Berber rug: the complete guide

Berber rug: the complete guide

Een Berber vloerkleed is een handgeknoopt wollen kleed, gemaakt door de Amazigh (Berber) bevolking van het Marokkaanse Atlasgebergte. Elk kleed wordt knoop voor knoop geknoopt van ongeverfde of plantaardig geverfde schapenwol, met geometrische patronen die per regio en weefster verschillen. Geen twee kleden zijn identiek.

This knowledge center brings together everything you want to know about Berber rugs: from the weaving craft and symbolism to materials, maintenance, and purchasing. The guides are compiled by Owen Ebbers, who personally sources the Houseify collection from weaving cooperatives in the Atlas, together with co-founder William Miggelbrink. Below you will find the in-depth articles by theme.

View all hand-knotted Berber rugs

Species, characteristics, and identification

Natural dyes in Berber rugsBefore synthetic dyes found their way to Morocco around the end of the nineteenth century, every color in a Berber rug was…How do you recognize a real handmade Berber rug?A hand-knotted Berber rug takes months of work on a vertical loom in the Moroccan Atlas. A machine-made version rolls out in minutes from…Trade routes and the spread of Berber rugsA Berber rug does not start in a store. It starts with a flock of sheep on a plateau in the Atlas, with a…Wool, cotton, or synthetic: which material for a Berber rug?When choosing a Berber rug, sooner or later you arrive at the question of the material: wool, cotton or…The weaving process behind a hand-knotted Berber rugA rug measuring 200 by 300 centimeters contains on average between 250,000 and 400,000 individual knots. Each knot is made by hand…Unique hand-knotted Berber rugs: why no two are identicalA Berber rug is not a standard interior product. It is handcrafted work created without industrial perfection, and precisely because of this, every rug is different.The history of Berber rugsYou see Berber rugs everywhere these days: in minimalist living rooms, interior blogs, and design shops. But behind that modern image lies a much older story…Moroccan Berber rugs: these are the differencesBerber rugs from Morocco have been popular in interiors for years. Yet they are often lumped together, while there are clear differences…What is a Berber rug?You’ve probably seen them before: a soft, light rug with black lines that aren’t quite perfectly straight. That is…

Buying and sizes

Buying a Berber rug: the complete guideA hand-knotted Berber rug is not an impulse purchase. It is wool that has been… knot by knot by a weaver in the Moroccan Atlas.Berber rug sizes: which size fits your space?The size of a Berber rug determines the visual balance in a room and the relationship between the rug and the furniture.

Material and benefits

Fairly sourced Berber rugs: what does that really mean?Buying a Berber rug is one thing. Knowing where it comes from and who knotted it is something else. The term…Hand-knotted vs. machine-made Berber rugAt first glance, a Berber rug often seems like simply a style choice. Soft, warm, minimalist, or perhaps rich in pattern. But behind…100% Wool Berber Rug: Why Wool Really Makes the DifferenceYou can call almost anything “Berber style” these days. Even rugs that I don't think have ever seen a sheep up close. But if…

Maintenance and repair

Berber rug repair: fringes, wear, and minor damageA hand-knotted Berber rug is made to last for decades. The wool comes from sheep in the Moroccan Atlas, the construction…Cleaning a Berber rug: the complete guideA hand-knotted Berber rug is not a disposable item. The wool comes from sheep in the Moroccan Atlas, is hand-washed, spun and…

Styling in your interior

Berber tradition in a modern interiorA hand-knotted Berber rug bears the traces of a place where it was never conceived for your living room. It originates in the…Berber rug for the living room: warmth, character and tranquillity in a single rugA Berber rug in the living room is the use of a hand-knotted wool Amazigh rug as a floor-covering anchor piece in a living space, whereby the…Berber rugs in minimalist and sleek interiorsDive into how Berber rugs transform minimalist interiors with a blend of tradition and modern elegance. Discover the unexpected impact!

View the collection

Ready to choose a rug? In the webshop, you will find the complete range, including the origin, material, and available sizes for each rug. View all hand-knotted Berber rugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a Berber rug?

A Berber rug is a hand-knotted wool rug of the Amazigh people from the Moroccan Atlas. It is made knot by knot from sheep's wool, with geometric patterns that vary by region.

Are all Berber rugs handmade?

Een echt Berber vloerkleed is altijd handgeknoopt. Machinaal geweven kleden in Berber-stijl bestaan wel, maar dat zijn imitaties van synthetisch garen, geen geknoopte wollen kleden uit de Atlas.

How do I recognize a real hand-knotted Berber rug?

Turn the rug over. In handmade work, you see individual knots with slight irregularities, the fringes continue as an extension of the weave, and the wool feels slightly greasy due to the lanolin.

How much does a hand-knotted Berber rug cost?

A hand-knotted Berber rug measuring 170×240 cm costs around 600 euros. Smaller sizes start at around 450 euros, while large sizes go up to well over 1,000 euros, depending on knot density and size.

Which regions in Morocco make Berber rugs?

De bekendste komen uit het Midden- en Hoge Atlasgebergte. Beni Ouarain staat voor dik en ongeverfd, Azilal voor fijnere kleuraccenten en Boujaad voor warme rood- en oranjetinten.