A guide to handmade rugs
A guide to handmade rugs
What a Beni is, how a kilim differs from a knotted rug, when to choose jute over wool, and how a bespoke rug is actually made.
Rugs are the heart of what we do. We carry vintage pieces found in Morocco and Turkey, and we weave new ones to order with cooperatives in Morocco, India, Nepal, Turkey and Mexico. Along the way people ask us the same handful of questions, so here are the answers in one place.
ConstructionHow a handmade rug is made
Almost everything comes down to three techniques. None is better than the others. They answer different questions about budget, texture and how hard the room lives.
Hand knotted
Each knot is tied around the warp by hand, row by row, then the pile is sheared level. A finely knotted rug can take months and will outlive the person who buys it.
Hand woven
The weft is woven through the warp with no knots and no pile, so the rug lies flat and reads the same on both sides. Kilims are flatweaves. Lighter underfoot, and they suit warm climates.
Hand tufted
Wool is punched through a backing cloth with a tufting tool, then secured with a second backing. Faster to make, soft underfoot. It will not last like a knotted rug, and that is the honest trade.
The rug families worth knowing
Beni Ourain
Woven by Amazigh women in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The signature is natural undyed ivory wool with sparse dark geometric marks, diamonds and lines that were never meant to be perfectly regular. The pile is deep and plush.
It is the rug most people picture when they picture a Moroccan rug, and it is the reason a room full of hard surfaces suddenly feels finished.
Boujaad
From the Boujad region of Morocco, and the opposite temperament. Where a Beni is quiet and ivory, a Boujaad is pink and red and orange, with patterns that wander rather than repeat.
Irregularities and faded patches are part of the character, not a flaw. If a Beni is the rug that calms a room, a Boujaad is the one that gives it a pulse.
Kilim
A flatwoven rug with no pile, made across Morocco, Turkey, Egypt and Iran. Because there is no pile, the pattern reads the same on both sides and the rug can be flipped.
Kilims are the practical choice in a beach house. Thin enough to shake out, cool underfoot, and forgiving about sand.
Jute or wool
A simple way to decide: jute where you want texture and ease, wool where you want the rug to still be there in twenty years.
Jute
- What it isA plant fiber, spun and woven into a low textural surface
- FeelFirm and coarse, warm natural tones
- WearsGood in low traffic rooms
- MoistureKeep it dry. Not for bathrooms or rain catching patios
- DirtHides it, harder to deep clean
- PriceThe most affordable natural fiber
Wool
- What it isSheep's wool, spun and then knotted, woven or tufted
- FeelSoft, springs back under furniture
- WearsDecades with ordinary care
- MoistureNaturally water resistant, dries well
- DirtNatural lanolin resists soiling
- PriceCosts more because it is worth more
The most common mistake is going too small. A rug that floats in the middle of a room makes the room feel smaller.
What size do I need
If you are between sizes, take the larger one.
- Living roomThe front legs of every seat should sit on the rug. All four legs if the room allows it.
- Dining roomExtend at least 24 inches past the table on all sides so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.
- BedroomRun it under the lower two thirds of the bed, or place runners on each side.
How a bespoke rug is made
You bring a size, a palette or an idea. We sketch, sample the wool, and send photographs at every stage so nothing is a surprise. Production runs eight to twelve weeks and the rug ships worldwide.
There is no minimum order and no trade requirement. A single rug for a single room is a normal thing to ask for.
Shop by rug
Frequently asked questions
What is a Beni Ourain rug?
A Beni Ourain is woven by Amazigh women in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, in natural undyed ivory wool with sparse dark geometric marks and a deep plush pile. Worth knowing before you buy anywhere: the terminology is not regulated, so many rugs sold as Beni Ourain are modern interpretations rather than pieces woven in the region by the tradition. We tell you which is which.
What is the difference between a kilim and a knotted rug?
A kilim is flatwoven with no pile, so it lies flat and is reversible. A knotted rug has each knot tied by hand around the warp and then sheared, which creates pile and makes it heavier, softer and far longer lived.
Should I choose a jute rug or a wool rug?
Jute is a plant fiber, low and textural, the most affordable natural option, and it does not like moisture. Wool is durable, springs back under furniture, resists dirt thanks to natural lanolin, and lasts decades. Choose jute for texture and ease, wool for longevity.
What size rug do I need?
In a living room, the front legs of every seat should sit on the rug. Under a dining table, extend the rug at least 24 inches past the table on all sides. In a bedroom, run it under the lower two thirds of the bed or use runners on each side. If you are between sizes, take the larger one.
Does lobo make custom rugs?
Yes. We design custom and bespoke handmade rugs with artisan cooperatives in Morocco, India, Nepal, Turkey and Mexico, made to order in eight to twelve weeks with photo approvals at every stage. There is no minimum order and no trade requirement.
Where can I see the rugs in person?
Come to one of our shops in Nosara and stand on them and view samples. If you're not in Costa Rica, we can also ship samples of any made to order rug without problem. The full collection is available at lobonosara.com, with stock held in Nosara, the United States, Marrakech and Delhi so orders ship from wherever reaches you fastest.