Rug Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Rug Size for Every Room (Without Guessing)

A rug can make a space look designer-level expensive… or it can make it look awkward in 2 seconds. And 90% of the time, the problem isn’t the rug style — it’s the size.

This guide is your “no regret” rug sizing cheat sheet for living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas, hallways, and more.

The Golden Rule (Memorize This)

When in doubt: go bigger.
A too-small rug makes the whole room look smaller and “floating.” A slightly bigger rug makes everything feel intentional.

Quick Cheat Sheet

Use these rules before you overthink anything:

Living room: at least the front legs of the sofa + chairs should sit on the rug.
Dining room: rug must be big enough so chairs stay on the rug even when pulled out.
Bedroom: rug should extend on both sides of the bed (so your feet land on it).
Hallway: leave a clean border of floor on both sides for a neat look.

Step 1: Measure Like a Designer (Super Easy)

Before you buy anything:

Measure the seating or bed area (length + width).
Use masking tape on the floor to outline the rug size you’re considering.
Walk around it. Pull chairs out. Open doors.
If it feels tight → size up.

Living Room Rug Sizes (Most Common Mistake Zone)

Option A: “Front Legs On” (Best for most homes)

Place the rug so the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on it.
The rug should extend at least 20–30 cm beyond each side of the sofa if possible.

Typical sizes that work well:

160×230 cm (small living rooms)
200×300 cm (most common + safest)
240×340 cm (large living rooms)

Option B: “All Legs On” (The luxury look)

Sofa + chairs fully on the rug.
Looks high-end and very clean.

Go for:

240×340 cm and up (depending on your room)

Option C: “Just Coffee Table” (Try to avoid)

Only the coffee table sits on the rug.
Usually looks “unfinished” unless the room is tiny.

If your room is small and you must do this, pick a rug big enough to reach close to the sofa, not a tiny island.

Dining Room Rug Sizes (The Chair Test)

This is the rule:
Rug should extend 60–75 cm beyond the table on all sides.
So when you pull chairs out, the chair legs still stay on the rug.

Example:

Table 160×90 cm → rug should be roughly 280×210 cm (or closest available like 200×300 depending on layout)

Best rug shapes:

Rectangle rug for rectangle tables
Round rug for round tables (same rule: add 60–75 cm all around)

Bedroom Rug Sizes (So Your Feet Don’t Touch Cold Floor)

Option A: Rug Under the Bed (Best look)

Place the rug under the bed, starting around 2/3 under the bed.

Good targets:

Queen bed: usually 240×340 cm looks amazing
King bed: 300×400 cm (if you have space)

Option B: Two Side Rugs (Budget-friendly + clean)

Two runners or side rugs on each side:

70×200 cm (common)
80×250 cm (better coverage)

Option C: Rug at the Foot of the Bed

Nice aesthetic, but doesn’t solve the “feet landing” problem.
Use it as a styling piece if you already have side coverage.

Hallway + Entryway Rug Sizes (Runner Rules)

For runners:

Leave 10–15 cm border of floor visible on both sides (cleaner look).
Runner width should feel centered and not wall-to-wall.

Common runner sizes:

80×250 cm
80×300 cm
90×300 cm

Tip: If your hallway is long, it’s better to use one long runner than two small ones with a gap.

Kitchen Rugs (Yes, They Can Look Good)

Keep it practical:

Go for low pile (easy to clean, less dust trapping)
Choose washable or easy-wipe materials

Common sizes:

Sink area: 60×90 cm
Galley kitchen runner: 80×250–300 cm

Round Rugs (When They Work Best)

Round rugs are perfect for:

Reading nooks
Under round dining tables
Entry corners with a chair + side table

Rule stays the same:
Add 60–75 cm beyond furniture edges (especially for dining chairs).

Materials + Pile Height (Real Life Tips)

If you want it to stay nice and easy:

Low pile = cleaner look, easier maintenance, less dust drama
Wool = luxurious, but can shed (especially new rugs)
Polypropylene / indoor-outdoor = super practical, great for high traffic
Jute = pretty, but can be rough + sensitive in some conditions (and stains are a pain)

7 Rug Mistakes That Instantly Ruin a Room

Buying a rug that’s too small
Rug not aligned with the seating zone
Dining rug too small (chairs fall off)
Rug blocking doors
Too thick rug under dining chairs
Ignoring rug padding (sliding = annoying + unsafe)
Rug pattern too busy for a busy room (visual chaos)

FAQ

Should a rug go under the sofa?

Yes — ideally front legs on at minimum. It anchors the space.

How do I stop a rug from sliding?

Use a rug pad. Even a basic one makes a huge difference.

How far should the rug be from the wall?

A clean look is leaving 20–30 cm of floor visible around the rug (but this depends on room size).