I don't know that I would call it goofy, but it is going to be apparent. I would look for some other way to arrange the rugs.

Here is an HGTV article on another way...seems like easy to do. There are lots of pics online.

HGTV how to

Custom order of 10x16 is around 1,000.00, which isn't that much more than two 8x10s.

https://www.sisalrugs.com/create-rug

+1 to nosoccermom. your local carpet place can easily cut and bind your choice, to an exact size, with your choice of borders.

There is a woman named Maura on Instagram that took two inexpensive natural rugs from IKEA and stitched them together. Of course I can't find where that's mentioned, but her pictures are Here. Gorgeous, and highly praised by Laurel B Interiors, which is where I learned of her.

How large is the room? If it is truly a huge room, use two rugs and set up seating areas on each rug.

I agree to either set up more than one grouping or have a carpet cut and bound to the size you want.

But I would not combine two rugs.

Thanks everyone for the feedback - based on this I've decided to stick to one rug. I had been turned off by $1000 prices - but actually started looking again today and stumbled upon a chunky jute one that's 11x15 for just $400 and free shipping w/local returns if it's awful - I don't think I will be able to do any better than that! :-)

Be VERY wary of jute. It does NOT wear well at all, and stains are impossible. Leave the floor bare until you can afford the right rug for the room.

"Be VERY wary of jute. It does NOT wear well at all, and stains are impossible. "

In addition to this - I went and found some reviews and apparently it's a very dirty shedding rug to have as well. I will probably keep searching and maybe go to carpet binding if I can't find something decent that's reasonably priced...

Go to Joss & Main warehouse sale, there are so many rugs marked down 75% that you could do well.

I had a 10x14 Seagrass rug in my family room for at least 10, maybe 15 years. I think I paid about $350 in 1998. It never shed and held up to kids, dogs and cats. If you do get one that has a latex backing on it, be sure to put a couple of those cheap rug pads from IKEA down to protect the floor.

If I wanted a change I would put a smaller rug on top for color. Usually a 5x8 or 6x9.

On a side note, I've seen two rugs combined in multiple situations. I think Sarah Richardson has done it on her show more than once. It seems to work best with certain pattern, linear ones, not centered ones. I'm having trouble explaining, so here is an example.

I had a Pottery Barn jute rug that literally disintegrated, with my having to shovel the junk from under the rug on a weekly basis. There was hardly any foot traffic as it was under my dining table.

I too have a PB jute rug, we had it only a year and it started to unravel. I also have a sea grass rug, love it!

Thanks again everyone for all the helpful tips! I'll stay away from Jute for sure now even though I like the look of it. Seagrass could work well for the decor but I'm concerned about one spot ruining the whole thing (pet) where a pattern can hide things better.

Extra thanks for the mention of Joss & Main - their search engine for rugs is much better than all the others and prices seem good but sometimes better on Overstock and other places. Most places make you work very hard to see a size/price combo when all you want to see is the biggest sizes.