Rug Size Guide to Help You Choose the Right Size

Area rugs for the bedroom are usually centered around — or rather under — the bed. Even though beds are typically placed against the wall, they act as the centerpiece of the room. As such, rugs are used to anchor the primary furniture arrangement while adding a cozy feel and a soft landing when you step out of bed.

Rug Placed Partially vs. Entirely Under the Bed

When choosing a rug size for the bedroom, you'll first want to consider whether you plan to place it partially or entirely under the bed. The most popular option is to position a rug partway under the bed.

This saves money, as it calls for a smaller rug and tends to be a better fit for most bedrooms. With a rug that reaches under the bed a bit, the rug extends roughly 12 inches from the foot of the bed and on each side while leaving the upper half or third (including where the nightstands are) without a rug.

If you choose to place all furniture legs over the rug (including both the bed and nightstands), you'll need a larger area rug. Beyond that, your bedroom should be big enough to accommodate this layout. (The rug should be at least a foot or so smaller than the width of your room rather than extending from wall to wall.)

Rug Size for King Bed

For king beds, the best rug sizes are 6 x 9 feet, 8 x 10 feet, and 9 x 12 feet. With a 6 x 9 rug, the upper half of the bed and nightstands won't be on the rug. With an 8 x 10 rug, the upper one-third won't go on the rug.

Bear in mind that if you place a rug only partially under the bed, a flatter weave is ideal to prevent an uneven feel. If you want all your furniture legs to sit on the rug, opt for a 9 x 12 design. Another option is to place runners on either side of the bed.

What size bed should you get? See our Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide for insight.

Rug Size for Queen Bed

The best rug sizes for queen beds are 5 x 8 feet, 6 x 9 feet, and 8 x 10 feet. A 5 x 8 area rug will reach about halfway under the bed, and a 6 x 9 design will cover about two-thirds of the floor underneath.

If you prefer having all furniture legs on the rug, go with an 8 x 10 rug for your bedroom. As with king beds, you can also place a runner on each side to create a symmetrical look that aligns with the nightstands.

Rug Size for Full Bed

Though full beds are about five inches shorter and six inches narrower than queens, the best rug sizes are the same: 5 x 8 feet, 6 x 9 feet, and 8 x 10 feet. A 5 x 8 rug will reach about halfway under the bed, and a 6 x 9 design will cover about two-thirds of the floor.

For those who want all furniture legs on the rug, an 8 x 10 rug is the best option, as long as it fits in the room. If you're short on space or are on a budget, another option is to use two 3 x 5 rugs, with one on either side of the bed.

Rug Size for Twin Beds

If you place a twin bed in the center of a room, a 5 x 8 foot or 6 x 9 foot rug will fit nicely underneath. The rug will extend slightly out on the sides and foot of the bed while leaving the head area and nightstands exposed. You could also place a 3 x 5 rug on either side.

If the bedroom has two twin beds, you'll usually want to position them on opposite sides of the room, then place a rug in between. In this case, the rug wouldn't be placed underneath any furniture legs.

Read our blog to learn How to Choose the Best Bed Frame for Your Room.

Living Room Rug Sizes

It's worth taking your time when selecting an area rug for your living room. Instead of buying the first one you see, be sure to carefully measure your available space and consider how you want your furniture arranged. Keep reading for tips and guidance.

All Furniture vs. Front Legs Only on the Rug

When it comes to living room rug placement, you have two options. The first is to place all furniture legs on top of the rug — including your sofa, chairs, coffee table, and side tables. In this case, you'll need a very large rug. The second option is to place only the front legs on the rug.

If you place just the front legs on top, you'll save some money on a smaller area rug. Having said that, a taller pile height may not be ideal, as it could make your furniture sit unevenly on the floor. In either case, there should be at least a foot of exposed floor or carpet on all sides of the rug.

6 x 9 Living Room Rug

A 6 x 9 area rug is an excellent choice for smaller living rooms. In most cases, only the front two furniture legs will be placed on the rug, but if your space is very compact, all legs might fit.

8 x 10 Living Room Rug

For midsize spaces and open floor plans, 8 x 10 living room rugs are often the way to go. You can place all or half the furniture legs on top and leave a border of roughly a foot of exposed floor on all sides.

9 x 12 Living Room Rug

A 9 x 12 rug is a good choice for medium-to-large living rooms and open floor plans. Depending on the size of your space, you can place all furniture legs on the rug or just the front two of each piece.

Check out these Stylish and Functional Living Room Sofa Ideas for inspiration when furnishing your space.

Dining Room Rug Sizes

Looking for a rug size guide for your dining room? The most important thing to remember is that all chair legs should go on top of the rug, even when they're pulled out.

Find a rundown of the various sizes for area dining room rugs below.

6 x 9 Dining Room Rug

A 6 x 9 area rug is best for a standard six-person dining table, leaving enough space on all sides for the chairs to be pulled out without the legs getting caught on the edges.

8 x 10 Dining Room Rug

If your dining table seats eight people, then an 8 x 10 rug is your best bet. This will ensure plenty of room for all the chairs to be pulled out.

9 x 12 Dining Room Rug

For tables that seat 10 or more people, you'll need a 9 x 12 rug. Just keep in mind your table and area rug will take up substantial space, so make sure your dining room can accommodate both before buying anything.

Round Dining Room Rug

If you have a round dining table, consider a round rug. The most common sizes are between 8 and 10 feet in diameter, but the correct dimensions will depend on the size of your table.

Check out these Table Linen Styling Tips before hosting your next dinner party or family gathering.

Rug Runner Sizes

A runner is a long area rug often placed in narrow spaces, like hallways, staircases, galley kitchens, or bathrooms. The most common dimensions are 2.5 x 7 and 2.5 x 9 feet.

Other Rug Sizes

If you need something larger than a 9 x 12 area rug, you can also find designs measuring 10 x 14 feet, 12 x 18 feet, and even 20 x 20 feet. Of course, these dimensions will only fit in more expansive spaces, and they're often priced pretty high due to the extra material and oversized shipping costs.

There are also smaller options, including 2 x 3 and 3 x 5 rugs. These are ideal for more compact spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, reading nooks, and walk-in closets.

What's the difference between Bath Mats vs. Bath Rugs? Read our blog to find out.

Rug Size Calculator

If you're still stuck after looking at a rug size chart, consider using a rug size calculator. Here's how the formula works:

Rug length = Furniture length + 8 inches

Rug width = Furniture width + 8 inches

This means your area rug should be at least 8 inches larger than your furniture arrangement on each side.

For example, if your furniture arrangement is 132 inches long, your rug should be at least 140 inches long. If it's 84 inches wide, your rug will need to be at least 92 inches wide. In this case, the best rug size would be 8 x 10 feet.

We rounded up The Best Rugs for Every Room in our article.