How should a living room rug be arranged?

Author: Cheryl

Jan. 13, 2025

Apparel

10 Area Rug Placement Dos and Don'ts

When it comes to area rugs throughout your home, consider their placement and size. Area rugs are a terrific alternative to wall-to-wall carpets because they're easier to remove and clean. However, finding the right rug placement is determined by the furniture, room size, and the rug's style, type, and material.

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There are some important rules to remember when using area rugs in your home, whether you place them in a bedroom, living room, dining room, or den. Below, we have detailed everything you need to know about area rug placement dos and don'ts.

Do Extend Rugs Under Furniture

When selecting an area rug, ensure it extends under all the key pieces of furniture in the room.

Living Room Rug Placement

Choose a large enough carpet for the living room to ensure the furniture's front legs stay on the rug. Or, keep just the front legs of any major upholstered pieces on the rug. Try leaving at least 3 inches of carpet in front of the legs to anchor the furniture. The back legs can stay off the rug as long as the front legs stay on. Try keeping all the legs of smaller pieces of furniture on the living room area rug.

Bedroom Rug Placement

In a bedroom, push the area rug against the wall at the head of the bed, with 18 inches on all sides for nightstands and clearance at the end of the bed. A properly placed bedroom area rug anchors the bed and the surrounding furnishings.

Dining Room Rug Placement

A dining room rug should be large enough to hold the chairs and table. Ideally, chair legs should be on the dining room area rug, even when pulled out from the table. In a typical dining room, this means extending the rug 3 feet beyond the edge of the dining table.

Do Go Big If You Want Your Living Room to Feel Larger

It might sound counterintuitive, but a bigger area rug will make your living room seem larger. If you have a rug under a sectional, the entire couch should fit on the carpet, creating an expansive (and cohesive) anchor in the room. Leave approximately 6 feet of floor space around the perimeter of the rug.

In most rooms, you will choose a standard area rug size. The most common area rug sizes include:

  • 5x7 feet 
  • 7x9 feet 
  • 9x10 feet 
  • 8x12 feet 
  • 9x12 feet 
  • 12x18 feet

Do Cover High-Traffic Areas

Fully cover the floors of pass-through rooms. Large area rugs here help protect floors from wear and tear, scratches, and prematurely refinishing projects.

Don't Go Too Small in the Bedroom

A soft area rug adds a comfortable landing space each time you step out of bed, so it is important to go bigger than you might expect in the bedroom. The bedroom rug should be considerably larger than the size of the bed and it should fit under the nightstands to help anchor the look with a cozy texture. Be sure to get your measurements right before you go shopping.

Bedroom Rug Size Tips

You can go bigger but these numbers should be the minimums you want to look for.

  • Twin/double bed: The rug should be large enough to extend beyond the sides of the bed by at least 12 inches.
  • Queen/king bed: Opt for a rug that, at minimum, extends 18 inches beyond the sides of the bed.

Do Leave Equal Space

Leave the same amount of floor space on all sides of your rug in all your rooms. For example, the sofa should be centered on the rug. Give yourself anywhere from 8 to 24 inches of clearance on all sides. Eighteen inches is the most common parameter but as little as 8 inches is okay in a smaller space.

If you have a tricky furniture layout, make sure the front legs of both sides of a sectional, for example, land on the rug.

Don't Place Your Best Rugs in Danger

Don't place your most expensive rug under the dining table. Put your best rug in a space where it's highlighted as a focal point. However, consider a spot where the rug will be protected from spills, stains, and extreme wear and tear.

Area rugs are easier to clean than broadloom carpeting. However, removing stains on area rugs can still be challenging if you have a household with children and pets. Go with inexpensive, easy-to-clean options in areas where staining could be commonplace.

Don't Let the Investment Scare You  

The number one mistake made when decorating with area rugs is getting one that is too small. This is understandable, especially when comparing price tags on a 5'x8' versus a 10'x14' area rug. However, investing in the right size saves you from the need to replace an area rug that does not fit. A typical 8'x10' rug could cost $200 at a place like Ikea, but you may pay over $1,000 for a high-end, longer-lasting one.

Do Consider What Kind of Rug Pad You Need

Finding the right pad for your area rug can help it stay in place, give some added cushion in areas where needed (for example, in bedrooms), or even protect the flooring (especially when layering sisal over hardwoods). Determine your needs and plan your rug pad appropriately. It is helpful to buy a slightly larger rug pad than your area rug and trim it down to size with scissors for the perfect fit.

How to Place a Rug in The Living Room

Rugs are a vital element in living room design, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits. They can define spaces, add warmth, and pull a room's decor together. 


However, choosing the right size and placement can be challenging. If it&#;s too small, it can make your living room look disconnected. Too big and it drowns out your furniture. 

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In this guide, we dive deeper into the intricacies of living room rug placement and size, providing you with detailed insights and tips that go beyond the basics. Whether you have a large open space or a cozy nook, these tips will help you make the best choices for your home!


Understanding rug sizes


Before diving into placement strategies, it's important to understand the various rug sizes available and their usual applications:

  • Small rugs (3 x 5, 4 x 6 feet): Ideal for small spaces, accent areas, or under coffee tables.

  • Medium rugs (5 x 8, 6 x 9 feet): Suitable for smaller living rooms or as an accent rug in larger spaces.

  • Large rugs (8 x 10, 9 x 12 feet): Perfect for spacious living rooms, covering significant floor areas and accommodating furniture arrangements.

  • Extra-large rugs (10 x 14 feet and larger): Best for combined living and dining areas or exceptionally large rooms.

Considering room size and shape


Long and narrow rooms


Long and narrow rooms can often feel cramped or tunnel-like, which is why it's crucial to use design elements that help balance the proportions. 


A rectangular rug can elongate the space visually, making it appear larger and more inviting. By placing the rug along the room's length and extending it under the furniture, you create a unified area that directs the eye along the room's length, enhancing the overall flow. 


This placement not only ties the furniture pieces together but also breaks the corridor effect, making the room feel more cohesive and spacious.


Recommended read: 10 Ideas for Decorating a Long, Narrow Living Room


Square rooms


Square rooms present a different set of challenges, as their symmetrical shape can sometimes feel static or boring. 


To complement and enhance the room's natural proportions, opting for a square or round rug can be very effective. A square rug echoes the room's shape, reinforcing its symmetry, while a round rug can introduce a contrasting element that adds visual interest and breaks up uniformity. 


Large open spaces


In large open spaces, you can use multiple rugs in different styles and colors to strategically carve out different zones within the same room. 


This helps in adding layers of visual interest, making the vast area feel more intimate and well-designed. Don&#;t forget to ensure that your rugs complement each other or it can create visual clutter. 


Recommended read: How to Break Up and Style Large Living Rooms


Placement strategies for different layouts


Placing a rug correctly in your living room can make a significant difference in the overall aesthetics and functionality of the space. Here are some tips to help you achieve optimal rug placement:


Centering the rug


A classic approach, centering the rug in the living room, works well with balanced and symmetrical furniture arrangements. This placement creates a focal point, drawing attention to the center of the room and helping to define the seating area for a cohesive look.


Place the rug so that it aligns with the central furniture piece, typically the coffee table. Ensure that there is an equal amount of floor space around the rug's edges. 

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