Rug Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Rug Size for Every Room
You went and purchased your rug, and when you arrived home to unroll it, you found it looked out of place and like a mat on the ground between your two pieces of furniture, right?
The single biggest mistake that people make when it comes to decorating is incorrectly sizing their rugs.
With this guide on rug sizing, we will take the guesswork out of selecting rug sizes and will provide easy-to-follow rug sizing rules for each room.
Rug Sizes Guide
Before you begin measuring any rooms, you should first have some idea of the types of standard sizes of rugs that can be bought. A majority of manufacturers will follow the guidelines below as to what standard size rugs will be produced:
150x150 cm: Small accent rugs/entry
200x200 cm: Small seating areas, smaller kids' rooms
200x300 cm: Average-sized rooms
250x250 cm: Transitional spaces
250x350 cm: Most popular size for living rooms
300x300 cm: Large living rooms or dining rooms
300x450 cm: Great for open concept spaces or large master bedrooms
If you’re looking to purchase a handmade wool rug or a specialty piece such as a round jute rug, the sizes will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer; therefore, always verify the size of your desired rug with the manufacturer before ordering.
How to Calculate Rug Sizes?
Differentiating rug sizes can be done in several ways, but here are some helpful tips shared by our experts:
1. The best way to help you decide what size rug to buy is by using painter’s tape to visually show you the footprint of the rug on your floor. You then have the ability to walk or sit near it as well as test out living with it for a day.
2. Use the two main “rules” or guidelines for rug sizes:
- The Floating Rule &
- Furniture Rule.
The Floating Rule states that you must leave between 18-24 inches of bare floor space surrounding the edge of the rug to create a “floating” effect (less than this looks cramped and can create a sense of separation as if it’s not connected to the room).
The Furniture Rule dictates that at least the front legs of each piece of major furniture within a room must be placed on the area rug; however, having all four legs of each piece placed on the area rug will provide a more “finished” look and feel.
If you aren’t completely ready to make a purchase, many retailers offer Home Trial Rug Services (you can try out a rug in your own home before you purchase it).
How to Determine Living Room Rug Size?
Living Rooms tend to have the most incorrect sizing of rugs purchased due to the fact that the majority of people don’t consider proportion, but rather budget.
Typically, the minimum rug size for a standard living room rug is 8 x 10. An 8x10 will only work correctly in a living room if your couches and/or chairs form an obvious seating group; however, you may want to consider using a larger area rug, such as a 9 x12, if you have a larger area or open plan space.
When deciding what your rug will anchor, the rug should anchor your seating arrangement (not your room). The rug will serve as a visual representation of the “conversation area”. If you are using a sectional sofa, you must ensure that the sectional sofa is at least half on the area rug.
To view our selection of rugs that have been put together by our professionals based on both size and design, please click on the link above (Home Trial Rug Services).
Rug Sizing Blunders to Avoid
Don't:
Use a Rug that is Too Small: This is by far the biggest blunder, and can make a large room appear even larger; i.e., a 5 x 8 rug in a very large living room does not anchor anything, but rather appears to float around the room awkwardly.
Not Considering This when Placing a Rug: Rugs interact with your furniture, rather than just the floor; when deciding on a rug size, orient your rug in relation to your furniture layout.
Choosing a Rug that is Too Small based on Interior Room Size rather than Defined Area: In an open concept plan, your rug defines your defined area, so you need to measure based on that defined area.
Failing to Acknowledge It When Ordering a Rug Pad: Rug pads will usually compress to 1 to 2 inches smaller than the rug you ordered, so account for it.
Bedroom Rug Dimensions and Placement Guidelines
When you wake up in the morning, it is nice to step onto something soft as opposed to cold hardwood.
For a queen-size bed, you need at least an 8 x 10 rug; ideally, you would want a rug approximately the same size as the bed, but with 18-24 inches of rug extending out from each side of the bed and at the foot of the bed. Alternatively, you could use a 5 x 8 rug underneath just the bottom two-thirds of the bed.
If you ask me, I would say the best size rug for a queen-size bed is 8 x 10; however, it is safe to go up to a 9 x 12 if you need to fill more floor space or if you have larger-than-normal nightstands.
If you have a king-size bed, 9 x 12 should be the absolute minimum size rug. New Zealand Wool Rugs in neutral shades are a fabulous choice for a bedroom due to the warmth underfoot as well as their flexibility when decorating.
Runner & Hallway Measurement Guidelines
The standard rug size for a hallway runner is measured by length and not square footage. Standard widths are usually between 2 and 3.
Runners are frequently used in kitchens against the cabinets, where two sizes (usually 2 x 6 or 2 x 8) are the most commonly used to cover the primary work area. Runners for stairs should have the same dimensions.
Dining Room Rug Size Rules
The dining room has one no-no rule: the rug can only be shorter than the table by 24 inches on every side. Why? So that when you pull that chair back, it stays on the rug. Otherwise, it will hit the edge of the rug all the time.
When it comes to the small dining table (6 seats wide), the minimum size you need is 8x10. As for the larger table (8 seats wide or more), you need a size of 9x12.
Placing the wrong dining room rug size can be pricey, as dining rugs will take a lot of daily use. Again, go larger than you think you’ll need, and favor flat-weave or low-pile rugs that are easy to slide furniture on.
Conclusion
Getting the size right, even with a bit of walking around involved, is not rocket science. Measure your room, tape it out, and use the furniture anchoring rules as your basis. The rug does not decorate the floor; it structures your room. Go bigger with that in mind.
FAQ’s
What size rug is best for a living room?
A minimum of an 8x10 is needed for a standard living room. If the room is larger than this or an open-plan area, go with 9x12. The most frequent error is picking one that is too small; a rug that doesn't fit with the seating order just doesn't look right!
Should a rug go under the couch or in front of it?
Both of these do work, but the rule is: A minimum of the front legs of all major furniture pieces must be on the rug. It's better if the rug has all four legs. If your rug is just laid out in front of a couch and there is no furniture against it, then it's floating, which is a size issue, not a preference.
What size rug do I need for a king or queen bed?
Queen bed: 8x10 is a good choice to go with. Should reach a length of 18-24 inches on each side and at the foot of the bed.
Don't use a smaller size bed than 9x12, which is considered a King Bed. If it's smaller, it will be swallowed by the bed frame and look small.
How big should a dining room rug be under a table?
The size of the dining room rug under the table depends on the width and length of the table. The distance of 24 inches is set in stone, both ahead of and behind the table and to either side. This will prevent chairs from sliding off the rug when being pulled.
Is an 8x10 rug large enough for most rooms?
Yes, for a basic bedroom or living room that has a queen bed. But that's too vague a statement, "most rooms. The 8x10 has a weakness in:
Apply to a large or open plan living area (go 9x12)
King Bed Bedrooms (go 9x12)
How far should a rug extend beyond furniture?
When it comes to the perfect size of a rug, there are two clearances that you will need to know:
From the wall: 18-24 inches of uncarpeted space around the edge of the rug. Less is crowded, more is isolated.
Beyond the dining table: At least 24" around the table to prevent chairs from scraping the edge when pulled out.
The rug should be 18-24 inches wide on the sides and foot of a bed.
What are the most common rug sizing mistakes to avoid?
Getting too small: the number one mistake. If you're in any uncertainty, "size up.
Don't overlook furniture arrangement: the rug should complement the furniture arrangements, not stand alone.
Not the size of the room, the size of the zone: in open plan spaces, the size of a rug is indicative of the size of the zone and not the room.
Don't forget that a rug pad will shrink 1-2 inches on each side. Don't purchase if you haven't taken this into account.
Avoid the tape: Be sure to tape out the rug's footprint on your floor before buying. It saves the hassle of costly returns and only takes 10 minutes.
