Area rugs are a topic that many of you have asked. The size of an area rug can have a significant impact on the overall look of a room. A rug that is too small for your space can make the room feel cold and claustrophobic. A rug that is too big for the space will actually make it feel smaller. The right-sized area rug will add warmth and balance to the room, completing the look perfectly. There are many different rug sizes available, but how do you know which size will fit your space? Here in this guide, we show you some secret pro tips for choosing the best rug size for every space in your room, along with some essential design tips. 

Tips For Choosing The Right Size Of Area Rug

1.Measurement

Make sure that there's a four to six-inch border around all of the furniture pieces and all of their legs on anything that you're gonna place it underneath. The easiest way to do that is if you already have your furniture in place, then literally take a tape measure and go from one end of the sofa all the way to the other, figure that out, add 6 inches on each side, and do the same for the width.

And one thing to remember about when you're measuring is that you want to make note of anything that is on the floor that might cause the rug to be a different shape or need to be a different size. Those are things like a raised hearth, bookshelves that project into the room, or even an oddly-shaped corner that your seating arrangement accommodates, but your rug may interfere with. Now, if you're doing a new layout or plan and you need to kind of figure something without the furniture pieces there, then what you're gonna need to do is sketch something up.

2.Shopping

Now, once you've got your measurements down, you'll notice when you start to shop that most area rugs that are prefabricated are going to be close to similar basic sizes, which would be everything like 3 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 8, 6 x 9, 10 x 12, 10 x 15, these are the general referral sizes when you're looking for an area rug. And 9 x 12, 10 x 14, or 12 x 15 are the three big sizes that will typically be the size that will fit everything into that space.

3.Choose Rug Size For Every Room

The area rug defines the space. If the rug is in the living room, it's defining the living area away from any traffic patterns. If it's in the master bedroom, for instance, it's defining your sleeping area.

Dining Room Rug Size

If you do add a rug, allow at least a foot or two of flooring to remain visible along the perimeter of the room, but make sure that the rug extends roughly 18″-24″ from all sides of the table which will allow the chairs to rest on the rug rather than on the floor.

Typical sizes for rugs in the dining room:

• 6 person table / 6 ft long (72″): 6×9 or 8×10 rug
• 8 person table / 8 ft. long (96″): 9×12 rug
• 8 person table / 9 ft. long (108″): 9×12 rug
• 10-12 person table / 10 ft. long (120″): 10×14 rug

Hallway Rug Size

A hallway rug should be a runner rug that covers at least ¾ the length of the corridor, with a little floor showing on either side. If your hallway includes furniture like an accent table, make sure the furniture legs don’t rest on the runner rug.

Bedroom Rug Size

Depending on the size of the rug, bed and room, place the rug under the front two-thirds of your bed, or under the entire bed and nightstands. Allow 2' to 3’ on each side of the bed to have a soft, warm place for your feet to land when you get out of bed. Alternatively, place a runner on each side of the bed, or a single runner at the foot of your bed.

You don't get off the bed in the front. You get off the bed on the side and when your feet hit that floor, you want your feet to hit a carpet. So you want that area rug to hold that whole space, bed and nightstands.

Accent Rug Size

Smaller accent rugs spice up a foyer or the foot of a favorite easy chair, and can be used bedside or in front of the kitchen sink as well. If used in the foyer, the size of the accent rug should be at least as wide as the door.

Living Room Rug Size

If layering, make sure the ratio of large rug to smaller rug is sufficient to show off each rug; for example, a 9 × 12 rug with a 6 × 9 rug laid on top will look fantastic. Determine the size of your couch and/or chairs before deciding which rug size is best for your room. If you have a wide living room, a 10 × 14 rug may be the best option for you.

Make sure the furniture's front legs are on the rug, and leave 6-8 inches of rug space on either side of the couch/chair. If you have a large living room with a floating seating area, choose a large rug and put all of the furniture on top of it. If the living room is small or the couch is against a wall, a slightly smaller rug with the front legs of the furniture on the rug and the back legs on the floor is an option.

Related read: how to choose the right rug for your living room