Short answer: To layer rugs, set a smaller rug on top of a larger, calmer one so that 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm) of the base rug shows around the edges, which means pairing sizes that are at least one step apart, such as a 5' x 8' over an 8' x 10' or a 9' x 12'. You do not need a second rug pad under one of our washable rugs, because a cushioned, non-slip modular pad is included with each one and slides into the pockets on the rug. We have not tested layering our rugs, and we make no promise that a layered rug will never move, so lay the stack out and check it before you commit.
Layering is a quick way to add colour and pattern to a room without replacing the main rug. It is also the point where a rug can start to shift or catch a foot, so the size pairing, the pad and the edges matter as much as the look.
On This Page
- How do you layer rugs?
- Which rug sizes layer well?
- Do I need a rug pad when layering?
- How do you keep layered rugs from slipping?
- How do you clean layered rugs?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our washable rugs
How do you layer rugs?
Start with the base rug, then add the top rug. Most of the effect comes from a few choices, and these are general advice that we have not tested on our own rugs.
- Start with a calm base: a larger rug in a quiet colour or a soft pattern gives the top rug room to stand out.
- Contrast through colour and pattern: all of our washable rugs share the same soft chenille surface, and the patterns are digitally printed rather than woven at different pile heights, as our guide to how we design our washable rugs explains. Two of our rugs will therefore feel alike underfoot, so the contrast comes from scale, colour and pattern, not texture.
- Share one colour: pick two rugs that have one colour in common, or one that repeats a colour from your sofa or curtains, so the layers read as a pair.
- Turn the top rug: setting it slightly off the square, or off-centre, looks deliberate.
- Think about the furniture: place the legs of the sofa or chairs fully on the top rug, or fully off it, rather than on the edge, so nothing tips over the step.
Which rug sizes layer well?
The base rug should show evenly on every side. Our rugs come in five sizes, and the table shows how much of the base you see when a smaller rug sits centred on it with both rugs facing the same way. The border figures are simple arithmetic from the rug sizes.
Which rug sizes layer well?
| Top rug | Base rug | Base showing along the long edges / at the short ends |
|---|---|---|
| 3' x 5' (approximately 91 x 152 cm) | 5' x 8' (approximately 152 x 244 cm) | 12 inches (30 cm) / 18 inches (46 cm) |
| 3' x 5' | 8' x 10' (approximately 244 x 305 cm) | 30 inches (76 cm) / 30 inches (76 cm) |
| 5' x 8' | 8' x 10' | 18 inches (46 cm) / 12 inches (30 cm) |
| 5' x 8' | 9' x 12' (approximately 274 x 366 cm) | 24 inches (61 cm) / 24 inches (61 cm) |
| 8' x 10' | 9' x 12' | 6 inches (15 cm) / 12 inches (30 cm) |
The 5' x 8' over a 9' x 12' gives the most even border, and the 5' x 8' over an 8' x 10' suits a smaller room. Pairing the 8' x 10' with the 9' x 12' leaves only 6 inches (15 cm) of base on two sides, which tends to look like a mistake rather than a layer. For a living room, our guide to what size rug goes under a sofa or sectional helps you choose the base, and our room-by-room size guide covers the other rooms. Our 2.5' x 8' runner is a hallway size, and our runner guide covers where it works.
Do I need a rug pad when layering?
Not under our rugs. Each washable rug arrives with a modular pad that has an EVA cushioning core and TPR grip material on both sides, and the price already includes it. The pad slides into the pockets on the rug. The pad is approximately 4.5 mm thick and the rug layer approximately 8.5 mm, so the complete system is approximately 13 mm (0.5 inches). Our guide to the materials in our washable rugs explains how the pad and the reinforced corners hold the rug layer in place.
For layering, that gives you two practical points:
- Each rug keeps its own pad: the base rug keeps its pad in its pockets on the floor, and the top rug keeps its own pad in its pockets, so the stack is approximately 26 mm (about 1 inch) thick where the two overlap. That is our own arithmetic, not a tested figure.
- We do not suggest a third pad: adding another pad between the layers would raise the edge further, and we have not tested it.
If the base is not one of our rugs, a rug pad under it is a sensible general step, especially on hardwood, because the grip that holds the rug to the floor has to come from somewhere. If you are choosing between rugs, our guide to choosing a washable rug explains what to look for in a backing.
How do you keep layered rugs from slipping?
We have no formal slip-resistance rating for our rugs, so we do not promise that they will never move. Our non-slip pad is designed to grip the floor and the rug layer above it. We have not tested what happens when a second rug sits on top, so treat the top layer as something to check, not something to assume.
- Lay it out first: walk across the stack, push a chair over the edge and pull a foot across the step. If the top rug creeps or bunches, change the pairing or the position.
- Anchor with furniture: as a general rule, the legs of a sofa or coffee table resting on the top rug help hold it in place.
- Mind the doors and the walkway: a stack about 26 mm thick can catch a door or a foot. Keep both rugs away from door swings, and keep the top rug off the main path through the room.
- Vacuum with care: we do not recommend a beater bar, but you can still vacuum the rug. Avoid the edges, which matters more where layers meet. Our pet and family guide covers everyday care.
How do you clean layered rugs?
Treat each rug on its own. Slide the pad out of the pockets on the top rug and wash the rug layer while the base rug stays where it is. Our rugs can be machine washed on a delicate cycle in cold water with a bleach-free detergent, and dried on low heat or air-dried. The pad is spot-clean only, and it slides back into the pockets when the rug is dry. Our care guide has the full steps, and our guide to machine washing a rug lists the washer size for each rug.
Washer size is worth checking before you choose the pair. The 2.5' x 8' runner, the 3' x 5' and the 5' x 8' fit a standard home washing machine, the 8' x 10' needs a large home washer of at least 4.5 cu. ft. without a central agitator, and the 9' x 12' needs a commercial machine. A spill that soaks through the top rug can reach its pad, because the pad is water-resistant, not waterproof, and it can then reach the base rug, so lift both layers and check underneath after a large accident.
Our recommendation
- For a living room: choose a calm base in the largest size that suits the room, and add a 5' x 8' on top, set slightly off-centre.
- For a smaller room or a bedroom: use a 5' x 8' base with a 3' x 5' on top, or an 8' x 10' base with a 5' x 8', and keep the top rug clear of the door.
- If you want one flat rug instead: a single rug in the right size has no step to catch and no extra layer to wash, and our rug guide helps you choose it.
In each case, buy the base first, check how it looks in the room, and add the top rug second.
Explore our washable rugs
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.