This Simple Rug Styling Tip Makes Any Room Look Elevated—Instantly
Get layering.
Published Jan 23, 2019 3:03 PM
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When you want any interior to feel comfy and liveable, a rug is an absolute must. The right style of floor covering can make a small
room lookbigger, a big room look cozier, and overall, tie everything together. But sometimes, a single rug isn’t enough—in fact, layering several rugs can elevate your space even more.
Depending on what kinds of rugs you opt for, as well as your precise layering technique, this styling tip can bring dimension to a particularly boxy space, in addition to dividing a room into sections that make sense. If you want to add some intrigue to your interior in an unexpected way, this simple trick can have a major impact with little effort required. These three different strategies will help you to refine your rug game.
Explore Right Angles
By positioning rugs either directly in-line with one another or layered in a perpendicular crosshatch, you get extra coverage with added visual complexity. For this technique, follow one of two color guidelines: opt for either rugs with similar color themes, or choose one bold pick and one neutral.
These earthy neutrals offer a bohemian appeal when crossed over one another, making a great, cozy spot for a living room setup filled with similarly hued textiles.
Although they have a similar vibrant, pink-and-turquoise palette, these Moroccan rugs vary deeply in their patterns. Layering them directly has the potential to result in pattern overload, but placed parallel, they complement one another.
The striking, river-like accent on this topmost rug looks particularly striking when grounded against a base of moody oxblood.
Layer Directly on Top
If you’re working with a smaller space, layering an accent rug directly on top of a larger area rug can provide depth while creating a distinct focal area, which makes this technique ideal for a living area filled with plenty of seating options. Play with dimensions and patterns: when working with a more neutral base, a more vibrant, slightly smaller area rug can work over it but when a base rug already has a relatively loud pattern, it’s best to stick with smaller, relatively simple accent rugs on top.
A jute jug layered under a Berber-style rug make the perfect combination: both add dimension to a space through their contrasting texture, but make a relatively neutral room addition thanks to their earthy hues.
Alternatively, a natural-toned jute rug can also pair wonderfully with a more vivid, geometric pick. The bottom rug here works to extend the gathering space in this living room long past the ends of the topmost accent.
With a dynamically patterned base rug, this eclectic interior uses a small runner in a single shade of blue to pull together a seating area. An intricate print on the runner helps it to blend in with the multi-patterned space, while its two-toned color scheme prevents it from being overwhelming.
Make It Irregular
For a more experimental, high-risk-with-high-payoff look, eschew right angles all together and get creative with diagonals. Rugs of similar color and pattern can easily be layered in untraditional layouts, while differently sized, yet complementary picks can look extra-intriguing layered on top of one another in a seemingly haphazard pattern.
The white-washed walls and fireplace of this interior open up the space, but two similarly patterned and colored rugs work together to add warmth.
This interior prioritizes layering on a number of different planes: throw pillows, mantel decor, and, of course, a stack of three complementary rugs make a rectilinear space feel quaint and cozy.
In any bohemian space, an accent rug is a must—but layering two patterned rugs, along with a more simplified pick, makes this room look masterfully mismatched.
More rug inspiration:
Where You Should Be Buying Rugs, According to the Pros