This rug size guide will help simplify the process of finding the perfect rug for your space. Choosing the perfect rug doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—even though I know it often can. Rugs are a big investment, and with so many choices, it’s easy to feel stressed about picking the right one.
Should you prioritize size, material, or color? What about durability and maintenance? I’ve been there, trying to figure out the best choice for each room, and over time (and many rugs later), I’ve discovered what works and what doesn’t.
That’s why I’m here to guide you through the process and make it as simple and enjoyable as possible. With a few easy rules of thumb, tips to answer your most pressing questions, and helpful insights, you’ll be well on your way to finding a rug that fits your space perfectly.
Whether it’s a cozy accent for your bedroom, a durable option for high-traffic areas, or the ideal piece to tie your living room together, I’ve got you covered. Let’s take this one room at a time and transform the task of rug shopping into an easy and even exciting experience!
Rug Guide
Because I love our warm, beautiful hardwood floors so much, I’ve spent a lot of years learning about rugs. When we installed hardwoods in our colonial and then here in the tudor, I learned that rugs could transform a space just as much as the hardwoods. And with all my trials and tribulations, I knew I had to share everything I have learned with this updated rug size guide.
How to Choose a Rug
There’s something so inviting about the layered, cozy look of a rug—it highlights the warmth of hardwood while adding a soft, textured element to your space. A rug can be the finishing touch that completes a room or the inspiration that sets the tone for your entire design!
Over the years, I’ve shared plenty of advice on rugs, and now I’m bringing it all together. Explore all my tips in this rug size guide to help you find the perfect rug for your specific needs.
Here are some tips for specific rug needs:
- Vintage Turkish Rugs
- Indoor Outdoor Rugs
- Bedroom Rug Size and Placement Guidelines
- Installing a Runner on Basement Steps
- Best Rug for Kids and Pets
- Neutral Rugs
- Traditional Rugs
- Sisal Rugs (that you can actually clean)
When choosing a new rug for a room, I like to start by asking myself a few simple questions. With this easy process and a little inspiration, finding the perfect rug becomes effortless!
Tuileries Rug
Comes in six different sizes
Ayjah Geometric Rug
Six colors to choose from
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Rug
What is the room’s usage? Consider how the room is used—will the rug need to handle high traffic, be kid-friendly, or work in a low-traffic, more formal space?
What materials do you prefer? Explore your options, from natural fibers like sisal, jute, wool, and cotton to more durable materials like polypropylene.
What’s your color palette? Decide if you want the rug to make a bold statement with vibrant colors or provide a neutral backdrop for the rest of the room.
What about patterns? Consider whether you’d prefer a solid design or something with a pattern like floral, stripes, or geometric shapes—the options are endless!
What is the rug anchoring? Think about the furniture arrangement. For example, a rug under a round dining table or a square living room setup might influence the shape and size you choose.
What size do you need? This is one of the most important factors! Start by measuring your room, and I’ll share some helpful sizing guidelines in this post to make the process even easier.
Tybee Hand-Knotted Rug
Shades of sand and pale blue
Jurado Oriental Area Rug
Prices start at just $80
Rug Size Guide
Remember, design rules are meant to be broken—these tips are simply guidelines to help you make confident choices, not hard-and-fast rules!
That said, one rule I always keep in mind is to avoid rugs that are too small, as they can make a room feel visually cramped. When in doubt, it’s better to choose a rug that’s slightly too large than one that’s too small. A larger rug creates a seamless flow, allowing the eye to travel effortlessly through the space.
Living Room Rug Size Tips
Your rug does not need to fill the whole room but should appropriately anchor the seating arrangement.
Always remember the rule of the front two legs: Make sure your rug fits underneath the front two legs of your sofa and accent chairs.
As a general rule, try to leave at least a two-foot border between your rug and the walls. You don’t want the appearance of wall-to-wall carpet, so leave room to enjoy those gorgeous hardwoods.
In very large rooms, anchor your furniture arrangement entirely, ignoring the remainder of the surrounding space. You’ll want all tables, chairs, and sofas to be completely inside the rug.
Westside Hand-Knotted Rug
The artistry of trees
Gingham Rug
Comes in my favorite Coastal Blue
Dining Room Rug Size Tips
You’ll want your rug to extend at least 2’ on each side of your table, leaving room for your chairs when they are pulled out.
If you have a table that has extensions, make sure your rug is big enough to accommodate those as well.
A rug under a dining table can be so practical – read up on indoor outdoor rugs for more details on how I do this and maintain a clean house.
Round tables can be confusing… but in a good way! For a round table, you can certainly purchase a round rug (based on the same sizing guidelines with 2′ on each side for chairs). However, you can also do a square or rectangular rug if that works well within the room measurements.
Kohut Abstract Rug
On sale!
Lakewood Rug
Marled wool gives a great texture
Bedroom Rug Size Tips
A 9’x12’ rug fits best for most bedrooms under a king or queen-sized bed. You can do a 5’x8′ for a twin-sized bed.
While the place can depend on the size of the rug, bed, and room overall, consider placing the rug under the front two-thirds of your bed.
Try to allow 2’ to 3’ on each side of the bed. There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning and placing your feet on a soft and cozy rug!
Ebbtide Rug
Handwoven of weather-friendly fibers
Trellis Cream and Gray Rug
Purposefully distressed for a casual feel
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! I love the look of layered rugs, and that goes for carpet, hardwoods, tile and more. Layering a rug over carpet can cover a dated material, hide stains, or simply provide a charming anchor in any room.
They can, but they certainly don’t have to! In fact, it’s great to mix things up. Rugs are an excellent place to bring in a pop of color, texture, and softness underfoot. Just make sure your rug works with any accent colors and wall colors in your space.
How to Layer Rugs
As I mentioned before, I love the look of layering rugs. This can be especially beneficial for a few reasons:
- Covering up dated or ugly floors.
- Hiding stains or flaws.
- If you buy a vintage rug you love because of color or style, it might not be large enough scale. For example, layering a kilim rug over a sisal rug can be an incredible compromise!
To accomplish this layered rug look, take the following into consideration:
- Start neutral for your base—like our cream sisal rug you can clean. Now you can layer a textural wool, hide, shag, or flat weave on top.
- Your top rug will look best if it’s about 2/3 the size of your larger base rug.
Sources
- Our Sisal-look ivory Living Room Rug (these are custom, but ours is Belize for the pattern and Frost for the color, with outdoor binding.)
- Our blue and white striped rug in our lake house kitchen.
- My favorite source for Vintage Turkish Rugs.
- The pet friendly rug from our living room, so soft underfoot!
- The striped stair runner on our basement stairs.
- The indigo blue herringbone rug at our lake house entry.
More Home Tips
Julie , I love your style of decorating and each room is more attractive than the last. I am now searching for the right runner for my front hall and I find half the fun is in the hunt. Needs to be pretty but muddy dog paw resistant. Thanks for all your info on choosing the right rug.
Hi Kathy!
What a lovely comment, thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the search, that’s the fun of shopping right?
Enjoy, have a beautiful weekend!
Julie
These are great tips and super important for a purchase like this since rugs are literally something you will use or look at every single day in your home.
Hello,
Love your home! Thank you for the rug ideas. Can you tell me where you purchased the brass tray that sits on your bookshelves? Thank you 🙂
Hi Kathy!
Thanks so much for your question- that tray is actually an antique. I wish I could find more of them, I love it so much!
Have a beautiful week,
Julie
Love your sweet home! Where did you get your sofa? I read a few posts and tried to “shop” it but can’t find it!! Is it Restoration hardware?
It is! It’s the Belgian Linen Slope Arm Sofa in sand. Enjoy!
I am in love with that rug! I found it on overstocks site but they only have it in 8 x 11 and then the next largest is 12 x 15. I definitely need a 9 x 12. Any ideas as to how often they update their sizing?
Unfortunately I have no idea, however I purchased mine 3 years ago, so I think that fares well that it will be back in stock. I called their customer service on another product and they were extremely helpful so I would check with them.