Rugs bring so much to a room’s décor- they add warmth, texture, color, and help to really pull the space together. But with so many sizes and dimensions available, it can be difficult to determine which size and shape you need for your room.
To help you take out the guess work, we’ve put together a guide with everything you know to choose the perfect sized rug for your space.
@styleitprettyhome
Decide on your rug set up
Before you can determine the size of rug you’ll need, you have to decide how you want to place it. The two main ways of placing an area rug is to have it covering the full area under your furniture or a partial area.
For example, in a living room, the rug could cover the entire seating area, meaning that all of the legs of the sofas and chairs are on the rug, or a partial area, meaning that the front two legs of the sofas and chairs are on the rug. In a bedroom, this would mean your entire bed is on the rug or just the bottom half.
Though it does come down to personal preference, you generally want to avoid creating what’s known as a “rug island.” This is a rug that is too small for the space and lays in the middle of the layout. Picture a small rug under a coffee table that doesn’t come into contact with the seating furniture at all.
Extending your rug past your furniture
For a rug to properly fit your space, you want it to extend between 6” to a foot past the edges of your furniture. This is a guideline, and it may differ depending on your layout and the size of your room, but in general, this is what will look the best. Having a rug that is in line with the edges of your furniture will just look off and will make your space feel cramped, while a rug that extends too far past the edges will swallow up the furniture.
So, once you’ve determined the rug set up you want, measure roughly 8 inches on either edge of your furniture, and you’ll have a good idea of the size you need.
Create a visual before buying
If you’re having trouble deciding on which size will work best for your space, tape out the different dimensions you’re considering to see what will work best. You can also lay down a large blanket or sheet to help to get a better idea of how different sizes and shapes will look.
@helloimaubs
Fix a too-small rug with layering
If you do have a rug that is too small for your space, there’s still hope! Adding a larger rug underneath will not only fill out the space, but it will also add extra texture and style. A neutral rug, like a jute or sisal, is the best option for layering, and it generally looks best to have the base layer just one size up from your top rug. However, if your top rug is significantly too small for the space, you can go a few sizes larger with the base layer.
Now that you know the size you need, you’re ready to pick out your rug! You can find our full selection of area rugs, including our bestselling jute rug, here.