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Livingetc’s design advice report explains how more than one rug can help define areas in an open-plan room without adding walls. Designers recommend linking rugs through color, pattern or texture, and choosing between separate rugs and layering based on room size and layout.
Livingetc has published design advice on using more than one rug in an open-plan room, where rugs can help distinguish living and dining areas without interrupting the overall layout. Designers quoted in the report say the approach works best when rug placement suits the furniture and the designs share a visual link.
The report describes two main approaches: placing rugs in separate areas to anchor distinct furniture groupings, or layering a smaller accent rug over a larger base rug within one seating area. In an open-plan home, a rug beneath the sofa and chairs can define a lounge zone, while another beneath the dining table can make that area feel separate without a physical divider.
Ann Marie Cousins, founder of AMC Design, says rugs are useful for zoning open-plan layouts. She advises considering what each area is used for before choosing the placement. The rugs do not need to match, but the report recommends giving them a shared feature, such as a repeated color, compatible contrast or a balance between a patterned rug and a quieter texture.
For a layered arrangement, the larger rug can provide a restrained foundation, with a smaller, more expressive design on top. Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors recommends using the accent rug to add color and personality. The report also notes that layering can let homeowners use a favorite design that is not available in a size large enough to cover the full seating area.
Rugs Can Mark Zones Without Walls
In open-plan homes, the same floor area may serve several everyday purposes. Rugs offer a flexible visual boundary: they can help a living area feel grounded and make a dining space read as a distinct destination, while leaving sightlines and movement through the room open.
The advice also addresses a common design trade-off. Separate rugs can help a large room feel organized, but if their size or placement is poorly judged, they may make the floor feel divided rather than connected. Choosing placement around furniture and linking the rugs through color, pattern or texture can help preserve a coherent overall scheme.
Practical use matters alongside appearance. The report suggests considering how each area functions and how the rug feels underfoot; for example, a flatweave may suit a dining table, while a softer pile can make a seating area feel more comfortable. These are design recommendations, not guarantees that one arrangement will suit every room.
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Two Rugs or One Layered Pair
The report distinguishes between zoning and layering. Side-by-side rugs are intended to support separate furniture groupings, such as a lounge and dining area. Layering is presented as a more natural option when the goal is to give one seating arrangement depth or introduce a smaller accent design.
Room size affects the choice. The report says side-by-side rugs are more suited to larger spaces with room for clearly defined groupings. In a smaller room, two separate rugs may leave an awkward strip of exposed floor or create a sense of accidental division. A single well-sized rug or a layered arrangement may be more suitable there.
If two rugs are being used together to cover a broad area, Cousins recommends hiding their join under furniture such as a coffee or dining table. Flanigan, meanwhile, cautions that placing two rugs side by side can make a room feel disconnected. The report frames this as a design judgment rather than a fixed rule: layout, scale and the rugs themselves all affect the result.
““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
No One Layout Fits Every Room
The report offers design guidance rather than a universal formula. It does not specify exact rug dimensions, minimum room sizes or required gaps between rugs, and it does not claim that one arrangement will work in every open-plan home. The right choice depends on room proportions, furniture placement and the rugs’ designs.
The source material also does not provide a publication date, independent testing or evidence comparing how different rug layouts affect perceived room size. Its recommendations are attributed to the designers quoted in the report; readers should treat them as professional opinions, not measured outcomes.
Plan Placement Around Furniture
The practical next step for homeowners is to map the room’s uses and furniture groupings before choosing rugs. For separate zones, the report advises selecting a rug for each grouping and checking whether there is enough space for both areas to feel intentional. For one seating zone, a larger understated rug with a smaller accent layered on top is the suggested alternative.
Before settling on a pair, compare their colors, pattern strength and textures with the flooring and furnishings. If two rugs meet, consider whether furniture can cover the join. The Livingetc report does not announce a follow-up test or additional guidance, so the advice available is limited to the design recommendations and expert comments it published.
Key Questions
Can you use two rugs in one open-plan room?
Yes. Livingetc’s design report says two rugs can help define areas such as a lounge and dining space without building a divider. Their placement and visual relationship matter.
Should two rugs match?
No. The report says they do not need to be identical, but suggests connecting them through a shared color, compatible contrast or texture so they feel part of the same scheme.
Is it better to layer rugs or place them side by side?
It depends on the goal. Side-by-side rugs can mark separate furniture zones in a larger room; layering a smaller accent rug over a larger one can add character within a single seating area.
How can you make a join between two rugs less visible?
Ann Marie Cousins recommends placing the join beneath furniture, such as a coffee table or dining table, when two rugs are being used together to cover a larger area.
Can two rugs make a small room feel divided?
They can, according to the report, particularly if they leave a narrow, awkward strip between them. It suggests considering one larger rug or a layered arrangement for a smaller space, depending on the layout.
Source: livingetc.com
