Can You Put an Area Rug Over the Carpet? Tips for Perfect Layering

Layered cream pile rug and gray rugs

 Of course, an area rug can be laid on top of the carpet! This method is very functional and adds texture and character to a room. Whether you want to protect the underlying carpet, mask the deterioration of an older carpet, or add some visual layers, it's easy to put down an area rug and get the trick done.

That said, it's not bad to consider a few small things to achieve the style you want; from here, we're going to share some practical steps that will help you layer area rugs on top of the carpet with ease, making a home space friendlier and more peculiar.

Is It Weird to Put an Area Rug on the Carpet?

It's not weird to put an area rug on top of a carpeted room - it's a common and stylish home decorating art.

Many aesthetic and practical possibilities can be realized by putting an area rug on top of the carpet, including:

  • Hiding stains, damage, and imperfections in the carpet
  • Dividing different functional areas
  • Adding some color and texture to a space
  • Extending the life of the carpet
  • Providing additional foot comfort

How to Layer Area Rugs on a Carpet?

Layering area rugs on top of the carpet is one of the best ways to add layers and texture, along with a lot of styles to a space. However, since doing that, a lot of people get a little overwhelmed. How can you avoid looking bulky or cluttering your space? It's quite a bit less difficult to focus on just color, pattern, texture, and size to layer rugs, and it often works surprisingly well.

Layered geometric rugs and braided rugs

Color

The color scheme directly decides the whole atmosphere of the space. If the main carpet already has a rich pattern or bright colors, then choose a simple and solid color for the upper rug that could better set off its characteristics while avoiding visual conflict. For example, a dark-toned main carpet can be combined with a light-colored upper rug in cream or pale yellow to brighten the space and form a natural transition.

If the carpet underneath is a solid or subtle color, then, by all means, be adventurous and try some bright or multicolored top rugs to add dimension and visual appeal to a room. Even different hues within the same color can develop a balanced appearance in a room. Such as an ivory carpet with a coffee or dark gray rug that can lead to a very clean yet layered look. For you, if you like bold color combinations, complementary shades you can consider will make the room vibrant.

Patterns

The overlay of patterns can be tricky when it comes to decorating. Since you would not want any sort of visual clash, you can usually match a richly patterned carpet with an upper rug that is non-patterned or purely clean patterned. For instance, if the main carpet comes with a geometric or floral pattern, you could go for a solid color or nature-inspired patterned upper rug that could make the space neater and more organized.

Mixing and matching works, if you like the style, you can combine classic patterns such as an animal print carpet mixed with a marbled rug, and diamond stripes against camouflage patterns for that layered visual feel.

Texture

It's always best to complement two carpet textures against each other, as opposed to competing with a visual focus against each other. For instance, a thick, soft, shaggy wool carpet can contrast against a flat-weave, low-pile rug to add richness to the space without cluttering the room. If you have a shaggy or high-pile rug, then go for a flatter and tightly woven carpet, such as jute, sisal, or cotton linen.

Also, ensure that the top layer of the rug does not slide or wrinkle from stepping on it, hence eliminating a possible safety hazard. The type of texture chosen should consider the functionality of the room. For example, the bedrooms can use thick ones to add warmth to them, while living rooms will be suitable for durable and easy-to-clean materials.

Size

Choosing the appropriate size makes the rug an accent to the room, not an insignificant piece of decoration. Rugs that are too small catch the eye and cannot create a rapport with the other furnishings in the room; too large ones obscure the quality of the carpet underneath completely. It has been said that an area rug in a living room should extend about two feet beyond either end of the sofa, thus covering key areas without making the rug overwhelming or too confining.

Rugging under a dining room table, for example, requires the rug to be 24 inches bigger on all sides than the perimeter of the table to avoid the catching of dining chairs onto the edge of the rug when pulled out. In using it in a bedroom, you can allow the rug to cover two-thirds of the bed's area, just enough to avoid nightstands and rug overlapping. When layering area rugs, the top rug doesn't need to sit perfectly parallel to the bottom; placing it slightly at an angle will make the room much more dynamic.

Layered braided rugs and irregular shaped rugs

How to Anchor Area Rugs?

Laying a rug over another carpet or directly onto the floor often results in slipping, wrinkling, or unevenness. This doesn't look good and may even cause tripping. Fortunately, there are some effective ways to help you solve these worries.

Use Furniture Anchors

Place furniture over the edges to secure it in place, provided the rug is either beside or beneath the furniture. You can use beds, coffee tables, sofas, or bookshelves with a lot of weight over the edges of the rug to prevent it from sliding and curling. It can help hold the rug down, even without full coverage on all four sides, by putting heavy objects on either side of the rug; for example, placing an armchair on each of the two opposite corners of the rug.

Use a Non-Slip Mat

A non-slip pad is a tool that greatly improves the friction of your rug. Choose an appropriate fitting size anti-slip mat; it should fit perfectly well and snugly on the reverse of the rug to enhance grip, preventing unwanted movement. Anti-slip mats are presented in various materials, including foam and mesh-one can choose the right mat for the thickness of one's rug, something especially suitable when one is using thin rugs that may tend to wrinkle. It can also dampen some of the noise of footsteps with a non-slip pad in the living room or bedroom.

Use Rug Pads

They not only stop rugs from shifting but also add comfort and durability to rugs. A rug pad, placed between the underlying carpet and the hard floor, serves to keep the carpet flat and reduce ripples in it. While choosing rug pads, a lot of care should be taken in their sizing, and it is always best to select non-slip types of materials, like rubber or silicone, that would fit the underlying surface even more.

Use Carpet Tape

You can also use double-sided carpet tape to stick it on the edges and center section between the rug and carpet for flat and sliding or curling. You can choose one that has proper stickiness and softness as well; it should be sticky enough to keep the carpet in place, not so it causes damage after some time.

Apply Double-Sided Rug Tape

A rug clamp, also referred to as that-to-rug clamp," is a handy fixator that doesn't allow the top layer of carpet to wrinkle or slip. In use, the jig is merely the attached carpet edge of the top layer of the carpet, making it more secure on the backing. For larger rugs, the jig ensures that it is laid flat without wrinkling.

Practical Tips

  • In larger rugs, you can combine nonslip pads and furniture fixings to give a double effect of stabilization.
  • Materials for nonslip pads, carpet mats, and tapes do not harm the carpet and floor. Some of the materials are environmentally friendly and odor-free.
  • Non-slip pads or rug pads could work in humidly humid areas and dry areas; carpet tape will be just fine.
  • This will work more effectively than duct tape if the rug is subject to frequent moving or cleaning, by opting for a non-slip pad or carpet jig that is easy to remove.

Bonus: Check This Boho Non-Slip Washable Rug!

Looking for a practical rug and at the same time elevates your home's beauty? Well, the Belleze Boho Non-Slip Washable Rug is a great choice. The pile height is low at 0.1 inches, which is ideal for homes with pets to avoid accumulation of hair and dust, and also scratches of pet claws on the floor. The bottom of the carpet is non-slip due to the TPR material used for its manufacture, which keeps it firmly planted on the floor, hence offering extra security by not sliding even in busy entrances or high-traffic areas.

Boho Non-Slip Washable Rug

This rug is machine washable, and stains are easily removed by washing in cold water with a mild detergent. You can also easily sort out the stubborn creases using a low-temperature iron, so you needn't take any risk of unevenness after cleaning. What's more, every step gives softness to the foot without any tripping risks caused by rug texture. Whether you want to add some style to your home or solve minor hassles of daily use, this rug does the trick.

Conclusion

Putting an area rug over an existing carpet can add functionality and aesthetics. To have the rugs complement each other without calling attention, certain focal points to consider include the color of the rugs, the pattern, the texture, and the size. Non-slip mats and rug pads are effective tools that could be used to keep rugs in their places. Following these tips, rug stacking may add warmth and personality to your home.

If you are looking for area rugs for a living room, that are good-looking and comfortable, added with stain-resistant features, then Belleze Furniture will have their collection ready to meet your needs and preferences.

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