Layering rugs can be a great way to show off your style, add a cozy feel, and make the most of smaller rugs. With a few quick tips, you’ll understand the art of layering rugs in no time.

1. Choose Your Room

The first step is choosing the right room. You want a room that doesn't have bulky furniture and isn't cluttered; layered rugs could make the room appear busy to the eye. Layering rugs is also a great way to create separate spaces in rooms with open layouts. For example, in a living room with a sofa and armchairs, place layered rugs under the arm chairs to create a sitting area or reading nook.

2. Consider Scale

Layering rugs can also be a quick fix for a too-small area rug. Whether you’ve upgraded to a larger sofa or couldn’t find a rug you like in the right size, layered area rugs are a chic solution. Simply choose an area rug of your desired dimensions that’ll be placed beneath the top rug. We recommend that the bottom rug is 6" – 12" larger than the top rug to truly get the layered look. For tips on selecting the correct rug size for your space, read our guide How to Choose the Right Rug Sizes.

3. Keep Rug Styles in Mind

While layering rugs, choose a style that complements your current design theme. If you have a farmhouse-style home, you may want a floral-patterned rug that has more neutral colors. If you have a modern-style home, you may choose a solid-colored rug or one that has a geometric pattern.

4. Juxtapose Materials

Mixing rug materials is a great way to add some visual appeal to a room. For an easy layered rug look, lay down a jute or sisal rug first. Jute and sisal rugs are neutral in color – creating a blank canvas for you to get more creative with the rug that will sit on top. You can also place a patterned wool or polypropylene rug on the bottom and a faux fur or sheepskin rug on top.

5. Pair Solids With Solids

If you aren't sure how to mix patterns, choose two solid-colored, neutral, or complementary rugs to layer. For example, you can layer a solid ivory rug on top of a solid gray rug for a modern look, a solid white rug on top of a solid blue rug in a coastal-style room, or a solid beige rug over a solid sage green rug in a farmhouse-style room.

6. … Or Mix & Match Patterns

If you want to create a bold look, layer rugs with different patterns together. We recommend choosing something that ties them together visually, such as a color or similar shapes.

7. Layer on the Diagonal

You can layer rugs in the same direction for a streamlined look. You can also layer the top rug on a diagonal over the bottom rug for a more eclectic look. If you do choose to place the top rug on a diagonal, just remember to make sure it sits entirely on top of the bottom rug to keep it more visually pleasing. If the top rug is hanging too off the bottom rug, it may look haphazard.

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Written by Dawn Allcot