Is placing a plain white or solid-colored cover over an ornate prayer rug considered an act of extremism or rigidity, following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) when the images distracted him during his prayer?

Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed in a Khamisah (a black woolen garment) that had markings. He glanced at its markings, and when he finished, he said, "Take this Khamisah of mine to Abu Jahm, and bring me Abu Jahm's Anbijaniyyah (a thick, coarse garment), for it distracted me just now from my prayer." From this, it is inferred that anything that distracts from prayer, such as dyes and patterns, is disliked. A Muslim should strive to maintain presence of heart in prayer and avoid anything that distracts him from it.