Long title, but here’s everything you need to know about area rugs based on your room and where to place it, like a pro.

Rugs define space. I’ve said that a million times on this blog and IRL to countless clients.

It’s a rare occasion where I don’t recommend an area rug for a makeover, including area rugs I’ll place over carpet or other rugs.

I love area rugs because they can the impetus for a total room makeover.

I’ll often start with an area rug to pull colors for upholstery, art, accent fabrics, window treatments and even wall color.

They’re a treasure trove of inspiration.

They anchor the furniture in your living room.

They compose the functionality for your dining table

And, they define and reinforce the aesthetics and functionality of your bed.

These are some of the reasons why I spend a fair amount of time picking an area rug and why I carefully consider the size and where it will go in a space before I choose a pattern or color.

According to Mike Jones from Simplyunderlay.co.uk, "a new rug can be expensive to buy, but there is a relatively unknown hack to get the look on a budget. Buy a remnant of an expensive carpet and have that made into a rug to fit the area. There's plenty to choose from and it can work out much better value."

Here’s my take on rug rules: the right size area and where to put it in your living, dining and bedroom.

Measure Your Room

The first place to start any rug project is to know the size of your room.

Essentially, you need to know the length and width of the space along with measurements of each wall segment all around the room.

Draw the shape of your room as if looking at it from above.

Include doorways, windows, architectural features and any other permanent fixture in the space like HVAC floor vents.

Measure each wall segment, including everything: doorways, windows, etc.

After you get around the entire room, measure the length and width of the space and compare it to the sum of the individual measurements of each wall segment. It probably won’t be exact, but it should be close, within inches.

This lets you know what kind of usable space you have so you know what will fit and where.

If you want a more detailed explanation on exactly how to do this, click the button below to download my free room measuring guide.

Don’t let the title fool you. It will work exactly the same for large rooms as it does for small.

Knowing the accurate size of your room will help you avoid buying a rug that’s too big or too small.

You’ll be aware of how far the fireplace hearth comes out or how much space a bump out takes up or how sharp the angle on a slanted wall is.

Trust me, you don’t want to guess the size of your rug unless you are okay with spending time trying to roll it back up and take it back or ship it back to the source. #headaches!

A resource that I recommend for many different types of area rugs is The Rug District. They have washable rugs, outdoor rugs, and everything in between, all in one place.

Living Room

No matter what size living room you have, there is an opportunity to add an area rug.

They’re wonderful for sound absorption.

They provide color, texture, pattern and comfort in addition to defining a seating arrangement.

Let’s say you have a 13’ x 13’ living room, a perfect square. Let’s also say you have an entry foyer off this space and an open doorway to a hallway or adjacent room on a perpendicular wall.

We’ll even spice it up a bit with a fireplace and built-in shelves that jut out onto your floor space a smidge.

Here’s what that looks like as a floor plan.

Now notice that the 13’ length and 13’ width has some obstructions. The fireplace hearth comes out into the space and the built-in shelves and cabinets eat up additional space as well.

If you guess and buy a rug that’s too big, you run the risk of it covering the hearth or curling up at the back wall – a tripping hazard from the foyer.

If it’s too small, it will look like a postage stamp and it will do nothing to define a seating arrangement or anchor the room.

(Are you starting to see why it’s important to know the size of your room before you but the rug?)

Now, your living room may not have these exact challenges, but it’s definitely going to have something that could throw a project off.

Furniture Placement

Let’s stay with the 13’ x 13’ living room for a moment.

In my opinion, based on all the factors pertaining to this room, I’d recommend an 8’ x 11’ area rug. This will give you the length you need for an average sofa, 80 “to 90” in length, and two medium size chairs.

My reason is that that size, or slightly larger or slightly smaller, will define a decent size seating arrangement and will not obstruct pathways or architectural fixtures. The fireplace is the focal point of the space and as being such, I would arrange the furniture to take advantage of that focal point.

There may be a TV in one of the built-in’s or on the wall above the fireplace. Essentially all the “action” of the room revolves around the fireplace, hence the focal point of the room.

If you have a small sectional, place the sectional opposite the fireplace and slightly off the rug so as to create space for a round cocktail table and accent chair perpendicular to the sofa.

In this example, sofa is opposite 2 chairs that flank the fireplace. It’s a classic and balanced layout that allows for easy access to all the seating without having to squeeze around anything.

When arranging furniture, try not to obstruct a pathway into or around a seating group. Plan for how you will access the seating before you move things into position.

Dining Room

The Rug is based on room, not table size. This is another reason why you should know the size of your dining room or dining area.

This is especially true if you’re starting from scratch, always pick your area rug first. The size of your area rug will inform your decision for the size of the dining table.

In this regard, the progression of the room goes:

1. measure room

2. area rug

3. then table and chairs

4. then rest of furniture.

If you’re adding a rug to an existing dining table and chairs, it’s best to get one large enough to fit all the chairs on the rug whether the chairs are pushed in or pulled out.

Let’s say this dining room is 14’ x 16’. Like most dining spaces, there’s probably at least 2 entrances to the space and possibly 3, depending on its location in the house.

For a space this size, I would choose a rug size of 12’ x 15’. This is going to cover the majority of the floor, but it will ensure that all the dining chairs will be on the rug, pushed in and pulled out.

This is important so that people won’t snag the back of the rug with the back chairs when trying to get up for the table.

With a rug this size, the chair won’t cause you or a guest any struggle or hassle and you won’t have to worry about damaging the rug or the floor with the chair.

If you have other furniture in the space, you should still place the largest rug in the space.

Rugs that fill the majority of a dining room look grand. They make the space feel luxurious and complete.

So, if you have a hutch, credenza, buffet, bar cart etc. Adjust the size of the table to fit more furniture rather than adjusting the size of your rug.

Bedroom

Just as with the dining room, the bedroom rug size is based on the size of room, not bed.

The average American bedroom is 11’ x 12’, according to Doorways Magazine, from a January 2017 article.

So for a 11’ x 12’ bedroom room, my recommendation is to get a 8’ x 10’ rug. This again will fill up the room and make it feel cozy, quiet and complete.

Now, I do something different than most. I like to place my bedroom rugs horizontally underneath the bed.

This allows for the bed to be centered on the rug, with the rug being about 1/3 the way down from the top of the bed.

This is a good placement because it allows for the most amount of rug when you get out of bed. And, on cold days, it’s always nice to have a warm rug under your feet first thing out of bed, wouldn’t you agree?

Next, Consider the other furniture: bedside tables or nightstands should not be on top of the rug. The rug should be in placed in front of them.

If you can avoid putting dressers or chests on the rug, it looks cleaner as well. But if you can’t, it’s ok.

Common Size & Shape Area rugs

If you’re looking for a shape other than a rectangle, here is a quick reference for common area rug shapes and the sizes they’re typically available in.

Rug Size Based on Room Size

Perhaps the size of your room is different than what I mentioned here. Well, this quick guide will give you a reference to the size that will work for your space.

Measure your room and find the measurements that are closest to your room’s dimensions on this chart. Across from the room measurements is the appropriate size area rug. Super simple.

Well, that’s the story, my friend. If you follow these easy tips:

• Measure your space

• Determine the shape you want

• And, get a rug large enough to anchor the room, You can have a cozy, comfortable and stylish room that looks like a pro picked it out and placed it for you.

Remember, area rugs can be the starting point for your total room makeover no matter if it’s a living room, dining room or bedroom. Inspiration from rugs, door mats and a few lights could be a game changer for your home adding convenience and style to your space.

Have fun with your area rug choices and don’t be afraid to embrace color, pattern and large sizes!

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.