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10 Area Rug Placement Dos and Don’ts

Rug Placement Tips for Living Rooms, Bedrooms, and More

When it comes to living room rugs and area rugs throughout your home, considering rug placement and size is key. Area rugs are a terrific alternative to wall-to-wall carpets, namely because they're easier to remove and clean. But the key is finding the right living room rug placement, which will be determined by the furniture in the space, as well as the room size, the style of the rug, and the rug type and material. Each of these factors will help guide exactly where to place the rug.

We've detailed everything you need to know about area rug placement, so read on to find out all the do's and don'ts.

What Is an Area Rug?

An area rug is an accent rug that does not extend to the walls. It is mostly used to anchor furniture in a space.

Area Rug Dos and Don'ts

The Spruce / Mira Norian

There are some important rules to remember when using area rugs in your home, whether in a bedroom, living room, dining room, or den. Before buying, check out these dos and don'ts for area rug placement.

Do Extend Rugs Under Furniture

Leaf and lo dining room rug

Leaf and Lo

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

Living Room Rug Placement

In the living room, choose a rug size that ensures the front legs of all furniture pieces can land on the rug. If this isn't possible, it's okay to have just the front legs of major upholstered pieces on the rug, though make sure the rug extends at least 3" to anchor the furniture. The back legs can extend off the rug. For smaller pieces in the room, try to keep all legs on the living room area rug.

Bedroom Rug Placement

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

Dining Room Rug Placement

In a dining room, the rug should be large enough for both the chairs and the table. Ideally, chairs should be on the dining room area rug, even when they're pulled out from the table. In a typical dining room, this means extending the rug three 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 actually make your living room seem larger. If you have a rug under a sectional, the entire couch should fit on the area rug, creating an expansive (and cohesive) anchor in the space. Leave approximately 6" of floor space around the perimeter of the rug.

In most rooms, you'll 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

Brophy Interiors area rug

Brophy Interiors

Make sure that any rooms that act as a thoroughfare are fully covered by the rug you choose. This helps protect your floors from wear and tear, scratches, and having to refinish your flooring prematurely.

Don't Go Too Small in the Bedroom

A soft rug adds a comfortable landing space each time you step out of bed, so it's 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: Opt for a rug that, at minimum, extends 18 inches beyond the sides of the bed.

Do Leave Equal Space

Home by Polly living room

Home By Polly

Regardless of which room you’re working with, you should leave the same amount of floor space on all sides of your rug. For example, the sofa should be centered on the rug. Give yourself anywhere from about eight to 24 inches of clearance on all sides. Eighteen inches is the most common parameter, but in a smaller space, you can get away with as little as eight inches.

Faced with a trickier furniture layout, like a sectional? In these cases, it’s best to put the rug in a space that lets the front legs of both sides of the couch land on the rug.

Tips

Always remember, the main goal is to have the rug centered in the room.

Don't Place Your Best Rugs in Danger

Don't place your most expensive rug under the dining table. It makes sense to place your best rug in a focal point of the house, but consider if there is a place where spills, stains, and a high level of wear and tear will be less of a problem.

Even though they're easier to clean than broadloom carpet, area rugs can still be difficult when it comes to removing stains. Keep this in mind (especially if you have children and pets) and go with inexpensive, easy-to-clean options in areas that could face stains on a regular basis.

Don't Let the Investment Scare You  

The number one mistake people make when decorating with area rugs is getting one that is too small in size. This is understandable, especially when you start comparing price tags on a 5’x8’ versus a 10’x14’. However, investing now will save you from replacing one that doesn't work later—not to mention, that the cost of a rug is still lower than an entire room of carpet.

Do Consider What Kind of Rug Pad You Need

Finding the right pad for your area rug can help a rug 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’s helpful to buy a slightly larger rug pad than your area rug and trim it down to size with scissors for the perfect fit.

FAQ
  • Can a rug be too big for a room?

    If there is less than 6" of floor space around the rug or every piece of furniture is entirely on the rug, then it may be too big for the space. A too large rug can overwhelm your space and make it feel less styled.

  • How far should a rug go under a couch?

    A couch can go entirely on a rug, front legs and back, but, if you opt for front legs only, make sure there is at least 3" of rug behind the legs.

  • Do you center a rug with the room or the couch?

    Ideally, the rug is centered with both the room and the couch. If that's not possibly, center the rug with the couch for a more intentional look.