Room Planning guide
What size rug do I need?
Most rug sizing comes down to two ideas: leave an even border of floor around the rug, and make it large enough to connect the furniture that sits on it. A rug that is too small is the most common mistake.
The floor-border rule
Home Depot’s rug sizing guidance suggests leaving about 12 to 18 in of floor between the rug and the walls. Subtract twice the border from each room dimension and you have the largest rug that keeps it.
A 14 × 12 ft room with an 18 in border leaves 11 × 9 ft, so an 8 × 10 is the largest common size that fits.
Living room layouts
- All legs on. Every piece of seating sits fully on the rug. Needs the largest rug and suits big rooms.
- Front legs on. The front legs of the sofa and chairs rest on the rug. The most common choice; it ties the group together.
- Floating. Only the coffee table sits on the rug. Works in small rooms but can look undersized.
Bedrooms
A common approach is a rug that extends beyond both sides and the foot of the bed so you step onto it. Measure the bed width and add the strip you want on each side, often around 18 to 24 in, and leave the nightstands on the bare floor or on the rug consistently.
Dining rooms
Chairs should stay on the rug when pulled out. Measure the table and add about 2 ft on every side.
Common US rug sizes
5 × 8, 6 × 9, 8 × 10, 9 × 12, 10 × 14, and 12 × 15 ft are widely sold. Exact dimensions vary a little between makers, so check the listing before you lay out tape.
References: The Home Depot: Rug sizes for your space; This Old House: How to choose the right rug size