Choosing the Right Size Rug for Your Room
Current trends tend to stay away from fully carpeted rooms and incorporate hardwood, laminate, and even stained concrete floors instead. This means that you may want to purchase some rugs to help soften certain rooms and unify the decor. Choosing the right size rug can help create a more cohesive look and provide the best in form and function.
Living Areas
The size of the room and your furniture arrangement will dictate what size rug works best. If you want the rug to anchor the entire look of the room, then go for a room-size rug. These rugs are commonly 9’ x12’ or 10’ x 14’ and they tend to work best with a floating furniture arrangement where the furniture is pulled away from the wall.
If you have a smaller space and it makes the most sense to place the furniture against the wall to maximize space, then you have two options:
- A rug that is big enough so that the front legs of your furniture can be placed on the rug. Typically, this will be an 8’ x 10’ rug.
- A smaller accent rug that sits in the middle of the room and helps to center a coffee table or ottoman. In this scenario, you'll probably be looking for a 5’x 7’ rug.
Bedroom
A bedroom rug helps to make the space feel warmer and more relaxing while also providing your feet with a soft place to land in the morning. With a queen-size bed, a 5’ x 7’ rug will provide you with a border around the sides and bottom of the frame. An 8’ x 10’ rug will fit under most of the bed and allow more soft space and texture. For full coverage, go with a 10’ x 14’ rug. With this size, you should be able to place a king-size bed and two nightstands on the rug.
Dining Area
Here the key is to choose a size that allows the table and all the chairs to sit comfortably on the rug. This will prevent any floor scratches and create the right look. Match the shape of the rug to the silhouette of the table. For example, a round rug will go best with a round dining table.
Hallways and Entryways
This is the one area of the home where the rug won’t be used to frame the furnishing. Instead of placing furniture on the rug, you will want to choose a size that allows for about six inches of floor space on all sides. The rug should be centered in the space. Since there won’t be any weight on the rug to keep it in place, you may want to place a non-slip pad under the rug.
Choosing the right size rug for your room depends largely on the size of your room and the look you want to create. Use these guidelines to buy the perfect rug that will highlight your personal style and create a cohesive look.