These 4 Tips Will Help You Correctly Layer Rugs, Once and For All

Choose the Right Base

Designers agree that natural, solid materials such as sisal or jute make for the best base layers. “These are great for durable, high-traffic areas,” Houston-based designer Katie Davis explains. However, she adds that such pieces aren’t known for being comfortable, which is why they belong as the bottom layer.

Davis often places a wool rug on top, turning to Oushak or Turkish rugs in particular. “We prefer a more vintage look that includes reds, blues, and greens to juxtapose a room's crispness,” she adds. 

Lisa Queen, a designer in Southern California, shares a few other options for top layers. “You could use a flat weave with a pattern, or a higher pile solid rug like a sheepskin, or even an oddly shaped like a natural hide rug or other,” she suggests.

Meanwhile, designer Veronica Solomon is partial to cowhides. “Cowhides are typically too small on their own to anchor a seating area,” Solomon adds. “Therefore, layering a natural fiber rug underneath creates the illusion of a larger rug while unifying the seating area.”

Focus on Texture

"As a general rule of thumb, I would not mix patterns,” Queen advises. “Focus instead on texture. You can flip the above concept by using a patterned base layer and a solid top layer, but I think it’s most interesting when the solid layer has some interesting texture.” 

And there are still plenty of other ways to have fun with shapes and layouts. “Depending on the space, it can also be fun to offset the rugs with the smaller one hanging off the larger one.” Queen adds.

Complement the Space

Take the rest of the space into account when selecting a rug, Davis suggests. “A layered vintage or antique rug provides a good point of interest and often adds color without being overly saturated," she says. "We typically match the colors of the rug with the base colors of the room. For example, if we are using a lot of blue pillows, we want the rug to contain some blue."

Don’t Be Fazed By Carpet

Note that rug layering can be for everyone—even those whose spaces already feature wall-to-wall carpeting.

“If clients have carpet in the bedroom, a layered rug helps define spaces and provides interest,” Davis explains. “We use the same size rug we would use if there were hardwoods in the room.”