Whether you’re looking to define a seating area or create a walkway, rugs are an easy update that add color and texture—while also helping to make any space feel more balanced. From distinctive hand-knotted rugs to patterned flat weaves, our rug collection features a range of versatile styles and sizes, from 2 x 3 feet to 10 x 14 feet perfect for every room in your home. In this guide, we’ll help you find the right rug size for your dining room, living room, and bedroom, taking into consideration the size and shape of each room, and the furniture within it.

Dining Room

When choosing a rug for your dining room, start with the size of your dining table. We recommend a rug that's two feet longer and wider than your table to make sure there's enough room to pull back chairs without hitting the edge of the rug. Here are some general size guidelines:

  • 8 seat dining table: 6 x 9 ft. to 9 x 12 ft.
  • 6 seat dining table: 6 x 9 ft. to 8 x 10 ft.
  • 4 seat dining table: 5 x 8 ft. to 8 x 10 ft.
  • Round 6 seat table: 6 x 9 ft. to 8 x 10 ft.

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Design Considerations

  • Choose a rug that extends at least two feet on each side of your table—most tables will need a rug that's at least eight feet wide.
  • If you're deciding between two rug sizes, choose the larger size. A rug that's on the verge of being too small will make your space feel more cramped, whereas a larger size will make the room feel more open.
  • As a general design rule, it’s best to match the rug shape to the table shape to create a cohesive look. Most rugs are rectangular, making them ideal for rectangular tables. For a round table, opt for a large round rug, however, a large rectangular area rug can work as long as the table is centered, with plenty of space around it.

Living Room

In a living room, a rug serves multiple functions. It can define the whole room, accent a small seating area, and bring an abundance of color and texture to the space. For large area rugs, there are two options for size and placement with your furniture: the rug should either be large enough to accommodate all the furniture—with breathing room to spare around edges—or, large enough to fit at least the front two legs of each piece of furniture on it (with the exception of furniture such as a coffee table or side table).

Here are some general rug sizes that work for foundational furniture and accent pieces:

  • Loveseat and armchair: 5 x 8 ft.
  • Small sectional: 8 x 10 ft. or larger
  • Sofa, loveseat, and armchair: 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 ft.
  • Large sectional and armchairs: 9 x 12 or 10 x 14 ft.

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Design Considerations

  • When planning your rug size and layout, make sure that the front legs of all furniture pieces are sitting on the rug, leaving about six inches of rug space underneath each piece.
  • For a larger room, consider an oversized area rug—like one of our 10 x 14 feet options—that can fit all four legs of sofas, sectionals, chairs, and side tables.

Bedroom

When it comes to choosing a rug for your bedroom, it all depends on the size of your bed and the rug placement. While two small rugs on either side of the bed add a personalized touch, opting for a larger area rug will expand your space and set a relaxing, comfortable tone.

For an area rug in the bedroom, it should be large enough to fit underneath the entire bed with at least a foot of rug space surrounding the bed. However, if you choose a slightly smaller area rug, you can place the rug two-thirds of the way under the bed, starting in front of your nightstands. Here’s how to choose the right size rug depending on the size of your bed:

Queen Bed:

  • Under 2/3 of the bed: 5 x 8 ft.
  • Under the entire bed: 8 x 10 ft. or larger

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King Bed:

  • Under 2/3 of the bed: 8 x 10 ft.
  • Under the entire bed: 9 x 12 ft. or larger

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Design Considerations

  • Maintain two to three feet of the rug on each side of the bed, that will feel soft underfoot when you get out of bed each morning.
  • If you have furniture at the foot of your bed, like a storage bench, make sure you choose a larger rug size to accommodate it.
  • If the size of your bedroom is not big enough for an area rug, incorporate a runner to elongate your space.

Where to Place a Runner

Runners add a layer of comfort and visual interest to transitional, high-traffic areas of your home, easily updating (as well as elongating) any entryway, hallway, staircase, or kitchen. We offer a range of sizes and styles to choose from. Here are some tips on how to integrate runners into your home:

Hallways: To properly place a runner, it should extend past any doorway by at least four inches and have at least four inches of space from the wall on either side. Avoid cutting off any door entrances with a rug that ends in the middle of the doorway.

Kitchens: If you have a kitchen island, consider a runner that extends past the island on both sides to make the space feel larger. For a pop of color and added comfort, a 2 x 3 foot rug makes a great addition in front of the kitchen sink.

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Stairways: For a stairway runner, remember that you'll need to accommodate tucking it underneath each step, so make sure to measure accordingly. If your stairway has a landing or changes direction, consider connecting two rugs for a seamless transition. Measure both the tread (horizontal step) and the riser (the vertical part of step) when figuring out how long your rug needs to be—don't forget the last step that leads to the final landing at the top. Multiply the total inches per stair by the total number of steps, then divide by 12 to get the total length in feet necessary for your rug. For an elegant and sturdy finishing touch, add stair rods. To ensure accuracy and safety, we recommend professional installation.

Find the perfect rug for your space by browsing our selection of handcrafted rugs. Still have questions? Consult our Design Crew online, in-store, or by phone for more help.

Related Reading:

Rug Style & Design Guide

Behind the Design: Our Flatweave Rug Collection

How to Clean & Care for Your New Rug