How to Choose a Rug Size
Room-by-room layouts and tips for determining the best rug sizes for your space.
A well-chosen rug can do wonders for a room. It can add warmth and comfort. It can ground a conversational area. It can inspire a space's color palette. It can set a mood or a style. However, the first step in selecting the perfect rug is determining the best shape and size for your room.
- Consider the shape of your space when choosing the shape of your rug. Round dining tables in round dining rooms look best over round rugs. Likewise, most living room groupings feel natural when defined by a square or rectangular rug.
- Look at your room's furniture layout, and then determine the size you need based on our guidelines below.
Popular Rug and Furniture Placements
Rugs should be big enough so that at least the front legs of all major pieces of furniture in a conversational grouping can be placed on top of the rug.
When an area rug is used on a wood or tile floor in lieu of wall-to-wall carpeting, allow 5 to 18 inches of bare floor around the rug.
In a dining room, you should be able to pull out all of the chairs and have the chair legs remain on the rug. Make sure the rug is a minimum of 2 feet wider than the table on all sides.
The rug size you need will vary based on the size of your dining table and number of chairs.
In a bedroom, the rug should be at least large enough so that your feet land on the rug when you are getting out of bed (about 2 to 3 feet on each side).
The rug may, but does not need to, go completely under the bed and/or nightstands.
The rug size you need will vary based on bed size.
Tip!
Use masking tape, wrapping paper, or even a bed sheet to visualize different sizes of area rugs in your space.
Standard Rug Sizes
For more information on picking the right rug for your space, watch the video below. HGTV's Peyton Lambton provides recommendations for getting rug size just right in any room.
