Taylor Lautner's Living Room Rug Reimagines a '70s Classic

As unexpected as it may seem, Taylor Lautner is a big figure on our design radar. Dusk The actor shares his sunny California home (and name…) with his wife Tay, and the couple has decorated the space with a minimalist interior that’s warm and inviting. Unsurprisingly, it’s a home that’s won our hearts at Livingetc.

Fans of a neutral palette and layered textures, the Lautners certainly know how to make a home feel cozy, and their living room rug is where all of the above qualities converge. A modern take on the classic ’70s shag rug, their shag flooring offers beautiful visual texture and ultimate comfort underfoot without looking dated. And, dare we say it, the designers are convinced that this controversial rug trend is about to make a comeback once again.

room with lots of natural light, two brown leather armchairs, curtains over sheers and a shag carpet

Taylor posted a Fourth of July photo on Instagram of his two dogs, Remi and Lily, dressed appropriately for the holiday. “Happy 4th of July from our party-loving dog and our not-so-much,” he captioned the celebratory post. But beyond the undeniable cuteness, our eyes were drawn to the over-the-top idea of the living room rug on their hardwood floors, where the textured fibers create a super-soft cushioning. A more refined take on the ’70s shag rug, it’s a style you can expect to see a lot more of in the coming year.

“Shaggy rugs are characterized by their thickness and texture, which gives them a plush, “shaggy” look,” says Elissa Hall, founder and principal designer of EDH Interiors. “These rugs began to gain popularity in the 1960s and ’70s, becoming a staple of mid-century modern design. Their texture and comfort made them a favorite in living rooms and bedrooms, often used to add a touch of warmth and luxury.”

In their heyday, shag rugs were used alongside other over-the-top textures, patterns, and textiles. Think soft leathers, raw rattan, macramé hangings, and shiny chrome finishes. “Shag rugs fit perfectly into this aesthetic, bringing a touch of wacky texture and bright color to homes across the country,” says Anh Nguyen, an interior designer and founder of Print My Rugs. Today, they’ve been toned down to fit a more modern interior, typically featuring neutral colorways and shorter pile lengths.

Off-white shag rug

Round shag rug

White shag rug

One look at the rest of Taylor’s space and you’ll notice that he’s definitely not going for a 1970s-inspired interior. Instead, his home feels fresh and clean, yet soft and cozy, which he gets from a beautiful mix of textures. In the background of his photos, for example, you’ll notice a bouclé chair and a white linen sofa, evidence of the varied interest in textures that goes into his interior design schemes.

“The Taylor Lautner rug is a great example of how a shag rug can be used to anchor a room’s design,” says Elissa. “The neutral color complements the surrounding decor, adding a layer of comfort and welcoming texture without distracting too much from other elements. One thing I particularly love is how the rug contrasts with the clean lines and sleek furniture, creating a balance between modern and comfortable.”

Neutral living room with textured plaster walls, stone fireplace, contoured rug, shag chair and wooden furniture

(Photo credit: Arsight)

When choosing the best rugs for your space, texture should often take precedence over color or pattern, especially if your room lacks softer textiles elsewhere. A cool-toned shag rug, for example, offers much more warmth and softness than a flat-weave rug in warm colors. This is especially true for minimalist spaces like Taylor’s, which can often feel “cold” or “flat” without enough texture variety.

If the Lautners had gone with jute or sissal, it wouldn’t have had the same “softening” effect. And it also wouldn’t have offered as much visual variety as shag. As Ahn notes, “Taylor’s rug has a beautiful depth and lush texture that keeps it from looking flat or monotonous. I can totally see why he chose to pair it with this plush chair in a complementary color—the two work so well together to create a warm, inviting feel.”

Aside from the aesthetic benefits, plush rugs are also practical. With her two dogs roaming the carpet, Taylor’s choice for flooring needs to be durable. Yet Anh suggests that this is where her rug falls short for obvious reasons. “Shaggy rugs can pose a few challenges for pet owners,” she says. “The long fibers can be tempting for pets to scratch and cling to with their claws over time. Plus, the thick pile acts as a magnet for dirt, pet hair, and dander, requiring frequent vacuuming.” If you have pets—or even messy young children—a shag rug like this might not be the best option for a high-traffic living room floor.

How to give a modern look to shag rugs?

interior

(Image credit: LAYERED Carpet)

Shags have long been associated with bohemian-style rugs, but modern iterations seem much more “livable” in terms of style, and they’re often more durable too, due to innovations in the fibers they’re made from.

“The contemporary take on shag rugs retains their lush texture but often incorporates more sophisticated color palettes and varied materials,” says Elissa. “Today’s designs tend to favor more subtle, muted tones over the vibrant, psychedelic colors of the past, fitting seamlessly into a range of interior styles from minimalist to bohemian.”

For example, Elissa recommends a cream or charcoal shag rug to add depth and comfort to a sleek, modern living space without overwhelming the decor. “A notable example is the resurgence of Moroccan-inspired shag rugs, which combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, adding both texture and cultural depth to a room,” she notes.

“We can now enjoy that softness and luxury that makes us sink our feet into luxury, but with materials that are an absolute dream for everyday living,” adds Anh. “Innovative fibers like nylon and polyester have allowed us to capture that sumptuous softness traditionally found in wool shags while being extremely durable and easy to care for, a must-have for high-traffic spaces or homes with little ones and furry friends running around.”

No matter your interior design style, the resurgence of this once-fashionable rug is easy to embrace. Beyond their ability to bring visual warmth and softness to our increasingly hard flooring, their physical softness is also a real plus. “Whether they evoke a vintage style or a clean, modern aesthetic,” Anh sums up, “these plush rugs offer a joyful way to infuse comfort underfoot.”