Every Question You've Ever Had About Rugs: Answered

Rip & Tan: From adding interest to creating warmth and depth, how can a rug help elevate or complete a room?

Leah Cumming: To me, a rug really serves as the grounding focal point in any room. It helps tie together a space and can function in so many ways, whether it’s bringing color into a neutral room or serving as the anchor to help tone down a colorful space. I like to think about the textural options when selecting a rug since texture is so helpful in adding depth and contrast to an existing room. If you have a linen sofa, perhaps you want to pair it with a warm wool rug?

Rip & Tan: What’s your general approach to choosing a rug for a space?

Leah Cumming: Most interior designers tend to believe that a rug is the starting point for building out a room, and I definitely agree. It’s helpful to start with the foundation and build around it with intention.

If you have a vintage rug, it can be nice to layer contemporary pieces of furniture. If you’re working with a classic jute rug, you might decide to opt for neutral items that play off of the texture.

Rip & Tan: What should we keep in mind when it comes to rug size and placement?

Leah Cumming: I like to have all furniture sitting on a rug, but if that is not possible due to the size or layout of your space, I always suggest having the front two legs of a chair or sofa rest on the rug with the back legs off of it.

Rip & Tan: What are some of your favorite rug textiles? How should one approach choosing the right rug style for their space?   

Leah Cumming: At Jenni Kayne, we definitely gravitate towards cozy textiles like wool or a mohair blend—or a classic textile like jute, which is great for layering.

In a primary bedroom, anything with a silk blend is super luxurious and helps elevate the space. Jute rugs are great for common living areas (and are some of Jenni’s longtime favorites).

Vintage Turkish rugs can help carry an otherwise lackluster space that needs to feel special and unique. Vintage rugs really help add a story to a room, which is something we’re always trying to do with design.

Rip & Tan: Let’s talk about neutral rugs like jute. What makes these rugs so useful in design?

Leah Cumming: The options are truly endless with jute rugs! With a textural jute rug as your base, you can take your room in any direction by dressing it up with more elevated pieces or dressing it down with casual, comfortable furniture.

Rip & Tan: What are your thoughts on layering rugs? Why would someone layer and do you have any tips on how to go about it?

Leah Cumming: Layering rugs is a great way to add depth to a room. In fact, it’s one of Jenni’s favorite ways to bring interest to a space. I love to layer smaller, more colorful or textural rugs on top of large jute rugs. Another option for the top layer is a Turkish rug—these are great pieces for layering as they add color and various textures to a space. Just make sure the bottom rug is significantly larger than the rug sitting on top!