The Beni Ourain is the most famous Moroccan rug in the world — that plush, ivory, soft-underfoot rug you've seen in countless design magazines. If you're thinking of buying one, here's everything to check first so you get the real thing.
What is a Beni Ourain rug?
Beni Ourain rugs are handwoven by Berber tribes in Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains from 100% natural sheep wool. Traditionally they have a thick ivory pile with simple dark motifs, though contemporary pieces often add colorful Berber patterns.
1. Check the wool
A genuine Beni Ourain is made from real, undyed sheep wool — it feels soft, slightly lanolin-rich and warm, never plasticky. Synthetic imitations feel slick and flat. Ours are always 100% natural wool.
2. Check the pile
Look for a thick, plush pile (around 2–3 cm). That softness underfoot is the signature of a real Beni Ourain and the reason they feel so good in bedrooms and living rooms.
3. Handmade means one of a kind
Because each rug is hand-knotted by a single weaver, the motifs are her own and no two rugs are identical. Small irregularities are a sign of authenticity, not a flaw. Every OwnCrafted rug is signed by its weaver.
4. Get the size right
Measure your space before you buy. For a living room, a 200 × 300 cm rug fits most sofas; for under a bed, 200 × 300 cm or 250 × 350 cm works well. Because ours are made to order, you can also request a custom size.
5. Understand the price
A real handwoven wool rug takes weeks to make, so genuine Beni Ourains are an investment — but they last for decades and often become heirlooms. Buying direct from the artisans (like at OwnCrafted) gets you a fair price without middleman markups.
Ready to choose yours?
Every OwnCrafted Beni Ourain is handwoven to order, signed by the weaver, and shipped worldwide with free delivery to the USA, UK and Europe. Browse our Beni Ourain rugs.