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Rug Sizing

Rug sizing and placement can make or break any room decor. Choosing the correct rug size is essential to complementing a space properly and making a room look the best it can. When selecting a rug, consider your furniture and take note of the various layout options available. A rug that is too small or ill-proportioned to the room can make the space feel smaller or look imbalanced. Choosing the right rug size will not only help define the area and make it feel more refined and cohesive, but it can also enhance the overall acoustics of the space.

LIVING ROOM 
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LIVING ROOM #1: ALL LEGS ON THE RUG

Create a cohesive look in your living room with an area rug large enough to accommodate all of your furniture. The key to styling your seating area on top of a large rug is to ensure that the rug extends at least six inches past each piece of furniture. We recommend a rug that is 9' x 12' or larger, leaving an equal 12" to 18" of exposed floor on all sides to create a border around the rug. This is a nice option for larger, open concept rooms. It allows the furniture to "float" in the center, helping to accentuate the seating area and create distinction in the room.

LIVING ROOM #2: FRONT LEGS ON THE RUG

Tuck the rug under the front legs of your sofa and chairs to keep your seating area unified. The back legs of the sofa can be situated on or off of the rug, depending on personal preference. This is the most popular arrangement for living rooms and works especially well if a sofa is up against a wall. We recommend a rug that is at least 8' x 10'. Leaving a space of 18"-24" on all sides of the rug will create a natural border to frame your living space.

Room #1: 9' x 12'
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Room #2: 8' x 10'
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LIVING ROOM #3: ALL LEGS OFF THE RUG

If you're working with a smaller room (or smaller budget), consider a rug that floats in the center of your seating arrangement. A rug that is at least 5' x 8' works best in a room that is 10' x 12' or smaller. This would leave about 2 feet of flooring bordering the rug on each side. For the best proportion, the rug should be a bit longer than your sofa. Place the rug a few inches in front of the sofa or centered with alternative seating on the perimeter. If the rug is under a coffee table, make sure the rug is large enough to rest under all four legs of the table.

Room #3: 5' x 8'
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DINING ROOM
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In the dining room, you'd typically place the rug directly underneath the table and centered in the space. Let the dining chairs sit completely on the rug, with enough room to comfortably pull the chairs out and still remain on the rug. Ideally this would mean that your rug is larger than your dining table by at least 30 inches on all four sides. In this instance we recommend a rug that is 8' x 10' or larger. For instances where the dining room table is round you might consider using a round rug sized 8' or more to complement and unify the space

DINING ROOM #1: DINING TABLE FOR 6

8' x 10'

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DINING ROOM #2: DINING TABLE FOR 8+

9' x 12'

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DINING ROOM #3: ROUND DINING TABLE

8' Round

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BEDROOM
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BEDROOM #1: ALL FURNITURE ON THE RUG

We recommend rugs 8' x 10' or larger if placing king or queen sized beds with adjacent nightstands on the rug. It is best not to allow the rug to encroach upon any main walkways and, when possible, leave a minimum of 2 feet of soft rug underfoot around the bed.

BEDROOM #2: JUST THE BED ON THE RUG

If you have attractive flooring but want to add some cushioning for comfort, tuck a 6' x 9' rug under the bed just up to the nightstands so that only the lower two thirds of the bed sits on the rug. Alternatively, if you have wall-to-wall carpeting, and are just adding a rug for some color or texture, then tuck a 5' x 8' rug under the bed so that only the lower third of the bed sits on the rug. This technique can give you space in front of the bed to create a seating arrangement with accent chairs or a bench.

Room #1: 8' X 10'
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Room #2: 6' x 9'
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Room #3: 3' x 5'

BEDROOM #3: RUNNERS ON EACH SIDE

A more budget friendly option to provide softness underfoot is to place two runners on either side of the bed. This flexible choice works for spaces and beds of all sizes. You can place the runners completely under the nightstand, or go with a shorter 3' x 5' rug placed a few inches in front of the nightstand on each side of the bed. The rug or runner should be a bit wider than your nightstand

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KITCHEN
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Placing a rug in your kitchen adds style and provides warmth and comfort underfoot during daily routines such as dining, cooking and washing dishes. Regardless of the size and shape of your kitchen, the space in front of the kitchen sink is usually the best, most functional place for a rug. Depending on the configuration and size of your kitchen, we recommend a 3' x 5' or 5' x 8' rug in front of the sink. A 2.5' x 8' to 2.5' x 12' runner is ideal for filling narrow spaces, like those between a kitchen island and nearby counters. For larger open kitchens, you might also consider adding a centered area rug beneath your kitchen table. Since this rug will live in a high-traffic area and be prone to spills and other messes, choose a rug that is stylish, durable and easy to clean. Outdoor rugs are a great option for the kitchen.

KITCHEN #1: OPEN KITCHEN

5' x 8'

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KITCHEN #2: NARROW KITCHEN

2.5' x 8'

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Looking for more information?

Download Surya's complete Rug Guide 

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