How to choose the right rug size for your room

The most common rug mistake is choosing one that is too small. A rug that floats in the middle of a room makes the space feel smaller and the furniture feel disconnected. A few simple rules make it easy to get right.

Start with tape, not a tape measure

Before you buy, mark the outline of the rug on your floor with painter's tape or a few sheets of newspaper. Live with it for a day. Walk around it, sit on the sofa, open the doors. You will know very quickly whether it feels right.

Living room

• Aim for the front legs of the sofa and armchairs to rest on the rug. This ties the seating together.
• Leave a border of bare floor around the rug, usually around 30 to 45 cm from the walls.
• In a small living room, a 4 × 6 ft rug in front of the sofa works well. Larger rooms usually need 5 × 8 ft or more.

Bedroom

• Place a larger rug under the lower two-thirds of the bed, so it extends on both sides where your feet land.
• Or use smaller rugs on either side of the bed, or one across the foot of it. Runners and shaped rugs work well here.

Dining room

Chairs should stay on the rug even when pulled out. As a rule, add about 60 cm on every side of the table.

Hallways and entrances

Leave a little floor visible on both sides of a runner, and make sure doors can open over it. In an entrance, a 3 × 5 ft rug is a common, welcoming size.

Want to see a rug before you decide? Use View in your room on our animal rugs to place one in a photo of your own space, or ask our team for a free consultation.