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9 Rug Trends You'll Want to Know

Res hand-knotted area rug covering kitchen floor

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Do the rugs in your home need a bit of a revamp? If you're looking to learn more about popular styles or experiment with new trends, we're here to help! Below, designers share nine can't-miss rug styles and layout trends that you'll want to be on top of as you decorate.

  • 01 of 09

    Vintage Rugs

    vintage rug in bedroom

    @elizabeth_malm

    When it comes to vintage rugs, Turkish Oushaks are a favorite of designer Ann Flanagan. "I like to stick with a neutral color palette and have fun with the design," she says. Because these rugs have had a previous life, Flanagan generally gets them cleaned before styling them in a home. However, their secondhand nature certainly comes with a slew of benefits. Adds Flanagan, "Usually there is that natural patina from years of use and I worry less about spills, crumbs, or the errant crayon doodle."

    Designer Molly Machmer-Wessels is also a big proponent of going the vintage route. "We love the unique design each one offers, no one is like the next," she says. "We love the history they add to each room. They can be neutral and soft or bold and colorful. From a pattern perspective they can be busy or simplistic."

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  • 02 of 09

    Layering Rugs

    layering rugs in living room

    @egmahon

    "Own a rug that feels too small for your space but you want to make it work? Add a larger, complementary rug underneath your existing rug to help fill the empty space, and voila," designer Kelly Walsh suggests. Oftentimes, we see patterned rugs layered above a solid jute piece, but there are many options when it comes to implementing a layered look. "Remember, there are no hard rules when it comes to layering," Walsh explains. "The only suggestion I have is when it comes to the placement of the larger rug—place this in the same direction as the furniture."

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  • 03 of 09

    Framed Rugs

    framed rug

    @velvetandloomshop

    Have a small rug that you think deserves some extra attention? Walsh notes that framing a rug and displaying it as art is another popular style trend. "A fun, non-traditional, idea is to turn a rug that is filled with design and pattern into wall art," she explains. Walsh purchased a 2-by-3 foot Moroccan piece for this purpose. "I love the colors and design too much to keep it on the floor," she notes. "It's also a piece that is filled with history and good memories!"

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  • 04 of 09

    Jute or Sisal Rugs

    jute rug in dining room

    @dommdotcom

    If your style leans coastal or traditional, a jute or sisal rug may be the pick for you. "Trends come and go, but a sisal or abaca rug is timeless and always on point," designer Jessica Alex says. "Whether simple or patterned, these rugs pair perfectly with modern, monochromatic schemes and make the more traditional, chintz driven schemes feel current and relaxed." And, yes, they also make great layering pieces, Alex notes. "I especially love when they are installed wall-to-wall and layered with an antique kilim or animal hide on top for a more eclectic vibe."

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  • 05 of 09

    Shag Rugs

    shag rug in bedroom

    @houseofharvee

    By no means are these simply a piece of the past, says designer Annie Santulli. "When we tell people that shag is back, they flashback to a 1970's wood-paneled den, but today’s shag rugs are a brand new take on the old style," she explains. "Made from natural materials in different textures, they are a tactile delight for your feet." Not sure where to place one in your home? Think about where you spend the most time barefoot. Notes Santulli, "We especially love to add shag rugs to bedrooms for that luxurious first step in the morning."

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  • 06 of 09

    Sheepskin Rugs

    sheepskin rug in bedroom

    Allie Provost for Carly Hill

    If you crave something soft but don't find that a shag rug complements your aesthetic, Santulli offers another, similar idea. "Another option for lux sensory experience are sheepskin rugs, which have also come a long way from the monochromatic organic oval like shapes they used be decades ago," she shares. "Today’s sheepskin rugs come in a variety of colors and shapes to compliment almost every design style." Eyeing a soft purple or a bright pink? You've got it!

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  • 07 of 09

    Artfully Layered Rugs

    layered rugs in diagonal

    Ryan Hainey for Suzan Wemlinger

    Rugs certainly don't need to be layered directly on top of each other—designer Suzan Wemlinger has placed them at a diagonal in her projects, too. No matter the orientation of the rugs, though, be sure to keep this one tip in mind: "The key is to make sure the thickness of the rugs used for layering don't compete with one another," Wemlinger notes. "In general, it's best to use flat woven rugs so it's easy to walk on them, as well as place furniture on them."

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  • 08 of 09

    Hand-Knotted Rugs

    hand-knotted rug in living room

    Grace Laird for CW Interiors

    Designer Caron Woolsey has seen this style of rug become more and more popular as of late. "The awareness of hand-knotted rugs as timeless choices seems to have made it into the lexicon of the general public," she says. "Whereas design-savvy people have long been aware of it as a method of construction, others would typically have known that they liked the look and elegance of these particular rugs without understanding why." Woolsey believes hand-knotted rugs are winners because of they're built to last. "Quality craftsmanship and materials are durable and timeless," she says. "Vintage and antique hand-knotted rugs are particularly chic and bring gravitas and luxury to a well-designed space."

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  • 09 of 09

    Oushak Runners

    runner in bathroom

    Brian Bieder

    When it comes to outfitting your home with beautiful rugs, don't forget about the bathroom! Designer Grace Brackman of Maggie Griffin Design has just the solution. "Ditch those white ‘bath mats’ and replace them with a beautiful Oushak runner," she offers. "These old rugs look wonderful against natural stone floors and bring some warmth to an otherwise cold, stark space. "