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Rug Size Calculator

Calculate the perfect rug size for your room based on dimensions and furniture layout. Get expert recommendations for living room, bedroom, and dining room area rugs.

Calculate Rug Size

Room: 15 × 12 feet

Coverage: 45% of room
Min clearance from walls: 1.5 feet

📏 Recommended Rug Sizes

⭐ 8 × 10 feet
Best fit - Ideal size for your room and furniture layout
8 × 11 feet
Alternative option - Slightly different proportions
7 × 10 feet
Additional option - Consider based on furniture placement
9 × 12 feet
Additional option - Consider based on furniture placement

💡 Guidelines for Your Room

  • •Leave 12-18 inches of floor space between rug edge and walls
  • •Front legs of sofa and chairs on rug, back legs off
  • •Coffee table should sit entirely on the rug

Rug Size Guide by Room

🛋️ Living Room

Standard sizes: 8×10, 9×12, 10×14 ft

Rule: Leave 12-18" from walls. Front furniture legs on rug or all furniture on rug.

🛏️ Bedroom

Standard sizes: 8×10 (Queen), 9×12 (King)

Rule: Extend 18-24" beyond bed on sides and foot. Start where you step out.

🍽️ Dining Room

Standard sizes: 8×10, 9×12 ft

Rule: Extend 24-30" beyond table for chairs. Measure with chairs pulled out.

💼 Office

Standard sizes: 5×7, 6×9 ft

Rule: Fit under desk and chair mat. Allow chair to roll freely on rug.

Furniture Placement Options

✅

All Furniture On

Most formal look. All furniture legs rest on rug. Requires largest rug size. Best for spacious rooms.

⭐

Front Legs On

Most popular. Front legs of sofa/chairs on rug, back legs off. Creates cohesive seating area.

🎯

Floating Rug

Furniture surrounds rug. Only coffee table on rug. Works in small spaces or open floor plans.

Standard Rug Sizes Chart

Size (ft)Best ForTypical Rooms
2×3, 3×5Accent rugsEntryway, bathroom, beside bed
4×6, 5×7Small spacesSmall bedroom, office, breakfast nook
6×9Medium roomsBedroom, office, small living room
8×10Standard roomsLiving room, bedroom, dining (6-person)
9×12Large roomsLiving room, master bedroom, dining (8-person)
10×14Extra largeGreat room, open concept, large dining

Common Rug Sizing Mistakes

❌
Rug Too Small

Looks like a postage stamp. Makes room feel disjointed. Minimum: front furniture legs should be on rug.

❌
Partial Furniture Placement

Only one or two legs on rug creates imbalance and trip hazard. Commit to a placement style.

❌
Ignoring Clearance

Rug too close to walls makes room feel cramped. Leave 12-18" breathing room from walls.

❌
Wrong Dining Rug Size

Chairs fall off when pulled out. Always measure with chairs extended plus 6" extra space.

Room-Specific Tips

🏠 Open Concept Spaces

  • • Use rugs to define separate zones
  • • Living area: 9×12 or larger
  • • Dining area: size to table + chairs
  • • Keep consistent style/color

🚪 Entryway/Foyer

  • • 3×5 or 4×6 for small entry
  • • 5×7 or 6×9 for larger foyer
  • • Leave 3-5" from walls
  • • Ensure rug doesn't block door

🛌 Under Bed Rugs

  • • Twin/Full: 5×8 or 6×9
  • • Queen: 8×10 or 9×10
  • • King: 9×12 or 10×14
  • • Or two 2.5×8 ft runners

🏃 Hallways

  • • Runners: 2-3 ft wide
  • • 4-6" narrower than hallway
  • • Leave equal space both sides
  • • Common lengths: 6, 8, 10, 12 ft

How to Measure for a Rug

1
Measure Your Room

Use a tape measure to get exact length and width of room in feet or meters.

2
Plan Clearance

Subtract 12-24 inches from each side for wall clearance (living room: 12-18", dining: 24-30").

3
Account for Furniture

Measure furniture footprint. Ensure rug fits your chosen layout (all on, front legs, or floating).

4
Use Painter's Tape

Tape out rug size on floor to visualize. Live with it for a day to confirm it feels right.

5
Round to Standard Size

Match measurements to closest standard size. When between sizes, go larger for better proportion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size rug do I need for my living room?
For living rooms, choose a rug that leaves 12-18 inches of floor space between the rug edge and walls. Common sizes: 8×10 ft for rooms up to 12×15 ft, 9×12 ft for rooms 14×18 ft, and 10×14 ft for larger spaces. The rug should be large enough for all front furniture legs (sofa, chairs) to rest on it, or fit all furniture entirely on the rug.
How much should a rug extend beyond a dining table?
A dining room rug should extend 24-30 inches (2-2.5 feet) beyond the table on all sides. This ensures chairs remain on the rug when pulled out for seating. Measure with chairs fully extended to determine the right size. For a 6-person table (72×36 inches), you'd need at least an 8×10 ft rug; for 8-person tables, consider 9×12 ft or larger.
What rug size is best for a bedroom?
For bedrooms, the rug should extend 18-24 inches beyond the bed on the sides and foot. Queen bed: minimum 8×10 ft rug. King bed: 9×12 ft or larger. Alternative: Two 3×5 ft or 4×6 ft runners on each side of the bed. The rug should start where you step out of bed, creating a soft landing for your feet while leaving nightstands off the rug or fully on it.
Can a rug be too big for a room?
Yes, a rug can be too large. Ideally, leave 12-18 inches of bare floor between the rug edge and walls in living spaces. Rugs that extend wall-to-wall can make rooms feel smaller and cramped. However, in small rooms or apartments, larger rugs (leaving only 6-12 inches) can actually make the space feel bigger by creating visual continuity. Balance is key.
Should furniture legs be on or off the rug?
Three layouts work well: 1) All furniture legs ON the rug (most formal, requires largest rug). 2) Front legs ON, back legs OFF (most popular, creates cohesive seating area). 3) All furniture OFF with floating rug (only coffee table on rug, works in small spaces). Avoid having just one or two legs of furniture on the rug - it looks unbalanced and creates trip hazards.
What are standard area rug sizes?
Common standard sizes: 2×3 ft (accent), 3×5 ft (small accent), 4×6 ft (entryway), 5×7 ft (small room), 5×8 ft (bedroom runner area), 6×9 ft (medium room), 8×10 ft (living room/bedroom), 9×12 ft (large living/dining), 10×14 ft (extra large). Round rugs: 4 ft, 6 ft, 8 ft diameter. Runners: typically 2-3 ft wide in various lengths (6 ft, 8 ft, 10 ft, 12 ft).
How do I measure my room for a rug?
Step 1: Measure room length and width. Step 2: Subtract desired clearance from walls (usually 12-24 inches on each side). Step 3: Account for furniture placement - measure the area where furniture sits. Step 4: For dining rooms, pull chairs out and measure that full area plus 6 inches. Step 5: Round to nearest standard rug size. Always measure twice and use painter's tape on floor to visualize the rug size before purchasing.

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