Can I Place a Rug On Carpet?

You installed wall-to-wall carpeting in your home because of its cozy appeal, but it's only been two years and already there are areas starting to look stained and worn out thanks to muddy shoes, messy kids and energetic pets. You'd like to replace the carpet or remove it altogether and install hardwood, but both of those projects are expensive and you simply don't have the budget for it right now.

Well... can I put a rug on carpet and change it up?

Yes, you can! Fortunately, there's another way to protect your carpet and freshen up the living room. While some consider it a faux-pas, placing a rug on your carpet can actually bring color, contrast and texture to an interior in need of a little warmth. Let these three tips help you pull off the look. 

4 Tips for Layering Rugs Over Carpet 

Layering area rugs over carpet without creating a tripping hazard in high traffic areas can seem a daunting thought. So can choosing an area rug that has complementary colors for your carpeted rooms. Do you put that black rug with the blue carpet or should you use a pattern? Should you put a plush area rug on top or one with a short pile? How do you know which rugs are the right rugs?

Let these four tips help you pull off the look. 

1. Choose textures based on your carpet fibers

Low-pile carpeting works the best with rugs, and it gives you an opportunity to bring plush textures into your home. Consider placing a luxurious shag rug on top of your flat surface. If you have wall-to-wall carpet that is more plush and less flat in style, use a flat woven rug, natural-fiber rug to create a balanced look. 

2. Select rugs that complement, and don't clash, with your carpet

A patterned rug on top of patterned carpet can feel overwhelming. Place a sisal or jute rug on top of patterns or bold colors to give your living room a calming appearance instead. If your carpet lacks color and patterns, however, then feel free to choose a vibrant rug. Just make sure the color scheme you choose complements the shade of carpet to create an overall look you love. 

3. Anchor the rug using a non-slip rug pad

One reason why people don't like placing rugs on top of carpet is because they move. To keep your rug anchored, our solid rug pad underneath the fabric which is made to keep the rug laying flat. You can also set furniture on top of the rug. 

4. Consider the "room to rug" size.

One of the things to consider when putting an area rug on your carpet is the size and proportion of the rug to the size of the room and furniture. A common mistake is to choose a rug that's too small, which can make your space feel unbalanced. Ideally, the top rug should be large enough to create a well-defined area, but not so large that it looks like a second carpet.

For instance, in a living room, choose a rug size that allows all the furniture legs to sit comfortably on it, pulling the room together. In a bedroom, a smaller rug can be used at the foot of the bed or along the sides, but it should be proportionate to the size of the bed and room.

When it comes to placing rugs on top of carpet, what it really comes down to is your style preference. After choosing the right color and size, play around with rug placement to design a sophisticated space.

So, can you put rugs on carpet? We hope these 4 tips help you decide for yourself. 

If you're looking for the most cost-effective way to update a room that's been feeling dated, layering rugs over carpet can be a great solution. If you have hardwood flooring, you can use a large area rug to define a seating area or just section off a small area.

The rug will soften up the room and make the space feel cozier. If you have carpeting, laying a rug over the carpeting can give a room an instant face lift. Adding a rug will help tie the furniture together and break up all the hard lines of the carpet.