Start with Rug Size: Getting It Right for Every Room
Buying your first authentic Moroccan rug is super exciting! But finding the ideal rug for your room, be it the living room, dining room, bedroom or home office, can sometimes feel like a daunting task and with so many options out there it can be hard to make a decision.
Selecting a rug for your space depends what you want and need for the space. The best bet is to first analyse the room, for example, what is the flooring underneath the rug? A rug in the dining room under a dining table and chairs will need to be a low pile rug or stain resistant one. In a high traffic area like a hallway, you will need a durable rug like a wool rug.
What is the interior design style of the space? Do you want a rug with vibrant colours, bold pattern or neutral tones?
The right size rug can make a space feel larger, adding warmth and texture to a whole room, while a patterned rug or vintage rugs can become the focal point for a living room - like having artwork on the floor rather than the wall.
So let's dive in and take a better look at how to choose a rug that is the right rug for your style and room.
Rug Size Tips for the Living Room with a coffee table
When choosing a living room rug consider the size and shape of the room and use your existing furniture as a guide. For example, do you want to place your sofa or coffee table on top of the rug? Or do you want to place only the front legs of the furniture on the carpet? Both of these options are a great way to flatten a rug.
The right area rug will pull a room together and make the whole space cohesive with your existing furniture. Start by measuring the length of your couch or sofa. The ideal rug for living rooms should be longer than your couch which will help unify the space. The best way to position a rug will depend on the style of your space, but as a general rule remember that the rug should be framed by some free floor space.
How to Choose a Rug for a Dining Room with a Dining Table
A low pile rug or flat-woven rug is ideal as a dining room rug as chairs move well on them, they don't trap dirt and they are easy to spot clean in the event of food and drink spills. The low pile also makes them easy to take outside to air, dust and clean.
Next you'll want to think about rug sizes. A good size rug needs to be big enough to accommodate your dining table and chairs. A good tip is that you'll want a large rug that will allow you to pull chairs out whilst still being on the carpet.
How to Choose a Rug for the Bedroom
In the bedroom there are a few things to consider when selecting wool rugs. For example, do you want the rug to extend and include nightstands or be positioned more centrally in the room so half the rug sits under the front legs of the bed with the other half extending out beyond the bed.
Shaggy rugs can create a lux feel underfoot. You can choose patterns and colour that match the existing decor and bedding or opt for neutral and beige tones for a calming space.
How to Choose Rug Colour for Different Spaces
The colour of your rug will affect the overall mood and aesthetic of a room. There are no rules when it comes to choosing the right colour for you. A great starting point can be to draw inspiration from the furniture already in the room - you can pick something with the same or similar colours or look for something in a different yet complimentary shade.
How to Pick a Rug Colour for Living Room
Warm tones, cool tones, vibrant colours or monochromatic patterns and lots of textures - there are so many styles of Moroccan rugs out there so use the following section as a great resource when picking what colour rug to put in your room.
Bright and Bold Colours to Energise
If you're looking for area rugs that will become the focal point of your room, then the bold patterns and vibrant colour of an Azilal rug might be for you. Did you know that bright bold rug colours such as reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, blues and greens can create a lively, energetic space.
Neutral Colours for Relaxation
Neutral tones can create a calm and relaxing atmosphere - think greys, creams and beiges but also soft tones of green and blue for a tranquil style. Our beautiful Beni Ourain Moroccan rugs might be just what you are looking for.
Patterned Rugs for an Eclectic Feel
For a more eclectic style, go for a rug with a pattern like a stunning authentic Boujad Moroccan rug or a vintage Moroccan rug if you're looking for a more traditional style. Patterns add character and visual interest to any room but won't necessarily overpower the existing décor.
The bold patterns and symbols found in Moroccan rugs tell a story - that of the talented artist and weaver. A rug with a pattern can be a great feature piece and conversation starter.
How to Choose the Right Rug Material
Let the function and use of your room guide you when choosing the right rug material for a space. From high-traffic areas to places where comfort is key there are so many options when choosing a good rug.
Natural Fibres (Wool, Jute, Sisal)
Moroccan rugs are famous for their high quality natural fibres. Natural fibres are durable and eco-friendly, making them great for high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Synthetic Fibres (Polypropylene, Nylon)
Synthetic fibres are not something you'll find in an Authentic Moroccan rug. Synthetic rugs are more affordable, easy to clean, and ideal for homes with pets or kids, but they are not great for the environment and won't last as long as a beautiful handwoven wool rug.
Luxury Materials (Silk, Bamboo Silk)
High-end, luxurious rugs like a beautiful Moroccan Beni-Ourain rug are made from high quality soft wool. You may also find high end rug made from silk or bamboo silk. These high-end rug materials are perfect for bedrooms or formal areas, where comfort and elegance are prioritised.
Rug Shape and Weave: How to Make the Right Choice
The shape and style of your rug play a crucial role in the overall look and feel of the rug and with so many styles out there it can be a difficult choice on how to choose a rug.
Choosing the Right Rug Shape
When choosing the right rug for your space your first step should be to analyse the shape of the room and the furniture in it. Round rugs are not produced in Morocco but there are plenty of rectangular and square shaped rugs and hall runners out there.
Measure the space and think about how big you'd like the rug to be. Once you've decided on a size, mark the area on the floor with painter's tape to give you a better idea of how that rug will fit within the space.
Rug Weaving Styles
There are many different Moroccan rug types . In a nutshell, the diverse styles, weaving techniques, patterns, symbols and even colour palette can all be attributed to different groups spread across areas such as the middle Atlas region, high Atlas mountains and the Sahara desert in Morocco.
Flat weave or Kilim Moroccan rugs feature flat weaving construction that creates a tightly woven rug with no pile. They often feature simple geometric designs and offer a minimal modern aesthetic.
Beni Ourain rugs on the other hand are super luxurious due to the meticulous hand knotting technique. They're rugs are great for colder climates or anywhere you want a super lush thick pile rug that feels amazing underfoot—they are a great choice for the bedroom or living room.
Boujad rugs are crafted using a hand-knotted technique. The rugs feature a flat weave construction with a linear and slightly shaggy pile and are woven from fine, soft natural wool which makes them a lighter, looser weave than many other styles of Moroccan rug. A beautiful patterned rug like this would look great in a living room, bedroom or hallway.
Azilal rugs are special as they feature whimsical artistic designs, bold shapes, vibrant colours and intricate geometric patterns. They are generally woven from wool or cotton and make a versatile choice as they can be used as a floor covering or wall hanging.
Layering Rugs: A Trendy and Practical Approach
The right rug for your space might actually be more than one rug, don't feel constrained to choosing only one perfect rug for your living room, bedroom or hallway. Layering rugs can create a really interesting style as well as adding texture, warmth and visual interest to a room.
You can layer a rug on top of an existing carpet or any other floor type and can be a really effective design tool. For example, in an open plan area, a mixture of different rug sizes, patterns and colours will help you to create zones within the area.
You can also layer smaller rugs over larger area rugs to create a feature—be creative; there are no rules when it comes to personal style.
How to Maintain and Care for Your Rug
Now that you have selected your dream rug, whether it be bright, full of patterns or more neutral. Let's take a little refresher course in how to maintain and care for your rug.
Spot Cleaning is super important and a great way to deal with life's unexpected spills. Blot the area to remove excess moisture. Soak the stain with mild soapy water (no harsh chemicals please). Gently dab the area with a damp cloth to remove the stain. Blot dry or leave out in the sun to airdry.
Regular light vacuuming will keep your Moroccan rug fresh and clean. Vacuuming removes dust and dirt particles and will help your new rug to settle. Start at the top of your rug and vacuum in one direction, i.e from top to bottom. Repeat until you have covered the entire rug.
Airing and rotating your rug will keep it in great condition. Rotating will help your rug to wear evenly, whilst airing helps to lift excess dust and dirt to keep the rug free of bacteria.
Remember, your Authentic Moroccan is an investment that will be loved and cherished for generations so the most important thing is to fall in love with your rug as it will change your home!
