What You Need to Know About Beni Ourain Rugs

Made from wool that comes from a type of sheep in the Atlas Mountains, Beni Ourain rugs are a trendy choice to complement the decor of most any room. However, as with any item on the market that rises in popularity, knockoffs of the authentic rugs are becoming more and more prevalent.

So if you are in the market to buy one of these unique rugs, it is best to do your homework concerning what exactly you should know and look for when shopping for a Beni Ourain rug. Also, before you spend all of your hard-earned money on this type of rug, you should be aware of the various uses and benefits that the rugs provide.

HISTORY

The Beni Ourain tribe in Morocco consists of 17 different Berber tribes. Because the Beni Ourain tribe is just an example of a Berber tribe, this is why some people refer to the Beni Ourain rug as a Berber rug. The Berber people as a whole are famous for possessing superior craftsmanship when it comes to rugs.

Before being used primarily for rugs, though, the Berber people originally made these rugs in order to use them for bedding, blankets, or even capes. Basically, the final product was solely intended to be used as a way to stay warm during the coldest months of the winter.

USES

Due to the fact that the rugs are typically available in creamy and ivory tones that are mixed with naturally dyed, darker wool to generate various geometric patterns, the Beni Ourain rugs are known for fitting into the color schemes of a wide variety of decor. In addition to using them as just rugs, though, some people still use them as blankets or throws that accent other pieces of furniture.

BENEFITS

A true Beni Ourain rug is reversible. On one side – what is considered to be top side by most – the wool acts to trap heat. Because of this ability to absorb heat, it is common during winter months to keep this side up. However, during summer months it is common to flip the rugs over so that the knotted side is facing up.

But many people keep the wool side facing up all year long because of the extraordinarily soft feel of the wool. Truly authentic Beni Ourain rugs are made from wool that has been shorn from a live Berber sheep. Because the wool comes from a living animal, there are oils present from the sheep’s skin that add to the fluffiness of the final product.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Because of the fact that the cream colour of standard Beni Ourain rugs works against the high demand for a true white colour when it comes to rugs, many so-called Beni Ourain rugs now use wool that is sourced from Europe. However, this makes it something other than an authentic Berber rug. To make sure that a rug is truly hand-crafted, you should look for slightly uneven knots on the bottom side.