Antique Rugs > Interior Design > Winter Trends: 5 Tips on How to Layer Rugs

Winter Trends: 5 Tips on How to Layer Rugs

When the temperature drops the first thing we layer to keep warm is clothes – thick knits, scarves, jumpers and coats come one on top of the other to help us face the cold. But when the chilly fall winds turn into frigid winter frost, layering garments is simply not enough – we want to layer our décor as well. Did someone say layering rugs is passé? Well, try it and see if it’s passé for you – we bet you simply won’t resist the warmth and comfort it brings in, not to mention the style! Let us show you how to do it right and enjoy this winter in a cozy ambience.

Pick the Room

rug in living room (3)
via MyDomaine              

Layering rug means adding more textures and colors, and not every room is really suited for that. A very small space with too many rugs can become cluttered. “If you have a lot of solid furniture in the space and can hardly even see the rug, then don’t bother,” says Sally Gotfredson, design manager at One Kings Lane. “Save it for a room where it can really add something and not contribute to clutter.”

rug in living room (10)
via MyDomaine
interior design trends 2020 (11)
Vintage French Deco Rug by Paul Follot

Layered rugs can be used to your advantage in styling a large, open-plan space. “I like the way a layered rug looks in an open floor plan. The openness of a room flows so well with a layered look,” says Sam Moradzadeh, principal of Woven and creative director at Studio Woven. “It evokes a grounding feeling where family and guests feel welcome to gather within.” Remember that rugs can help you separate individual areas of the living room, giving a sense of order.

rug in living room (4)
@marisavitalephoto

(Don’t) Mind the Traffic

rug in living room (12)
@mca_estudio

One of the advantages of layered rugs is that the one on top can be exchanged quite easily. Mark the high traffic areas in your house and consider what type of rugs you want to put there. “In areas with heavy foot traffic, it’s nice because you can swap out the top layer periodically to avoid it getting too worn in,” explains Gotfredson.

rug in living room (1)
@eclectic_twist

For entryways and transitional rooms opt for durable, light flat-weaves – they may help you protect the more valuable carpet hidden underneath. “In the bedroom, you can layer a super-soft sheepskin or flokati rug—anything with a higher pile so it’s soft on your feet,” she says.

rug in living room (15) (1)
via MyDomaine

Note that one part of the house will probably never benefit from rug-layering – the dining room. “Two rugs on top of each other make it difficult to move chairs in and out of table area,” explains Alison Palevsky, owner and principal designer at Palevsky. “The legs of the chairs plus the two rugs feel a bit heavy and busy.”

2019-12-05 12_34_20-Antique Silk Chinese Rug BB6964 by DLB
Antique Silk Chinese Rug
rug in living room (9)
@katepearcevintage

Choose the Bottom-Layer Rug

rug in living room (14)
@undecorated_home

The base rug should be backdrop for the accent rug on top, not the other way round. Picture your room as a stage, says Lawson. “You want to make sure the top rug is center stage and the base rug plays a supporting role.” It means, while choosing the bottom layer, concentrate on natural materials and neutral color palette. “Natural fiber is traditionally what people use, and I would say that looks best 90% of the time,” says Gotfredson, but don’t let that limit you.

rug in living room (13)
@vivyapp

“There are so many options, from chunky and soft jute to a very finely woven sisal that you can experiment with.” Moreover, make interesting juxtapositions that will refresh the décor. “Consider the texture, pile height, shape, and color of the rug you already have—then do the opposite,” says New York-based interior designer Mara Silber. “Plush texture on the bottom? Flatweave on top. Cut pile on the bottom? Woven on top.”

rug in living room (16)
@thithieniii

Obviously, the bottom rug should be larger than the top one. In case of doubts, chose a larger rug than you think is necessary. “I recommend allowing for at least 12 inches of space between the edge of the top layer and the bottom layer. Otherwise, the bottom rug will get lost, and the space will feel cluttered,” says Silber. ” TIP: Never cover more than 3/4 of the bottom rug!

 

Find Your Top-Layer Rug

rug in living room (8)
@hilaryandflo)

Here is your chance to go wild! The accent rug should be the centerpiece of your décor, with interesting colors, textures and patterns. The base carpet set the stage but the top rug is the star!

rug in living room (7)
@___duundich__

“First, raid your parents or grandparents collections!” says Gotfredson. “I feel rugs are something that can have many lives, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a rug in your childhood home that you might see in a new light now!” Her top picks include flat weaves, dhurries, and oushaks—”they never fail to look stylish!”

rug in living room (6)
@the.collection.co
antique-turkish-oushak
Antique Turkish Oushak Rug

Consider that vintage and antique rugs are usually quite costly – you may find one in a smaller, more affordable size and put it on top of the bigger base rug avoiding the sense of emptiness in the room. Given the high price of vintage pieces, this technique will also make small rugs look bigger and more extravagant, adds Lawson. “Layering a vintage rug over sisal is often really cost-effective. Vintage rugs often come in smaller, odd sizes, and layering them over sisal, which can be really inexpensive, is a great way to get the look that you want without the higher price tag.”

rug in living room (5)
@thebustinyhome

Arrange the Furniture

interior decor trends (2)
@landinophoto

“Layered rugs involve a little bit of a dance to strike the right balance,” says Gotfredson. “Is your coffee table glass? Then you can still have the majority of the rug underneath. If you have a solid marble or wood piece, maybe it needs to come out a bit from the sofa and live closer to the front of the room. One layout doesn’t fit all, so be sure to work with your unique space.”

interior decor trends (4)
@home.squared

When styling a small room “try tilting it diagonally and just placing it halfway underneath an accent chair,” she recommends. Otherwise, follow the traditional rule that at least two feet of each piece of furniture should sit on the rug. “[This] helps define the space or seating area,” says Palevsky. “If you go outside of this rule, the furniture pieces don’t always relate to one another, and feel disconnected.”

Swedish Flat Weave Rug N12112 by DLB
Swedish Flat Weave Rug by DLB

Last but not least – have fun with it and enjoy this winter in a snug, hygge atmosphere!

DORIS LESLIE BLAU CAN HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT PERSIAN CARPET OR ORIENTAL RUG. WE HAVE A LARGE SHOWROOM IN NEW YORK CITY PLUS ONLINE CATALOGS AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR HELP CHOOSING A PRODUCT FOR YOUR NEEDS, CONTACT US ONLINE OR CALL 212-586-5511.