Layering rugs may sound strongly not recommended. Surprisingly though, this interior design technique allows one to blend in different décor and colors while adding newfound depth in a room.

Think of how beautiful some premium rugs are, with the colors and textures. Just like one has palettes of colors that mix, the same truths exist with textures.

Like with any home décor or interior design approach though, there is a right and wrong way to layer rugs. Simply stacking them like you would sheets of paper is not effective layering. Here’s everything you need to know about layering rugs and how to use these juxtapositions within the context of your décor.

Why Do Layering Rugs Work?

Rugs are personality-driven. They can be vintage and antique or abstract and minimalist. By layering rugs, you create a unique look that’s similar to how you might pair a shirt and pants or a jacket and hat.

Perhaps a key reason why layering rugs is such a popular interior design trend in 2021 is homeowners can repurpose older rugs or smaller rugs that don’t fit to a larger interior to create something entirely new. Admittedly, there is something casual and playful about seeing a rug layered on top of another rug. It’s effortless home décor.

There are many ways to layer premium linen rugs and other types, including having them comparatively side-by-side or arranged in slightly off-kilter shapes. 

Most rug layering only uses two rugs or three at most. That said, in the right context, they can completely cover the floor as a mosaic or collage. For this to work, each rug should be similar in size.

As with any décor choice, you don’t want it to appear like an unkempt mess. Be sure to have some sense of order to everything, whether you are styling two rugs as a pair or four, five, and more. 

What Are The Rules Of Layering Rugs?

There are no real rules to follow with layering rugs. So long as it fits visually, you can do almost anything.

Some encourage to use the same material, i.e. mixing linen with linen, wool with wool, etc. That said, this isn’t a rule per se. You just want something tying two rugs together. You don’t want it to feel random. This similarity can be in the material, the texture, or the color.

You also want to avoid any tripping hazards. Be sure to layer with this in mind. If it feels uneven anywhere, especially if it’s in a place you know is getting a lot of foot traffic, remove everything and start again.

The use of rugs is often to assign a focus to a specific area, such as dividing up a large master bedroom into an area for sleep, an area with a desk for work or studying, an area with a dresser or wardrobe for getting dressed, etc. In this context, a woven wool rug layered on top of an expansive area rug is perfect. 

Layering really opens the door to all sorts of interesting interior design, from using a mix of small rugs to fill an area to adding rugs to larger areas to imply movement or guide a guest towards where you want them to be. This eliminates a lot of the awkwardness of an oddly shaped, improperly sized, or ill-fitting rug. By having multiples and layering, you can correct any flaw!

Shop high-quality, woven premium linen and wool rugs at Artiplanto.com and let us know how layering rugs is working for your room.
Andrew Lu