A Modern Guide to Layering Rugs

Layering rugs is a trend that's timeless. Just like any trend, there are certain things to take into consideration when making this variety of style choice. Things like: the types of rug you layer, the way different colors work together, and how to effectively style your rugs to make the most effective use of space. 

We'll cover everything you need to know in today's post: a modern guide to layering rugs.

Why do people layer rugs?

Layering rugs is a design choice made by a variety of homeowners for a variety of reasons. Reasons like:

• They’ve found a rug they love but the size isn’t optimal for the space they’re living in. Layering a smaller rug on top of a larger one is an easy way to create a space that meets both your practical and style-based needs. You can layer your smaller “not quite right” rug on top of one that better fits the overall layout of your space.

• You’ve inherited a heirloom that you’re having trouble incorporating into your home. Some of us are more sentimental than others. If you’ve inherited a rug but your home’s space is already perfectly laid out and styled… you can just put it on top of one of your existing rugs!

• They like the way it looks. This is the motivation for most people. Layered rugs are a fun way to add interest and texture to your flooring.

What types of rugs are best for layering?

Any rug can work for layering, but there are certain types that work better than others. 

Jute, for example, is an excellent choice for a base rug that others are layered on top of. This is because of the textured, tight way jute rugs are woven. They can give you a natural, neutral palette to layer more colorful rugs on top of. When you’re choosing a rug for others to be layered on top of, it’s best to go for the more durable natural fibers like jute and sisal. Top layers are best suited for rugs that have a softer feel, like ones made from wool.

Are there any important rug layering styling tips to follow?

Of course there are! These rules aren’t rules that have to be followed. As long as you like the way your layered rugs look, that’s what’s most important. That said, here are a few things to consider while styling your home’s rugs:

• It’s better to use lower pile rugs as the bottom layer. High pile rugs on the bottom can create an awkward look as the top rug “sinks” into the bottom one.

• It’s a good idea to mess around with angles! You don’t have to layer rugs exactly on each other, one on one. You can experiment with different angles and smaller or larger amounts of overlap to see what works best for your space.

• There’s no law that says you can only layer two rugs. If you have an especially large base rug, you can try layering others on either end or a similar multi-rug ensemble.

Layering rugs is an art form, but that’s what’s fun about it. Play around to create a space that you enjoy being in. These tips will help you along the way.

There’s one thing you’re definitely going to need if you get into the rug layering trend: rugs! Take a look at a selection of our best selling natural fiber area rugs here.