How To Skillfully Mix, Match, And Coordinate Rugs Like A Pro
Discover how to effortlessly mix and match rugs to create a cohesive look and feel in your home.
Area rugs play a crucial role in home decor, offering more than just warmth underfoot. Coordinating area rugs thoughtfully in our homes, especially in open-concept homes, can add beauty and cohesiveness and create a seamless sense of flow to our living spaces.
Let’s explore easy yet impactful methods for coordinating area rugs and discover where to find complementary options. In the post below, I’m sharing some of my favorite sources. Here are key insights to effortlessly achieve that designer aesthetic through mixing and matching rug choices
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Things To Know About Using Area Rugs In A Room
Before understanding the art of pairing area rugs, we need to cover the essentials, especially in an open floor plan. Here’s what you need to know about using area rugs in a room, setting the stage for successful rug styling.
Benefits Of An Area Rug
Here are some of the main benefits of using an area in a living space…
Protection for Flooring: Area rugs act as a protective barrier for underlying flooring, protecting it from scratches, spills, and wear and tear. This is especially important in high-traffic areas or in busy households where floors are prone to damage.
Comfort Underfoot: Area rugs provide a soft and comfortable surface to walk on, especially on hard flooring materials like wood or tile. They add a layer of cushioning, making the room more inviting, comfortable, and less noisy.
Defined Zones: Area rugs help define specific areas within a room, such as seating areas in living rooms or dining spaces, especially in open-plan layouts. By visually delineating these zones, rugs contribute to the flow within the space.
Easy Decor Updates: Area rugs offer a convenient way to update and refresh a room’s look without the need for major renovations. By simply swapping out rugs, you can instantly transform the ambiance and style of your space.
Texture, Color, and Style: Area rugs are essential for adding texture, color, and style to a room. Rugs contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of the room.
Area rugs play a crucial role in home decor, offering more than just warmth underfoot. Mixing and matching area rugs thoughtfully in our homes can add beauty and cohesiveness and create a seamless sense of flow to our living spaces. Let’s look at simple yet effective ways to mix and match area rugs. Here are 7 tips to achieve that designer look by mixing and matching rugs effortlessly.
Choosing The Right Size Rug
When adding an area rug to a room, it’s important to consider the rug’s size in relation to the room’s dimensions and the furniture in it.
A common rule of thumb is that the rug should be large enough to encompass the main furniture grouping in the space, such as a sofa and chairs in a living room or a dining table and chairs in a dining room. Ideally, a rug should extend beyond the edges of the furniture to anchor the seating area and create a cohesive look.
It is also important to make sure that there is enough space between the rug and the walls of the room to maintain balance and proportion. A rug that is too small can make the room feel disjointed and visually shrink the space, while a rug that is too large can overwhelm the room and make it appear cluttered.
Using The Same Area Rug
Using the same rug in two areas of your home might be a smart idea. It’s not only a safe way to decorate a space, but it also simplifies the design process. Once you find the perfect area rug, why not use it again in your home? The same area rug can make two areas feel unified.
When a rug extends across multiple rooms or areas, it visually expands the floor area, making the space feel larger and more open. This is particularly beneficial in smaller homes or rooms where making a space look and feel larger is a priority.
My best advice if you like the cohesive look of using the same rug throughout some areas of your home is to choose a solid rug with texture, like sisal.
Texture is a great way to add interest to a space without adding a pattern. And a sisal rug is a wonderful choice when you want to decorate with the same rug.
Sisal Rugs Best Picks
Area Rugs Add Texture To A Space
An area rug’s primary advantage lies in its capacity to add visual interest and depth to a room. Regardless of the layout, all spaces can be enhanced by rugs boasting diverse textures, particularly in homes with open concepts that feature fewer walls and more expansive areas. Texture adds a sense of coziness and warmth to a home. This is where jute rugs shine, offering a neutral base that blends seamlessly while providing much-needed textural richness.
I love using jute rugs in our home. They are a blank slate of texture that works with any style and color story.
Using Color To Mix And Match Rugs
One of the most effective ways to mix and match area rugs in a home is through thoughtful color coordination. By carefully selecting rugs that have elements of the same color story, you can create a cohesive and unified look throughout your space.
Select one dominant color to serve as the anchor for your rug selection. This color should be prominent in the room’s decor and will help tie the various rugs together visually.
Once you’ve established your dominant color, look for rugs that incorporate complementary colors from the same color family. These could be shades that are slightly lighter or darker than your dominant color, adding a bit of interest while still working with the overall color palette.
Remember, they will be separated and in different areas of the home, so you don’t have to get too matchy-matchy. Rugs can be a bit different as long as there is some coordination between them.
Mixing Rug Patterns
Patterns play an important role in interior design, tying spaces together and adding personality to a room. When it comes to mixing and matching rugs, patterns can create movement and interest in our living spaces. Here’s how you can use patterns in rugs to create beautiful integrated spaces.
Determine Your Space’s Mood And Style
Before selecting rugs with patterns, consider the overall mood or style you want to create in the room and choose a rug style that works best. Are you aiming for a modern and minimalist look, or do you prefer a more traditional and ornate feel?
Personally, I like the idea of rugs that have the same mood working together in a home. However, considering these rugs will be in different areas of a home, I think we can get creative and mix different styles.
Even though the styles of these rugs below are different, they can be mixed and matched to look cohesive in a home.
hobnail handwoven performance rug | millie gold charcoal rug | poly 1 area rug
celine cheetah rug | traditional area rug | ottawa rug
5 Steps For Finding Your Unique Decorating Style And How To Use It will help you understand the decor you love and how to put your style to work, helping you decorate your home.
Mix Scale And Proportion
When mixing patterns in rugs, it’s also important to vary the scale and proportion of the designs. Pair a large-scale patterns with a small scale pattern to prevent the rooms from feeling overwhelmed. For example, if you have a bold geometric rug, balance it out with a rug featuring a more subtle pattern or a solid-colored rug like a sisal.
However, the further apart rugs are, say, in a living area and in a hall, scale and proportion become less important, and they can be tied together by color.
Why Scale And Proportion Are So Important is full of easy-to-understand, doable, and repeatable designer tips you can use in your home.
Balance Patterns With A Solid Area Rug
While patterns can add personality to a room, you might want to balance them with solid-colored rugs or furnishings to prevent visual overload. Incorporate solid-colored rugs to provide visual rest and create a sense of balance within the space. This will allow the patterns to shine without overwhelming your living spaces.
Types Of Popular Rugs
Finding the perfect area rugs to mix and match in your home depends on finding the right style of rug for each room. Here are some of the most popular styles.
Traditional Rugs: Traditional rugs feature classic designs and motifs that are often inspired by historical patterns and cultural traditions. They typically incorporate intricate details, rich colors, and sometimes even bold patterns, adding a timeless elegance to any space. Look for Turkish, Aubusson, Tribal, Oriental, and Persian rugs. Oriental rugs are the most popular in this category.
Transitional Rugs: Transitional rugs bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary elements that blend classic designs with modern, often neutral colors and textures. They offer a timeless appeal that suits a variety of decor styles, making them a versatile choice for any room.
Contemporary Or Modern Rugs: Contemporary rugs feature bold designs, abstract patterns, and often vibrant colors that reflect current trends in interior design. They add a modern and eclectic touch to a space, serving as statement pieces. Shag rugs and Sculpted rugs are a couple of examples of contemporary rugs.
Bohemian Rugs: These rugs are known for their eclectic, free-spirited designs characterized by vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and a mix of cultural influences. They often feature geometric motifs, floral designs, or tribal patterns, reflecting a sense of global wanderlust and artistic expression.
Flat Weave Rugs: Flat weave rugs are woven on a loom without a pile, resulting in a flat and lightweight texture. They come in a variety of patterns and colors and are known for their durability and versatility. Flat weave rugs are ideal for high-traffic areas and can be easily layered with other rugs for added dimension. Examples of Flat Weave Rugs are Kilim, Dhurrie, and Soumak. The area in which these rugs are made often gives them their names.
Washable Rugs: Washable rugs are designed to withstand regular washing and cleaning, making them ideal for busy households with kids and pets that are prone to spills and stains. They come in a variety of materials and styles and are easy to maintain for long-lasting freshness.
Hide Rugs: Hide rugs are made from animal hides, such as cowhide or sheepskin. They are wonderfully tactile and have natural variations in color and texture. Hide rugs add warmth and texture to a space and can be used to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Indoor/Outdoor Rugs: These versatile floor coverings are designed to withstand both indoor and outdoor environments. Made from durable materials such as polypropylene, polyester, nylon, or synthetic blends, these rugs are built to resist fading, moisture, mold, and mildew, making them ideal for high-traffic areas, patios, porches, decks, and even entryways. They are also perfect for hallways, an entryway, and a dining room.
Other Things To Keep In Mind
- Today, almost any rugs can be combined, and seem mismatched. However, achieving this effortlessly chic mismatched look requires a bit of finesse. If boho isn’t a style you love, tread carefully.
- When mixing rugs, consider scale, color, texture, and style – these elements play a pivotal role in creating a pulled-together space.
- The further apart the rugs are in your home, the greater freedom you have to select ones that might not coordinate perfectly.
- The patterns and colors of your mixed rugs will significantly influence your home decor, shaping its overall aesthetic.
- Whether to choose rugs before furnishings or vice versa remains a timeless debate. Each approach has its own merits, and there is no hard and fast rule.
- Simplify your mix-and-match process by opting for rug collections, eliminating the guesswork.
- Ultimately, if a rug combination resonates with you, embrace it wholeheartedly! Your space should reflect your personal style and preferences.
Mastering the art of coordinating area rugs in your home will make decorating easier and elevate the look and feel of your home. With these expert tips and insights, you’re equipped to decorate your space with confidence and style. Embrace the versatility of rugs and let your creativity work its magic in your home.
FAQs About Mixing And Matching Rugs
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Rugs In Our Home
Happy decorating!
Thank you Yvonne for this post! As you know, I am in the midst of this mix and match thing. Still struggling to find a rug for my office thats reasonably priced to go with the mustard entry rug which is seen from my great room that has a jute rug.
Connie follow these tips and go to Annie Selke:https://annieselke.com/
The rugs are a bit pricey but they are just gorgeous. You can probably find a rug there.
It was your comment in The Decorating Panel that inspired me to write this post. I hope it helped!
All of the rugs that you featured are absolutely beautiful and I would love to have them in my home but they are way out of my price range. Could you possibly post some rugs that would work and are not as expensive?
These rugs are so beautiful! They are just examples to go along with the tips. Check Target, Wayfair, Walmart and Amazon. Hope this helps.
Hello, this post is so timely for me and want to send a big thank you your way! I’m right in the middle of being overwhelmed by choosing several rugs to go in an open floor plan. These tips have already helped get me thinking in the right direction! Thanks so much!! Robin
This thrills me, Robin. Use these tips and you will be fine.
GREAT POST! I especially appreciate that in addition to th pictures, you actually provide links to the rugs that are shown! I’m in the process of decorating a new house, and will definitely be coming back to this post for some purchases!!!
Hi Vicki, once you understand how to use the tips you will be able to choose rugs that work together. Congratulation on your new home!
This is a very helpful post. When I first moved into my open concept home, rugs were a mystery to me. Afraid of making a mistake, I bought two of the same pattered rugs for the living area and dining space. I know! Boring, right? I’ve since changed my chairs & toss cushions in the living room and bought a new rug. I’ve left the dining area bare. I’m going to take this advice and find a coordinating rug for under my table. No more matchy, matchy.
Good for you Joanna!
I am a lover of area rugs.I have done the mix and match in my home.The dining and living room are close to each other so I chose a medallion rug for the living room and a diamond pattern for the dining room both in neutrals and grays, looks so good together.Also have the diamond pattern in a rug at the front door entrance.After much searching, all rugs are wool and bought at Target.I was lucky to get one of the rugs on sale.The rugs in your post are beautiful.
Sounds like you are loving mix and match rugs, Doreen
Yvonne, thank you so much for this amazing info. I will certainly do a great job choosing my rugs now.
You are welcome.
Hi Yvonne,
I was wondering your thoughts about rug pads? Do you think they are needed for the rugs in this post?
What a great question! A rug pad pad keeps a rug from slipping and extends the life of a rug. I buy felt rug pads that are backed in a non-skid material. Here’s my favorite:https://amzn.to/3tzIhCj
Thank you so much for posting this! I plan to buy 3 different rugs in for the main area of my home and this was so helpful!
Thank you so much for sharing this post. I am absolutely in love with your living room rug. May I ask where you purchased it?
It is really a lovely rug. Here you go:https://rstyle.me/+DF9OcYN_rlfzShtOr5HJgw
What a perfect timing for this topic! I’ve been on a rug hunt…how did you know? ? And of course I need help! ..I have a off white braided round jute rug in my kitchen and immediately next to the room is a sunroom that I need to add a rug in. I will be using a much larger rug and was going to go with another jute rug to keep it simple for me to decorate seasonally yet have some texture. Should I go with the off white jute since they would be so close to each other or can I try the natural jute? Also would it matter what pattern of jute I got since it will be near the braided one? Although separate rooms, these rugs would be about 4 feet apart.thank you so much for the advice!
Perfect timing Yvonne. I am shopping for kitchen rug and one coming in from my garage. I have an open floor plan. Great tips!
Me again…
Are jute rugs a challenge to keep clean? We live in Minnesota…but we are also empty nesters. Considering one as you enter from my garage. Unfortunately I do not have a mud room. Thoughts?
Great question June. The place where you enter from your garage is probably not the best place to put a jute rug. they clean up easily but real ground in dirt can be a bit of a problem. Use them in an area that does not get dirty feet fresh from the outdoors.
This article is very informative! I just got my first apartment and have spent countless hours searching for rugs! I have a living room/dining combo and the living room rug I selected was a multicolor tribal shag with tassels. I’m now searching for a round rug for my round dining table.
I appreciate the insight and I may take your suggestion to pull a solid color (gray/cream) from the living room rug. All the other colors in my living room rug are too bright- blue/yellow/orange/pink/green. Initially I was going to do the same tribal design (gray/cream) but I’m not sure !
Would love to know your thoughts! Thank you
Sounds perfect. I adore tribal rugs!
Where can I find a rug on your post
Hi Joy,
Click on the green links and they will take you to the rugs.
Thanks, Yvonne! This is such helpful advice! I liked seeing all the pictures you used. Have a great weekend!
Happy Week, Mary Ann.
Thank you for the informative rug blog. Do you think Ruggable rugs are a good choice?
I love ruggables, especially for under a table.
Oh how amazing these ideas of yours are. I would have never thought to do these things. I love them, and plans to put them to work in my own decorations.
So glad this post has helped you Ivory!
Yvonne, This has always been my problem area…. rugs. But you made this so easy. You gave us the basics in a language that newbies can understand. Thank you so very much. I think I can do this now.
I’m so glad this post has helped.
I love your work. RE: how to mix and match rugs
Can you tell me or provide the links for the gray oriental and the light jute rug. I tried calling them up but it just went to Wayfair and not directly to the product. Please advise. Much appreciated.
I’m sorry those rugs must be out of stock.
Love all your rug combinations. They are beautiful. Most have tan hues however, I do not want to let go of my colors of grey and white wool rugs and subtle gray white (BM Collingwood) walls in my open concept ranch home that has a bit of contemporary minimalist appearance with corner white wood fireplace. One wall is painted a contrasting color of weimaraner My question addresses my entrance. I am in need of a recommendation for my entry, either a wool round area rug in grey and white or gray and some other color that can blend for entry and in some pattern or no pattern. Tan hue will not be a fit I do not think. My two area rugs are both wool gray and subtle white geometric on the perimeter with subtle gray small gray areas within them in sizes 10 x 14 and 8 x 10 respectively . The entry door door is deep brown beveled with beveled side lite also. I feel the a round rug placed in the entry lends to it presenting in a more sophisticated appearance than what a rectangular rug would appear all the way down the hall. The problem is that I do not know what colors to make it. Currently it is just a tan with black round wool pattern. The entry has side rooms off either side. One side opens to a smaller hall with two bedrooms and a full bath in between that I have decorated to be a powder room. The room on the other side serves as a library/den and has double glass doors. Wood floors throughout in medium brown. White crown molding throughout and the entry hall is 6 ft x 15 feet and opens into the open concept living room dining room kitchen with white cabinets & white kitchen island (am open to painting the island). Just do not want to put $30-$50,000 in this home that is only 8 y/o because I will likely next move to a condominium as I am age 72. Would have changed to navy with total white walls, however, my granite countertops are white, deep gray, and light gray. So I do not want to replace all of the granite even though that is going out of style also. Any suggestions regarding a color or style or both in a rug that would blend with neutral or gray hues instead of tan in the entrance would be appreciated. And then if you have a site for me to view please present it. Thank any of you that have taken the time to read this lengthy comment- really a question!!
Hi Deb, your home sounds beautiful. It’s really hard to consult you on what rug to put in your entryway without seeing lots of pictures. Although your description is very thorough, what I am imagining might not be at all what your home actually looks like. I do have a few suggestions for you. I would put a rectangle rug in the entryway. A round rug would “cut off” the hall. Also it seems you have a lot of gray, black and white in your home. I’d bring in other neutrals too. You can use beige or cream or other warmer colors if you watch their undertones. You might like to read: Can I Mix Warm And Cool Colors here: https://www.stonegableblog.com/can-you-mix-warm-and-cool-colors-in-decor/. Your decor sound just beautiful, Deb. If you want to email me lots of pictures of your home I can probably help you out better.
Great article! Is there anyway to find those particular rugs? A link?
There are links. Maybe some of the rugs are out of stock.
Hi Yvonne,
You have been so much help as I am starting a new chapter in my life and downsizing into a new home by myself. I really love the Kali rug in your living room (the natural with diamond pattern). My living room and dining room are all in one big space. I’m thinking that I need to use 2 different rugs so that each is considered it’s own space. I would like to use a blue rug in the dining room space. Is there a blue rug that would coordinate nicely with the Kali or would it just be best to use a plain natural/jute for the living room?
Thanks so much!
Hi Tracy, congratulations on the new chapter of your life. You are right to think about using two different rugs for different areas in your home. the Kali rug is beautiful and has been very durable. The pictures don’t do it justice. There are many rugs that have a blue color story that would work with the Kali. I would suggest the blue rug have some natural colors in it and be a smaller pattern, like the gorgeous Whitehaven rug, here:https://rstyle.me/+X0pM-XR2KYTNA9V8F2Bf6w
I am still trying to decide on the colors of the rug I want in our living room. You have presented some amazing ideas. Now it’s just a matter of deciding now. Thank you for sharing all these fabulous ideas.
Ivory, you are so welcome. Just use the pro tips and I think it will help you narrow your choices down.