How to Layer Rugs

Rugs are a tricky thing. People usually pick them out last but they really need to be picked out first. It's much harder to match a rug to your paint color than pick out a paint color to compliment your rug. Get it?

I think the reason people usually go for the rug last is because it can be the hardest thing to pick out for your room. What size? What style? What color? It's $$$$ WHAT!!!

Yep, rugs are expensive, especially the larger ones. I can't tell you how many times I have found the perfect rug for my dining room at an amazing price on one of those daily shopping deal websites only to find out it's for a 5'x7'. Yep, I need a 9'x12', that little 5'x7' just isn't going to cut it.

Well, Twine is here to the rescue to teach you a little trick called

RUG LAYERING! 

Let's just jump right in:

This a great example! They had this fabulous bright rug but it was just a little too small to go under that awesome table. So, simply layer it over a larger sea grass rug. 

Sea grass, sisal and other natural rugs are a great option because they can be very inexpensive. So, you could buy a 9'x13' sisal rug and then spend your money on a fabulous 5'x7' persian and layer the two. Here's a great Sisal option from Pottery Barn and a 9'x12' is only $399. That's a lot of rug for your dollar.

Another great example. 

Let me back up to the size of rug for your space. Typically, you want at least the front furniture legs to sit on the rug. You can surely have all the furniture sit on it completely if you like. For a dining room, you want a rug big enough to accommodate the table and all chairs, even when they are pulled out to sit on. 

Another example of sea grass. I really wish there was a little more contrast in the color of the rugs though. 

I really love the look of a hide rug layered on top because of their irregular shapes. Hides are great to use in spaces that have odd layouts. 

Here, they layered a zebra hide over a larger sea grass rug. 

Or:

You can even layer a hide over an ornate rug! This is very bold and I love it!

Bedrooms are also a great place to layer rugs because of the bed. If you want a rug centered under the bed it will have to be really big to stick out enough on the sides to make an impact. 

I love this girl's room. The were able to maximize the space of the rug showing by layering a smaller rug between the beds instead of just pulling the pink one all the way up to the side table. If they had done that, you wouldn't see most of the rug under the bed, or they would've had to buy a much larger rug. 

Make sense?

I love this example! A larger sisal to ground the space, a splash of persian at the foot of the bed, and a nice fuzzy sheep skin for your toes in the morning!

This might also be one of my favorites! Here is an example of layering multiples of the same rug. You can get similar striped rugs at Ikea for pretty cheap. Just make sure when doing this that you secure them together with some heavy duty tape or if you love it and want to keep them together you could even glue them. 

Here are some things to remember when attempting this in your own home:

1. Make sure your base rug is large enough. Remember, in living room front furniture legs sitting on rug, dining room all chairs even when pulled out sitting on the rug. 
2. Make sure the layered rug sizes are proportional. Example: you don't want a huge 10'x13' base rug and then a little 2'x3' sitting under the coffee table. 
3. I prefer to pick rugs that have at least a little contrast in color. You don't want the same color because then it will look like it is just layered to look like one rug instead of being really intentional. 

Ok, for some picture so you know what I am talking about:

This is a pretty room, however I think it could look even better if the base rug was larger. The cowhide a little smaller and maybe a different color. A black and white spotted one would've been amazing!

Another awesome room but I just wish the base rug was a little larger. 

Again, the base rug needs to be a little bigger and I think I would angle the smaller rug a little bit so it looks a little more natural.

Here's an example of the layering rug being too small. It actually would've probably been ok if they angled it a bit so that foot stool and the small table touched it. It doesn't look good just floating there with nothing on it. 

Has the light bulb turned on yet?

Well, to be even more confusing, here is an exception:

I love this room! This is a great example of exception to the rules. Yes, I think that layered rug is a tiny bit too small but since they pulled the chair up and placed that cute little foot stool, it works. It helps with the proportion, otherwise the small rug would only be under the coffee table and it could look a little funny.

Remember, you don't have to always layer a color on top of a neutral. If you have the money, you can layer all the rugs you want! 

Such a fun and colorful space!

Awww, all of those antique rugs! LOVE! This however, would not be a way to save money on rugs. 

Have you mastered the art of LAYERING RUGS??

~Jessica