Mastering Area Rugs: How to Choose the Perfect Size, Shape, and Placement
Selecting the perfect area rug can transform any space, adding warmth, texture, and personality. However, this seemingly simple choice often comes with a range of questions. When is an area rug necessary? What size should you choose? In this guide, we’ll explore the key considerations to help you confidently choose the right rug for your space.
design by brick + beam STUDIO | photo by todd vorenkamp
Let’s begin by addressing the first question: when is an area rug essential? Consider the spaces in your home. If a room feels bare or lacks warmth, an area rug can instantly create a cozier atmosphere. It’s also an excellent way to introduce color or pattern to a space. Additionally, if your furniture seems disconnected or feels like it’s ‘floating,’ an area rug can effectively anchor the pieces, giving the room a more cohesive and grounded look.
Now, for the second question: How big should your area rug be? This is one of the most common inquiries we receive from clients—and for good reason. With an array of sizes and shapes available, determining the right dimensions for your space can feel overwhelming. The key to choosing the right size area rug is ensuring it anchors the furniture grouping but it also shouldn’t fill the entire floor space. We like to leave a minimum of 12” of flooring showing between the wall the edges of the rug.
Living Room
For a living room, the rug should at least capture the front legs of all pieces of furniture and even better if it captures all the furniture legs. In general 8’x10’, 9’x12’ and 10’x14’ area rugs are best sizes for living rooms.
Dining Room
In a dining room, the area rug should be large enough so that all of the chair legs are on the rug when the chairs are pulled out enough for someone to sit at the table. Most dining sets need an 8’x10’ rug or larger. Have a round dining table or a square dining table? It looks great when you select a rug shape that matches your table shape.
Bedroom
In a bedroom, the area rug should be under the area of the bed that your feet touch when getting in and out of bed. The rug should also extend at least 12” beyond the foot of the bed or beyond the bench at the end of the bed and it can certainly extend beyond 12” too. The rug can either encompass the nightstands or stop just in front of the nightstands, as depicted in the two images on the left.
Now that you have a better understanding of the size and shape to look for in an area rug, be sure to explore our guide to mixing area rugs for inspiration and a curated list of our favorite rugs.
We hope these tips help in your hunt for the perfect rug. For more personalized tips on choosing the right pieces for your space, feel free to contact us here or book a Discovery Call. We look forward to working with you!