Size Does Matter - for rugs

Having a rug is a must for many reasons but it can be tricky when it comes to exactly what is the right rug size. I hope to explain a few points about sizing to make sure that when you are ready to purchase a rug you are getting the right balance for your space.

Living Room

Eclectic style living room. Image created using AI via Imagine.

Let’s start with the living room (family or lounge rooms are counted). It’s a space where you typically spend a lot of time with your family and friends to socialize, have gatherings, or watch some television. Most usually have a sofa or sectional with a chair(s), coffee table, side tables, media console, etc. It depends on the room size itself, your rug should be larger than the sofa itself. If the rug is smaller than a sofa, it will throw the entire living room off balance and makes the space feel small.

I created some sample typical living room furniture layouts below including a rug size guide to get an idea of the rug and furniture placement. Please keep in mind, these are just examples and your exact room size obviously can limit furniture and rug size.

Living room layouts with rug size guide created by Joshua Jones from JJones Design Co.

I know what you’re thinking….these large rug sizes tend to run hefty prices. It’s tempting to try to cut cost by cutting a foot off here or there, but I don’t recommend it. There are multiple vendors out there that sell the right rug size that will work within your budget. I am more than happy to assist you with that.

Dining Room

Modern farmhouse style dining room. Image created using AI via Imagine.

For the dining room - the most basic rule is to work with a rug that matches the shape of your dining table itself; usually square, round, or rectangle. Now, with sizing…go large. Make sure the rug is at least two to three feet away from each side of the dining table, you could go even larger if you want. The reason for this is that the dining chairs should never go off the edge of the rug when you pull them out to sit down or stand up. I have seen that mistake so many times. If your dining space is small and you just can’t accommodate a rug large enough, then I’d recommend going without. You can still make the space beautiful without a rug. And I can help with that as well.

I created some sample dining room layouts showing off the three basic table and rug shapes.

The dining room layouts with rug size GUIDE created by Joshua Jones from JJones Design Co.

I want to add a note about the dining room rug guide. If your dining room has some additional furniture pieces, like a buffet table, I recommend it to be at least one to three inches away from the edge of the rug to balance the overall dining room look.

Bedroom

Industrial style bedroom. Image created using AI via Imagine.

The common mistake that I have seen in many people’s bedrooms is the rug placement away from the bed. No, no, no. To really achieve a designer bedroom look the rug should lay right under the bed but and centered. Having the large rug under the bed really anchors the bed as the statement piece and focus of the room. I understand it can be challenging for a small bedroom that may not have a lot of space around the bed; urban condos and apartments often have tiny bedrooms. There are some rug size options that may work well for your bedroom size.

I created the bedroom layout with rug size guide for you to see what rug would work with both queen and king size beds.

The bedroom layout with rug size guide created by Joshua Jones from JJones Design Co.

I hope that you find these rug size guides helpful. There are always exceptions, but if you follow these basics, then I promise you’ll find a more balanced feel to your room with the right rug size. If you have any questions or want clarification - please feel free to leave the comment below.