People ask me all the time how to figure out what size area rug they need for their room.
I see so many area rugs that are just too small. Yes, I know that it’s cheaper to buy a smaller area rug. But, it’s really doing a disservice to your space.
An area rug does so much more than add something soft to walk on in your room. The right sized area rug anchors seating areas. It can add color to your room. It adds warmth to your space. It adds texture to your room. And, it also helps control sound. But, you need the right size area rug for your room.
If you happen to have an area rug that’s too small, but you love it, you can always find a neutral, larger area rug, which fits your space, to put under it and layer the smaller one on top. Or, you can just use it in a smaller room.
There are 2 easy ways that you can decide what size rug you need.
The first way, which is the easiest way, is to measure 18” in from each wall in the room. The result is the size rug you’ll need for a room-sized area rug.
Did you know that you can go to a carpet store and ask them to make you the exact size area rug that you need for your space? They can even cut it to match any shape you need.
The second way is for those of you that already have your room’s furniture.
For a living room, arrange your furniture in a comfortable conversation arrangement, pulling items in from the wall if need be. You should be able to easily chat with others in the room when seated. Then measure from at least a few inches under each furniture piece.
Like I always say, your area rug should be at least large enough to go under the front legs of your furniture (the seating, not just the coffee table).
For a dining room, your area rug should be large enough so that you can pull out your chair and still have the chair legs on the rug. You don’t want to be catching the chair legs on the edge of the rug every time you get up.
For a bedroom, the area rug should go under the bed and be at least large enough that your feet land on it when you get out of bed, on both sides. It doesn’t have to go all the way up under the headboard. You can start it in front of your nightstands.
That’s it, easy peasy.
Here are a few things you should NOT do.
Do not put a little area rug under your coffee table. Your table doesn’t need its own rug.
Do not put small runners on the side of your bed. It’s just a little pet peeve of mine. Get a rug that’s large enough to go all the way under the bed. It just looks better.
Do not put one tiny, little rug in front of your front door in your entryway. Why? Because when guests come over only one person can wipe their feet at a time. The next person has to wait until that person is done in order to get in the door. Go with at least a 3×5 rug, if you can fit it. It just works better.
Don’t settle for an area rug that isn’t just right for your room.
Like I always tell my clients “There are thousands of options out there. We’re not going for OK. We’re going for fabulous!”
If you need help choosing the right area rug for your space book a Consult today and let’s chat about it.
https://details.mydomastudio.com/store/Consultations/DesignWorkSession
Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2018
Such excellent advice for choosing a rug.
Right sized rugs are one of my pet peeves (when they’re not the right size). Such great advice that’s easy to follow!!
These are excellent tips for picking the right rug size. This is an extremely helpful guide!
Thanks for the tips. Rugs make a room so much warmer. Its nice to know the right way to buy them.
This is so informative! All are awesome points and pet peeves. Well done.
Excellent tips, Wendy. “Your table doesn’t need its own rug.” – So true.