Coordinating Rugs in Open Floor Plans

Rugs in open floor plans help to visually create rooms where walls don’t exist. But of course, since the rugs in these spaces are within view of each other, you want them to coordinate. I wrote a post on this very topic back in 2017, and I stand by all of the tips I shared. However, since this is still a question that pops up in my inbox pretty regularly, I thought I’d share some fresh thoughts.

I’ve never been one to think there is a “right or wrong” in design. In my opinion, there is only what your eye prefers. And preference is subjective. For the most part, in my own open floor plan home, I tackle coordinating rugs the same way I do pattern mixing in general. And if you’ve been around here for any length of time, you know I love mixing patterns! A tried and true combination for me is any black and white/ivory geometric paired with pretty much any other pattern.

I feel like black and white geometric patterns are the denim jacket of interiors. They just always seem to work.

While I love the contrast a geometric adds, I’m not afraid to pair two similar patterns as long as the scale (size of the pattern) differs.

Here the vintage runner in my kitchen has a larger scale pattern in contrast to the small scale pattern of the vintage area rug in my butler’s pantry, and what marries the two is the bold red and blue color palette.

On the opposite side of this open space, however, I’m breaking the “pattern mixing rules” by pairing two large-scale patterns. But while the dining room rug is also a large-scale pattern, it works because it pulls out the lighter shades of the runner making the pattern feel quieter.

And because there isn’t much contrast in the color palette of the dining room rug, the rug almost reads as a solid color.

In design, rules are meant to be broken. ? But I know coordinating rugs in open floor plans can feel a little tricky, so I put together a few more perfect pairs.

1. This tan and ivory checkered rug is a softer take on a black and white geometric. It’ll play really well with so many different patterns, but I especially love it with this beauty.

2. You can totally pair two geometrics, just vary the scale of the patterns. The neutral tones of the Hepworth and Hesse rugs are anything but boring together.

3. Love the muted tones of this medium-scale patterned rug paired with this large-scale stunner.

4. I’ve always loved a tone-on-tone look, especially in red! The price for the size of this vintage Persian is so good, and I love it paired with this large vintage Turkish runner.

5. This bold navy and ivory runner is so fun paired with this vintage Morrocan. I love the way the v design in the runner plays with the diamond pattern in the area rug.

6. This pairing proves that monochromatic doesn’t have to be boring. It goes to show that texture is just as important as pattern! This checkered rug comes in a few different colorways as does this solid, washable rug.

7. This geometric shag runner keeps the feminine color palette of this vintage Turkish rug from feeling too sweet.

8. As I’ve already mentioned, you truly can’t go wrong with a black and cream/ivory geometric paired with pretty much anything!

Hope these pairings help you to feel more confident coordinating rugs in your home!

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