When it comes to interior design, there’s a timeless appeal to mixing different textures, patterns, and materials. One such approach gaining popularity is layering antique rugs over natural sisal or jute rugs. This trend not only boosts the aesthetic of a space but also offers functional benefits and enhances the overall surface area of your room. Here’s why rug layering is a design hack worth trying.
Source: @archdigest
The Beauty of Antique Rugs
Antique rugs are treasured for their history, intricate designs, and rich colors. Each piece tells a unique story, adding character and warmth to any room. They’re more than just functional textiles; they are works of art that elevate the visual appeal of your space. Whether you’re drawn to Persian, Turkish, or Oriental styles, antique rugs can be a focal point in any room, adding depth, personality, and texture. Shop our curated collection of handmade, vintage and antique rugs here.
But, as beautiful as they are, antique rugs are an investment. Finding a larger antique area rug to fill a room at the right price point can be difficult. That’s where layering comes in. A room-sized natural fiber rug can offer a neutral base for any antique accent rug, which provides an affordable, versatile and design forward solution to filling a room. Not to mention, by placing an antique rug over a more durable foundation, you can protect its fibers while still showcasing its beauty.
Why Layer Over Natural Fiber Rugs?
Natural jute or sisal rugs are the perfect backdrop for antique rugs for several reasons:
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Durability: Jute and sisal are tough, natural fibers that can handle heavy foot traffic. They are perfect for high-traffic areas like living rooms, hallways, or dining rooms. The natural rug creates a sturdy base for your antique rug, helping to preserve the more delicate fibers underneath.
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Textural Contrast: Natural fibers have a rough, textured feel that complement the finer textures of antique rugs. The contrast between the smoothness and intricacy of the antique rug and the natural, rustic quality of a natural fiber creates a balanced and visually intriguing combination.
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Neutral Palette: Jute or sisal rugs typically come in neutral shades like tan, beige, and brown. These muted tones provide a subtle backdrop that allows the vibrant colors and patterns of antique rugs to shine. It’s the perfect way to showcase the intricate designs of an antique rug without overwhelming the space.
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Eco-friendly: Jute and sisal are a natural, renewable material, making them an environmentally friendly choice for your home. If sustainability is important to you, using a natural rug as a base for your antique rug allows you to incorporate sustainable materials into your decor while still enjoying the beauty of a vintage or antique piece.
Increasing Surface Area with Layering
One of the key functional benefits of layering antique rugs over natural rugs is the ability to increase the surface area of your space. Here’s how it works:
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Expanding the Visual Space: When you layer rugs, you can create the illusion of a larger, more expansive room. A layered rug setup can visually break up a large space and make it feel cozier and more inviting. By extending the surface area of the rug over a greater portion of the floor, you bring more focus to the area while creating a unified look.
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Protecting the Floor: Layering allows you to preserve your flooring beneath while still creating a stunning rug arrangement. Whether you have hardwood floors or tile, layering rugs over the surface will protect your floors from wear and tear, all while increasing the area covered by rugs.
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Customization: With multiple layers of rugs, you have the freedom to adjust the shape and size of the rug setup to suit your space. You can choose to layer multiple smaller antique rugs for a patchwork effect or center a single antique rug on top of a larger jute rug. This flexibility helps you maximize the coverage and functionality of your rugs.
Source: @archdigest
How to Style the Combination
Now that you know the benefits of layering antique rugs over natural fiber rugs, here are some tips to help you style the combination in your home:
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Choose the Right Proportions: When layering, it's important to choose rugs that fit the scale of the room. Ideally, the jute or sisal rug should be larger than the antique rug, allowing the edges of the antique rug to be framed by the natural material.
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Play with Color and Pattern: If your antique rug features intricate patterns or rich colors, keep the jute or sisal rug neutral to avoid competing elements. However, if you have a more subdued antique rug, feel free to experiment with natural rugs in different shades or patterns that still complement the overall aesthetic.
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Anchor the Rugs with Furniture: Layering rugs can also help define different areas in an open-plan room. Use furniture like sofas or coffee tables to anchor the rugs in place, creating a defined space that feels cohesive and intentional.
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Add a Rug Pad: To keep the antique rug from shifting on the jute rug, consider adding a thin rug pad between the two layers (try this one). This will prevent any slippage and help keep your setup looking neat.
Sources: @archdigest (left), @archdigest (right)
Conclusion: A Timeless and Practical Combination
Layering antique rugs over natural jute or sisal rugs is a simple yet impactful design trick that adds both beauty and function to your home. The combination of textures, durability, and increased surface area creates a harmonious look that is both stylish and practical. Whether you're preserving a vintage or antique rug, adding warmth to a space, or creating a visually dynamic environment, this design strategy is a surefire way to enhance any room. With the right mix of textures, colors, and proportions, you can elevate your interiors while preserving the integrity of your prized antique rugs.
Product Recommendations
Now that you understand the rug layering basics, it's time to put this design hack to use. There are many great options for natural fiber rugs - sisal and jute being two of our favorites.
The Rush House Original Rug (left) is a rug that keeps popping up in Architectural Digest's home tours, we pulled our rug layering inspiration from Studio MUKA’s Los Angeles home. This rug is made of hand pulled seagrass and woven into a tactile grid. This rug is completely customizable. It can be purchased in one foot increments and sewn together to fit any space. The Havenhurst Handmade Jute Rug from Lulu and Georgia is a pricier jute version, which has a tighter, flatter weave and offers different color options.
The Sisal and Jute rug from MARTHA STEWART x SAFAVIEH (middle) is an affordable option offered in multiple colors and sizes. This rug offers a low profile, uniform weave with a rubber underside so it stays put.
The SAFAVIEH Cape Cod Collection Area Rug (right) is another affordable option that offers a dynamic weave pattern in 100% handwoven jute.
Other options include the Hart Jute Rug from Revival or the Custom Sisal Rug from Pottery Barn.
Pair any of these natural fiber rugs with an antique or vintage accent rug from Chamonix House to add warmth and style to your home.