How to Style a Moroccan Rug: Design Tips for Every Room

How to Style a Moroccan Rug: Design Tips for Every Room

Moroccan rugs are timeless, bold, and full of personality. They work with nearly every interior style—bohemian, modern, minimalist, or traditional.In this guide, we’ll show you how to style a Moroccan rug in your home, no matter your vibe. Plus, we’ll share links to some of our favorite pieces from our collection.

 

1. The Living Room: Make It the Soulful Focal Point

The living room is the heart of the home, and a Moroccan rug is the perfect piece to give it a heartbeat. Instead of just complementing the space, let the rug define it. A large, character-filled rug acts as an anchor for your furniture, creating an inviting and cohesive conversation area. The bold patterns and rich, woolly textures instantly add warmth and a sense of history.

Style Tip: The key to success is creating a balanced dialogue between your rug and your furniture.

Pair a neutral sofa (in cream, grey, or charcoal) with a vibrant Azilal or Boucherouite rug to let its colors sing.

If you prefer a calmer aesthetic, a classic cream and black Beni Ourain rug provides a graphic punch without overwhelming the space.

Tie the look together by pulling 1-2 accent colors from the rug and echoing them in throw pillows, a cozy blanket, or a piece of wall art. This creates a polished, intentional design.

A Note on Color: Choosing a color palette can feel daunting, but it's all about the mood you want to create. If your room is already furnished, look at your existing colors. A rug can either harmonize with your sofa and curtains or provide a bold, exciting contrast. If you're starting from scratch, let the rug be your guide! A vibrant rug with splashes of saffron, magenta, and indigo can be the foundation for an energetic, eclectic space. Conversely, a neutral Beni Ourain rug in ivory and black sets the stage for a serene, minimalist, or sophisticated sanctuary. Don't be afraid of color—a Moroccan rug is your chance to tell a story.

Getting the Size Just Right: The single most common mistake in decorating is choosing a rug that is too small. A generously sized rug makes a room feel bigger, more luxurious, and unified. Here are the golden rules for the living room:

The "Front Legs On" Rule (Most Popular): Your rug should be large enough for at least the front legs of your sofa and any armchairs to rest comfortably on it. This physically and visually connects the furniture, anchoring your seating area perfectly.

The "All Legs On" Rule (Ultimate Luxury): In a larger room, having all your furniture sit completely on the rug creates a truly defined and opulent "island."

Pro Tip: Use the Tape Trick. Before you buy, use painter's tape to mark the dimensions of the rug on your floor. This allows you to visualize exactly how it will fill the space and interact with your furniture, eliminating any guesswork

2. The Bedroom: A Cozy, Layered Sanctuary

Transform your bedroom into a true sanctuary with the unparalleled softness of a Moroccan rug. Placing one under the bed ensures your first step in the morning is onto a surface of pure, luxurious comfort. The natural wool material not only feels incredible but also adds a layer of insulation and sound-dampening for a more peaceful environment.

Style Tip: Layering is your best friend in the bedroom.

For a chic, textured look, place a slightly smaller Moroccan rug on top of a larger, low-profile rug made of jute or sisal.

Let the rug peek out from both sides and the foot of the bed by at least 24 inches ($60\text{ cm}$). This frames the bed beautifully.

Complete this calming retreat by pairing the rug with soft linen bedding, natural wood nightstands, and warm, diffused lighting.

Choosing Your Bedroom's Color Palette: The bedroom is a space for rest, so the color of your rug should promote tranquility. Soothing palettes work best here. Consider a classic Beni Ourain with a creamy white or warm grey base to create a cloud-like, serene foundation. For a touch more color without sacrificing calm, look for vintage rugs with muted, earthy tones like faded rose, soft sage, or dusty blue. These colors are grounding and peaceful. Your rug and your bedding are the room's biggest style statements, so ensure they complement each other. A neutral rug allows for bold bedding, while a more colorful rug pairs beautifully with simple, solid-colored linens.

Finding the Perfect Bedroom Rug Size: The right size rug will anchor your bed and make the entire room feel more cohesive. The goal is to have a soft, plush surface to step onto when you get out of bed.

The Ideal Placement: For most beds (Queen or King), the rug should be placed horizontally under the bed, starting about a quarter of the way down from the headboard. This leaves your nightstands on the bare floor but ensures the rug extends generously on both sides and at the foot of the bed.

Runners as an Alternative: In smaller spaces or long, narrow rooms, placing a runner rug on each side of the bed is a fantastic solution. You still get that cozy landing spot without covering the entire floor.

The Golden Measurement: Aim for the rug to extend at least 24 inches ($60\text{ cm}$) from the sides and foot of your bed. Before you commit, use painter's tape to mark the area on your floor to ensure the proportions feel right for your space.

Ready to build your dream retreat? 🛒 Explore Our Cozy Bedroom Rugs →

Of course. Here is the "Dining Room" section, restructured and expanded with dedicated paragraphs offering detailed advice on choosing the right Color and Size for such a functional space.

3. The Dining Room: Add Texture Without Overwhelming

Yes, you can absolutely use a Moroccan rug in the dining room, and it's a fantastic way to add personality and warmth to a space often dominated by hard surfaces. A stunning rug can define the dining area, especially in an open-plan home, making it feel more intimate and special. The key is to choose the right type that balances beauty with practicality. For dining spaces, we recommend a flat-woven or low-pile rug like a Kilim or a vintage Boujad. Their construction is durable, easier to clean, and allows chairs to slide smoothly.

Choosing a Practical and Beautiful Color: In a dining room, color choice is about both aesthetics and function. While a solid white rug might be tempting, it's not practical for an area prone to spills. Instead, embrace patterns and mid-tones! A rug with a busy, multi-tonal design is incredibly forgiving and excellent at camouflaging minor mishaps between cleanings. For a sophisticated and dramatic feel, consider deeper jewel tones like navy or burgundy. For a more relaxed, casual atmosphere, opt for earthy tones like terracotta, grey, or ochre. These colors beautifully complement both modern and traditional dining furniture.

The Cardinal Rule of Dining Room Rug Size: For a dining room, size isn't just about looks—it's about safety and function. The cardinal rule is that all four legs of a dining chair must remain on the rug, even when the chair is pulled out for someone to sit down. This prevents chair legs from catching on the edge, which can damage the rug and create a tripping hazard.

The Measurement: As a guideline, your rug should extend at least 24-30 inches ($60-75\text{ cm}$) beyond the table on all sides.

Pro Tip for Extendable Tables: If your dining table has leaves, measure for your rug when the table is fully extended. This ensures it's large enough for when you're hosting more guests.

Visualize it: Before you buy, pull your chairs away from the table to a comfortable distance, and use painter's tape to mark the ideal rug dimensions on the floor.

Ready to elevate your dining experience? 🛒 Shop Durable Dining Room Rugs →

4. The Entryway: Make a Lasting First Impression

The entryway is the first "hello" your home gives to guests. A small but mighty Moroccan rug sets a curated and welcoming tone from the moment someone steps inside. It’s a simple addition that instantly makes the space feel more intentional and full of character, promising more style within. Choosing a durable, tightly woven piece is key to ensuring it stands up to daily foot traffic while looking beautiful.

Choosing a Welcoming and Hardworking Color: The entryway rug has to be both stylish and practical. Since this area sees the most dirt from outside, it's wise to choose colors and patterns that are forgiving. A rug with a darker base or a busy, multi-colored pattern—like those found in a vibrant Boucherouite or a vintage Azilal—is excellent at hiding daily scuffs and footprints. Think of the rug's color as a preview of your home's personality. A black-and-white graphic Kilim can set a modern tone, while a rug with rich, earthy reds and browns can promise a warm, rustic interior.

Finding the Right Size and Shape: The right size rug defines the space and ensures functionality. The most critical rule is that your front door must be able to open and close easily over the rug. Check your door's clearance and opt for a low-pile or flat-weave rug.

• For a long, narrow hallway: A runner is the perfect choice. It should fill most of the length of the hall, leaving a small border of flooring visible at each end. The width should be centered, creating an elegant pathway that draws the eye inward.

• For a wider, more square-shaped foyer: A small rectangular rug (3′×5′ or 4′×6′) centered in the space works beautifully. It should be large enough for guests to stand on comfortably while removing their shoes, but not so large that it touches the walls.

Style Tip: Create a complete entryway vignette by pairing your rug with a simple wooden bench, a large woven basket for shoes or umbrellas, and an oversized mirror on the wall. The mirror will reflect light and make the space feel larger and more inviting.

Ready to create a welcoming entrance? 🛒 View Our Collection of Runners and Entryway Rugs →

5. The Art of Mixing & Matching Patterns

One of the true signs of a confident and personal home is the masterful mixing of patterns. Don't be afraid to pair your Moroccan rug with other textiles! This is how you create a space that feels layered, curated, and uniquely yours. The secret to success isn't about rigid rules but about creating harmony. This is achieved by focusing on two key elements: a consistent color story and a variety in pattern scale.

Your Guide to Color and Scale: Think of your room's color palette as the thread that ties everything together. Identify 3-4 key colors in your Moroccan rug and use them as your guide for all other patterned items like pillows, curtains, and art. For example, if your rug has a cream base with accents of navy, blush, and ochre, ensure those same colors appear in your other textiles.

Next, play with scale to create visual interest instead of chaos. If your rug has a large, bold pattern (like the big diamonds on a Beni Ourain), choose smaller-scale patterns for your cushions (like thin stripes, small dots, or a subtle floral print). This creates a balanced visual hierarchy. The final, crucial element is balance. If your rug is the vibrant, patterned star of the show, let your largest pieces of furniture, like your sofa and walls, be a solid, calming color. This gives the patterns room to breathe and truly shine.

Feeling bold? 🛒 See Our Full Range of Patterned Rugs →