron, indigo — and tighter geometric patterning than Azilal.
How to tell them apart at a glance
| Style | Base color | Pattern | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beni Ourain | Ivory/cream | Sparse geometric diamonds | Knotted pile, thick |
| Azilal | Bright, varies | Abstract, asymmetric | Knotted pile |
| Boucherouite | Mixed/recycled | Unpredictable color blocks | Woven from fabric strips |
| Kilim | Varies, often bold | Geometric, repeating | Flat weave, reversible |
| Taznakht | Deep red/indigo | Tight geometric | Narrow loom, often runners |
What we work with
Our Moroccan Rugs collection focuses on hand-woven wool kilims — naturally dyed, flat-woven, and reversible — in a range of geometric and abstract patterns, all in a single transparent 3m x 2m size at €799. If a specific tribal style appeals to you for a custom piece, we also offer made-to-order sizing — contact us for details.
Choosing between styles for your space
Beni Ourain and ivory-based kilims suit minimalist or Scandinavian interiors. Azilal and Boucherouite bring bold, eclectic color to a boho space. Kilims in general are the most versatile choice for layering, since their flatter profile sits well under furniture and pairs easily with other textiles.