The tradition of rug and carpet weaving in Morocco is just about as old as it is anywhere else in the world due in large part to the distinctive climate of the region. Moroccan carpets may be very thick with a heavy pile which is beneficial for the windswept elevations and snow capped Atlas Mountains or the rugs are flat woven and light making them appropriate for the brutal heat of the Sahara desert. The tribe’s nomadic way of life influenced the size as the looms and carpets had to be portable, meaning the carpets were mostly less than seven feet. The rugs were produced exclusively for personal use. The ancient tribal motifs and designs seen in Moroccan rugs have been passed down from generations of rug weavers. The Moroccan rug weavings are both a narrative art form and a necessity. Each Moroccan carpet tells a tale and carries the rug weaver’s wish to protect the human spirit from negative energy and shield the human body from the elements. Moroccan rugs are usually made completely of wool with an off-white background and geometric designs made from natural brown or dyed black wool. However, Moroccan carpets are also known for their popping hues and tribal designs ranging from structured geometric shapes to a more free-form, expressive pattern. 

In the 1930’s Le Corbusier, Alvar Alto, Charles and Ray Eames started incorporating the plush, soft Moroccan rugs into interior spaces as a counterbalance to their sleekly designed leather and chrome furniture. Part of the attraction to the modernists was the primitivism in the carpets, unlike the traditional Oriental rugs. The mid to late twentieth century has brought about a renewed appreciation for mid-century modernism as well as parts of sixties and seventies style and color. The boldness and warmth of oranges and saffron yellows in the High Atlas rugs or the monochromatic colors of Beni Ouarain rugs with their thick pile reminiscent of sixties shag, are being used in modern and contemporary interiors. Vintage and antique Moroccan rugs are fairly popular today for their decorative flexibility and affordability as compared to other styles of antique rugs.