Rugs are essential to any room. They provide comfort, warmth, and interest. Rugs create zones in a big space and frame a room in smaller spaces. Rugs create the frame to place furniture and define spaces. If you have hardwood, tile, or a hard surface floor, you will benefit the most from a rug. 

We know how frustrating it is to pick out a rug, let alone get the right size! Rug placement is something we have gotten asked a lot when designing homes. Over time we have collected some tips and tricks that we believe will be helpful to you next time you’re struggling to buy the right size rug. Below is our room-by-room guide with tips and examples.

Bedroom:

The first step in selecting the right size rug is to measure your bed. Depending on your size bed, the rug size will vary. However, you also have to consider the room’s size. A rule of thumb is to have the rug come about 6”-10” off each wall so that the floor under peaks through a bit. This also makes the space feel bigger! A rug is a foundation for a room that groups everything together. 

King: A 9’x12’ rug works best with a King Bed. The rug will sit completely under the bed and nightstands leaving about 2’ of rug space around the bed.

Queen: A 8’x10’ or 6’x9’ works perfectly with a queen bed. An 8’x10′ rug covers a queen bed and nightstands, with 3′ of rug on either side of the bed, while a 6’x9′ rug gives around an 18″ border on each side.

Full: A 6’x9’ or two 3’x5’ is the best fit for a full bed. A 6’x9′ rug fits nicely under a full bed while two 3’x5′ rugs on both sides of the bed also add cushioning.

Twin: An 8’x10’, 6’x9’, or 5×7 rug fits nicely under a twin bed leaving a sufficient amount of rug space around the bed. Two 3’x5’ rugs would also work great on both sides of the bed. 

Double Twin: The best option is to place a 3’x5′ rug between the two beds. Another option is to place a 2.5’x7′ or 2.5’x10′ runner rug across the middle of the beds.

Dining Room:

For the Dining room, you always want to keep the chairs on the rug and at least 8” of open space around the rug. Having at least 1’ of the floor peak through from the rug to the wall is ideal. Again, rug sizes depend on the size of the space and your dining table. 

Large Table (8+): A 9’x12’ or 10’x14’ rug is typical for a large-size rectangle table that ranges from 84”-94”. This allows for all the chairs to be on the rug, even when seated.  

Medium Table (6): An 8’x10’ or 6’x9’ rug fits best for a medium size rectangle table that ranges from 60”-72”. This allows enough space for the chairs to sit on the rug when seated or easily move them around. 

Small Table (4): A 6’x9’ rug works best for a square table that can range from 36”x36 – 50”x50”. This allows for the chairs to move and sit on the rug. If the table is round you can also use a 6’x9’ rug or an 8’ round rug allowing for the same ample room.

Living Room

Living Room: A 8’x10’, 9’x12’, or 10’x14’ rug are typical sizes for a living room. Again, this depends on the size of the space. 

Tip: Make sure the front legs of the furniture like sofas and accent chairs are on the rug. The rug should have a 6” minimum on each side of the furniture. 

Hallway & Kitchen: Hallways and Kitchen typically use a 2.5’x7’ or 2.5’x10’ runner since the space a narrow. 

General Rug Sizing Tips

Bigger Is Better

A few inches can make all the difference between the rug pulling the room together or making it feel un proportional. Opting for the larger option will always prove you wrong and the expense to be worth it. 

Read the Room

When choosing rug size and orientation, make sure it is proportional to the space. If it’s a large room, you will most likely need a large rug. Long rooms need the rug to follow the length of the space.

Visualize the Final Look

Using painter’s tape to mock the rug placement before you buy is a Designers tip! This is how we check that we have the right size for the room as well as the space planning phase in our design process. Always have a plan before implementing!