Choosing a rug by the metre means distinguishing between a cut from a roll and a rug woven to the room's dimensions. The area is first measured, then the material is chosen according to foot traffic, the price calculated according to its unit of sale, and the order checked before confirming a model.
From a cut-to-size roll rug to a custom-made rug
Two logics coexist under the label "custom-made". The first cuts a length from a roll whose width is already fixed. The second makes the rug to the requested dimensions, as is done with hand-woven Berber rugs.
What a cut from a roll allows
A rug by the metre is cut to the desired length from a roll of fixed width. The unit of sale is therefore the linear metre, which measures length and not area. A runner rug by the metre thus retains the width of its roll, that is, the roll's manufacturing width.
- Fixed width: a cut-to-size runner rug retains the original width, from 80 to 200 cm depending on the roll-form entrance rug models.
- Chosen length: the cut is made to order, up to 20 m depending on the model, and some synthetic rolls are then recut with a cutter to adjust one end.
- Unit of sale: the price is expressed per linear metre, not to be confused with the square metre.
- Shape: the roll produces a rectangle, with no freedom over the width or the contour.
Conversely, a custom-made runner rug meets the need to freely choose its dimensions or shape. The choice lies in this freedom: as soon as the width of the passage does not correspond to any roll width, a cut is no longer sufficient.
The possibilities of custom Berber weaving
Tifinagh Shop applies this freedom of dimensions to its Berber rugs: dimensions, colours, and patterns can be customised at no extra cost. A completely custom design is also possible, starting from the custom Berber rug service.
Each piece is hand-woven by craftswomen from the Middle Atlas. Among the customisable styles are Azilal, Beni Ouarain, Zanafi, and Taznakht: each retains its own pile, patterns, and palette. A Berber rug can thus take the place of a modern rug without clashing in a contemporary interior.
The achievable width, however, depends on the chosen manufacturing method. Some custom collections go up to 400 cm wide, a limit specific to the offers concerned.
Loom width, seams, and finished dimensions
On a hand-woven rug, the loom width determines what can be made in a single piece. A workshop thus indicates, for its own production, an assembly seam beyond 160 cm in width. Also ask about the tolerance on the finished dimensions: a woven rug is not adjusted to the millimetre.
Additionally, the dimensions must specify whether they include the fringes and the finished outer edge. On a Tifinagh Shop Azilal measuring 2.55 × 0.70 m, for example, the fringes are not included in these measurements.
Choosing the dimensions of a runner rug
Once the manufacturing method is chosen, the dimensions are decided on site. They depend on the actually free area, the doors to preserve, and the use of the room, from the hallway to the kitchen.
Measuring the useful length and width of the runner rug
The size of the rug is deduced from the area to cover and the actually available space, not just the dimensions of the room. In a hallway, leaving 10 to 15 cm between the rug and each wall gives an impression of width.
These measurements are then compared to the existing formats. Tifinagh Shop offers Berber runner rugs from 1.5 to 3 m long, for a standard width of about 70 to 80 cm, with dimensions adjustable on request.
Preserving doors and baseboards
A hallway does not always have the same width from one end to the other. In an irregular space or between two pieces of furniture, measure the width in several places and retain the smallest. The swing of the doors, closets, and furniture must remain free; in an entrance, the clearance under the door also fixes the acceptable thickness.
The same principle applies to the walls: sufficient clearance prevents the runner rug from curling against a baseboard. Tifinagh Shop also advises comparing the length of the floor passage that will remain visible at each end, which is detailed in its collection of Berber rugs for hallways.
Entrance and kitchen rug in front of the sink
In an entrance, a rug intended to catch dirt benefits from covering the entire width of the passage. No one can then walk around it. For a kitchen rug in front of the sink, measure the area where you stand while keeping the opening of the elements free.
The elongated format adapts to these passages of varying lengths. Tifinagh Shop notably presents an Azilal of 2.78 × 0.81 m for long hallways, while a kitchen rug often suffices with a shorter format.
Choosing a runner rug adapted to the floor
With the dimensions fixed, the question of the material remains. A runner rug must withstand the frequency of footsteps, stay on the flooring, and be cleaned without difficulty.
Materials, weaves, and traffic intensity
Comparing the materials of a runner rug begins with the structure of the rug: tufted, low-pile, hand-woven, or a shaggy rug with very long pile. The backing, the edge finish, and the washing instructions, including for washable rugs, complete the examination.
For hand-woven wool, the difference lies in the density. Tifinagh Shop recommends the Zanafi, with low pile and tight weave, for intensive traffic; the Beni Ouarain, with long pile, is better suited for moderate traffic.
Between the two, the Azilal combines geometric patterns and bright colors, which warm up, for example, an anthracite grey hallway, as described by the product sheet of a natural wool Azilal hallway rug, with customizable length. For maintenance, Tifinagh Shop recommends vacuuming a runner rug 1 to 2 times a week depending on traffic, without a rotating brush.
Doormat and entrance rug according to traffic
At the entrance of the house, two functions complement each other. A scratching doormat placed outside catches mud and gravel.
An absorbent rug placed inside then takes over against moisture and fine dust. The two combine rather than replace each other.
A roll-form runner rug is suitable for an entrance, a kitchen, or a staircase, provided that its construction is adapted to the area, whether it is a technical model or a designer runner rug. Entrance models notably use polyester, polyamide, coconut fiber, or rubber.
Is a non-slip backing enough?
The mention "non-slip backing" describes the underside of the rug: a non-slip runner rug is not necessarily immobile on all floorings. Therefore, test the grip on your actual floor, especially for a non-slip kitchen rug placed on often damp tiles. If the backing is not suitable, a separate underlay can be slipped underneath; it is not itself a rug sold by the metre.
This vigilance is especially important for people exposed to falls. The Health Insurance recommends removing hazardous rugs or choosing non-slip models, while monitoring raised edges.
Comparing prices and checking your order
A price can only be read with its unit of sale and what it includes. Comparing a roll and a hand-woven rug requires bringing everything back to the actual area, then checking what the quote covers.
Calculating the price according to the unit of sale
For a runner rug by the metre 57 cm wide, 3 linear metres at €10.50 per metre come to €31.50 excluding delivery. In area, a rug of 67 × 300 cm covers 2.01 m², not 3 m². At €290/m² for a custom hand-woven hemp Berber, it would reach €582.90 before checking the conditions.
| Manufacturing | Displayed price |
| Cut rug with sisal binding | €52.99/m² |
| Custom-made wool carpet | €60.95/m² |
| Custom hand-woven hemp Berber rug | €290/m² |
| Hand-woven wool rug made in France | €600 to €1,100 incl. VAT/m² |
Comparing the quote and the stated deadline
These differences are due to different manufacturing methods, not an average price. Two quotes are therefore compared on the finished dimensions and shape, then on manufacturing criteria:
- Construction: fibers, technique, density, cuts, and seams.
- Finishes: edge treatment and nature of the backing.
- Material consumed: width, pattern orientation, and cutting margins, which the finished area does not always reflect.
Transportation is added to these criteria, as is the deadline. Tifinagh Shop announces 8 to 12 weeks to create a custom Berber rug; compare the offers step by step: design validation, weaving, finishing, control, and delivery.
Checking the final price and its rights
According to the DGCCRF, the price must be displayed legibly in euros incl. VAT. Known additional costs, such as options and delivery, must be announced before purchase.
A custom rug also obeys a particular rule. Since May 28, 2022, article L.221-28 of the Consumer Code excludes goods made to the customer's specifications from the right of withdrawal. The legal guarantee of conformity remains: according to the DGCCRF, you have 2 years after delivery to act if the rug differs from the agreed characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose the length of a runner rug?
No length suits all hallways: a nearly continuous rug or several rugs of fixed dimensions are possible. Tifinagh Shop notes that a rug that is too short leaves gaps at the ends, while a rug that is too long clutters the passage and can hinder the opening of doors.
What to check upon receipt of a custom rug?
Photograph the rug flat with a tape measure, compare the dimensions and colors to the written summary, then examine the edges, fringes, and any damage. According to Tifinagh Shop, hand-weaving can produce slight variations in color, density, or pattern from one piece to another.
How to deeply clean a wool Berber rug?
Tifinagh Shop recommends dry cleaning for deep maintenance, and a damp cloth with mild soap for a stain. Once a year, air the rug outdoors and brush it lightly; a flat reversible rug is flipped every six months.
