Additional Articles
Find the Right Size Area Rug for Your Living Room
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Area rug too big? Too small? Why can't it be just right?
Sometimes, finding the right size area rug for your space feels as elusive as a fairy tale. But, we have a few helpful hints to get you a little closer to a decorating happily ever after.
Sometimes, finding the right size area rug for your space feels as elusive as a fairy tale. But, we have a few helpful hints to get you a little closer to a decorating happily ever after.
We hear from our customers time and again that selecting the right size area rug for the living room can be a bit intimidating. And the worse part? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution that we can give!
Since different homes provide the challenge of different dimensions, the perfect size area rug for one home differs from the next and the next. So, the best place to start is exactly where you are.
Arrange your furniture in a way that feels comfortable and natural in the space. Then, consider the rug placement you desire in conjunction with your furniture.
There are three typical arrangements when it comes to living room furniture and area rugs.
To find out the appropriate size rug for a no legs on arrangement, measure around the coffee table or central focal point of the room. In smaller rooms, 5x7 rugs will likely do the trick. However, in larger rooms, you may need a bit more. The idea is to arrange your furniture around the rug, just not too far from it that it's not pulling the seating area together.
If you prefer the look of a front legs on furniture arrangement, measure from the middle of your furniture on one side of the room to the middle of your furniture on the other. Rinse and repeat for the other direction. You might need a 7x9, an 8x10 or a 9x13 area rug depending on the size of your home.
If you prefer an all legs on furniture arrangement, measure to the outside edges of your furniture arrangement. Keep in mind that in this arrangement, your side tables also need to rest comfortably atop the area rug. Also, take care to leave a bit of relief space between the wall and the area rug. Your goal is not to create a wall-to-wall carpet look – you’re creating a conversation area.
Sometimes, visualizing the look of an area rug in a blank room can be challenging. If you’re struggling, grab an old flat sheet and fold it to match the dimensions of your would-be area rug. Use it as a placeholder in your design to help you see how different sizes fill the space and change the feel of a room.
If you struggle with furniture arrangement, we’ve got your back! Our Rug Size and Placement Guide serves as an inspirational starting point for furniture arrangements around your new area rug.
This set of images shows furniture arrangements with front legs on - but these assemblies work equally well with no legs on or all legs on positioning. Simply enlarge or reduce the size of the rug in your space to customize the layout to your liking.
We just can't stress enough that finding the right area rug for your home should be fun and enjoyable. Let go of stress and release yourself from the idea that there's a "right" or "wrong" rule. Style always evolves and changes. That's what makes decorating so fun! What’s important is that you absolutely love the way your new area rug complements the room when you're done.
Since different homes provide the challenge of different dimensions, the perfect size area rug for one home differs from the next and the next. So, the best place to start is exactly where you are.
Arrange your furniture in a way that feels comfortable and natural in the space. Then, consider the rug placement you desire in conjunction with your furniture.
There are three typical arrangements when it comes to living room furniture and area rugs.
- No legs on.
- Front legs on.
- All legs on.
To find out the appropriate size rug for a no legs on arrangement, measure around the coffee table or central focal point of the room. In smaller rooms, 5x7 rugs will likely do the trick. However, in larger rooms, you may need a bit more. The idea is to arrange your furniture around the rug, just not too far from it that it's not pulling the seating area together.
If you prefer the look of a front legs on furniture arrangement, measure from the middle of your furniture on one side of the room to the middle of your furniture on the other. Rinse and repeat for the other direction. You might need a 7x9, an 8x10 or a 9x13 area rug depending on the size of your home.
If you prefer an all legs on furniture arrangement, measure to the outside edges of your furniture arrangement. Keep in mind that in this arrangement, your side tables also need to rest comfortably atop the area rug. Also, take care to leave a bit of relief space between the wall and the area rug. Your goal is not to create a wall-to-wall carpet look – you’re creating a conversation area.
Sometimes, visualizing the look of an area rug in a blank room can be challenging. If you’re struggling, grab an old flat sheet and fold it to match the dimensions of your would-be area rug. Use it as a placeholder in your design to help you see how different sizes fill the space and change the feel of a room.
Furniture & Rug Arrangement
If you struggle with furniture arrangement, we’ve got your back! Our Rug Size and Placement Guide serves as an inspirational starting point for furniture arrangements around your new area rug.
This set of images shows furniture arrangements with front legs on - but these assemblies work equally well with no legs on or all legs on positioning. Simply enlarge or reduce the size of the rug in your space to customize the layout to your liking.
We just can't stress enough that finding the right area rug for your home should be fun and enjoyable. Let go of stress and release yourself from the idea that there's a "right" or "wrong" rule. Style always evolves and changes. That's what makes decorating so fun! What’s important is that you absolutely love the way your new area rug complements the room when you're done.
Additional Area Rug Placement Tips
- Divide a large space into more intimate sitting areas by grouping furniture around 2 or more smaller area rugs.
- Don’t limit yourself to one area rug. Layered rugs help fill a space with trendsetting style.
- Create cozy reading or hobby nooks by placing a small area rug in a corner with a comfy chair or two.
