How to Choose the Right Rug Size for Your Living Room

Getting a quality rug or carpet is a big investment and it can seem daunting if you don’t know what the right dimensions are for the room. You can end up getting something too small or too big and ruin the entire aesthetic of the room. A rug in your living room is one of the focal pieces of your décor, so it’s imperative that you get it right.

The basic rule for picking a rug for any room, is to make it proportional to the shape and size of the room. If the room is large, then you need to get a large rug, and if the room is long, then get one that is similarly oriented. A good trick to use to visualise how your rug will look is to use tape to mark the rug placement, so you can check if you have the right fit. 

There are certain basic layouts for when you’re choosing a rug specifically for the living room, so if you follow one of the three, you’ll be safe.

All furniture on the rug

This layout is the simplest and requires the largest rug. It is great if you want to follow a unified look for your entire room. Get a rug large enough that all the furniture in your room, including your sofa set and table, can sit comfortably on your rug. When you arrange the seating area of your room, make sure you leave a few inches of space on the rug beyond where the chairs and sofas rest.

Only the front legs of the furniture on the rug

This option is ideal if your budget doesn’t allow for a rug large enough to get a rug the size of your entire room. All you need to do for this style is to arrange your seating area in a way that the front legs of your sofas and chairs are tucked beneath the rug.

Only the coffee table on the rug

Sometimes your space might be too narrow or small to allow for a proper, large rug or your budget only allows you to get a small rug. This layout, if done right, will still add a certain degree of style in your living rom. Place the rug right in the center of your room, and base the dimensions of the rug on the dimensions of your entire seating area and not just the table.