Hassan Hilat moved to Marrakesh in 2010 to pursue his passion for selling authentic Moroccan rugs.

“Every carpet has its own story and its own pattern,” the Essaouira native said. He owns Moroccan Berber Carpet, a store in the Medina of Marrakesh. Hilat opened the store after the COVID-19 pandemic in the Medina of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Center that has been around since 1070-72.

The Medina is a bustling cultural center with cobblestone lanes, street food, vendors, folk dancers, and more. It’s easy to get lost in what feels like a maze but getting lost brought me to Hilat’s store.

While finding my way through the Medina, I came across souks with spices and home decor, but Hilat’s rugs made me stop in my tracks. I’d never quite seen the bright colors and beautiful patterns in a rug like the ones in Hilat’s Medina storefront. I entered the store, browsed around, and met Hilat, who introduced himself as the owner. He was welcoming, warm, and eager to talk about the rugs made in his home country of Morocco but celebrated across the globe. We sat down with cups of traditional Moroccan mint tea in hand. We talked about his inspiration for having a rug store, the difference between contemporary and vintage berber rugs, and how you can decorate your home with these rugs.

Why Moroccan rugs?

Moroccan rugs are hand-woven and uniquely made by indigenous tribal people. They are famous among designers, collectors, and homeowners because of their intricate folk art designs, beautiful colors, and geometric patterns. These rugs have been a major part of Moroccan culture for generations and are now a coveted item to enhance spaces in homes, retail spaces, and beyond.

Berber carpets, made by the Berber people in the Sahara and North Africa, are especially popular among collectors.

“American shoppers mostly ask for Berber carpets. People say, ‘Wow! That is a good carpet,’” Hilat shared.

These carpets are popular because they are handmade by artisans without formal training who weave from memory rather than patterns.

Hilat calls Berber carpets vintage and says that contemporary rugs differ.

“The new ones tend to have the same patterns. Vintage carpets are long, not wide, and have different patterns. Contemporary carpets are wide,” Hilat said.

Every Berber tribe uses natural minerals for dyes, plants, and vegetation to create distinct patterns according to their climate. These designs have been passed down for generations.

Traditional Berber rugs are woven with pure sheep’s wool. Thicker rugs are used in cold areas like the Atlas Mountains. Lighter rugs are used in hot areas like the Sahara Desert.

According to Hilat, vintage rugs are very hard to find. You know it’s vintage by its patterns and work.

“It takes up to a year to make a vintage carpet. Families keep the Berber carpets for when they have a guest. Most of the new carpets are made with factory wool. They’re mostly made by hand, but machines are also used,” Hilat explained.

Caring for Moroccan rugs

Collectors love Moroccan rugs because they are stain-resistant and durable.

“The best way to care for your rug is to open it and air it out. Put it in the sun once every six months to keep it in great condition,” Hilat suggested. “The vintage rugs are made with natural colors, so they won’t change. Spot clean with mild soap and water.”

How to spot authentic Moroccan rugs

If you cannot travel to the Medina of Marrakesh, you can still purchase these rugs online or at various shops around the U.S.

There are things to consider when shopping for an authentic Moroccan rug.

1. Authentic Moroccan Berber rugs are made from 100% natural wool. Some places will market a rug as authentic but have synthetic materials like polyester, viscose, and nylon. To determine if a rug is authentic Moroccan, touch it to feel its softness and read the materials it’s made of.
2. Turning the rug over is a sure way to determine if it’s authentic. The back of the rug’s knitting should be irregular and have a fringe. If the back’s knitting looks perfect, then chances are it was manufactured.
3. If the price sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Inauthentic rugs are made with cheap materials, so the price will be lower. A great quality, authentic Moroccan rug with an average size of 5.9 x 8.9 will cost you between $450 to $500.

How to use Moroccan rugs in your home

There are many ways to add Moroccan rugs to your home to elevate and add character to a space.

“You can use rugs for your floors, put it on the wall as an art piece, on the bed as décor. Handira rugs can be used as a blanket or worn for warmth,” Hilat said.

Handira rugs are also referred to as Berber shawls and wedding blankets. The Arabic word handira refers to hand-loomed cotton and wool blankets or shawls. Today, blankets, rugs, pillows, and more are made from handira.

Jump to Products

---

Interested in owning a Moroccan rug, but not sure where to look? We’ve got you! Here are 5 Moroccan rugs we’re loving right now.

Our editors love finding you the best products and offers! If you purchase something by clicking on one of the affiliate links on our website, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.