Whenever we post a room photo with a rug in it, the frequently asked question is, “What size rug is that?” I get it! It’s helpful to have a frame of reference to get started, but the chances are pretty slim that the dimensions of a room in our house are going to be the exact dimensions of the room in your home. And when it comes to rugs—room size matters! So, we’re here to help with a rug size guide for your bedroom, living room, and dining room, along with some styling tips.
Rug Guide For The Bedroom
Primary Bedroom Sources
Bigger is not always better when it comes to rug size in the bedroom. We’ve always had a king-size bed, and in most bedrooms, we’ve been able to get away with a 9×12 area rug just fine (like in the image of our bedroom above). However, in one house, it looked more like wall-to-wall carpet, covering nearly every inch of our floor. Eventually, we sized down to an 8×10, which was far more suited for the room and even made the space feel LARGER. In general, larger rooms need larger rugs to ground them, and smaller rooms sometimes need smaller rugs to make them look larger. Here are some other “rules” to guide you on your rug-buying journey.
Polly Slate/Ivory Rug
- Keep at least 10″ between the rug and the nightstands.
- The rug should extend at least 18″ out from the sides of the bed.
- Depending on the size of the room, the rug should stay at least 12″ away from the walls.
As you can see, there are a few things to consider when deciding on which size rug to put in your bedroom, and one of the big ones is which size bed you have. Typically, you’re either working with a king or a queen, so here are some recommended rug sizes for each of those.
Chris Natural Multi & Francis Spa Granite
You’ll notice that as the rugs get larger, the beds start to look smaller, so be sure to balance it out with the right amount of furniture.
Onto the living room!
Rug Guide For The Living Room
Living Room Sources
People generally go too small with their rugs in the living room. A floating rug in the middle of a room can make the whole space feel disjointed and disconnected. Instead, use a large enough rug to ground and connect your seating. Here are a few tips to help you along:
Francis Silver/Sky Rug
- Either place the front two furniture legs on the rug or put all the furniture legs on the rug completely.
- Make sure the rug is at least 6″ wider than the length of the sofa on either side.
- Typically, place the sofa along the longer side of the rug.
Again, it’s about taking into account your room size and your furniture placement.
Rug Guide For The Dining Room
Dining Room Sources
Lastly, let’s talk about dining rooms. When our kids were younger and messier eaters, we went rugless in the dining room, but I really love how a rug makes the space feel cozy and put-together. Here are two rules to remember when choosing a dining rug:
Polly Antique/Mist Rug
- Choose a low-pile rug for easier cleanup.
- The rug should be large enough so that when you pull out a chair, the legs will stay on the rug.
Choosing the right rug size can be a game-changer for your space. With these guidelines, tools, and tips, I hope you feel more confident in finding a rug that not only fits your room but also enhances its overall look and feel.
You can shop the full Chris Loves Julia x Loloi collection right now on Wayfair, Rugs Direct, and Amazon.
