There are many different rug sizes available, but how do you know which size will fit your space? Our room-by-room layouts and foolproof tips are here to help – so when it comes time to unroll the rug, it will be a perfect fit. Keep reading to learn how to measure for a rug in any room.

Rug Sizing Tips for All Spaces
How to Measure for a Rug
Rug Sizing by Room

Rug Sizing Tips for All Spaces

(Shop this image: wood dining tables, rattan dining chairs, dining benches, Oriental-inspired area rugs, and candle holders)

Bigger Is Better
A few inches can make all the difference between the rug pulling the room together or making it feel disjointed. Opting for the larger option, especially if you're choosing between sizes, will prove that it is worth the extra expense every time.

Read the Room
When choosing rug size and orientation, make sure it is proportional to the space (large rooms = large rugs), and placed to echo its dimensions (long room = orient lengthwise).

Visualize the Final Look
Use painter's tape to mock the rug placement before you buy. This trade secret is an easy way to check that you have the right fit from every vantage point.

How to Measure for a Rug

(Shop this image: spindle beds, swing-arm sconces, striped area rugs, blue quilts, modern nightstands, and linen curtains)

It's important to measure the desired area first so you can determine which rug size would work best for your space. We've gathered a few tips to help you learn how to measure for an area rug.

1. Start by grabbing your tape measure and a notebook. We recommend recording the measurements so you can reference the dimensions when you're ready to start shopping. Though the plastic measuring tapes will work fine, steel measuring tapes are better for measuring long and straight distances.

2. Use the room-by-room layouts in the section below to see how the furniture would look in each setting. It’s important to have an idea of how you want to arrange your furniture and the rug in the space before selecting a size.

3. Measure the length and width of your living space. You can measure the entirety of the room or stick to the seating area. If the room has a more open-concept feel, it's better to narrow in on specific zones (like a seating area or dining area).

4. Make sure to write a note about key details like any vents or doors that could impact the way a rug might lay. For example, if your rug will be beneath any doors, make sure to measure the space between the floor and the bottom of the door. Then check the pile height of the rug to ensure that the door can open and close without catching on the rug.

Rug Sizing by Room

(Shop this image: Morrocan area rugs, geometric area rugs, Oriental-inspired area rugs, plaid area rugs, and ikat area rugs)

To find the right rug sizes for your home, consider the size of each room and the room's furniture groupings – measuring the room and the furniture as a first step. Then choose a rug layout from the common options below.

Living Room

Your living room shape, not just the furniture, should dictate the rug size and orientation to make the space look larger and feel connected. There are three main layouts: all furniture legs resting on the rug, just the front legs on the rug, or all furniture – except for the coffee table – off the rug. If you choose a layout with the sofa on the rug, the rug should extend at least 6" on each side for proper scale. Learn more about these layouts below.

All Legs on the Rug

This layout, which requires the largest rug, is the best choice for anchoring a living room within an open-concept space or for any furniture grouping that floats (has no furniture against a wall). Placing all furniture on the rug will unify the pieces and create a defined seating area.

Front Legs on the Rug

This versatile option works especially well when one edge of the furniture grouping is against a wall. (You don't need to pay for a rug to cover a spot no one sees!) For a cohesive look, choose a rug size that allows for only the front legs of every piece of furniture in the grouping to be on the rug.

Only a Coffee Table on the Rug

Perfect for small or narrow spaces, this layout plays off the room's scale to make it feel larger. To get the proportions right, base the rug size on the interior dimensions of your seating area – and not just the coffee table – so it fills the negative space created by your furniture grouping.

Dining Room

Both the shape of your room and dining table should impact whether it's rectangular or round.

All Legs on the Rug

We recommend sticking with all legs on the rug for this room – for safety's sake. The rug should extend at least 24", and no more than 36", beyond all sides of the table, so chairs can sit on a flat surface, even when they are pushed back. Don't forget to account for extendable leaves, if your table has them.

Bedroom

As the focal point of the room, your bed should also be the base for rug placement. Not only will this further define space, but will also give your feet a soft spot to land each morning. A variety of bedroom rug sizes will work depending on the look you're trying to achieve.

All Legs on the Rug

This all-inclusive layout extends beyond the bed to its accompanying furniture, like nightstands or a bench – but does not include bedroom pieces along other walls, like dressers. We recommend having your bedroom rug sizes extend at least 18" – 24" past the edge of your bed. If you can, do not allow the rug to encroach upon any main walkways.

2/3 Bed on the Rug

Frame your bed with this popular option, which doesn't quite extend up to your nightstands, but still allows for 18" – 24" of room on the sides and past the foot of the bed. For a symmetrical finish, the best bedroom rug sizes are an 8x10 rug for queen beds and a 9x12 for king.

Runners on Each Side

This flexible choice works for spaces and beds of all sizes – and is a great option if two sides of the bed sit against a wall. Scale matters for this look: The runner shouldn't extend beyond the bed itself, but should be a bit wider than your nightstand.

Tip!
Area rugs for kids' bedrooms or nurseries are available in a wide variety of fun shapes and patterns – some are even educational! Shop our favorite bedroom rugs in this guide.

Kitchen

(Shop this image: yellow backsplash tile, jute runners, barn light wall sconces, black stainless ranges, and wood step stools)

Runner
A well-placed runner can visually extend the space, whether you have a galley kitchen or large island.

Rug in Front of Sink
For U-shaped layouts, a small rug in front of the sink centers the space nicely.

Hallway

(Shop this image: flatweave hallway runners, hardwood flooring, wood console tables, and rug pads)

Runners are the go-to choice for corridors. It's best not to clutter these narrow thoroughfares, so leave all furniture legs off the rug in this space.

Entryway

(Shop this image: entryway benches, vintage-look area rugs, console tables, shaded chandeliers, and arched mirrors)

Let the shape of the space dictate the choice of round, rectangular, or runner, and use the width of your front door as a baseline for how wide the rug should be. Check the pile height to ensure your door will clear the rug when it’s opened.

Tip!

Shop our favorite rugs for every room in your home in this guide. If you're shopping for your outdoor space, check out our How to Choose the Best Outdoor Rugs guide.

Rug Pad Sizing

When buying an area rug for your home, don't forget a rug pad! A rug pad will help keep your rug from sliding around under your household's foot traffic.

A good rule of thumb for choosing the right size rug pad is to leave 1" of rug overhang on all sides of the rug pad. This means that the ideal rug pad for a rug will be 2" shorter and narrower than the rug. For example, the perfect rug pad for a 5' x 8' rug is 4'10" x 7'10".

Keep in mind that rug pads can easily be cut to size. If you can't find a rug pad that perfectly suits the rug you've chosen, always size up – you can trim a rug pad to the right dimensions, but you can't add length if it's too small.

Check Out These Popular Rug Sizes

Looking for a specific size? We've gathered some of the most common sizes guaranteed to suit your space.

Tip!

Read our guide for more tips on How to Style a Rug the Right Way in your space. If you're interested in learning more about rug materials, our How to Choose the Best Rug Material guide will help you out.