5 Expert Design Tips For Layering Your Area Rugs

Rugs can be one of the most important décor pieces to tie a room together; without them, it'll feel like something is missing. These items come in various sizes, colors, patterns, and textures that can be placed in your living room, bedroom, dining room, and even bathroom. The Rug Seller claims that incorporating a rug into your space can make it feel more cozy and comfortable since it's used as a visual divider.

There are also other benefits to adding a rug to your space, The Rug Seller says, such as protecting your wood flooring from scratches or stains, acting as a safety net for babies that are learning to walk, and introducing different colors and shades to your home, etc. Rugs are versatile and fun to use alone or with other options. Layering rugs have become a hot trend that interior designers are loving, and there are a few tips to consider if you want to incorporate this exciting idea into your home.

1. Try different sizes

The key to layering rugs is to have two pieces that vary in size so they can overlap without competing against each other. You always want the smaller rug to lay on top of the other, and once you know how you're going to arrange your furniture, you can figure out what sizes to purchase. Boxwood Avenue suggests using tape to mark the size you might want on the floor after you've positioned your furniture. This will help you determine the size of the first rug, making it easier to find a smaller rug to layer over it.

Boxwood Avenue claims that a 9x12 rug would look great under a 6x9 option for a living room, but the size of the space and couch will influence the numbers. You don't want too large of a rug that will take up flooring space without room for layering or a tiny one that will make the site and layering awkward. When trying this trend, you can have a large rug where all the furniture fits and layer a smaller rug on top, placing it under a coffee table. Or have a rug just under the front legs of the couch and put a smaller piece on one of its corners!

2. Mix up the patterns

There are many ways to style different patterned rugs in your home, from a solid paired with a pattern, two different designs put together, or two rugs in similar colors states StoneGable. If you stick with colors within the same family, such as neutrals or a soft shade like blue, you'll be able to incorporate them effortlessly into your space. The pattern of the rug itself can vary from stripes to diamonds to polka dots, as long as they have a few colors in common.

If you love funky patterns with bright colors, you can try to mix and match shades that don't usually pair together, but this will only work if you have a neutral background for the rest of the room. You can also try pairing a neutral rug with a colorful option not to overwhelm the flooring. The layered rugs can be your main focal point of the room while keeping your furniture and other décor pieces simple with the colors and patterns.

3. Add some color

Patterns are easy to add to your space, but when it comes to solid colors, it can be a little tricky. Unless you're designing your home with a minimalistic style where you stick to more neutral tones, you can always use muted-colored rugs such as shades of brown, white, gray, or black. Neutral or pale tones will also make a room feel larger, according to Rugs2Go.

While it can sometimes be easier to pick out furniture and later the rug, Rugs2Go suggests picking a rug first and then buying furnishings that match it. Any rug that makes you happy when you see it is the winner, and it works for a room if it gives it a calm yet lively atmosphere. Choosing muted tones will give a room a calming effect, while brighter styles will make a space feel more energetic. When it comes to layering, you can mix both options to balance the area.

4. Add textured rugs

Whether you layer a simple carpet rug with a plush option or two different-colored plush rugs, you'll make your space feel cozy. Plush Rugs advises you to think about the feeling you want your rug to give since every texture will bring a different vibe to your room. If you want a warm feeling, add a wool rug or if you want your space to feel luxurious, then opt for a silky rug. When you figure out the texture, you can then decide on colors that will fit your space.

You can mix in some fun patterns, such as animal print or boho style. There are a vast number of designs and textures to choose from. If you can't decide on one, then you have the choice to layer different textures, as mentioned before. Try a funky cheetah print rug with a solid black plush layered top to give the room an eccentric look.

5. Incorporate a jute rug

One of the most versatile rugs you could put in your home is a jute variety made of fibers from the jute plant found in Asia, according to Floor Coverings International. Despite it being made from a plant, it's incredibly soft, so it's great to walk on barefoot. They're a great neutral rug that comes in various shades of beige but can also be dyed in different colors. Since they're naturally muted, you can layer them with almost any other textured rug.

Not only will they make your room look well put together, but they're also environmentally friendly, states RugKnots. Jute rugs are made from natural fibers instead of synthetic fibers, which make them biodegradable, and they don't require heavy machines to produce them, preventing greenhouse gasses. They're also soundproof, so when you walk on them, you won't hear any noise if you have wooden floors. You can play around with them when you're decorating your space. Try layering a jute rug with a soft plush rug or fun patterned rug to give your room a quirky look.