Everything You Need to Know About Layering Rugs
Layering rugs has become a mainstay with modern approaches to decor, and we can see why. When done well, layering rugs can easily add color, texture, and definition to a room, and since nothing looks cozier than a beautiful rug on the floor – how about two? There’s no need to limit yourself to a single rug when layering rugs looks fresh and rich.
Go ahead and make a statement with bold pattern and open up a room with a light yet sumptuous rug or brighten the place up with a vibrant floor covering. The sky’s the limit when it comes to layering rugs, and whether you need to know how to layer rugs in living rooms, or how to layer rugs in bedrooms or hallways, we’ve got you covered.
THEY HELP DEFINE A SPACE
If you have a large, open plan space which needs varied depth, layering rugs can help to define areas of your room. For instance, if you have an open living room and kitchen, mastering how to layer rugs allows you to give it refined definition.
Place a rug where you see the defined area naturally ending (usually around where your furniture stops), and add another rug on top of that one to draw the eye in further than the boundary of the outer rug.
CREATE A FOCAL POINT
Have a piece of furniture you want to highlight with your living room rugs? Layering rugs is a perfect way to draw the eye to a feature to make it stand out. A rug on top of a rug allows you to know where you’re supposed to be looking when you walk into a room, especially if you’re using contrasting colors and patterns.
Use a bold patterned rug on top of a neutral to highlight your chosen piece of furniture. You can also achieve this effect with a light rug on top of a dark rug, and vice versa. But how to place a rug in this situation? Make sure your rug is large enough so it’s visible beneath furnishings; if it’s not – angle it so you can see it.
REJUVENATE YOUR CARPET
Carpet looking tired? Or do you just not like it anymore? Rugs are excellent at hiding a multitude of sins – be that worn areas, stains, or discoloration. Whatever you’re hiding, layered rugs are great at covering up problem areas.
If you don’t like the color of your carpet anymore, use rugs to brighten up floor space, or introduce contrasting texture and pattern to cover up that boring beige.
ADD COLOR AND TEXTURE
If your space is feeling a little dull, adding color and texture by way of rugs is a great way of bringing your room to life. Bright, patterned, bold rugs are sure to add a bold pop of color in any room while something more subtle will still introduce needed color.
Try a bold woven rug for extra pattern and color, or a quieter diamond or striped pattern for something less obvious. Texture is also a brilliant way of adding depth to a room – a soft, fluffy rug draws the eye in and a big woven rug can open a space up while keeping it interesting.
HOW TO MAKE USE OF A SMALL RUG
How to layer rugs in a large room? If you’ve moved into a larger home and you have a rug that fit perfectly in your old home but looks out of place in your new home – layering rugs on top of each other is a great solution.
Place a large rug over under your petite rug to make a statement as it makes for a great idea for living room rugs and bedroom rugs alike.
HOW TO LAYER RUGS:
START WITH A SISAL AS A NEUTRAL BASE
It should comes as no surprise that rugs are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to instantly add dynamic visual appeal in any room. Though they have been an often forgot about decor essential that don’t change often, if not ever, there’s something refreshing about layering rugs to make them fee a new. From layering area rugs to smaller floor coverings, multiple rugs are sure to add more depth, color, and texture to a space to create a distinct focal point while adding contrast to make the space feel more alive.
If you’d like your room to feel as though it has a lot to tell, consider layering one narrow or small statement-making area rug over another to keep the eye focused. Most often, a larger neutral sisal rug will work to frame the smaller one above it – in essence, it will highlight it. Layering rugs is much easier than you think. Simply overlap several round rugs or create a rich mix of rugs boasting various sizes, shapes, and patterns in one area. To help further illustrate the many routes you can take, enjoy these savvy layering rugs tips.
THE LAYERED RUG LOOKS WE LOVE:
PATTERN MIXING
Don’t be afraid to go for boldly patterned rugs. If you have a small space, embrace pattern and fill your floor with print by layering rugs – this works well for small rooms where you can utilize the power of pattern.
Pattern also works wonderfully in larger rooms; if you have a big floor space, layer multiple rugs at angles, overlapping them to create a warm and lived-in look.
LAYERING NEUTRALS
If pattern and color isn’t your thing, add texture and definition by layering rugs with neutral tones. A darker, natural woven rug with something a little lighter and more playful atop it looks unexpected yet luxurious.
Think jute with a furry rug on top of it or a natural brown rug offset by a gorgeous cream one. Layering neutral rugs will add depth to a room without having to introduce anything bold and dark.
COWHIDE
Cowhide rugs just look epic when layered. There’s something about the playful shape of a cowhide over the top of a more uniform square or rectangle that just can’t be beaten. Team a cowhide with a neutral and natural rug for pure luxury, or couple it with a dark patterned rug (think reds, pinks and purples) for pure decadence.
This is all about how to place a rug; think about your angles and your room size as rugs can be overbearing and obvious if you aren’t careful.
DIAGONAL RUGS
Diagonal rugs break up floor space and draw the eye to furnishings you are highlighting with them. Placing your bolder, patterned rug under a favorite armchair will make your space feel cozier as well as putting a fun slant on traditional rug use.
If you are interested in how to layer rugs in a room to assist movement – arranging one rug on top of another in a diagonal boasts the effect of inviting you into the space – if you want to encourage your guests to sit on the sofa, angling a rug towards your seating of choice will encourage them to take a seat.
COMFORTING AND COZY
Layering living room rugs is an ideal way to create a cozy and homely space, without making too big a change to your room. Rugs are soft and inviting, and you’ll want to walk across them and snuggle up on the sofa.
Any well-designed rug will help introduce a homelier feel, but more traditional patterned rugs are a great option for this. A vintage textile will welcome you in and is perfect for layering rugs in your bedroom as well.
THE MORE THE MERRIER
One rug, two rugs, three rugs, even four rugs… The more rugs, the more visual dialog. Layer rugs at angles across your room for an inviting and playful vibe; this works especially well moving from an entrance point to a seating area (and is a great styling trick for layering living room rugs).
It can also look beautiful in the center of a room, with a coffee table placed on top of the smallest rug to create a focal point in the center of a room and draw the eye in.
MAKE AN ENTRANCE
Where better to layer your rugs in an inviting manner, than in the entryway to your home? Layering rugs isn’t just about living room rugs and bedroom rugs.
Layer doormats outside your home for a fun and appealing entrance for your doorway and invite your guests into your home with layered running down your hallway. A long rug will have the added benefit of making your hallway look longer, as well as gorgeously inviting.
OBLONG
Looking for solutions to fill that long narrow foyer or hallway in your home? You can pair a conventional runner under a petite textured rug, or opt for two smaller or mid-sized flat-weave rugs in its place.
Two smaller rugs in this challenging area will give you the freedom to place one or both at a slight angle for added visual interest. You can also make the edges of each rug overlap for a more unified look. But if you’re working with traditional rugs, you’ll find that the effect is instantly elegant; pair them with bold modern furnishings and accessories for a beautifully realized eclectic feel.
ADD A LANDING ZONE
While we would never suggest wall-to-wall carpeting, the larger your bedroom base rug is, the warmer and cozier it will fee. A large area rug makes any bedroom feel instantly more inviting while adding a jolt of much-needed color or pattern.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with stopping with one single rug. But with two, you can count on more softness underfoot as you walk while giving your bedside areas a comforting feel. Plus, you’ll avoid running around on cold flooring come winter. Start by layering a flat-weave accent rug in any size above a larger sisal one. Take note of the subtle effect that the muted tones evoke while the smaller rug is purposely housed bedside so you’ll have extra padding when you wake up.
LAYER YOUR DOORMAT
When it comes to layering rugs outside of the home, layering your welcome mat will create a warmer welcome than a standard single rug will, so why not layer the very first rug visitors see as they cross your homes threshold.
