Welcome to a comprehensive guide oncoordinatingarea rugsin adjoining rooms or in open floor plans.
We’ll explore variousrug styles,texturesandcolor schemesto help you master the art of rug coordination. Fromneutralsto bold patterns, fromsisaltojute rugs, we’ll cover it all.
PinI’ve written about many design dilemmas over the years that I’ve been blogging. In fact, I wrote an entire series on The Principles Of Interior Design.
Now that I’m redecorating our main living spaces, choosing rugs that work well together happens to be a new dilemma that I’ve been struggling with myself!
I’m sure that many of you struggle with the same thing, so down below, I’ve put together a roundup of three different rug color categories for you to use when shopping. Any of the rugs in each of the categories would work well together.
But first, let’s dive in and discover how to use two or morearea rugstogether, without them competing with one another.
PinThis post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you. All opinions are my own.See my full disclosure HERE.
Defining Spaces inOpen Floor Plans
Open concept floor planshave become increasingly popular ininterior designover the last couple of decades.
The key challenge to anopen floor planis to define distinct living spaces while maintaining a cohesive flow throughout.
PinUsingarea rugsis an effective tool for visually separating different zones, such as the living room,dining area, and kitchen.
Begin by assessing thelayoutof your space and determining the function for each area and what shape rug will work best in each of the locations.
For example: a round rug will likely work best under a round table in adining space, while a rectangular or square rug will probably be best for a living room orfamily room.
Runners, that match larger rugs, are often available and work well in front of a sink or down a hallway.
TIP: In a living room orfamily room, make sure that thearea rugis large enough that at least the front two feet of yoursofaand any chairs can rest on it. This will help to ground all of the furnishings and visually connect the entire seating area.
CoordinatingRugs InAdjoining Rooms
My foyer has two openings – one opens into our home office, which opens into the dining room.
Pin
PinThe other opens into the family room.
PinEven though I do my best to keep all of the decor cohesive between the rooms, finding area rugs for these three rooms, that don’t fight with one another, is something I’ve had to learn to do.
There are twotricksforcoordinatingrugs inadjacent roomsand achieving acohesive look– one is with color and the other is with pattern.
As a general rule, begin by identifying the primarycolor schemeused in both rooms. Look for rugs withcomplementary colorsor patterns that harmonize with each other.
For example: if thedining roomfeatures ageometricpatterned ruginshadesof blue, choose acoordinating rugfor theliving areathat incorporates complementary blues in a different pattern ortexture. This will create a visual connection between the rooms while allowing each rug to stand on its own.
Another example: use alarge scale patternin the living room with asolid colororsmall scale patternin thedining room. Stripeswork well with other patterns too.
TIP: Yes, you can have two different floral orgeometricpatterned rugsin the same area. The key is to vary the scale of each pattern (one small and one large) and to use the same orcomplementary colors.
EmbraceTexture
Texturealways plays a crucial role in the world ofinterior design, including the selection ofarea rugs.
Natural fiber rugs, such assisalor jute, are excellent choices for introducingtextureto your space. Their earthy tones effortlessly blend with differentdecoratingstyles andcolor schemes.
PinTo create depth and visual interest, considerlayeringaneutral-tonedjute rugunderneath apatterned rugin aliving area. The combination oftexturescreates an inviting space with instant coziness.
Ifnatural fiber rugsaren’t your thing, consider addingtexturewith awoolrug. They can be a little pricier than synthetic rugs, but they offer a luxurious feel underfoot, are very durable and won’t show signs of wear for many years.
One way to add the appearance oftexture, is to opt for a tone-on-tonearea rugin an understatedivoryorbeigewith a subtle pattern. Even better if thepileheights within the rug vary in size.
LayerRugs for Depth and Dimension
Layeringrugs is a popular technique that adds depth and dimension to any floor plan.
It allows you to combine differenttexturesand patterns while creating visual boundaries between spaces.
This concept was great when my living room was decorated with neutral furnishings, but can work well in any situation with the right rug combination.
PinYou’ll see it done most often with aliving room rug, but it also works well in a bedroom.
Start by selecting a largerarea rug, with either no pattern or asmall scale pattern, as the baselayer, preferably in aneutralcolor or natural fiber. For example, asisalrug can serve as a durable andneutralcolored foundation.
On top of the base rug, add asmaller rugwith a bolder pattern orcolor scheme. This can be ageometricorpatterned rugthat complements anadjoining roomor introduces a new element to the overall design.
Thelayeringtechnique adds visual interest and allows you to experiment with variousrug stylesto create a truly unique and personalized look.
TIP:Layeringone rug on top of another is the key to adding instant coziness and a feeling of havingdecorthat has been collected over time to a room.
CoordinatingNeutralsfor a Timeless Look
Neutral rugsaren’tboringand are a staple when it comes to pulling rooms together. They provide a foundation that is versatile and are one of theeasiest waysto complement various design styles and color palettes.
PinConsider incorporating them into youropen floor planin colors such asivory,creamorbeige.
The combination ofneutrals, in various tones and patterns, creates a harmonious and balanced atmosphere throughout your space.
TIP: When it comes to large items such as rugs, furniture and walls, having aneutral color palettecreates a timeless design that can adapt to evolvingdecortrends and your own personal changes in taste.
Harmonizing Colors and Patterns
If acolor schemeis your main consideration when purchasing a rug, you don’t have to use colors that match.
Using rugs in differingshadesof complimentary colors will give a cohesive visual flow throughout a space.
PinCan you pair warm earth tones orshadesof gray with cool, vibrant colors? Absolutely! Just be sure that there is someshadeof the dominant color in each of the rugs to help them tie together.
Additionally, consider the scale of patterns whencoordinatingrugs. Alarge-scale patternon one rug can be balanced by a smaller-scale pattern on another.
Alternatively, you can choose rugs with similar patterns but in different scales to create a coordinated yet visually interesting look.
Matching Rugsfor a Unified Look
To achieve a truly unified look in youropen floor plan, consider incorporatingrugs with matching colorsthroughout the space.
PinIt’s a no-fail way to create cohesiveness and visual continuity.
If you use rugs that are an exact match, add interest by using different sizes and shapes of the samerug pattern.
In Summary
To create acohesive lookacrossopen floor plans, it’s important to consider the overall design and style of your space. Chooserug stylesthat complement your existingdecorand reflect your personal taste.
PinFor example, if yourinterior designleans towards a contemporary aesthetic, opt for rugs with clean lines andgeometricpatterns. If you prefer a more traditional or bohemian style, look for rugs with intricate designs or vibrant colors.
To tie the entire space together, select rugs withcomplementary colorsthat are repeated throughout different areas. This repetition of colors creates a sense of unity and harmony.
Additionally, consider incorporating elements oftextureto add visual interest and variety. Mixnatural fiber rugs, like jute orsisal, with rugs featuring differentpileheights or materials to create a layered and textured look.
Whether you’re defining spaces in an open-concept floor plan,coordinatingrugs inadjoining rooms, or aiming for acohesive lookacross your entireliving space, these tips and techniques will help you create a harmonious and inviting environment that reflects your personal style.
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT RUG COMBINATIONS
Natural Fiber Rugs
PinChunky Jute With Tassels | Braided Jute Rug | Hand-woven Jute Blend
Checker Weave Seagrass | Braided Jute With Border | Grassland Hand-woven Jute
Anna Scalloped Jute | Hand-woven Chevron | Hand-woven Birdseye Diamond
Ivory and Gray with Blue
Pin1) Blue Shaded Medallion 2) Blue Honeycomb Labyrinth 3) Shaded Medallion
4) Blue Bordered Floral5) Distressed Medallion 6) Oriental Herati
7) Hectoria Shaded Medallion 8) Persian Wreath 9) Dark Blue Tasseled Medallion
Ivory and Gray with Tan
Pin1) Shaded Snowflakes2) Cardinal Cartouche 3) Croix Medallion
4) Garnished Medallion 5) Crested Venetian 6) Faded Sun Medallion
7) Distressed Medallion 8) Native Collage 9) Fading Herati
Multi Colored and Vibrant
Pin1) Multi Mosaic 2) Withered Bloom 3) Vibrant Meadow
4) Cardinal Peony 5) Mardin Regal 6) Moroccan Trellis
7) Fading Oriental Medallion 8) Muted Floral 9) Frilly Corinthian
The possibilities are endless. Just remember that each rug is a unique representation of your personality and design style. And don’t worry about breaking any so called “rules”. It’s your home – make it a place that you love!
Pin