Finding the correct rug size is a crucial step when decorating with a rug. The right size can pull furniture pieces together or even make a room seem airier and more spacious. Meanwhile, the wrong size can completely throw off the vibe.
And then there’s shape! Rug shape is yet another thing that can determine how effective your decoration is, as different shapes can complement or clash with your existing furniture pieces and decor.
If you need help picking the perfect size and shape or want a good rule of thumb to follow for your rug selections, today’s guide will help. We’ve put together all our top tips for relevant tasks, from how to determine rug size to the best rules for custom size area rugs and their placement.
Choosing the right rug shape
It’s best to decide on the shape of the rug before diving into the different rug sizes. There are so many shapes to choose from!
Here are some of the most popular rug shapes you’ll see, whether for smaller rugs or the large living room variety:
Rectangular rugs are the most common rug shape and are perfect for covering large areas, as well as fitting into long and narrow spaces, such as living rooms, offices and seating areas.
Round rugs are more casual and fun and can help in grouping furniture pieces together in a room. These rugs can be very useful in rooms where you want to create divisions, making them the perfect choice for small, tight spaces.
Square rugs are less common than rectangular rugs but can be very effective in accenting end tables and other furniture pieces. These rugs are best used in square rooms and can be easily paired with similar-shaped tables or another square rug.
Lastly, runner rugs are ideal in long entryways to define hallways and help visitors find their way to your living room.
Our rug size guide
Finding a rug that perfectly fits your space is essential. There are some rules specific to particular rooms, but here are the rules of thumb to follow for just about all room types:
- Generally, it’s better to go a size larger as it’s easier to work around a bigger rug than a smaller one.
- There should be a visible floor gap between the rug and the wall.
- Which rug size to go for depends on the purpose of the room and what you hope to achieve with your area rug.
- Visualise your rug dimensions with tape or paper on the floor to get a better sense of what the size actually looks like in person.
- Always consider how the rug interacts with the furniture and overall balance of decor.
- Always consider where the door swings! Rugs often become obstructions for that.
As you can see, different rooms and layouts will merit different rug shapes and sizes because of all of these considerations. It’s actually why we’re finding more and more people requesting custom-shape area rugs now – they want something made to fit their space perfectly!
Living roomor common area size tips
When plotting out the size and shape of a living room rug, you absolutely need to consider the current layout and what you’re trying to do with the rug.
Are you adding texture? Setting a focal point? Define space in an open floor plan? Ask yourself these questions to get a better sense of what rug would answer the problem. And among other things, aim for balance!
Even when a rug is the focal point, it should never overwhelm the rest of the furniture just to achieve its purpose. Instead, it’s meant to work with the rest of your furnishings to provide a cohesive, appealing look.
Also remember that any shape can work, but the dimensions of the rug must allow it to cover the main seating area. Make sure that at least its front legs and the front legs of the neighbouring armchairs are on the rug.
It’s also worthwhile to consider layering items, as it’s a great way to add depth to a living room. Start with a larger, neutral rug and layer a smaller, patterned rug on top for a dynamic look. You can even try our minimalist, highly tactile Supertextures collection for this effect.
Dining room rug size tips
A good rule of thumb when shopping for a dining room rug is to select a rug that’s four feet larger than your dining table.
That’s because a dining room rug should be large enough for all the dining chairs to sit entirely on the rug even when pulled out. This prevents tripping, wobbling, and scratching on your floors.
The rug’s shape should reflect the furniture in the room too. For example, if you have a round table, pair them with a round rug, a rectangle rug with a rectangle table, and so on.
Bedroom rug size tips
The key rule to remember in our bedroom rug size guide is this: the rug should be proportionate to the size of your bed.
As much as possible, it should also extend beyond the bed to create a balanced look. However, there are some configurations where the rug doesn’t go under the bed at all (which means it doesn’t technically “extend beyond” it).
Here several common rug placements for bedrooms:
- Under the bed: Place the rug under the bed, extending out on all sides. This is the most traditional and balanced approach.
- Two-thirds under the bed: Position the rug so that the bed is partially on the rug, with the rug extending out from the foot of the bed and the sides.
- Runners on each side: Use runners on each side of the bed. This is particularly useful in smaller bedrooms.
Generally, you just want the rug to be ready for your feet to land on, which all three of the key positions above offer. That gives you a good idea of how large the rug should be based on your bed size and preferred bedroom rug position.
Let us help you implement this rug size guide for your home
Rugs are powerful pieces of interior decor that can completely transform any room through their colours and textures. Choosing the right rug size allows you to get the best look and results when adding this furnishing to your home.
The tips we gave you above will help you find the perfect rug for your spaces. If you’re still not sure how to find the best size and shape for your needs, however – say because you have an irregular floor space or perhaps have other considerations like a high-traffic area – we can help.
At The Rug Maker, we craft customised and bespoke rugs where every detail, shape and size included, is chosen with the greatest care. We can guide you in those areas too if you’re thinking of having a custom-made rug for your home.
