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Livingetc’s design report says more than one rug can help define separate zones in an open-plan room or add depth when rugs are layered. Designers advise linking rugs through color, texture or pattern, and caution that side-by-side layouts can feel disconnected in smaller spaces.
Livingetc has published advice on using more than one rug in an open-plan room, with designers saying the approach can define living and dining areas without adding walls. The report recommends choosing between rugs placed in separate zones and a layered arrangement, then connecting the designs through color, pattern or texture so the floor does not feel disjointed.
For distinct areas, the report suggests placing a larger rug beneath a sofa and chairs and another under a dining table. The rugs do not need to match, but they should relate to each other and to the surrounding room. Repeating a color, balancing a bold design with a quieter one, or using complementary textures are among the suggested ways to create that connection.
For a single seating area, layering is presented as an alternative. A larger, restrained rug can anchor the furniture, with a smaller accent rug above it adding pattern or color. Designer Marie Flanigan recommends using that upper layer to introduce personality. The report says layering can also help when a preferred rug is not available in a size large enough for the whole space, or when a large version is costly.
Placing rugs side by side may suit a large room with enough space for separate furniture groupings. If two rugs are being used to cover a larger area, Ann Marie Cousins advises hiding their join beneath a coffee or dining table where possible. The report also recommends considering function: a flatweave may be practical beneath a dining table, while a softer pile can make a seating area feel more comfortable.
Rugs Can Mark Zones Without Walls
In an open-plan home, living, dining and kitchen functions share one footprint, so furniture and floor coverings can help make those uses legible. Multiple rugs offer a soft visual boundary while leaving sightlines and movement through the room open. That can make a broad space feel more organized without changing its layout.
The advice also highlights a trade-off: rugs can clarify zones, but poorly coordinated designs may compete or make one room feel like disconnected sections. Choosing their placement and visual relationship together matters more than simply adding a second rug. The report offers design guidance, not a universal rule; the result will depend on a room’s size, furnishings and how it is used.
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Two Ways to Arrange Rugs
The Livingetc report addresses two different arrangements. Side-by-side rugs are intended to anchor separate areas, such as a dining space and a seating group. Layered rugs sit in one area, with a larger base beneath a smaller accent. The choices serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Designer Ann Marie Cousins, founder of AMC Design, describes rugs as a way to zone open-plan layouts. Flanigan, of Marie Flanigan Interiors, favors complementary rugs and says layering can help create a more cohesive look. The report includes both views: Cousins sees side-by-side rugs as useful in larger rooms, while Flanigan cautions that the arrangement can make a room feel disconnected.
“Rugs are a great way to zone a space within your home, working particularly well in open-plan layouts such as a living room.”
— Ann Marie Cousins, founder of AMC Design, as quoted by Livingetc
Room Size Shapes the Advice
The source does not provide measurements or a tested formula for deciding how large a room must be to support two separate rugs. Its guidance is qualitative: side-by-side layouts are more suitable for larger rooms, while smaller spaces may feel awkwardly split. It also does not set a single standard for rug dimensions, spacing or materials.
The recommendations reflect the designers’ professional opinions as reported by Livingetc, not a formal study of how people experience different layouts. The source material supplied here does not include a publication date, and it is not clear whether the article has been updated since publication. The best arrangement will depend on the room’s proportions, furniture and household needs.
Match the Layout to the Room
The report does not announce a product launch, a new industry standard or a scheduled follow-up; it offers practical design guidance. Readers considering the approach can first decide whether the goal is to separate activities or add an accent within one seating group, then assess the room’s dimensions and furniture before choosing rug sizes.
Before placing the rugs, compare their colors, pattern scale and textures with the flooring and furnishings. In a larger room, test whether each rug adequately anchors its own grouping; in a smaller one, compare a single rug or a layered option against the side-by-side arrangement. If two rugs meet, placing furniture over the join may help the overall layout read as one scheme.
Key Questions
Can you use two rugs in one open-plan room?
Yes. Livingetc reports that rugs can define areas such as a lounge and dining space without a wall. The designs should have a visual connection through color, pattern or texture.
Should two rugs be side by side or layered?
Side-by-side rugs can anchor separate areas in a larger room. Layering is suited to one seating area, with a larger, quieter rug underneath and a smaller accent rug on top.
How can different rugs look cohesive?
Repeat a color, pair a bold design with a restrained one, or connect the rugs through texture. The report also advises considering the flooring, upholstery and artwork.
Do two rugs work in a small room?
They may, but the report warns that side-by-side rugs in a smaller space can leave an awkward strip between them or make the room feel divided. One rug or a layered arrangement may be a better fit.
How can you hide the join between two rugs?
If two rugs are placed together to cover a larger area, Cousins suggests putting their join beneath a coffee table or dining table where possible.
Source: livingetc.com
