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Styles
March 29, 2021

How to Master Rug Layering

The perfect rug is key to making a room feel complete. When styled correctly, it adds a touch of fashion-forward flair, gives your feet an extra layer of plush comfort, and ties elements of the room together. Having the right rug can make or break an entire room, so shopping for that ideal fit can be a pretty daunting task.

Enter the latest home design rug trend that everyone is talking about- rug layering. While one rug can certainly add to your space, sometimes the perfect design solution is using multiple!

What is rug layering?

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Rug layering is fairly self-explanatory – it’s all about layering rugs on top of rugs! Why? Because it’s a great way to add texture, depth, color, and visual interest to any room in your home. This trend can lend an inviting and relaxing feel to any sleeping, living, or dining space.

Room Definition

Definition is important for any room, big or small. With a single rug, you can divide a room into separate spaces by clustering furniture around and within it. In a large room, this helps break up space and create multiple focal points, whereas in a smaller room, rugs add depth and make your space appear larger.

By introducing a second rug, this defined space is further enhanced. It highlights a specific area or furniture piece, drawing the eye where you want it to go for that true rug layered look. Place a coffee table, chest, or bench on top of a layered rug to make it the center of attention.

Product Featured in Image: Coaster Bench

Protection

Adding rugs to your hardware floor can help prevent scratches, water damage, and more while also making a room feel cozy. Don’t forget to invest in a rug pad that will prevent shifting and slipping to keep your rugs anchored and add an extra level of protection!

If you have wall-to-wall carpet, you can layer too! Layering on top of carpet makes your space look great and protects your high traffic, mess-prone rooms from stains. Replacing stained or unattractive carpet can be a major hassle, so rug layering is an ideal way to spruce up any space!

Budget

Love the layered rug look but worried about the cost? This technique might actually save you money! That’s right, two rugs might be more budget-friendly than one. As rug sizes get bigger, prices get higher. So, if you absolutely love a rug’s design but can’t afford one that fills the entire room, buy a smaller size and layer it. Find a base rug that fits your budget and you’ll have a design you love with more money in your pocket!

Rugs Featured in Image: Sphinx Kavaria 9′ x 13′ Rug, Nourison Aloha 5′ X 8′ Outdoor Rug

“When you buy a smaller rug and layer it, it makes it a lot easier and cheaper to switch it out. You can always change the smaller rug to create a completely different look for minimal cost.”- Brandon Roush, Visual Designer at Homemakers

5 Ways to Master Rug Layering

Now that you know the “what” and “why,” it’s time to learn how to get this look for your home! With these tips and tricks, you’ll be layering like a pro in no time.

1. Design Style

Layered rugs can succeed in just about any design style. The trick is to find two similar rugs that match your style’s vibe, and to work with your furniture. However, you don’t need to confine yourself to just one style. As long as they complement each other, mixing patterns and colors is what makes rug layering fun. If you have a mid-century modern interior, try layering a rustic cowhide rug on top to create a truly unique look that showcases your personality.

2. Color

Product Featured in Image: Rizzy Brindleton 8′ X 10′ Rug, Rizzy Villa 5′ X 8′ Rug

Color is one of the best places to start when shopping for rugs. Some of the best combinations come from finding similar colors you can hone in on. For example, if your base is a solid blue, your layer should incorporate blue details. One trick is to choose a base rug in a neutral, solid color and pair it with a patterned rug to add a pop of color, character, and eye-catching style to your space. The slight similarity creates harmony and balance!

3. Texture

Product Featured in Image: Rizzy Gossamer 8′ X 10′ Rug, Powell Cowhide Light Oversized Rug

Texture is an integral part of any room’s design and can help dictate how it feels at first glance. The texture you want for your room depends partially on your design style. Smooth textures are more common in modern interiors, whereas rough and earthy textures fit better in rustic styled ones. Create a beautiful focal point by using hide or faux-hide rugs as your top layer, as their thin material offers a distinct feel and shape (plus, they’re harder to trip over on).

*Disclaimer: Be careful, however, when choosing your top layer in a high-traffic area. Layering thick rugs in a busy hallway can be a potential tripping hazard.

4. Pattern

Product Featured in Image: Sphinx Georgia 8′ X 10′ Rug

If pattern on top of a solid color doesn’t appeal to you, try layering pattern-on-pattern. While this can be trickier to achieve, it has the potential to look great once you find the perfect pair. Try using colors that are similar, have a motif or color in common, or complement each other’s style. Pairing the different patterns and textures can create a beautiful balance in your home.

5. Scale and Size

Product Featured in Image: Central Oriental Adore 8′ X 10′ Rug, Industrias Magromer Black Cowhide Rug

To ensure the best look and full coverage across your space, choosing the right rug size is key. This is especially critical when you’re layering multiple ones. You want your rugs to fit in your space, complement one another, and suit your surrounding furniture for a non-cluttered look. A good rule of thumb is to leave a significant border around the layered rug to ensure you can see the base rug. Also, keep a border of flooring (whether that’s hardwood or carpet) around the base rug so you can see all the beautifully contrasted layers!

Use our Hm Room Planner if you aren’t sure how a certain rug’s size will look and fit in your space!

Still not sure if you can pull it off? At Homemakers, our non-commission sales specialists are always happy to help you find the perfect rug layering combination. With more than 1,200 rugs on display, you are sure to find the perfect rug combinations for your home.

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