The rug size guide. How to pick the perfect size rug for your home

Choosing a rug for your home can feel incredibly daunting - but we’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be! Unlike buying a bikini, once you have made your purchase and tried it on, you will absolutely love it and be ready to flaunt it. Here’s our guide for choosing a rug size to avoid any anxiety around making your selection.   

When it comes to rug “rules”, they’re loose and made to be broken, just like anything in interior design. It’s universally understood, however, that rugs should be on the larger size. To avoid the appearance of a rug floating about like an afterthought, rugs are generally anchored by at least one point. That point might be the front legs of your sofa (at least) or the end of your bed. While it is ideal to have a larger size rug, you still want to see the floor underneath so make sure it’s not touching walls.

Australian homes are often open-plan in style, meaning a rug is a helpful tool for zoning spaces to create a cosy atmosphere in a big area. Consider the layout of the living room. The rug size should exceed the length of the largest piece of furniture (which is likely the sofa). For example, if your sofa is 2.5 metres long, your rug could be around 3 meters in length. You can then either pop the front legs onto the rug or use the coffee table and armchair to do this on the other side. Having the rug larger than the longest piece of furniture means the room looks considered.

Sinking your feet into a rug straight out of bed makes those cooler mornings that little bit more bearable. Similar to the living room, the rug is ideally bigger than the biggest item of furniture (your bed!). If you have a queen bed (153cm wide) a common rug accompaniment would be the standard 1.6m x 2.3m rug. This means the rug can sit under the bed with the larger length running across the end of the bed and it will be seen and enjoyed from all angles. You can also choose a larger rug if the room size permits.

Entrance rugs are an excellent idea for many reasons. They look good (obviously!) and they’re practical, trapping dirt and grit from shoes coming inside and protecting the floor underneath. This space is often an awkward shape, leading to some confusion when making a rug selection. A round or oval-shaped rug can work well, creating a dynamic and interesting look. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, bigger is better but unlike  other spaces, the rug doesn’t necessarily need anchoring with furniture for it to be a success. Be mindful to keep a non-slip pad underneath the rug to avoid movement if there’s no entry table or chair to keep it in place.

Rugs in dining areas are a little less common but can be a beautiful addition. Hardwearing rugs that can withstand some mess are a great option and be mindful to clean up any spills as quickly as possible for rug longevity. If you decide to place a rug under the dining table, keep in mind not only the furniture size, but the space needed to safely pull out chairs without getting the legs caught or creating a trip hazard. This is at least 60-70cm on each side where there is a chair. The rug should fit the entire table, chairs and clearance area.

Choosing a rug size seems complicated, but it’s one of the more formulaic elements of the decision process. If you’re still unsure, you can also plot the space with paper or masking tape. This is a great way to get an idea of how much visual and literal room the rug will take up. Now it’s just a matter of selecting through from all of the gorgeous options!

Our full range of rugs can be viewed here, available in many sizes to fit every space.