Modern living room with a plush white sectional, reclining seat, round wooden coffee table, and dark accent wall with abstract artwork.

Selecting the right rug size is one of the most important design choices you can make for your space. The perfect rug not only enhances the style of a room but also helps define seating areas and create a sense of cohesion. Additionally, rugs contribute to the acoustics of a space by absorbing sound, reducing echo, and making a room feel quieter and more comfortable. However, choosing the wrong size can throw off the balance, making a space feel awkward or unfinished. From living rooms to dining areas and bedrooms, a well-proportioned rug can make all the difference. To help you get it right, our Star Furniture design pros are sharing their top expert tips for choosing the ideal rug size for any room.

Why Rug Size is Important

Think the style of your area rug is the only thing that ties a room together? Think again. While rugs should complement surrounding decor, their size is just as important. While you might not realize it, a rug's size can have a dramatic impact on how big (or small) the space looks and feels. 

The right rug can make even the smallest spaces feel open and airy. Likewise, rugs can play other roles within a space, such as pulling together multiple areas within one large room. This is especially important for making certain areas feel distinct and intimate, even if they're in an open-concept room. Keep scale and proportion in mind when selecting a rug to ensure it fits the space before bringing it home.

General Rug Sizing Guidelines

With so many rug sizes to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when searching for the right area rug for a certain area of your home. There isn't one concrete rule for incorporating a rug into a room, but there are guidelines that should be followed to ensure your living spaces look properly put together. Keep these simple tips in mind to ensure your area rugs shine in every room of your home:

  • The 18-inch rule: Always leave at least 18 inches of space between the rug and the walls, regardless of room size.
  • Rather than purchasing the first area rug that catches your eye and matches your decor, it's important to let the dimension of the room dictate the size of your rug.
  • Being familiar with the most common rug sizes and where they work best can help make your styling process simpler. Some of these include:
    • 5x7: This size would work well in a room with a twin bed or small office.
    • 8x10: This size could work in an average-size dining room, living room, or bedroom with a queen bed.
    • 9x12: This size could work in a large dining room, living room, or bedroom with a king bed.

Along with being the appropriate size for the space, the way your furniture is arranged on the rug can also impact the final look of the space. For instance, furniture that is positioned around the rug, but not on it, can cause the room to feel disjointed or smaller than it is. For this reason, it's important to place the furnishings that the rug is bringing together directly on it. If you're uncertain how to go about doing this in a particular space, don't hesitate to ask one of the trusted Star Furniture designers to help.

Choosing the Right Rug Size for Different Rooms 

Area rugs are often not the first design element that people notice when they enter a space, but it's certainly one that can draw them in with coziness and charm. The right rug in every room can transform your home's visual appeal. To help you select the best rug for each room, the Star Furniture design team has compiled these simple tips:

1. Living Room

Living rooms come in all shapes and sizes, which means that there are a variety of approaches to incorporating area rugs depending on the room's shape and size. Typically, a 5x7 or 7x9 rug would work best in a small living room while 8x10 or 9x12 would work in a medium space. For a large space, you can't go wrong with a 12x18 rug. In terms of how to place the furniture on your living room rug, keep these tips in mind:

  • All furniture legs on the rug are ideal for spacious areas.
  • Front legs on, back legs off is versatile and the common choice.
  • Use a floating rug in smaller rooms to highlight accent pieces.

If your living room is an unusual shape, consider using multiple rugs to create unique zones within the space while maintaining cohesion.

2. Dining Room

When it comes to choosing the appropriate rug for your dining room, it's best to base it on the size of your table. Selecting a rug that is 48 inches larger than your table is a good rule of thumb. This will allow people to freely move their chairs in and out without catching on the rug. Additionally, it will ensure that each chair has enough space to remain on the rug when fully pulled out. The shape of your dining room rug should complement the table and room layout. If your table is round, a round rug would be a fabulous choice while a rectangular table calls for a rectangular rug. 

3. Bedroom

Before incorporating a rug into your bedroom, it's important to be strategic about the end result you have in mind. Common rug placement options for bedrooms include:

  • One large rug under the entire bed (and nightstands).
  • Two runners on either side of the bed.
  • A smaller rug at the foot of the bed.

Likewise, the size of your bed can help determine which size rug would work best in your bedroom. For instance, 6x9 and 8x10 rugs are most often paired with Queen beds. Alternatively, 8x10 and 9x12 rugs are better options for King beds, depending on how much floor you'd prefer to leave bare.

4. Entryway & Hallways

Your living room, dining room, and bedroom aren't the only spaces that can benefit from rugs. Don't forget to show some love to your entryways and hallways, too. Runners in entryways and hallways add a cozy, welcoming touch your guests will appreciate. Be sure to choose ones that are proportional sizes to the specific spaces, remembering to leave space between the rug and the wall. Non-slip options are also a wise choice for safety, particularly in entryways.

5. Home Office

If you're striving to create a cozy workspace at home, adding an area rug to your home office is a must. Fortunately, this is one area of your home where choosing the right size rug couldn't be simpler. The most important factor to keep in mind is that the rug should comfortably accommodate both your desk and chair. Your office chair should be able to move in and out from under your desk without disrupting the rug or coming off it. Similarly, it's important to choose a rug that is comfy and stylish, but also practical. The Star Furniture design experts can help point you in the direction of rugs with a flat weave that will allow your chair to glide over it with ease.

Additional Rug Selection Tips 

Once you've determined the best size rugs for the different areas of your home, you can focus on the more enjoyable side of rug shopping: picking out the rugs that perfectly complement your home. Here are some additional rug selection tips to help you get the most out of every room with the perfect rug:

  • Consider the texture and material of the rug based on the foot traffic of the space. High-traffic rooms require more durable rugs.
  • Be sure to choose a rug color and pattern that matches the existing decor within the space.
  • To add dimension and style to the space, consider layering multiple rugs.
  • Choose rugs with non-slip pads for added comfort and safety.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of routine rug maintenance. Regular vacuuming, spot cleaning as needed, and annual deep cleaning can ensure your rugs serve your family well for years to come.

Enhance Every Room in Your Home with the Right Rug from Star Furniture

There's no denying that the right rug can elevate any area of your home, big or small. While many homeowners mistakenly choose the wrong size rugs, you don't have to! Choosing the right size rug is as simple as keeping a few simple tricks from the Star Furniture experts in mind. Start by letting the room’s size, shape, and function dictate the rug dimensions. Of course, the most important part of any home design project is to enjoy the process, so don't be afraid to experiment with different rug sizes and placements until you find the one you love. For any rug sizing or placement questions you have along the way, the Star Furniture pros are here to help. Stop by one of our showroom locations to explore our large selection of quality rugs, take advantage of our expert rug assistance, and shop area rugs today!