How to Determine The Right Size Rug For Your Room

One of the most common questions we get here in the shop is in regards to what size rug to buy.  Okay, wait, that's not quite true.  I always check with clients to make sure they understand how the size of rug they are buying is going to fit in their space.   More often than not, people tend to pick rugs that are too small for the space and then they aren't happy with the overall look.  I get it - the smaller the rug the smaller the price tag.  But spending money on something you end up not liking is just not worth it.  A great rug is an investment you want to love for many, many years to come. 

I spend a lot of time drawing out examples and sending people home to measure so here are some tips and tricks you can use to determine the correct size for your rug - just in case you can't make it in to our shop in person. 

1. Measure your room: Start by measuring the dimensions of your room, including the length and width. Note down the measurements on paper or your phone, so you have them handy while shopping for an area rug.  Are you trying to find a rug to fit the room or just pull together a specific area of the room?  If you are not sure, measure the whole room and where specific elements - like the main seating area - are located before hand.  Because you will have to...

2. Consider your furniture: The size of your area rug will depend on the furniture arrangement in your room. If you have a seating area, such as a living room or family room, consider measuring the length and width of your sofa, chairs, or coffee table. You'll want to choose an area rug that's large enough to accommodate all of your furniture, or at least the front legs of your furniture.  No area rugs just for coffee tables!  You have to join all the elements together to keep it cohesive. 

3. Define your space: An area rug can help define and anchor a specific area in your room, such as a dining table or a reading nook. Measure the size of your table or seating area, and choose an area rug that's slightly larger than the dimensions. This will help create a cohesive space and prevent the rug from looking too small.

4. Keep doorways in mind: If you're placing an area rug in a hallway or entryway, make sure to account for the door clearance. You don't want the rug to interfere with opening and closing the door. 

5. Try to stick to standard area rug sizes:  Area rugs come in standard sizes - usually 2"x 3", 3"x 5", 4"x 6", 5"x 8", 6"x 9", 8"x 10", and 10"x 12".  If possible, see if one of these sizes will be appropropriate for your space.  It's always possible to get a custom sized rug, but the cost can be double or triple that of a standard size.  Sticking to these standards if you can is really cost effective.  

6. Try before you buy: When in doubt, try before you buy. Lay out paper or painter's tape in the size and shape of the area rug you're considering. This will give you a visual idea of how the rug will look in your space and help you make an informed decision. 

7. Try before you buy #2:  We offer large 12"x 24" swatches of all our rugs and we are happy to send as many as you need home with you so you can see what the rug is going to look like in your space.  

This pretty much covers the basics of picking the right size of rug for your room but there are always other considerations - such as how best to position a rug under a bed or in a dining room to accomodate chairs.  We are always happy to help answer any questions you may have and make sure that the rug you choose is going to be perfect.