Why Rugs Are Becoming the New Walls: The Power of Zoning With Textiles
Open floor plans transformed modern living by removing walls and encouraging connection. But they also created a new challenge: how do you define spaces without building physical barriers? Surprisingly, rugs are becoming one of the most powerful zoning tools in interior design. Designers call them “the new walls,” and homeowners are embracing them in record numbers. But is this trend practical design or just clever visual trickery? The demand is measurable. Google searches for “large rugs,” “layered rugs,” and “rugs for open plan” have grown by more than 200% since 2022. Wayfair reports that oversized rug sales increased 67% in 2023 alone. Interior designers say rugs now function less as décor and more as architectural elements. As designer Kelly Wearstler states, “A rug can create a room where a wall doesn’t exist.” But can a textile really replace structural separation? Zoning with rugs works because the brain interprets visual boundaries as functional boundaries. A rug under a sofa ...
