Large Beni Ouarain Rugs
Beni Ouarain rugs are hand-knotted on the heights of the Middle Atlas in undyed sheep’s wool: an off-white ground crossed with black or brown diamonds. Every piece in this collection is one of a kind, in stock in France and ready to ship.
The Tamazi guide
What is a Beni Ouarain rug?
The Beni Ouarain (often spelled Beni Ourain) is the rug of the tribes of the same name, settled on the heights of the Middle Atlas, in northeastern Morocco. It is knotted in undyed sheep’s wool: an off-white ground crossed with black or brown lines that draw diamonds, chevrons or free strokes. Its high, dense pile first served as a blanket and a mattress in the mountain villages: this is a rug made for winter, thick, warm and soft.
Adopted by the modernist architects of the 20th century, Le Corbusier first among them, it became the reference of pared-back interiors: it warms a contemporary living room without weighing it down. Our guide everything to know before buying a Beni Ouarain tells its story in detail.
How to spot a real Beni Ouarain
- Living wool. The ground is never a uniform white: it leans toward cream, ivory or off-white, with shades that change from one piece to the next. The wool feels warm and smells of wool.
- Visible knotting on the back. Turn the rug over: the knots show and are slightly irregular, with no plastic backing and no glue. The patterns carry small asymmetries, the signature of handwork.
- A pile of 2 to 3 cm and knotted fringes, not sewn on.
- A price that adds up. A “Beni Ouarain” at €150 in a big-box store is a polypropylene imitation. Our anti-copy checklist reviews every point.
Choosing the size of your Beni Ouarain
This collection gathers our large formats, from 200 x 300 cm up: in a living room, the front legs of the sofa and the armchairs rest on the rug, which pulls the space together. For a bedroom or an entryway, look at our small Beni Ouarain rugs; for a large living space, our extra-large Beni Ouarain. Need an exact dimension? Our custom white Berber rugs are knotted to order in the Atlas. Our guide which rug size to choose gives the benchmarks room by room.
Caring for an undyed wool rug
A Beni Ouarain is made for daily life: vacuum once or twice a week on low power, without a beater bar, and rotate the rug every three months so that light and foot traffic spread evenly. On a stain, blot without rubbing using a white cloth, a little water and Marseille soap, then let it dry flat. Never bleach, never steam, never a wash that soaks the wool. Our care guide covers the right moves.
Beni Ouarain, M’rirt or Azilal?
The Beni Ouarain is undyed and graphic, with thick and restrained wool. The M’rirt is denser still, with wool that feels like velvet: it is the most high-end of the three. The Azilal is colorful and free in its patterns. To decide between the two most sought-after wools, read Beni Ouarain or M’rirt and Azilal or M’rirt, which wool to choose, or browse all our Berber rugs.
Frequently asked questions about Beni Ouarain rugs
How much does a Beni Ouarain rug cost?
In this collection, the large formats run between €390 and €550. The price depends on the size, the density of the knotting and the fineness of the wool. Our price guide explains what lies behind these gaps.
Why are Beni Ouarain rugs undyed?
Because the wool is not dyed: it keeps the natural color of mountain sheep, from off-white to cream. The patterns are knotted in brown or black wool, natural or dyed, which gives that restrained contrast you can recognize anywhere.
Does a Beni Ouarain work with children or pets?
Yes: the wool is hard-wearing, cleans by blotting and takes on a beautiful patina. Its light color simply asks for regular vacuuming and a quick response to stains.
What is the difference between Beni Ouarain and Beni M’guild?
Both come from the Middle Atlas. The Beni Ouarain is undyed with dark patterns; the Beni M’guild is knotted in dyed wool, often red, purple or blue, with an even longer pile. At Tamazi, colorful thick-pile pieces sit among our M’rirt and our colorful Berber rugs.
Are the rugs in this collection in stock?
Yes: every piece is in stock in our warehouse in France, ready to ship, and you have 14 days to return it if it does not suit you. You can also see it at our Fonbeauzard showroom, by appointment.