The Full Guide to Finding the Perfect Rug Size for Every Room
While it may seem like a straightforward task, it’s surprising how many people find they have selected the wrong size rug for their space. When choosing a rug, there are various elements to consider, and size is one of the most important details.
To make things simple, we have created a ‘rug size guide’, with everything you need to help you find your perfect size. When you get it right, a rug can elevate your space, adding a professional finish, for a stylish and cosy home…
Rug Sizes for the Bedroom…
When placed well, a bedroom rug can add an extra cosy feel and stylish finish. Particularly valuable if you have hardwood floors, bedroom rugs are often placed underneath the bed, to add a focal point and create a lovely soft surface to step onto in the morning.
Top Tips…
While it can feel extra luxurious, bedroom rugs don’t necessarily need to run all the way from the headboard to the footboard. If you’re working to a budget, or your bedside tables won’t be stable enough when placed on a rug, try placing a slightly smaller rug under your bed, starting just a few centimetres in front of your bedside tables.
If you’d prefer to go for a large rug that will go under the entire width and length of your bed, always ensure the rug is large enough so that it also expands to the outer edge of your bedside table, and around 40cm past the footboard.
While it creates a beautiful symmetry, a rug doesn’t always have to be placed under your bed. Instead try two runners or smaller rugs either side of the bed, or a single rug at the foot.
For a King Size Bed (Standard 200cm x 150cm)
Full coverage: 280cm x 360cm
Half coverage: 200cm x 290cm
Edges only: 60cm x 100cm
For a Double Bed (Standard 190cm x 135cm)
Full coverage: 240cm x 340cm
Half coverage: 200cm x 290cm
Edges only: 60cm x 100cm
Rug Sizes for the Living Room…
Using a rug in your living room can help define your seating area, or can be used to zone an open-plan space. Ideal for adding a cosy finish to hardwood floors, living room rugs are a popular choice to add that all important finishing touch. When it comes to choosing a size, consider the width of your sofa. Ideally, your rug should be 40 cm wider than your sofa on either side. Of course that’s not always possible, but to get this look right, ensure the rug is at least as wide as your sofa.
Top Tips…
If your living room is on the smaller size, choose a small rug that doesn’t fill the entire floor space. Place the rug in front of your sofa, only putting the front legs onto the rug. This will help draw the eye to back of the room, making it feel bigger.
If you have a spacious seating area, go for a large rug that will sit slightly beyond your sofa and arm chairs.
Another option for small rooms is to put your rug in the centre of your seating area, and not put the legs of the sofa on top of the rug. Instead put your coffee table on top in the middle to create a focal point.
Large Seating Area
300cm x 400cm
240cm x 340cm
Small Seating Area
200cm x 290cm
160cm x 230cm
Under Coffee Table Rug
140cm x 200cm
120cm x 170cm
Rug Sizes for the Dining Room…
When choosing a dining room rug, look to the shape and size of your table for inspiration. Placing a rug directly under your table will add focus and create a stylish finish in your dining room, and in an open-plan kitchen-dinner, a rug under the table will zone the dining space.
Top Tips…
Where possible, go for a rug that’s large enough so that all of the chairs fit on the rug too - this should be when the chairs are occupied, so that guests don’t end up with the front legs on their chair on the rug, and the back legs off, creating a slight lean.
Choose a rug that mirrors the shape of your table. For a rectangular table, choose a rectangular rug, and so on. This will create a particularly harmonious and aesthetically pleasing finish.
Large Table with Chairs on all Four Sides
300cm x 400cm
240cm x 340cm
Small-Mid Table with Chairs on all Four Sides
200cm x 290cm
160cm x 230cm
Round Table
200cm x 200cm
250cm x 250cm
Rug Sizes for the Hall…
Runners are the most popular choice for a hallway rug, but the size and shape that you go for often depends on how big your room is, and the shape. Placing a rug in your hallway can make for a great first impression - creating a home that’s welcoming as well as stylish.
Top Tips:
The most important thing to consider when choosing an entrance hall rug is that your front door can still be opened with ease. To be on the safe side, always subtract 1.2 metres from the length of your space, to be confident that your rug won’t get in the way of any doors opening.
Where possible, choose a rug that will sit at the centre of your space, and avoid placing any pieces of furniture on top of your hallway rug.
Hard wearing rugs are great for entrance halls - think jute or sisal, or anything synthetic for high traffic areas.
Long Narrow Hallway
60cm x 200cm
70cm x 300cm
Large Wide Hallway (multiple rugs in a row, or a round rug)
70cm x 250cm
80cm x 300cm
120cm x 120cm
150cm x 150cm
160cm x 160cm
When you’re able to find the perfect size rug for the space you have in mind, it makes a huge difference to the quality of finish that you’re able to achieve. When you get rug placement right, it can completely transform the look and feel of your scheme, elevating it to add a cosy and stylish finish, while also adding focus and defining your room.
From super soft shaggy rugs, vintage inspired designs and jute rugs, to highly textured pieces, boho rugs and bright and colourful designs, whatever style you choose is sure to have the impact you desire, especially when you get the size and placement just right.
