Should a living room rug go under the sofa or in front of it? Is a 5'x8' rug too small for a living room? Find answers and more below.

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The most preferred and cost-saving staging option places the two front legs of your sofa and chairs on top of the rug to frame an inviting seating area. This works well for medium and smaller sized rooms.

Open Concept or Large Rooms

If you have a big living room or an open concept space, consider arranging all furniture—your sofa, chairs, coffee and side tables—on top of the rug. This creates a cohesive look that defines the space and makes it feel intentional and well-balanced. Opt for the largest rug size you can afford.

Round or Organic-Shaped Rugs

Try a uniquely shaped rug like a round or organic-shaped design. Both our SynSisal® and EarthSISAL™ rugs, for example, come in abstract forms that soften the lines of your furniture and add visual interest. Whether you place just the front legs or all legs on the rug, the shape itself becomes part of the design statement.

Rule of Thumb

Give your rug at least another foot on either side of your longest piece of furniture. If you have side tables, factor their width into your calculations. You don't want half of the legs on the rug and the other half off the rug.

What is the "dreaded rug island"?

It’s a term used by designers for a small area rug placed in the center without any seating on it. It makes your furniture look like it is floating in space and does not convey the cohesion your living room deserves (especially if your home features an open floor plan). Not recommended!

How much space should there be between the edge of a rug and the wall?

If you want to avoid the "wall-to-wall carpet look," leave 12-18 inches of bare floor all the way around your area rug and the wall for large rooms and 6-8 inches for smaller spaces. This border frames the room and keeps the rug from overwhelming the space.

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Find answers to questions like "what size rug goes under a queen bed?" and "can I use runners instead of a full rug in a bedroom?"

Large Bedrooms & Large Rugs

If your primary bedroom is sizable, we recommend that all furniture is placed on a large area rug—queen or king size bed plus two nightstands.

Smaller Rugs in Bedrooms

If your bedroom is smaller or your rug is not large enough to hold all furniture pieces, tuck the rug under the bed just up to the nightstands.

How wide should a bedroom rug be?

You either want the width of the rug to include the nightstands or extend at least beyond 18 inches on either side of the bed. This way, your feet have a soft landing whenever you step out of bed.

Bedside Runners

Yes, you can put runners on both sides of the bed. This is an economical but no less cozy approach to creating a finished look in your bedroom.

My bedroom already has wall-to-wall carpeting. Can I put an area rug on top of the carpet?

Wall-to-wall carpeting adds extra padding and absorbs sound, a perfect addition to bedrooms. But you can always add an area rug as a design element or focal point, either perpendicular to the bed or as a runner alongside the end.

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Dining tables come in all shapes and sizes, so there isn't one answer the question "what is the right size rug for a dining table with 6 chairs?" A custom sized rug is the solution. But how big should the rug be?

Standard-Sized Rugs Don't Fit

The biggest mistake customers make is buying a standard-sized rug that doesn't fit their table with the chairs pushed out. There is nothing worse than sliding your chair in or out and getting stuck on the edge of a rug.

How much larger should a rug be than the table?

Add about 32 to 36 inches to each side of your table’s dimensions to comfortably move chairs in and out. Whether your table is rectangular, round, or oval, a custom-size rug with the right chair clearance creates a relaxed dining experience.

What size rug should I get if I have an extendable table?

It all depends on how often you use your table’s extensions. If you only entertain large groups two to three times a year, then stick with a rug that fits your unextended table. If in doubt, get a rug that accommodates the table with or without extensions.

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Kitchen rugs and runners in front of the sink, stove or both are a great way to freshen up the look of your kitchen. You can add a splash of color or an intriguing pattern, all the while protecting high-traffic areas from excessive wear and tear.

What size rug works best in a galley or open-concept kitchen?

For galley kitchens, L-shaped kitchens, or kitchens with an island, place a decent-sized runner along the longest side of your cabinets. This way, you cushion most of your steps and protect your tiles or hardwood floors from being banged up by the occasional knife drop.

Rugs for Small Kitchens

For a smaller kitchen, place a stylish, petite area rug where you spend the most time to protect the floors, cushion your feet and add a design element.

How wide should a kitchen runner be?

Leave at least 3 to 6 inches on each side in small areas and up to 24” in large kitchens for your tile or hardwood floor to remain visible. To help you determine how many inches to leave exposed, think about where you spend the most time standing—do you want your feet to straddle the edge of a rug or be fully on top of the rug?

What’s the best rug material for a kitchen?

In a place where water splashes and sauces spill, a cleanable material like rPET, polypropylene, nylon or woven vinyl is ideal. If you love natural fibers, a stain-resistent sisal or a seagrass rug are good options.

I need a custom cut rug that wraps around my kitchen island.

No problem. We custom create L-shaped rugs or other irregular shaped rugs to fit your exact specifications. Head over to Irregular Shaped & Custom Cut Rugs to learn more.

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Who would not want a plush wool area rug in the bathroom to add warmth and extra comfort? Maybe wool is outside of your budget and your bathroom is large. Thankfully, there are options—both in material and layouts.

Rugs for Small Bathrooms

Match your bathroom rug to the length of your single or double vanity. This approach is budget-friendly but still dresses up the space and provides a warm foundation. Don't forget a rug pad to prevent slipping!

Large Bathrooms

A larger space allows for more flexibility. You can place two area rugs in front of your vanity or just one large bathroom rug. The rug shape is also up to you and the room's layout—from square to rectangular or oval to circular—a custom-sized rug is the perfect complement.

How much exposed bathroom flooring should I see?

Large or small, when sizing your new bathroom rug, leave at least 3 to 6 inches of visible tile or hardwood flooring (especially if the flooring is beautiful!). This creates a tailored border for a finished look.

What's the best material for a bathroom rug?

Even though a wool rug is a fine choice for a bathroom, it may be beyond the budget or not practical. With today's modern synthetic materials, a stylish and soft bathroom rug that is easy to clean and will not mold or mildew is possible!

Explore the Terasa collection if you love the look of natural sisal but need an easy-to-clean rug. Or the stunning Rols collection with its soft yet durable rPET yarns in both soothing hues and bright colors.

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Customers rarely think about it but the most important place to choose the right rug is your entryway. A foyer or entryway area rug conveys your home’s style: modern versus traditional, minimalist versus luxurious, or energizing versus relaxing. The size can either distract from or add to your style.

A Large Entryway Needs a Large Rug

Larger is always better. Entryway rugs catch wet and mud, and the longer they are, the less likely that mud ends up in your floors or another rug. Your rug or runner should be centered in front of the entrance and guide visitors from one zone to the next.

Add a Walk-Off Mat in Small Entryways

If your entryway is small or narrow and you only have room for a small rug, add a tough walk-off mat at your front door. This is an efficient way to trap gravel, sand, and mud before it enters your house.

How much space should I leave between the rug and the wall or furniture?

Leave 4 to 8 inches on each side of your rug to create a frame. This helps makes the space feel balanced and polished. However, make sure that the height of the rug doesn't interfere with the opening and closing of the door.

Door Clearance & Entryway Rugs

Always measure door clearance and determine the pile height of your rug so the door can open freely over the rug. If opening the front door does not allow for a rug, center a rug in the space or lay it in front of a foyer bench or table.

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The recommendations and tips outlined above for specific indoor settings can also be applied in similar outdoor settings. Browse our Outdoor | Anywhere Collection and if you have additional questions or can’t wrap your mind around your specific space needs, please chat with our team of experts.

No rug sizing guide is complete without addressing the important subject of layering. Layering allows for personalization, enabling you to mix and match rugs to suit your unique style preferences.

Define Your Space

Layering helps delineate different living areas in a large, open space. Additionally, if you have a favorite rug that is too small for the area, layering can solve that problem. Layer your small accent rug on top of a neutral, larger base rug, such as sisal or jute, to add depth, texture, and visual interest to your space.