Although placing rugs on carpeted areas is generally considered a design faux pas there are many reasons to put an area rug over your carpet and many ways to do this in a pleasing stylish way.
Do you put rugs on carpet.
Similarly if you have a more plush style of carpet installed choosing a low profile berber or woven rug is your best bet.
The thought of layering up here may seem counter intuitive but the design reward is well worth it.
Layering rugs on top of carpet is also beneficial for your wallet.
Layering rugs on top of carpet allows you to add personal style to a decor fixture and also change up styles easily when the mood suits.
Whether you re in a rented space and hate your carpet or you simply want extra plush floors these are the best ways for you to add rugs over carpet.
It keeps the top rug from shifting buckling and becoming a hazard.
However for rugs that are nowhere near furniture in the center of a hallway or foyer for example the carpet to carpet non slip pad is your best option for preventing ripples in your area rug.
The right rug can actually look flawless when placed atop carpeted floors.
Look for rug pads that are specifically for use over carpets which are generally referred to as carpet to carpet pads.
This is because the underside of the rug is smooth and glides over the carpet underneath.
A neutral color with a cut wool pile and no heathering or interesting variation.
Don t put an area rug over a very long pile carpet such as a frieze or a newer soft carpet such as smartstrand because the area rug will not have firm support and will shift buckle and wrinkle.
In order to stop this natural rug migration you need a non skid rug pad.
You can t have a rug without a rug pad just because it s on a carpet doesn t mean this partnership should be broken up.
Rugs that slip and slide on hardwood vinyl or tile floors are a known hazard but you might not expect a rug to slide when it s lying on your carpet and that makes it even more dangerous.
So the bottom line is that yes you can put an area rug over wall to wall carpet.
You want the rug to bring life to the floor like in laura s adorable melbourne home shown above where she layered a graphic flat weave over beige carpet and a basic tiled hearth.
But whether the rug is a large oriental rug or a small round area rug it can bunch up when walked on.
Choose something with a different texture and or fiber like jute sisal silk.
Other experts say go ahead but buy an underlay specifically intended to go over carpet available where carpet and rugs are sold.