Have you ever bought a rug that was just way too small for your space? There is nothing more frustrating than rolling out a new rug only to find the sofa is bigger than the rug or the dining chairs hang off the end. That’s why understanding rug sizes is one of the most important elements of learning how to choose a rug size for your home.

Be sure to check out our Choosing Rug Materials post for more details on selecting your perfect rug!

Let’s get started with the basics, most retailers sell rugs in about 5-6 common sizes.  As a rule of thumb, our design team goes as large as possible with the rug as the space allows. This makes the space look better and ties everything together plus it adds great color, pattern and coziness.

Common Rug Sizes: A Helpful Rug Size Guide

Let’s start with the basics. Most retailers sell rugs in about five or six common rug sizes. As a rule of thumb, our design team chooses the largest rug size the space can accommodate. A larger rug helps tie the room together visually while adding color, pattern, and coziness.

Most Common Rug Sizes

• 5’ x 8’ – Best for small dining tables, home offices, or compact spaces.
• 6’ x 9’ – A versatile size suitable for small living rooms, bedrooms, or under a dining table.
• 8’ x 10’ – One of the most popular rug sizes for living rooms and bedrooms, creating balanced furniture placement.
• 9’ x 12’ or 10’ x 14’ – Ideal for spacious rooms where the rug anchors the furniture and creates a cohesive layout.

This rug size guide will help you decide which size works best for every room in your home.

Rug Placement Tips per Room:

How to Choose a Rug Size for Your Living Room

The living room rug sets the tone of the space, and we often design the room around the rug’s style, colors, and pattern. Choosing the right rug size will dramatically impact the entire layout.

Standard Living Room Rug Size Guidelines

Most small or standard living rooms work well with a 6’ x 9’ or 8’ x 10’ rug size.

When deciding how to choose a rug size for this space, make sure the front legs of the furniture rest on the rug.

Aim to leave around 6″ to 12″ of space on either side of the furniture.

Medium Living Room Size

Small Living Room Size

                                               

Another Layout option

• Add an area rug that frames all the furniture inside the rug and leaving about 6”-12” behind the furniture on the rug.
• This is a good option when the furniture is in a large open space to create “zones”.
• With this option, you can also layer a smaller rug over a larger area rug for more dimension and texture, such as layering a colorful rug over a jute rug.
• Rugs that fit well with this layout are 9’ x 12’ & 10’ x14’ and custom sizes.

Large Living Room Size

Rug Size Guide for Bedrooms

Bedroom rugs add color and comfort while keeping your feet warm when you get out of bed. The goal is to make sure you have plenty of rug surface visible on both sides of the bed and at the foot.

Best Rug Sizes for King Beds

• Our go-to size is a 9’ x 12’ rug. This gives you around 2’ to 3’ of soft landing space around the bed.
• An 8’ x 10’ rug size can also work well in many bedrooms.

9’x12’ area rug

Best Rug Sizes for Queen and Full Beds

• We recommend a 6’ x 9’ or 8’ x 10’ depending on the room size.
• If you prefer smaller rugs, try placing 3’ x 5’ rugs on each side of the bed.

Queen /Full 8×10’  

Queen /Full 6’x9’ 

Dining Room Rug Size Guide

When selecting a dining room rug, think about how to choose a rug size that allows chairs to slide back comfortably while staying on the rug. Ideally, keep 24″–28″ of rug space around the table.

Source: Lulu and Georgia

Dining Room Tips:

• Frame the table with the rug ideally to have at least 24’’ to 28’’ around the sides to allow for the chairs to be pulled out. 
• The best sizes for rugs in the dining room are 6’x9’ 8’x10’ & 9’x12’.

You can follow these guidelines according to the number of chairs on your table:

Recommended Rug Sizes for Dining Rooms

• 4-seat tables: 6’ x 9’
• 6-seat tables: 8’ x 10’
• 8+ seats: 9’ x 12’

More Dining Room Rug Tips

• Round dining tables pair well with either a round rug or a generously sized rectangular rug.
• If your table is extendable, choose a rug size that fits the table when fully extended.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Rug Size for a Balanced Home

As you can see, selecting the right rug sizes for your rooms will make your home feel balanced, grounded, and cohesive. Whether you’re learning how to choose a rug size for the first time or simply looking for a clear rug size guide, these tips will help you choose the perfect rug for every space.

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Until next time,

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