Styling: How to Find the Right Sized Rug for Your Home
The size of a rug can make an important difference to the feel of a room. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice
Luisa Volpato
23 October 2014
Houzz Contributor and interior designer/stylist based in Sydney
One of the main purposes of a rug is to help define a space. When choosing one, you need to consider the floor space you have in a room, what furniture you have to arrange on and around it and, most importantly, the connection and balance between the two. Typical rug sizes are: 1.6m x 2.3m or 1.7m x 2.4m (standard), 2m x 3m (large) and 2.5m x 3.5m (extra large), but often you can have them custom sized. Before you go shopping, use masking tape or newspaper to map out the ideal rug size on your floor and see how your furniture will fit. When in doubt, go slightly bigger – it’s always easier to tuck more of the rug under furniture than it is to make a small rug fill a big space. Here’s how to choose a rug to define your room.
LIVING ROOMS
Small to medium open-plan living area
Visually separate the seating area in an open-plan space using a large sisal rug that fits all the furniture on it. This will help define the perimeter of the zone within the larger, multi-use space. A 2m x 3m rug generally works, and it’s ok for the back of the sofa and armchair to sit just off the edge of the rug.
See 10 things a rug can do for you
Small to medium open-plan living area
Visually separate the seating area in an open-plan space using a large sisal rug that fits all the furniture on it. This will help define the perimeter of the zone within the larger, multi-use space. A 2m x 3m rug generally works, and it’s ok for the back of the sofa and armchair to sit just off the edge of the rug.
See 10 things a rug can do for you
Large open-plan area
If you have lots of space and large pieces of furniture, then chose a large rug but place it just under the front legs of the sofas as in this room. This will keep the rug and furniture connected and still fill a large space without having to buy a massive (and more expensive) rug. Typically a 2m x 3m or 2.5m x 3.5m will be enough to fill larger spaces.
If you have lots of space and large pieces of furniture, then chose a large rug but place it just under the front legs of the sofas as in this room. This will keep the rug and furniture connected and still fill a large space without having to buy a massive (and more expensive) rug. Typically a 2m x 3m or 2.5m x 3.5m will be enough to fill larger spaces.
If you have one large sofa, make sure the rug is longer. Or place the sofa just off the edge of the rug for a more abstract feel.
Browse more chevrons
Browse more chevrons
Large living room
In really large, single-room spaces, you’ll need a large, custom-sized rug to help fill the area and make it feel more intimate. In this case, all the furniture should sit on the rug and you’ll still have plenty of space to walk around it.
In really large, single-room spaces, you’ll need a large, custom-sized rug to help fill the area and make it feel more intimate. In this case, all the furniture should sit on the rug and you’ll still have plenty of space to walk around it.
In living rooms, try not to go for a small rug that looks like an island floating in the middle of the room with furniture pushed up against the walls. The furniture just doesn’t connect with the soft furnishings. It kind of works in this room as the rug is subdued in colour, but it’s not something I would usually recommend.
Long and narrow living rooms
If you have a long and narrow space, you’re likely to also have a long sofa. In this case, make sure your rug extends the full length of the sofa with a bit of space to spare. Typically a 1.7m x 2.4m or 2m x 3m rug will work and you can adjust the amount of rug that sits under the sofa to fit the width of the room.
If you have a long and narrow space, you’re likely to also have a long sofa. In this case, make sure your rug extends the full length of the sofa with a bit of space to spare. Typically a 1.7m x 2.4m or 2m x 3m rug will work and you can adjust the amount of rug that sits under the sofa to fit the width of the room.
DINING ROOMS
Open-plan dining spaces
Especially in large, open-plan spaces, a rug can help define the dining area and separate it from the kitchen and seating areas around it. Simply pop the rug under the table and chairs, as in this room.
Open-plan dining spaces
Especially in large, open-plan spaces, a rug can help define the dining area and separate it from the kitchen and seating areas around it. Simply pop the rug under the table and chairs, as in this room.
The main thing to remember is that the table and chairs need to fit on the rug with enough of a border so the back legs of the chairs don’t fall off the rug when someone is sitting in them. When the chairs are placed under the table, measure 50cm from the back legs all around and that’s the minimum size the rug needs to be.
Round dining tables
A round rug looks best under a round dining table. The same rule applies for how much space you need to allow when chairs are pulled out.
A round rug looks best under a round dining table. The same rule applies for how much space you need to allow when chairs are pulled out.
BEDROOMS
Master bedroom
A rug is a great alternative to carpet in bedrooms and can look a lot more stylish. The size needed can vary depending on the size of the room, particularly the space you have at the foot of the bed. You want the rug to start after the bedside tables and to continue at least 50cm all around. A 1.7m x 2.4m rug is the smallest you could get away with for a queen-size bed, but a 2m x 3m is best.
Master bedroom
A rug is a great alternative to carpet in bedrooms and can look a lot more stylish. The size needed can vary depending on the size of the room, particularly the space you have at the foot of the bed. You want the rug to start after the bedside tables and to continue at least 50cm all around. A 1.7m x 2.4m rug is the smallest you could get away with for a queen-size bed, but a 2m x 3m is best.
Kids’ bedrooms and nurseries
A small, round rug is a nice decorative feature in these rooms and provides a focal point, as the various pieces of furniture are usually set up along the walls.
A small, round rug is a nice decorative feature in these rooms and provides a focal point, as the various pieces of furniture are usually set up along the walls.
HALLWAYS AND ENTRIES
Empty spaces
A rug can help fill a largely empty space with little furniture in it. The shape of the cowhide rug here adds softer edges to this very rectangular space. A round rug would also work in this room.
Empty spaces
A rug can help fill a largely empty space with little furniture in it. The shape of the cowhide rug here adds softer edges to this very rectangular space. A round rug would also work in this room.
Undefined spaces
A round rug under an armchair can define a reading or relaxing nook within a larger space, such as a bedroom or living area. It also works under a small desk in the corner of a room. Typically, a round rug under an armchair needs to be at least 1.2m to 1.4m in diameter.
A round rug under an armchair can define a reading or relaxing nook within a larger space, such as a bedroom or living area. It also works under a small desk in the corner of a room. Typically, a round rug under an armchair needs to be at least 1.2m to 1.4m in diameter.
Entrance hall
After living rooms, the hallway is probably the most popular place for a rug (in the form of a runner). You have a lot more flexibility here in terms of how long it can be, but you should make sure that the width still allows for a bit of floor to show either side. A typical hall runner is 0.8m x 3m, but they can usually be cut to any length.
TELL US…
How have you used rugs to your advantage? We’d love to see photos in the Comments below.
After living rooms, the hallway is probably the most popular place for a rug (in the form of a runner). You have a lot more flexibility here in terms of how long it can be, but you should make sure that the width still allows for a bit of floor to show either side. A typical hall runner is 0.8m x 3m, but they can usually be cut to any length.
TELL US…
How have you used rugs to your advantage? We’d love to see photos in the Comments below.
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You can customize your own rug with design and size of your house.
As much as 3 separate rugs around the bed might be easier to clean, it also breaks up the room which makes it look smaller. One larger area rug, even if it doesn’t go all the way to wall under the bed looks much better than 3 individuals.