Shag Rug Layering

Jute shag rugs.

Shag rug layering.

Layering rugs works best in a room where you have space and not that much furniture like a bedroom living room or den. The jute rug covers a lot of the floor. If you have a large seating area and are having a problem with floating furniture layering rugs can help. Keep your layered rugs from competing for attention by choosing two with opposing textures to balance each other out.

Area rugs made with natural materials like seagrass sisal or jute feature neutral shades with a low pile so one would work well as a base for your layered rug look. 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. Room sized rugs like a 9 x12 and above can be quite pricey but if you opt for a smaller version of your dream rug you can easily layer it atop a more reasonably priced natural woven or shag for a cost friendly option that achieves a similar look. One of the keys to getting a layered rug look right is texture.

Define a space. Top off your natural fiber rug with handcrafted wool shag sheepskin or hide. Start by considering the texture of the carpet and go for contrast in the rugs you select. As a rule of thumb you can layer two or three rugs at a time but experts say that two is considered the sweet spot.

A looped or low nap carpet will provide an unfussy base for a thick pile or shag rug. We love rugs in equal parts for their ability to liven up a room and well just the fact that they make things so darn cozy. This one is 9 5 13 5. If it has wallpaper or there s a lot going on in the room she suggests mixing a solid rug with a patterned rug.

This is a great way to utilize a rug that s too small on its own but that you really want to showcase. You want the rug to bring life to the floor like in laura s adorable melbourne home shown above where she layered a graphic flat weave over beige carpet and a basic tiled hearth. If the room is on the simpler side fire recommends layering pattern on pattern. In most cases wall to wall carpeting is very basic.

A neutral color with a cut wool pile and no heathering or interesting variation. Natural fiber rugs like sisal or jute provide a neutral base most rugs can pop against. The contrast in color is similar to that of a wood floor making this an easy entrance to the rug layering world. Choose something with a different texture and or fiber like jute sisal silk.