Five Tips for Choosing the Right Size Rug

by | Interior Inspiration, My Favorite Five | 2 comments

Bernhardt Tufted Bed / Bernhardt Side Tables / Euro Shams / Standard Shams / Duvet / Accent Pillow

“How do you decide what size rug will work in a room?” I hear this question often so I want to share with you five tips for choosing the right sized rug with the perfect fit for any room.

One reason I believe I hear this question more often is there are more and more online sources offering beautiful rugs. One benefit of having online retailers is sourcing better quality rugs at a lower price point since most of them don’t have the costs of operating a brick and mortar stores. The downside can be that you may not receive the personal service from shopping at a local retailer in your city.

I can tell you from personal experience there one online retailer who certainly offers amazing service.  I recently used LillieKat Rugs for the gorgeous rug in my guest bedroom.  The owner, Kristen, was extremely helpful and accommodating in the selection process.  She really knows her rugs and how to help you find the perfect one from afar.

So no matter where you are purchasing your new rug, here are a few room specific tips to help you choose the right size for your space:

  • Bedrooms

There are really two options for bedrooms when placing rugs, framing the bed or placing runners around the bed. When framing the bed, the rug should extend 24-36” around the bed. The point of a bedroom rug is to provide a soft landing spot for your feet, so don’t worry about behind the headboard! Standard sizes: 8’ x 10’ (Queen) and 9’ x 12’ (King).  Runners are a great alternative to a large rug. Consider placing them along the sides of the bed or even along the foot of the bed. Standard sizes: 2’6” x 8’ or 3’ x 5” 

  • Dining Rooms

Dining rooms are a bit easier to figure out! Your table and chairs should all rest on the rug. Just remember to allow 22-24” on all sides of the table for people to have ample space for pulling chairs in and out. Don’t forget if your table has leaves to pick a rug that will accommodate the table at maximum size. Standard Sizes: 8’ x 10’ or 9’ x 12’

  • Living Rooms

Living rooms can be a bit trickier than other rooms. For larger living rooms, where the furniture floats in the middle of the room, a rug should be big enough to completely fit the furniture without feeling cramped. Standard Sizes: 9’ x 12’ of 10’ x 14”  When your furniture runs along the walls, you will want to aim to have the two front legs of most of the furniture on the rug. This is also a great space to consider using an animal hide like here. Standard Sizes: 6’ x 9” or  8’ x 10’  For a small living room, like a studio space or apartment, simply centering a small rug under the coffee table will work. Standard sizes: 4’ x 6’ or 5’ x 7’

  • Kitchens

There’s a lot of foot traffic in a kitchen, so think about small rug in front of the sink or if you have a center island or galley style kitchen consider a runner that extends the length of the island or kitchen. (Standard Sizes: 2’ x 3’ or 3’ x 5’ or 2’6” x 8’) 

  • Hallways

Runners in hallways can be flanked on both sides with furniture or more commonly, you will find the runner taking up one side of the hallway and some furniture against the opposite wall. (Standard Sizes: 2’6” x 8’ or 3’ x 12’)

This is the time we all begin to get our homes ready for the holidays.  I hope these tips help you to find the right sized rug for your room.

Speaking of holiday, I’m working on some special holiday content and subscribers to the newsletter will be the first to know! This week, I’ll begin styling my home for the holidays and sharing that great holiday content with you soon. Stay tuned for a special project with an extremely talented friend you’ll definitely want to download and my newest e-book.  They will both help you prepare for holiday entertaining!  Subscribers will get first access!

I’ve also added a Holiday Tab on the Menu above where you will find Gift Guides and Inspiration for Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one spot!  The Gift Guides there currently are from last year but still have great ideas to get you started while we curate the Gift Guides you’ll have access to shortly!

xo

Alicia

PS – Don’t forget to leave comments on blog posts to be entered in my monthly giveaway!  Also, get more inspiration on these category pages: Personal StyleInteriorsMy HomeFoodEntertainingTablescapesBeauty and Travel.  You can also see all the shop pages here: StyleHomeTabletopBeauty, and Travel.  Did you know you can also easily shop my Instagram Feed, too?

Xo,

Alicia 

Pin this image for reference!

2 Comments

  1. Barbara

    Great information. It’s always hard to choose a rug and I appreciate your knowledge.

  2. Brenda Haines

    Thanks for the tips. My rugs can be a mess sometimes.

Alicia Wood

MEET ALICIA

AliciaWoodLifestyle.com is a lifestyle destination for everyday living written by Alicia Wood. Alicia’s goal is create a timeless, fresh way to approach fashion, entertaining, beauty, design and travel.

Read More

JOIN THE LIST

Sign up for my mailing list & receive subscriber-only style finds, beauty tips, interior inspiration, and more! 

You’ve successfully signed up! Check your email for details.

AWL Reader Favorites
AWL My Favorites Under $150
Promo for Alicia Wood featured on How'd She Do That? podcast
Alicia Wood

Meet Alicia

AliciaWoodLifestyle.com is a lifestyle destination for everyday living written by Alicia Wood. Alicia's goal is create a timeless, fresh way to approach fashion, entertaining, beauty, design and travel.

Read More

2 Comments

  1. Barbara

    Great information. It’s always hard to choose a rug and I appreciate your knowledge.

  2. Brenda Haines

    Thanks for the tips. My rugs can be a mess sometimes.

Alicia Wood

Meet Alicia

AliciaWoodLifestyle.com is a lifestyle destination for everyday living written by Alicia Wood. Alicia's goal is create a timeless, fresh way to approach fashion, entertaining, beauty, design and travel.

Read More