Choosing the right size is the most important decision when buying a rug, and the most common mistake. A rug that is too small makes a room feel disjointed and furniture look like it is floating. The right size pulls everything together.
In short: most living rooms need a rug of around 200 × 300 cm so the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on it. Dining rugs should extend at least 60 cm beyond the table on every side. In a bedroom, a large rug should reach around 50–60 cm beyond the sides of the bed. In a hallway, leave 10–15 cm of floor showing on each side of a runner.
Quick Rug Size Chart
| Room | Typical rug size |
|---|---|
| Small living room | 160 × 230 cm |
| Average living room | 200 × 300 cm |
| Large or open-plan living room | 250 × 350 cm or larger |
| Dining table for 4 | 200 × 250 cm |
| Dining table for 6–8 | 250 × 300 cm or larger |
| Queen bed | 200 × 300 cm (under the bed) or two small rugs at the sides |
| King bed | 250 × 350 cm (under the bed) |
| Bedside, entryway, reading corner | 60 × 90 cm to 120 × 180 cm |
| Hallway | Runner 70–100 cm wide, length to suit |
These are starting points, not rules. Handmade rugs come in many sizes, so it is always worth measuring your own space.
Living Room
There are three common layouts:
- All legs on: the rug is large enough for every piece of furniture to sit fully on it. This feels the most luxurious and works best in large or open-plan rooms.
- Front legs on: the front legs of the sofa and armchairs sit on the rug, the back legs on the floor. This is the most popular layout and suits most living rooms.
- Coffee table only: a smaller rug sits under the coffee table, with no furniture on it. It can work in a very small room, but it often looks too small.
The three living room layouts, shown with our vintage Oushak kilim. The dots mark where the furniture legs sit.
As a rule, the rug should be at least as wide as your sofa, ideally 15–20 cm wider on each side.
A vintage Oushak kilim, 202 × 296 cm: the classic living room size
Browse our large rugs and kilims.
Dining Room
Chairs need to stay on the rug when they are pulled out, otherwise they catch on the edge. Measure your table and add at least 60 cm on every side.
- A table of 90 × 160 cm needs a rug of at least 210 × 280 cm.
- Match the shape of the rug to the table: rectangular for a rectangular table, and a square rug for a round or square table.
Right size and too small: with our 210 × 310 cm Persian Ardabil kilim, the chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.
Flatwoven kilims are a practical choice under a dining table: chairs slide easily over them and they are simple to clean.
Bedroom
There are two good options:
- One large rug under the bed: place it so that it starts just in front of the bedside tables and extends 50–60 cm beyond the sides and foot of the bed. Your feet land on the rug when you get up.
- Two small rugs or runners: one on each side of the bed. This is a flexible, budget-friendly option and a lovely way to use small vintage pieces.
An Ottoman Oushak rug, 173 × 240 cm: a good size for a bedroom or smaller living room
Browse our medium rugs and kilims.
Hallways and Entryways
A runner should leave 10–15 cm of floor visible on each side, and around 15–30 cm at each end. In most hallways that means a width of 70–100 cm.
For the length, measure the hall and subtract 30–60 cm. If your hall is very long, two runners of the same style placed end to end can work well.
A vintage Balıkesir cicim runner, 80 × 300 cm
Browse our runners, or read our guide to Herki runners.
Small Spaces
Small rugs and kilims are perfect beside a bed, at the front door, in a reading corner, in a bathroom or even on a wall. Here, the rug does not need to anchor furniture, so you can simply choose the piece you love.
An Aksaray cicim kilim, 79 × 125 cm: ideal for an entryway or bedside
Browse our small rugs and kilims.
How to Measure
- Measure the room and note where the furniture sits.
- Mark the rug size on the floor with masking tape, or lay out sheets or newspaper. Live with it for a day or two.
- Check the doors. Make sure doors can open over the rug, especially with a thicker pile rug.
- Leave a border of floor. In most rooms, 20–45 cm of floor showing around the rug looks best.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing a rug that is too small. If you are between two sizes, the larger one is usually the better choice.
- Forgetting the chairs under a dining table.
- Ignoring the shape of the room. Long, narrow rooms suit long rugs and runners.
- Not allowing for small variations. Handmade rugs are made by hand, so their dimensions can vary slightly from end to end.
Need Help Choosing?
Send us your room measurements or a photo of your space and we will happily suggest pieces that fit. If you are in Melbourne, you can also book a viewing and see a rug in person. For more tips on buying, read our guide to buying a vintage rug in Melbourne.
Shop large rugs →
Shop medium rugs →
Shop small rugs →
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