Are Layered Rugs Still in Style?

There’s no better way to cosy up your home than with a soft rug. Not only do they help bring a room together, but they are an affordable means to add visual interest to your furniture choices. Plus they can be easily replaced if you decide to change your décor further down the line.

So, if you’re on the hunt for something fabulous, find several that you love and can’t decide which one to get, you might be asking: are layered rugs still in style?

The simple answer to this question is YES. In fact, our top designers use this technique frequently to create a luxurious, elevated aesthetic that will make your living space look like a million bucks.

If you’re itching to find out more, here is our expert guide on how to layer up!

What are the benefits of layering rugs?

There is a definite cost advantage to buying modern rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpets, even if you need more than one. Using the layering technique will therefore give you room a custom look without the heavy price tag. Here are some other benefits. 

• Layered rugs add both visual and physical warmth to a room – especially if you’re working with a larger area.
• If you decide to layer rugs over an existing wall-to-wall carpet in a high-traffic zone, it will help protect it from spills and stains. Conversely, if you have stains on your fitted carpet, cover it up with a layered rug.
• Layered rugs will make life more comfortable if you have concrete or tiled floors.
• They will tie your room together, create a focal point and help define your living space.
• Layered rugs will add extra textures, patterns and colours to your overall aesthetic.

6 Rules for layering rugs

Here are six rules that will help you layer your rugs to perfection.

1. Put a patterned rug on top of a solid colour rather than the other way around.
2. Layered rugs work best with an under rug that has a pile height of no more than 5 cm.
3. When layering, make sure that the textures work together rather than against one another.
4. Choose a bottom rug that is at least 45 cm larger than your top option. This will ensure that the smaller rug looks well-balanced and properly framed.
5. If you decide to layer more than two rugs with multiple patterns, think about getting advice from a professional designer first as it’s a tricky technique to master and could end up looking disastrous.
6. Use a rug pad under your bottom rug. This will stop your foundation from slipping, protecting each piece from unnecessary wear.

6 Scenarios that will help you layer rugs like a pro

There are so many different rug layering techniques that will add bags of personality to your room. Here are our favourites.

Small rug, big space

If you are dying to use your most treasured rug in your living room but feel that it’s too small, simply layer a bigger rug underneath it. This will fill your space, give you the cohesivity you need from a larger rug and ensure that you get good use out of something you love.

Playing with texture

Don’t be intimidated by different textures. Mixing a beautiful jute rug with cowhide, tassels or a fun shag, for example, is a fabulous way to create visual interest in your room. It will also ensure that both layers stand out, especially if you’re working with a more tone-on-tone colour palette.

Picking a base rug made from natural fibre

You have probably noticed that many high-quality interior design magazines show pictures of jute or sisal rugs as the base element for a layered look. This is because not only do they create a beautifully textured, neutral backdrop, but they are built to last, so will ensure the overall longevity of your ensemble.

Consider your placement

Have fun with how you place your rugs. We suggest you start off by aligning your biggest one with your major furniture items like sofas and coffee tables and then experiment with what looks best for each layer. Most designers will place rectangular rugs on top of each other in the same direction, but if angling them appeals to you, do it!

Create a focal point

Place the rug you want as your focal point on the uppermost layer and centre it so that it creates a sense of balance. You could also add interest by placing a runner next to your bed or down a passage, highlighting your hallway with some underfoot layers or defining your work area with a couple of eye-catching under-desk rugs in your study.

Overlapping as an alternative

You don’t have to stack rugs one on top of the other to create a layered effect, you can overlap them instead. This technique will enable you to incorporate a variety of rug designs over a larger surface, making more of a collage than a pile. If you do go this route, use carpet tape or non-slip grips to keep them from slipping out of place.

How to choose the right size rug for your living room

The size of the room you are decorating will play a big role in determining the size of your stacking rugs. Make sure that your second piece is small enough to still show off the rug at the bottom once your foundation layer is in place, leaving a border of at least 30 cm.

Whether you are layering rugs or not, here are some general pointers on how to pick the right-sized rugs for your space.

• Standard living room rugs are usually 20 cm x 25,5 cm or 22,5 cm x 30,5 cm in size.
• Ensure that your rug is at least 15 cm wider on each side than your sofa and a minimum of 25 cm away from your walls.
• Leave a walkway between 45 cm and 91 cm between furniture pieces to ensure easy traffic flow. Once you have drawn up a floor plan with this in mind, it will be easier to determine your biggest rug size.

Buy bespoke rugs at FCI London

FCI London stocks a selection of luxury rugs that will suit any aesthetic including custom-made designs from Knot & Loop and renowned artist, Anna Kosa who has designed a line, especially for FCI London. To find out more or to get the best advice on any home refurbishment project, get in touch or pop into our showroom for a cuppa and a chat.