How to Layer Rugs: Design Tips for Styling Layered Rugs
Layered rugs. You’ve seen the look on all your favorite design blogs. You’ve pinned images and dreamed of having this casual but considered look in your own home. But you might be feeling stumped as to how to actually pull off this look.
Rug layering is a design trick that makes your space seem extra thoughtful, well-designed, and curated. It gives your space a more nuanced look and adds a dose of coziness. And here’s the good news: there’s actually no one right way to approach layered rugs. But there are a few best practices!
Want to know how to ace the layered rug look in your space? Keep reading for our best tips and ideas for how to layer rugs in rooms throughout your home!
Woven + Patterned Rugs
Use your layered rugs to anchor a cozy, conversational seating area in your living room, with your coffee table centered over two layered rugs. An old-world patterned rug layered over a chunky wool and jute rug adds color and texture to the space.
Why It Works
This layering, similar to the bedroom example above, adds depth and a pop of color to your decor scheme. Plus, it helps to expand the seating area perimeter so there’s a little more breathing room between furniture while still having enough floor coverage.
Where To Use It
This is a great approach for large living rooms. It allows all of your sitting area furniture to be on the rug without a singular large rug. Check out our living room rug size guide if you want extra help with sizing.
Jute + Traditional Rugs
Here’s a no-fail way to think about layering rugs. Use a large jute rug as your base, then layer a bold-print or traditional patterned rug on top for some color and pattern. This is a perfect approach for if you have a smaller vintage or statement rug that wouldn’t be the right size on its own. But layer it over a larger rug and it works with the space!
Why It Works
This layering technique adds dimension and stylistic layers to your space—and just gives it a polished look! We love the combo of the different textures that help bring a space to life. Wondering why jute rugs make such a great base rug? Read our guide to natural fiber rugs to learn more.
Where To Use It
This is great for bedrooms, or anywhere that you want extra cushion underfoot. We love that the jute rug gives ample floor covering and the top rug pulls in colors from the rest of the room while adding a softer layer to the floor.
Jute + Shag Rugs
To get a lot of floor coverage, start with a jute rug as your base, then layer a shag rug on top for an extra-cozy layer. This is a great way to utilize a rug that’s too small on its own but that you really want to showcase!
Why It Works
The jute rug covers a lot of the floor. (This one is 9.5×13.5!) Meanwhile, the shag rug adds color and a fun pattern to the space while also creating a super soft surface.
Where To Use It
This is great for kids spaces, so you kids can comfortably play on the floor. (Bonus: add a sheepskin in a reading nook for an extra cozy third layer!) But really, the idea works anywhere you want extra cushion—from a living room to a bedroom or office. Pro tip: Indoor-outdoor rugs are also great kid and pet-friendly rug options!
Flat-Weave + Hide Rugs
Love the idea of a bold accent but prefer a neutral color palette? Pop a hide rug (real or faux) over a flatweave area rug to accentuate part of your space. Want an extra splash of boldness? Opt for a hide rug with flecks of gold, like the one pictured above.
Why It Works
A hide rug adds a hint of pattern and texture without overwhelming the space. And its organic shape adds visual interest when layered over the simple flat-weave rug.
Where To Use It
Use this layering technique in small or awkward spaces. Here, we used it in a bedroom, in the narrower space between the bed and the wall, accentuating the space that is there.
Hide + Circular Rugs
Here’s a totally different take on layering rugs. In this space, we’ve paired two irregular-shaped rugs, just slightly overlapping, for a funky and unique look.
Why It Works
Since both of these rugs lack hard edges and corners, you can easily move them around and layer them differently for a versatile and varied layout and arrangement. The organic shapes means there are no hard and fast rules about where to place them.
Where To Use It
This is a great set-up for small or oddly shaped rooms, where a large rectangular area rug might not fit or would make the space feel cramped.
Jute + Round Rugs
To create a distinct zone within a larger space, layer a round accent rug on top of a large jute, rattan, or even sisal rug. The jute rug will give you the floor coverage you need, while the round rug will help section off part of the room into its own space.
Why It Works
Not only is this a fun way to layer rugs and mix shapes, colors, and patterns—but it also helps you accentuate a special area of a room, whether that’s a full reading corner or just a way to highlight a unique chair.
Where To Use It
In the room above, we used this layering technique to create a reading and sitting area within a home office. But the same idea would work in a bedroom, or even for a second seating area within a large living room!
Base + Small Accent Rugs
Do you have a small accent rug that you love, but you also like the idea of a large area rug in your bedroom for more coverage and comfort underfoot? Go for both! By layering a special “landing” rug over a base rug with a pattern, you’ll create a cozy and plush spot when stepping out of bed. And don’t be afraid of pattern on pattern—in fact, you can choose two rugs that have similar patterns and hues or are totally contrasting.
Why It Works
This layering technique adds an extra pop of color to your space and accentuates the bedside area. The layered patterns add visual interest to an otherwise simple bedroom.
Where To Use It
This approach is best used in a bedroom, on one or both sides of your bed. Not sure what size of area rug to get for the base? Check out our bedroom rug size guide.
Runners + Accent Rugs
Layer long and narrow rugs together to add pattern and softness underfoot. These can be runners, with their ends overlapping, or you can mix small rugs with runners, or even smaller area rugs depending on the space. Layer them at angles in a way that looks casual but considered.
Why It Works
Layering rugs of different sizes and patterns gives an elegant and eclectic look to any space. Just make sure the rugs overlap some to lessen the tripping hazard!
Where To Use It
This is a perfect approach for a long and narrow space, like a hallway, galley kitchen, or even a long and narrow living room.
Want to master the art of layering rugs?
A 6×9 area rug, being the smallest area rug size you’d want to go for, will typically sit in front of your furniture—or, at most, you’ll just have two legs of an accent chair sitting on top of the rug. Since you want it covering as much visible floor space as possible, you won’t want this sitting under the front legs of your sofa. This is a great option if you have a special vintage or heirloom rug that you want to showcase and not partially cover up with furniture. You could also layer a 6×9 rug over a larger flat-weave rug if you want more surface area covered. (Here’s our 
An 8×10 area rug is the most common rug size used in a home. It gives you the dimensions you need to create some overlap with your sofa and other furniture, which gives a cozier vibe than a 6×9 rug. And, since it’s the most common size throughout homes, it also offers the versatility of being able to swap rugs to different spaces throughout your home when and if you want to switch up your look!
Since a 9×12 is one of the largest rug sizes, it’s also going to be the most expensive choice.
The Living Room With a Sofa
8×10 Rug With a Sofa + Chair
9×12 Rug With a Sofa + Chair
The Living Room With a Sofa Chaise
6×9 Rug With a Chaise Sofa + Accent Chair
9×12 Rug With a Chaise Sofa + Accent Chair
The Living Room With a Sectional
6×9 Rug With a Sectional
8×10 Rug With a Sectional
