When visitors walk into the rug gallery inside our Acworth showroom, many people don’t really know what they’re looking for. It’s not unusual for rug shoppers to be unsure of their budget, rug style preferences, or most frequently, which rug sizes they’re looking for. And that’s okay! When it comes to rugs, everyone has to start somewhere – right? That’s exactly why we made this rug size guide.
Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we’ve been in the rug business for nearly 30 years. We also have one of the largest area rug collections in Georgia. On top of that, our rug experts have dozens and dozens of years’ experience between them.
By the end of this rug size guide, you’ll know what rug sizes you need for each room. Then you’ll be well on your way to the living room, bedroom or dining room of your dreams!
What Are the Standard Area Rug Sizes?
So what are standard area rug sizes? Generally speaking, there are a dozen or so common rug sizes that you should know. From smallest to largest: 2′ x 3′, 2′ x 4′, 3′ x 5′, 4′ x 6′, 5′ x 8′, 6′ x 9′, 8′ x 10′, 8′ x 11′, 9′ x 12′, 9′ x 13′, 10′ x 14′ and 12′ x 15′.
Whew. That’s a lot of dimensions. So how do you figure out which one fits your room?
The most important thing to know before buying is what size area rug you need. There are really 3 factors that determine what rug size is the right fit for a room:
- First, which room or area is it for?
- Next, what are the room’s measurements?
- Lastly, how is the room furnished (i.e. what kind of furniture is already in it)?
You need to know the answer to these questions to find the right rug for your space, so be sure to measure your room and key pieces of furniture before you head out to look for area rugs.
What if you forget to take the exact room or furniture measurements? Don’t worry, we can break things down by room and simplify the process. Most rug shoppers are looking for rugs for living room, bedroom or dining room. If you know the room where you want the rug, we can safely assume a few things about your layout.
Remember, the “rules” below are meant to be broken! While it’s entirely possible that your own room or layout may be different, our advice below is a good place to start.
Living Room Rug Sizes
If you’re wondering what size rug for a living room, we’d say to start with an 8′ x 11′ or similar size rug. Also, you’ll want to arrange your area rug so that at bare minimum the front feet of your sectional, sofa, loveseat, etc. is on the rug.
While it may be tempting to go for a much larger living room rug size, this is a common mistake. Don’t overpower the room by covering too much floor.
Think of your rug as a photograph, the room as the picture frame, and the space between as the mat between the picture and the frame. You don’t want a small picture in a very large picture frame with a very large mat around it. But neither do you want a huge picture that completely fills the frame with no mat whatsoever.
If your living room, family room or den is particularly large or you have a very large sectional for instance, you can absolutely go larger than 8′ x 11′ — such as a 9′, 10′ or even 12′ rug. Just remember, that you need to keep at least 18 inches between the edge of the rug and the wall at all times. Again, this keeps the rug from overpowering the room.
Bedroom Rug Sizes
When it comes to bedrooms, bedroom rug size should primarily be determined by the size and position of the bed. As long as you choose the right area rug size, rugs aren’t just for the master bedroom anymore!
Rug Size for King Bed
What size rug for a king bed then? We really like a 9′ x 13′ rug underneath a king bed. This size is perfect if you lay the rug lengthwise under the bed. The rug should go up to, but not underneath the nightstand(s). In smaller bedrooms with a king bed, you can get away with an 8′ x 10′ or 8′ x 11′ rug if space is tight.
Rug Size for Queen Bed
Common rug sizes for queen beds are 8′ x 10′ or 8′ x 11′ in larger bedrooms, or possibly 6′ x 9′ if you’ve got less space. However, there are other options for those wondering what size rug for a queen bed. One alternative if the bed isn’t centered in the room is to take a smaller rug such as a 5′ x 8′ or 6′ x 9′, and center it on the footboard. Another trendy, modern option is to place a 4′ x 6′ or 5′ x 8′ rug diagonally underneath your queen bed.
Rug Size for Full Bed / Rug Size for Twin Bed
Lastly, if you’re looking for a rug for a child’s bedroom or guest bedroom with a twin or full bed, we’d suggest a 4′ x 6′ or 5′ x 8′ rug. While the rules for queen beds above can certainly apply to full beds, oftentimes full and twin beds are in smaller bedrooms and are not centered in the room. For instance, when a bed is against a wall on one side or caddy-cornered. As a result, we recommend placing the rug on the side where the sleeper is likely to get in and out of bed.
Dining Room Rug Size
Figuring out the right dining room rug size is perhaps the most straightforward. This is because most dining rooms are rectangular and have a single defining feature — the dining table!
As you may expect, the size of your dining table plays a critical role in the size rug you should buy for your dining room. If your dining table has leaves that can be added, you need to consider the measurements of your table when it’s fully extended. If you have a 6-seat dining table, we generally recommend an 8′ x 10′ or 8′ x 11′ rug. However, if you have an 8-seat dining table, we recommend a 9′ x 12′ rug or larger.
Perhaps most importantly, make sure the rug is wide enough to where all four legs of each dining chair remain on the rug — even when someone is seated. The only exception here is the host/hostess chairs at the ends of the table. It is permissible (and sometimes necessary) for the back legs of these chairs to hang off of the rug, especially when the leaves are in the table.
What’s the Next Step for Finding Your Perfect Rug?
As you continue on your rug buying journey, remember that finding the right rug size is just the first step. To figure out which rug style is right for you, check out our helpful resource on the 3 Area Rug Styles for Any Home.
If you’ve got more questions about which size rug is right for your living room, bedroom, or dining room, come see the décor and rug experts at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet’s rug gallery in Acworth!
Our area rug specialists are among the foremost authorities on rugs in North America and are committed to nothing but rugs every single day. When it comes to rugs, they are responsible for literally everything from sourcing to selling. However, most importantly, they’d love to help you find the perfect rug for your home!
