Can I Use Two of the Same Rug in the Living and Dining Room?

Should I Use the Same Rug in My Living And Dining Room?

Using matching rugs in the living room and dining room is actually a brilliant design choice. A rug acts as the foundation for all the rest of the decor in a room, so by adding matching rugs to your living room and dining room, you are creating a starting point that indicates that both rooms are part of a larger whole. 

With matching rugs in place, you can use that base to explore mixing and matching other decorative elements, such as artwork, furniture, and even paint or wallpaper. Having the same foundation for each room invites visitors to notice similarities and make comparisons between each room, which can be a fun way to inform your overall design choices. 

Define and Coordinate Spaces in an Open Floor Plan

One of the most common reasons someone might want matching rugs in the living room and dining room is because both rooms occupy the same larger space in an open floor plan home. Rugs are a great way to define rooms if you have an open floor plan because they serve as effective room dividers in lieu of physical barriers. This helps to delineate functional zones within the open space, which can help guide furniture arrangement and make each space feel more intentional. 

When you add matching rugs in the living room and dining room areas of an open floor plan home, you define each area while also maintaining an overall cohesive look. The common visual foundation for each space is also helpful in a more practical way: it allows you to explore different themes in each space, which broadens your decorating options considerably.

Tips for matching dining room and living room rugs

Ready to add a set of matching rugs to your dining room and living room? Here are some tips to keep in mind as you get started: 

Consider the material

Dining room rugs and living room rugs have different needs, so finding a rug that can look good in both places while still being practical for both can be a challenge. 

Rugs in dining areas are more likely to encounter spills, so choose a rug made from material that’s easy to clean, like seagrass or polypropylene. Living rooms, on the other hand, may call for a softer material such as wool or cotton. A rug made from a wool/sisal blend is among the most versatile options and can be a great option for adding multiple rugs to your home. 

Coordinate colors

Unless you have a grand vision for the interior design of your house, chances are your living room and dining room aren’t the exact same style. For living and dining rooms with mismatched decor, adding matching rugs to each room can be a quick way to bring these disparate styles a bit closer together. You can do this by making sure the color palette for the rugs you choose complements the existing color scheme in both rooms. 

Get the right size for each space

Having the wrong size rug in any room can make the space look all wrong. Get one that’s too small and it can make the whole space feel smaller, but go too big and the room can feel cramped and cluttered. That’s why it’s important to avoid the temptation to get two rugs that are identical in every way—including dimensions. 

To make sure each rug looks its best, measure both rooms carefully so you can determine the right size for each rug. In the living room, the rug should be large enough to anchor furniture, while in the dining room, it should extend beyond the dining table to accommodate chairs.

Play with rug shapes

Matching the overall design of the rugs for your living room and dining room links both spaces and creates a sense of continuity across rooms. But you don’t have to make every aspect of the rugs identical. If your couch and chairs are laid out in a roughly rectangular fashion but you have a round dinner table, go with a rectangular rug for the living room and a round rug for the dining room. This lets you hold onto the cohesion of matching rugs while keeping each in tune with its surroundings. 

Maintain symmetry

Keeping the look of the rugs in each room symmetrical is essential for creating a sense of balance and thoughtfulness in your interior design. The easiest way to do this is to make sure both rugs are centered within their respective rooms. You can add to the sense of symmetry by having equal amounts of exposed rug in both rooms. 

In some cases, one or both rooms may have irregular shapes or unique architectural features that make strict symmetry challenging. If that’s the case, aim for visual balance. You can achieve this by aligning more prominent furniture pieces around the rug in such a way that mirrors the configuration of the furniture around the rug in the other room.

Layer rugs

Rug layering, especially when you have matching rugs in the living room and dining room of an open floor plan, can be a fantastic way to infuse versatility and visual intrigue into your space. If the matching rugs are more neutral, consider layering a smaller accent rug atop the larger living room rug. In the dining room, this same technique can be used under the dining table, allowing you to bring in a bolder pattern or more vibrant color to create a visual core that can play with other colors in the room. 

Make it personal

While there are as many opinions about home decor as there are homes, the reality is that your choice of rugs should reflect your personal style. After all, this is your home and how it looks should make you feel happy. Don't be afraid to add unique or personal touches that make the space your own.

Find the Best Rug(s) for Your Home

Sure, picking a rug that works equally well in your dining room as it does in your living room can be a little complicated. But that bit of extra work is worth it for the cohesion and style it will bring to your home. 

It’s easier to find a match when you are able to create custom rugs in whatever design you want. You can do just that by browsing our wide selection of custom rugs and ordering each rug according to your own unique specifications.