🛋 Interactive Rug Size Guide & Calculator
Select your placement location and room or furniture dimensions.
How to use the rug size guide
- Choose where the rug will go: Pick living room, under a dining table or under a bed.
- Select feet or metres.
- Enter the dimensions: For a living room, use the room's length and width. For a dining room, use the table's length and width. For a bedroom, simply choose your bed size and the tool does the rest.
- Read the result: You will see the ideal rug size in metres and feet, plus the closest standard size such as 5 × 8 ft, 8 × 10 ft or 9 × 12 ft.
The rules the guide follows
Interior designers use a few simple rules to size rugs. We have built them directly into our tool.
Living room
Leave a border of bare floor around the rug. A 60 cm (2 ft) border gives a relaxed, floating look and is the guide's main recommendation. A 30 cm (1 ft) border gives a fuller, more luxurious look, which suits larger rooms. Either way, at least the front legs of your sofa and armchairs should sit on the rug so that the group feels connected.
- Rug width = room width − 1.2 m (or − 0.6 m for the larger option)
- Rug length = room length − 1.2 m (or − 0.6 m for the larger option)
Dining room
A dining rug must be large enough that chairs stay on it even when someone pulls out their seat. Add at least 60 cm (2 ft) on every side of the table.
- Rug width = table width + 1.2 m
- Rug length = table length + 1.2 m
Bedroom
Under a bed, the rug usually sits beneath the lower two thirds so that it peeks out on both sides and at the foot. The tool allows 60 cm on each side of the bed and 60 cm at the foot.
- Rug width = bed width + 1.2 m
- Rug length = bed length + 0.6 m
Standard rug sizes
Most rugs are made in a handful of common sizes. The tool compares your ideal measurements with this list and shows the nearest match.
| Standard Size (feet) | Size (metres, approx.) | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| 3 × 5 | 0.9 × 1.5 | Entryways, beside a single bed, kitchens |
| 4 × 6 | 1.2 × 1.8 | Small entrances, reading corners |
| 5 × 8 | 1.5 × 2.4 | Small living rooms, home offices, double beds |
| 6 × 9 | 1.8 × 2.7 | Small dining tables, compact seating areas |
| 8 × 10 | 2.4 × 3.0 | Medium living rooms, queen beds, 4 to 6 seat dining tables |
| 9 × 12 | 2.7 × 3.7 | Large living rooms, king beds, 6 to 8 seat dining tables |
| 10 × 14 | 3.0 × 4.3 | Large open-plan luxury spaces |
| 12 × 15 | 3.7 × 4.6 | Grand rooms and expansive open lounges |
Worked example: a 12 ft × 15 ft living room
Your living room measures 12 ft by 15 ft, which is about 3.66 m by 4.57 m.
| Layout Option | Formula Working | Result & Recommended Size |
|---|---|---|
| Floating rug (60 cm border) | 3.66 − 1.2 and 4.57 − 1.2 | 2.46 × 3.37 m, or about 8.1 × 11.1 ft. The nearest standard size is 8 × 10 ft. |
| Larger rug (30 cm border) | 3.66 − 0.6 and 4.57 − 0.6 | 3.06 × 3.97 m, or about 10 × 13 ft. The nearest standard size is 10 × 14 ft. |
If you want a relaxed, more affordable look, go for the 8 × 10 ft and place the front legs of the sofa and chairs on it. If you prefer a bold, more premium feel, choose the 10 × 14 ft.
Ways to arrange furniture on a rug
- All legs on: Every piece of seating sits fully on the rug. This is the most formal look and needs the largest rug.
- Front legs on: The front legs of sofas and chairs rest on the rug and the back legs stay on the floor. It is the most popular option and works with medium rugs.
- All legs off: The rug sits in front of the sofa in the centre of the room. This can look disconnected, so only use it with a very well chosen, coffee-table-sized rug.
Choosing the material and shape
Wool is durable, soft and naturally stain resistant, which makes it a great choice for living rooms. Cotton and jute are lighter and easier to clean, while polypropylene and other synthetics are affordable and work well in high-traffic areas or for families with children and pets. In dining rooms, pick a flat weave or low pile that chairs slide over easily and that is simple to vacuum.
Round rugs suit round dining tables and can soften the sharp lines of a room filled with rectangular furniture. Runners suit hallways and galley kitchens, and should leave 10 to 15 cm of floor showing on each side.
Common mistakes to avoid
Choosing a rug that is too small: When in doubt, go up one size. A larger rug almost always looks better.
Blocking doors: Make sure a door can open freely over the rug. A thick pile may need trimming the door or choosing a thinner rug.
Skipping the rug pad: A pad stops the rug from slipping, protects your floor and adds cushioning. Buy one about 5 cm smaller than the rug on each side.
Ignoring the room's colour scheme: A rug is a big colour block. Plan it together with your walls and furniture using our colour palette generator.
Frequently asked questions
What size rug goes under a queen bed?
An 8 × 10 ft rug is the usual recommendation for a queen bed. It extends about 60 cm on either side and at the foot. A 9 × 12 ft rug works for a king bed.
What size rug should I get for a 10 × 12 ft living room?
A 6 × 9 ft or 8 × 10 ft rug usually fits well. Choose 8 × 10 ft if you want the front legs of your sofa on the rug, and 6 × 9 ft if you prefer a lighter look.
How big should a rug be under a dining table?
Measure your table and add at least 60 cm on every side. For a six-seat table that is 180 × 90 cm, aim for a rug of about 300 × 210 cm, which is close to 8 × 10 ft.
Should a rug go under the coffee table?
Yes, the coffee table should sit fully on the rug. This anchors the seating area and gives a neat, layered look.
Can I layer rugs?
Yes. A smaller patterned rug over a large neutral jute or sisal rug is a popular designer trick. It adds texture and lets you use a beautiful rug that is too small to serve as the main one.
How do I keep a rug from sliding?
Use a non-slip pad or grip tape underneath. It prevents movement and reduces wear on both the rug and the floor.
Keep decorating
Pair your new rug with suitable window dressings using our Curtain Size Calculator, or work out how much flooring you need under it with our Tile & Flooring Calculator.