One of the questions I’ve been getting a lot recently is “Where did you get that rug?!” I love all the love for my gorge bb, and always feel a lil bad when I have to explain that this beaut is a one-of-a-kind, handwoven, vintage Moroccan Boujaad. What a mouthful! I bought her last spring from D+K Renewal, after pining for years for a vintage rug. What people may not realize until they start searching themselves, is vintage rugs are e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e. When I finally had enough money saved, I started my search - and it took months for me to finally found The One. The moment I laid eyes on this lil slice of heaven, I knew. I feel like it chose me, in a way! The colors, pattern, size, and price point were all what I had been searching for. It made me smile so hard just by looking at the photos, I had to have it. I think it’s the decor purchase I’m most proud of.

I wanted to help all of you who may be starting your own quest, on what to look for when buying your own vintage rug - including a bit of background on these one-of-a-kind stunners, tips for buying a vintage rug online, and my own curated selection of beauties avail to purchase. And if a vintage rug is out of your budget at this time, I’ve also rounded up a group of more affordable options so you can still achieve the look at a lower price tag.

First, a bit of background on Moroccan rugs. Also called Berber rugs, as some are created by the different Berber tribes of people who live in Morocco. All of these rugs have their own distinct look, and as you learn more about each tribe you’ll start to recognize these styles. Each tribe’s unique rug features usually come about through the local resources available to them (including the native plants used as dyes), as well as the region’s climate. Ben-Ourain is probably one of the most well known tribes, as their black and white diamond patterned rugs have become extremely popular over the past decade. Other tribes include Azilal and Beni Mguild.

Moroccan rugs were traditionally hand-woven by the women of a household for their own home’s use, and not necessarily for sale. Used as traditional floor coverings but also as mattresses, seating covers, and blankets during colder months, these women weave their life’s story into these rugs. They’re rich with symbolism, tradition, and ancestry. Extremely special pieces, all unique and absolutely beautiful. Each rug takes almost a month to hand-weave! I’ve been told my rug was most likely made in the 1970’s, and I sometimes get teary-eyed thinking about the woman who wove it. What was her life like, why did she choose the colors and patterns that she did, what did she use the rug for?

tips for buying a vintage Moroccan rug online

Pay close attention to the rug size. A rug could look large in photos, but you may be amazed when you see the actual dimensions - sometimes hidden within the written details, a lot of time not in standard U.S. dimensions. Be sure to convert metric to imperial, and double check the rug you’re eyeing will fit nicely in the space you’re buying it for.
Be wary of sellers who only include a couple photos, or don’t show you the entire rug. Vintage rugs are an investment, and you want to know exactly what you’re paying for. Photos should include close up details as well as far shots, and the photos themselves should be well lit and good quality so you can see the true colors of the rug. While the beauty of buying vintage are those perfect imperfections, you still want to make sure the rug is in good shape.
Feel free to ask if the rug you’re eyeing was created for the home or for market. This may not be of importance to some, but if you’re looking for an authentic Berber rug with a story behind it, it’s a valid question to ask.
Research the different tribes and see which rug type you’re drawn to. Include the tribe name in your searches to narrow down your results.
The larger the rug, the more expensive it will run - duh, but good to keep in mind. If your budget is $200, you most likely will not be finding an 8x10 vintage stunner.
If you aren’t finding a rug for your price point, don’t despair! I was in the same boat myself for years. There are lots of more affordable alternatives to achieve the look (I’ve linked some below!), and if you really really really want the real thing - start saving money if you can, and further on down the line you’ll be able to afford the beauty you’re dreaming of.