Is it tacky to use area rugs over carpet?

[Jaybee]

We are moving to an apartment that has tannish brown carpet and walls painted a light tan with a yellowish tint. Our sofa and love seat are dark brown. I have some color for the walls and a couple of pillows (but we don't like lots of pillows--they just end up in the floor). We have one large and a couple of small area rugs that could add a splash of much needed color. Would rug on carpet look tacky? We're going to need something!

[rebcoola]

I don't know if its tacky or not but we always had area rugs over carpet when we rented.

[Guest]

I put a funky area rug over my very nice but utilitarian carpet. I think it's nice.

[mohsmom23]

I'm not sure if it's tacky, but we have a large area rug over the carpet in our family room.  It's hiding a stain that I couldn't get out of the tan carpet ;)  It adds a nice pop of color to the otherwise colorless room as well.  

[Guest]

No

[mamiof5]

We do it, we need to protect our light tone carpet. Have never wondered if it's tacky? For us it's practical

[Guest]

Not tacky at all so long as they don't clash.

[Jaybee]

I'm glad to see the consensus. I have been living where most floors are some type of hard--wood, tile, etc. Most of the houses I've been in lately have hardwood in the main living areas, so I wasn't sure. Thanks!

[Cinder]

I hope not. We have a lot of brown in our living area and it's offset by a Turkish rug that is mostly deep red with blue. It's a nice accent. The cats think it's a nice scratching pad, though. :glare:

[Peach]

We do here - family/graduate housing on campus so the carpet is not the greatest. 

[1GirlTwinBoys]

Not at all.  Do what you think looks good and makes you happy.

[El...]

Nope, very nice!  In fact, layering textures is recommended in this pretty inspiring book about decorating your not-dream-home: http://smile.amazon.com/Nesting-Place-Doesnt-Perfect-Beautiful/dp/0310337909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464495529&sr=8-1&keywords=it+doesn%27t+have+to+be+perfect+to+be+beautiful

 

(Full disclosure:  I don't do our house like the book; I like clean lines and modern, open space.  Also, her story of painting a brick fireplace chills my guts, but that's just me.  I re-read this book periodically and follow her blog.)

[Guest]

We have them on carpet in our house.  We used to have terrazzo floors and so had orientals all over them.  We moved, and have carpet in most of the rooms, but even in the ones with carpet, we put down the rugs.  It is the most space-efficient way of storing them, if nothing else.  

 

[Jaybee]

Yes--our rugs are not fancy, by any means, but they have been with us in three homes previous, and I think they will help make our "not-dream" home (ha, I like that!) feel more cozy and like home for us. In addition to the much needed color.

[JFSinIL]

If the look pleases you, then it is not tacky.  Hey, in fact, you are saving wear and tear on the carpets with your area rugs, too!  I figure, NEVER worry about what other people think when it comes to home decor - do what pleases YOU, the person who lives there.

[TammyinTN]

I'm going to do this at our new home in hopes to cut down on carpet wear.  We have beautiful rugs and I love the colors. 

[Peach]

It also makes for softer floors underneath your feet if your carpet padding is only so-so (like ours). 

[Guest]

We never did growing up, so when I do see it, it seems a bit odd, but that is obviously not the common thought, based on this thread! I will say that at the homes I have seen it in, I always trip on the rugs. I may be a klutz. ;)

[Jaybee]

It also makes for softer floors underneath your feet if your carpet padding is only so-so (like ours). 

 

If there is anything cushioning underneath, it is thin!