The Dos and Don’ts of Using Rugs on Top of Carpet

Who said you could only place rugs on top of hardwood floors? We didn’t. It may sound like a faux pas, but rugs work well with carpets. That said, like most interior design trends, there is a trick to it. You don’t want to tip the delicate balance between the two because it could be disastrous for the rest of your home. Check out these dos and don’ts for using rugs on top of carpet.

Do Consider Texture

To layer a rug over a carpet, you must consider the texture of both. You need varying textures to pull the look off. Area rugs generally work best over low-pile or looped carpet. Adding a thick and plush or even a shag rug on these surfaces will create a wonderful, soft, and elegant contrast.

Using a rug of the same material won’t have the same effect. If anything, it will seem pointless and cause too much scrutiny. If the roles are reversed, and you’re working with a plush-style carpet, avoid using a plush area rug because the textures are too similar. Instead, look for something thinner and flat woven.

On the other hand, if you have a high-pile carpet like a shag, avoid placing an area rug on top. It won’t have the firm support needed to pull the look off. Plus, you don’t want to deal with it buckling and making the area look messy.

Don’t Skimp on Size

The biggest mistake you can make with area rugs and carpets is getting them too small. People often skimp on the size because they fear what a bigger rug will look like. They’re worried it will clash with the carpet, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. A smaller rug will look out of place and unnatural.

Everything in your home needs to look intentional. There should be a methodical decision process behind every piece of furniture. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the look and more to do with the price. Larger rugs are more expensive. But if you get a large rug now, it could help save you money in the future.

You won’t need to replace the current rug with a bigger size later, which saves you one extra expense. Your rug must be scaled to the size of the room, regardless of what is under the rug. Never place a small rug in the middle of the room without touching any furniture. It will only make the space look awkward.

Do Use a Rug Pad

A rug pad is a must. Don’t assume the texture of the carpet will keep the area rug in place. It won’t. The rug will still slide and move everywhere, making your life harder. No one wants to constantly adjust an area rug.

Place a rug pad on top of the carpet before centering your area rug. It will keep the rug from buckling and prevent trip hazards. Ask the experts which rug pad will work with your carpet and the area rug you’ve chosen. The materials will differ for plush area rugs versus flat, thin ones.

Don’t Run from Color

Don’t be afraid to use some color with your area rug, especially on monochrome carpets. A plain beige carpet practically screams for some color or a patterned area rug. Area rugs are the best way to incorporate color into a space. And it’s easier than picking the right couch.

Plus, there are so many inexpensive options. If you decide to swap out the rug after a few years, it won’t be a huge financial loss. Focus on the theme of the room. The color should make a statement and complement the carpet. Try to refrain from mixing patterns because it will throw off the room.

Do Complement the Decor

Choose a statement rug, but make sure that statement works with what the rest of the room is trying to convey. There should not be two different storylines in one space. Everything should be fluid and easy to read, like a compelling novel.

The primary purpose of placing an area rug over a carpet is aesthetic. Maybe you want to cover up the carpet or bring a new pattern into play. If you plan to add an area rug to an existing design, look at the room’s current color scheme and patterns. Use that as a jumping-off point for finding the right rug.

Don’t Neglect Placement

Think long and hard about the placement of your area rug. Do you plan to place it in a space that’s heavily trafficked? If so, the rug needs to fully cover that area or close to it.

When people stand in the room, they should not have one foot on the rug and another on the carpet. This will result in your guest having one leg raised higher than the other. They’ll feel fidgety and try to orient themselves to find a more level area. This is uncomfortable for your guests and makes things a bit awkward for you. Plus, this can lead to uneven wear patterns on your rug and carpet.

Do Leave Enough Space

This tip may seem contradictory to the previous one, but it’s not. Ideally, you should leave the same amount of floor space on all sides of the rug. Aim for anywhere between 8 and 24 inches on all sides.

The size of the rug should be proportional to the size of the room. Eighteen inches is the most common size, but you can go for about eight inches in a smaller space like a guest room. The biggest goal is to center the rug in the middle of the room. Too much on one side will throw off the rest of the decor.

Don’t Forget To Clean

Finally, you need to clean underneath the rug. People neglect this area more often than you would think because it’s out of sight, out of mind. Whenever you vacuum your custom rugs and carpets, lift the rug up and roll it out of the way. Get underneath so the color of the carpet remains the same all around.

At Koeckritz Rugs, we have lots of tips for styling rugs aside from the dos and don’ts of carpet layering. For more information, visit our website.