The best Berber rugs to buy now

Take a scroll through our living room ideas gallery and you'll find plenty of examples of Berber rugs and Beni Ourain rugs. Be they colourful patchwork style ones, or black and white shag rugs, there's a wealth of photographic persuasion to tempt you to invest in one of the best Berber rugs going.

Think of a Berber rug as the champagne of the rug world; if it wasn’t made by the Berber tribes in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, it shouldn’t be referred to as a Berber rug. Imitation pieces should be referred to as berber-style rugs.

What is a Berber rug?

Berber rugs are often distinguished by their diamond design or motif, repeated throughout the deep pile rug. The colour is often lighter overall, in tones of white, cream and beige, with patterns woven in darker hues. They are recognisable by their distinctive loop pile that attaches to the backing and remains uncut.

Are Berber rugs good in high-traffic areas?

No rug will fare as well under footfall as a flatweave rug or one of the best jute rugs. However, Berber rugs are tough enough to withstand high traffic areas thanks to their loop pile profile. Berber rugs are durable, good at hiding stains and soft underfoot. We think they’re best in dining rooms or living rooms, where they will see use, but not to the extent of a hallway or corridor.

What is the difference between Berber and shag carpet?

A true Moroccan Berber rug is different to a wool rug or shaggy rug in its patterns and colourways. Shag rugs are a high pile carpet that use long, thick pieces of yarn. They are notoriously difficult to maintain and aren’t as durable as Berber rugs.

What is the difference between Berber rugs and Beni Ourain rugs?

Beni Ourain is the collective term for the 17 different Berber tribes that live in the Atlas Mountains spanning Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Beni Ourain is often used interchangeably with Berber.

For more rug content, head to our gallery on the best rugs to buy, or to our dedicated guide to jute rugs.

Best berber rugs and berber-style rugs to buy 2022