How To Layer Rug Over Carpet

When laying an area rug over a hard surface such as hardwood flooring the biggest concern about the rug s movement is that it will slide around.

How to layer rug over carpet.

The key to layering rugs over carpet is to vary the texture. Area rugs generally work best over short pile or looped carpet. In those cases laying a thick luxurious shag rug adds a wonderful sense of softness and elegance to the space. On a hard floor an untethered rug is more likely to slide or slip but when layering area rugs over carpet the rug is more likely to wrinkle or ripple.

Likewise if you have a plush style of carpet installed choosing a low profile berber or woven rug is your best bet. A neutral color with a cut wool pile and no heathering or interesting variation. In those cases laying a thick luxurious shag rug can add a softness and elegance to the space. 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.

Rugs should always be anchored whether used on a hardwood floor or on top of carpet. Choose something with a different texture and or fiber like jute sisal silk. When laying the rug over carpet however the concern is more about the rug wrinkling or rippling which presents a big tripping hazard wrinkling will occur because as one area of the rug is stepped on it will shift assuming it is not properly. In most cases wall to wall carpeting is very basic.

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.