How to Pick the Right Size Rug with Guide!

I often get asked how to pick the right size rug for under a dining table, under a bed, for an entry and really any spot! And since we are on the subject, I only believe in one design rule- you must pick the right size rug for your space! I have an older blog post on picking the right size rug (HERE)- hey, even Joanna Gaines has changed her ways, from picking a too small of a rug to the right size rug for the scale of the room and furniture. Let me show you some of my tips from some  past makeovers we did. 

Read more

Bedroom Rugs-

• Tip- Depending in room size, rug should extend about 2&#; to 3&#; from the bed
• Recommended Size- Twin 5×8, Queen 6×9 or 8×10, King 8×10 or 9×12

In my sisters bedroom makeover we actually tried two different rugs! The above photo has the 8×10 charcoal rug  I had originally ordered, but wasn&#;t here in time when I had to take pictures. So I took pictures with the lighter rug that was a 6×9, too small for the space, fun to see the light verses dark tho.

This smaller bedroom we did this queen iron bed with this 6×9 rug. The rug fit perfectly wall to wall! (see this makeover here)

This queen bed we did this rug in an 8×10. I wanted to go bigger, since there was space and it also breaks up all the gold floors and the gold wallpaper. 

For my sisters bedroom I did an 8×10 to brighten up the room and contrast the dark carpet. You can find the rug here. 

For this small bedroom we have a queen bed in here with a 5×7 and it really pulls the entire space together! Find the rug here. 

Yes, we do a rug over carpet! It really adds so much to the room. We did a 5×7 in this rug in this little girls room.

I used this rug in here! Love how it pulls in the wall color. (see more of this room here).

In this bedroom makeover we actually went from a 9×12 rug all the way down to a 6×9! This is a queen bed and it fits the rug and room well! The rug extends about 2 feet out from the bed (Find the bedroom makeover HERE and the rug HERE).

Again in this bedroom makeover notice how the rug isn&#;t under the nightstands. This is an 8×10 with a queen bed. (Find the room makeover HERE and the rug HERE).

I did this makeover for my friend Amy. We layered her rugs for her oversized bedroom, great way to make a rug you love work in a space if it is smaller and a great way to save money0 if the top rug is not a budget rug (see makeover here)- Rug HERE.

This is a smaller room- but a good example of how we turned the rug to fit the shape of the room. I typically turn rugs horizontal to break up the shape of the bed, but this one ran the length of the bed. Also nice to show how a rug adds so much to a space, even on carpet. (Find this makeover HERE and the rug HERE).

For this bedroom makeover we did a king bed with a 8×10 rug, I actually showed how a light rug looks vs a dark! Find the two options on this makeover. 

And again for those that are wondering if you should do a rug over carpet- YES! A rug over carpet it always a great way to define the space and add a pop of color if you want it! (Find this bedroom makeover HERE and the rug HERE).

Entry Rug-

• Tip- Chose Rug that is width of door and sidelights 
• Recommended Size- 3×5 or try layering rugs to get the right size!

You can see how I layered two rugs on our front porch, this &#;just so you know there are a lot of plants in here&#; door mat was just too small on its own. I layered it with a rug I had so it at least extends the entire width of the door. I recently ordered this rug in a 3×5 for our back door, can&#;t wait to show you!

Living Room Rug-

• Tip- Front leg of each furniture piece should be on rug
• Recommended Size- 6×9 or 8×10 (larger for oversized rooms- but follow guidelines above)

I feel strongly that the front legs of your sofa should sit on the rug and the front legs of chairs you might have in the space. It really pulls everything together. If you go too big it will feel like everything is floating and not grounded. I had this rug in our living room and while I LOVED the color it is a really to thin of a rug for a higher traffic area and it does have fringe that would get stepped on as people walked into our house (making the rug fall apart quickly). I recommend a rug like this in a bedroom or it can go in a living room that doesn&#;t get a lot of traffic. 

We switched to this rug (I gave the other one above away to a friend for a makeover). This rug is slightly bigger, I do prefer the 6×9 in our living room, but sometimes you just have to go with around the size the rug comes in, so we have a 7&#;6&#;x9&#;6&#; in here. This new rug is screen printed- I thought online that it was a hooked rug, totally fooled me. But for the price point it makes sense. Also when it is screen printed I won&#;t be as concerned about it being in a high-traffic area. 

I actually like to start with selecting a rug FIRST before I pick anything else! A rug makes such a statement and can sometimes be the hardest thing to find. In this family room makeover I picked a rug with a lot of color since the rest of the furniture was neutral. (Find the rug HERE).

This was a makeover we did for my friend Sarah (see makeover HERE) and find her rug HERE. Again, notice how the front sofa legs and the front chair legs are on the rug! Also we went with a pattern and a darker rug because it is a higher traffic area, before they had a really light jute rug. 

This home is an open floor plan, so it is important that everything works well together and coordinates. I actually try to think of that in every home, how they should flow nicely. We did a makeover of the entry and wanted the rug to coordinate with the painted front door and entry. This rug does just that! (find the rug HERE).

 In this family room we went with a darker rug that helps to define the space and contrast the light sectional! (Find rug HERE) 

Dining Room Rug-

• Tip- You wan the rug to extend 24&#; from the back of each chair
• Recommended Size- 6×8, 8×10 or 9×12 depending on table size

I don&#;t have many photos of a dining room or a kitchen table on a rug. But if you want to do it, a good rule to follow is that when you pull out the chair it is still sitting on the rug. I think whether you do a rug or not under a table is totally personal preference. I would suggest going with a rug that you can easily clean up any messes! 

This dining room makeover I did for a friend you can find HERE. 

huihai are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

I typically follow the same rules for a home office as I do for dining room. You want your desk chair to remain on the rug when the chair is pulled out from the desk. Find the rug in my sisters home office makeover here. 

McGee and Co has the perfect size rug under this dining table (find rug and image source HERE)

Shop some of my favorite affordable rugs-

Rug #1 // Rug #2 // Rug #3 // Rug #4 // Rug #5 //Rug #6 // Rug #7 // Rug #8 // Rug #9 

PS- I like THIS rug pad! Nice thickness and it protects your wood floor!

Share this post:

When dressing up a room, don&#;t look to the furniture or the walls&#;look to the floor! Sometimes a rug is all you need. A rug can be the defining feature of a room or it can blend in and serve a function. No matter your reason for wanting a rug, there are a lot of questions to consider before buying an area rug. Read our all-encompassing guide below to make sure you&#;re buying the best rug for your space.

Types of Rugs

Knowing the lingo helps you shop smart. These terms refer to rug construction methods.

• Tufted: Pieces of yarn are punched through a backing then cut to create a smooth surface (called pile). Tufted rugs shed more than others.
• Hooked: Though similar to a tufted rug in that loops of yarn are pulled through a backing, the yarn isn&#;t cut, leaving a looped pile.
• Knotted: Pieces of yarn are tied, often by hand, to warp fibers on a loom. It&#;s the most labor-intensive way to make a rug.
• Braided: Lengths of fabric, yarn, or natural fibers are braided then sewn to one another.
• Flat-Woven: Often called kilims or dhurries, these are woven on a loom, either by hand or machine. There&#;s no backing, so they are lighter and reversible.
• Shag: Any tufted, woven, or knotted rug with a long, plush pile.

When it comes to area rug materials, synthetics are popular as affordable options, but designers say it&#;s hard to beat natural fibers. &#;Natural rugs last longer and wear better, so if they&#;re in your budget, they&#;re always a good idea,&#; says L.A.-based designer Melissa Warner Rothblum. Wool contains lanolin, a natural stain-repellent that makes it one of the easiest fibers to clean.

How Big Should My Rug Be?

Your furniture arrangement is as much a factor as room size. Let your room guide how to find the right rug size for your space.

• Living Room: You want either all the furniture to sit on top of the rug comfortably or all the front legs to be on the rug.
• Dining Room: Let the chairs guide you. The rug needs to be large enough that the chairs remain on it even when pushed back from the table.
• Bedroom: The rug should frame the bed. That means you need an 8×10 for a queen and 9×12 for a king. Front feet of bedside tables can sit on the edge.

What If I Love A Rug That's Too Small?

If a rug is too small, layer it. Because bigger often means more expensive, it can be tough to find the right rug in the right size (in your price range). So layer a small statement rug on top of a less-expensive one that covers more area. One popular combination is tight-weave jute or sisal (IKEA has them for less than $140) under a showpiece.

What If My Room Is Really Big?

A large, open space benefits from being broken up by two or more rugs. &#;A rug can make a declaration: The breakfast table is here. Come sit and socialize in this spot,&#; says Los Angeles-based designer Greg Roth of Home Front Build. If you choose to cover most of the floor, leave a bare border at the wall. A good rule is to stay 6 to 14 inches from the wall, sticking to the wider end of the range in a large room.

Rugs for High-Traffic Areas

In high-traffic areas and homes with kids or pets, area rugs can take a serious beating. Sound like your house? Consider these factors when buying a rug for a high-traffic area:

• Durability: Places like entries, staircases, and hallways call for a tight weave or high knot count (100 to 150 per square inch). Hand-tufted or hand-knotted rugs can handle the pressure. Or try nylon or micro-hooked wool. Avoid plant fibers (jute, hemp, sisal, bamboo) and silk because they break down easily.
• Cleanability: &#;Outdoor rugs look great, and you can take them outside and hose them off,&#; says L.A.-based interior designer Betsy Burnham. Look for one made from recycled polyester or polypropylene (like this Better Homes & Gardens 6'x9' Black and White Striped Outdoor Rug, $76, Walmart). If you prefer natural fibers, a wool rug with a busy pattern works, too. &#;I love using the Stark Antelope series. It&#;s totally neutral, and you can never find a stain,&#; says NYC designer Lilly Bunn.

Area Rug Shapes

There's no ruling dictating that your area rug has to be a rectangle. Shop for area rugs in different shapes that complement your home's furniture and room.

• Furniture: A rug should echo the shape of the furniture that will sit on it. For example, a circular dining table pairs well with a round area rug. Use the same approach in the living room. If you have a rectangular furniture arrangement, &#;a rectangular rug that encompasses the entire grouping makes the most sense,&#; says designer Annie Sleek, founder of Dash & Albert.
• Room: Another strategy is to let the shape of your room dictate your pick. &#;If a room is narrow and long, avoid a circular (or square) rug. It will alienate the corners of a room,&#; says Bob Margies, director of installation for Merida Studio, maker of natural-fiber hand-finished rugs.

How to Clean an Area Rug

The work isn't over once you've decided on a rug shape and size. Area rugs can quickly become dirty, so it's important to learn how to keep them clean. Learn how to remove stains and clean an area rug.

• Remove rug stains: Melissa Maker, founder of the YouTube channel Clean My Space, suggests combining 2 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1-part liquid dish soap. Blot the stain with the mixture and allow it to penetrate. Pat with a paper towel to draw out the stain; flush with water. Repeat as needed. Make sure the rug is safe to spot-treat by testing a hidden area first.
• Eliminate rug odors: &#;A light sprinkling of baking soda&#;left for 30 minutes then vacuumed up&#;and elevating a rug outside on sawhorses or chairs on a sunny, breezy day work wonders,&#; says Jim French, director at Beauvais Carpets.
• Vacuum rugs: Rotate your rugs every so often to even out wear, and vacuum weekly without the brush bar.
• Refresh vintage rugs: Pro rug restorers like Detroit Rug Restoration will clean and disinfect your rug then ship it back to you.

You&#;ve heard the saying, It&#;s what&#;s on the inside that counts. When it comes to area rugs, what&#;s underneath them counts, too. We'll walk you through everything you need to know about rug pads, materials, and layering rugs.

What If I Have Carpet?

No worries! Area rugs work on top of wall-to-wall carpeting. London-based rug designer Luke Irwin says, &#;Carpeting needs rugs more than a wooden floor does. You have this ocean of beige that&#;s exhausting to look at.&#; Opt for tufted rugs&#;their weighty structure keeps them in place&#;or rugs with patterns that break up the monotony.

Do I Need a Rug Pad?

&#;You always need a rug pad. Rugs wear from the bottom up, so the pad is essential to protecting the fibers from constant abrasion,&#; Roth says. Rug pads also prevent slipping, add cushion, and stop the rug from rippling. Look for one that&#;s 1/4-inch-thick and 2 inches smaller than your rug on each side (so it won&#;t show).

Contact us to discuss your requirements of fluffy carpets. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.