Heather Nette King is a Melbourne-based interiors stylist and writer for many leading interior titles and newspapers. The hallmarks of her styling are colour and vibrancy, and she writes passionately about peoples’ homes and how they live in them.
The art of layering rugs may be one of the trickier interior design challenges to get your head around, but it has so many aesthetic benefits that it is one worth trying to master. A room of beautifully layered rugs has a complexity and depth that a room simply carpeted, or with only a timber or stone floor, cannot compare to. Layered rugs also show a lovely level of confidence, and they can add anchor or add weight to any décor scheme.
Over the years, various decorating trends have embraced the layered rug look. Old English countryside homes were known for layering rugs – and this was as much for practicality, such as keeping warm – as it was for aesthetics. Similarly, rug layering formed an important part of the Danish concept of Hygge, which derives from a Norwegian word for ‘hug’ and loosely translated into English means ‘to be comforted and get cosy’. How lovely is that? But going even further back, there’s the Bohemian trend, which is said to have started in the early nineteenth century in Paris and was further popularised by The Bloomsbury Group in London in the early 20th Century. Long associated with arty-types and eccentrics, the style aimed to be carefree and relaxed, individual, and free of the shackles of society. Furniture, rugs, art, and lifestyle were creatively composed, with little care for the rules of their contemporaries.
Whether round, small, rectangular or runners, any area rug will add to the sense of completion in a room. These days, many decorating styles will benefit from some creative rug work – so here is a guide to some of the most popular options.
High-end farmhouse
This is a beautiful design trend that I am loving right now. It combines the best of relaxed country living – think natural textures and warm timber finishes - yet it is being given a level of luxe through the addition of a more traditional and refined style of rug that will elevate any room in the country (or even on the coast). I’d start with the Avenue rug in ‘Beige’ and place the Arielle rug in ‘Leila’ on top of it – stunning!
Enduring pretty pastels
The world’s love of pink never seems to abate – but this pretty hue subtly changes to embrace and work with other trends. These days, popular pinks will work with warm neutrals like linen, sage, stone and pale clay. I’d love to see the unpatterned but extremely luxurious looking Laguna rugs in ‘Linen’ and ‘Pink’ layered together to achieve this dreamy scheme.
Modern global style
This look is a chic, contemporary blend of black and whites warmed up with some neutral rugs and an eclectic, well-travelled collection of furniture and accessories. The rugs are very textured, with deep loop piles and geometric weavings. A great way to achieve this stylish, globally-inspired look is with the Makalu rug and the wonderfully chunky Harvest rug, or even the Harlow rug with the Avalon Diamond rug.
It may take a bit of time to create the best rug layering combinations for your home but remember, you can always get expert advice from your local Carpet Court store. And once you have the hang of it, I bet you’ll be tempted to add even more.
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