How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Every Room: Ultimate Rug Size Guide

Busy planning your dream home and want to learn the basics fast? Here's a quick chart to let you know how to use common rug sizes. Make sure to save it as an easy reference any time you need a new rug.

2'×8' 

• Hallways
• Entryways
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms

4'×6'

• Offices
• Restrooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens

5’×7’

• Dining rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Small living rooms

6’×9’

• Dining rooms
• Kitchens
• Bedrooms
• Large entryways

8’×10’

• Medium living rooms
• Dining rooms
• Bedrooms
• Offices
• Game rooms

9’×12’

• Large living rooms
• Bedrooms

General Rug Rules & Styling Tips

There are a lot of factors that go into picking the right rug size, but we promise it doesn't need to take you hours to choose a side. 

Just follow our cheat sheet to figure out what type of rug you need for any room:

1. The 18-inch rule: Always leave at least 18 inches of bare floor between the edge of your rug and the wall.
2. Anchor your furniture: Create a grounded space by always having at least the front edges of your furniture on the rug.
3. Bigger is better: If you're between sizes, size up. Too-small rugs leave rooms looking bare and unpolished.
4. Coordinate shapes: Aim to have a rug that is roughly the same shape as the room or your key furniture.
5. Consistent clearance: Make a symmetrical look by leaving a similar amount of bare floor around every edge of the rug.
6. Try layering: Use small rugs on top of large rugs in large areas or awkwardly shaped spaces.
7. Proportion over pattern: The overall dimensions of the rug matter more than the print, so prioritize finding the right size.

How to Choose the Right Rug Size

Picking any rug is as simple as following these three easy steps.

1. Measure Your Room

The first step to getting an idea of what rug you need is to measure your room. This will let you know the maximum size you can get. You should also check to see the length of the couch, table, or other large piece of furniture that will sit on the rug.

2. Visualize Your Layout

It's often helpful to actually visualize your layout. Arrange your furniture how you would like it once the rug is present, and use painter's tape to mark the size of your desired rug on the floor. This lets you get a feel for how different rug sizes will actually work in the space.

3. Consider Your Lifestyle

There are also some practical considerations that go into rug sizes. Large sizes cost more, so you'll want to think about what size fits with your budget. Some people will want to get an affordable rug from our Best Area Rugs Under $300 list, while others will want to invest in a large, high-quality rug that defines their room for years.

When it comes to living room rug size guides, your desired layout is essential. Most people use area rugs in the living room to define a seating area. One of the layouts we see the most is an area rug with a coffee table centered on it and the front legs of the sofas and armchairs on it. The other main living room rug layouts tend to be all furniture on the rug or a floating rug that only touches the coffee table.

Just make sure to be cautious with floating layouts or large rooms. A too-small rug that looks like a postage stamp creates an awkward layout. 

We've found that certain standard area rug sizes work best in certain situations:

• Small living room: 5’×7’ or 6’×9’
• Medium living room: 8’×10’
• Large living room: 9’×12’ or 10’×14’
• Small loveseat: 4’×6’ or 5’×7’
• Standard three-seat sofa: 5’×7’ or 8’×10’
• Large sectional: 9’×12’ or 10’×14’

What is a good rug size for a bedroom? Some people like to put their bed fully on an area rug while others choose to place narrow runners next to the bed. Another excellent option to consider is the rule of thirds. This method involves placing the rug horizontally so that one-third is visible and two-thirds of it is under the bed.

Depending on which layout you prefer, here are some popular sizes of rugs for bedrooms:

• 2’×6’: This narrow runner size is ideal for placing next to your bed.
• 6’x9’: Use this size of rug fully underneath a twin or full bed.
• 8’×10’: This works great for going fully under a queen bed or partially under a king bed.
• 9’×12’: If you want a rug fully under a king, this is the size to choose.

When picking the right size for your dining room, it's all about your table. Not only will you need to match the rug shape to the table, but you'll also need to consider the size. An overly small rug will make it a huge pain to pull chairs in and out. The general rule of thumb we suggest is to make sure your rug is at least 24 to 30 inches wider than the edge of your table.

Here are suggested standard rug sizes for popular tables:

• Round table: 6’-8’ round rugs
• Square table: 6’x6’ or 8’x8’ rugs
• Four-seat rectangular table: 6’×9’
• Six-seat rectangular table: 8’×10’
• Eight-seat rectangular table: 9’×12’ rugs

Kitchens and entryways tend to be very high-traffic areas, so we suggest paying close attention to rug sizes that won't get in the way. You'll need to choose smaller rugs that are easy to clean but are still large enough to make a visual impact.

Here are some sizes that work especially well in kitchens and entryways:

• 2’×6’, 2’×8’, and 2’×10’: These rugs are the perfect size to run down a long countertop or next to a large kitchen island.
• 3’×5’: This petite size works well to provide extra cushioning in front of a sink, stove, or other workspace.
• 4’×6’: These medium-sized rugs are ideal for decorating the floorspace in kitchens or creating a tasteful accent in large entryways.

Runner rugs add warmth and reduce noise in narrow areas like hallways and stairs, so it's OK to have them slightly closer to the wall than area rugs. They're also frequently used to define the area next to kitchen countertops and beds. Unlike other types of rugs, runners usually look great even when the front feet of furniture aren't sitting on them.

The right width for a runner is usually a size that has a few inches of bare floor between it and anything else. When selecting length, pick one that runs almost the full length of the hall, bed, or other item you're accenting with the runner.

These are the common runner rug sizes and how to use them:

• 2' x 6': The most popular size; works well in narrow spaces like hallways, between kitchen counters and islands, or alongside beds.
• 2' x 8': Offers more length; ideal for longer hallways, larger entryways, or galley kitchens.
• 2' x 10': Best for extra-long hallways, expansive kitchens, or large open-plan areas that need visual grounding.
• 2.5' x 7' (or 2.5' x 9'): Slightly wider, making them cozy underfoot in bedrooms or layered at the foot of a bed.
• Custom Sizes: Many retailers (like Ruggable or The Citizenry) offer customizable runner lengths, which is helpful for awkward spaces.

These non-slip, quick-drying rugs need to suit your bathroom shape. Long, galley bathrooms will need runner rugs, while larger ones might benefit from area rugs. Some people also like to select rug sizes that are roughly the length of their shower, vanity, or bathtub.

Some popular rug sizes to pick for your bathroom include:

• 17”×24”: This size is suitable for placing in front of a shower door.
• 20”×30”: Consider this length for putting in front of a bathtub.
• 2’×6’: Try placing this length in a smaller bathroom.
• 2’×8’: This rug style works well in long, narrow bathrooms.
• 3’×5’: This size of rug can look great in front of a double vanity.
• 4’×6’: If you have a large master bathroom, this can define the space in front of the sink.