Few things can tie a room together like an area rug. Rugs delineate a space, connect disparate pieces of furniture, and ground the space. To maximize the effect a rug has on your room, you will need to be sure to choose the right size rug for the space. Here’s how!
Bedroom
The goal of a bedroom rug is to keep your bare feet from having to touch cold floor when you get out of bed in the morning. As such, you will want to choose a rug that covers the floor on either side of the bed. If you have a queen-size bed, look for a 8’x10′ rug; for a king-size bed, choose a 9’x12′ rug.
If you don’t want, or can’t afford, a single large rug you can also purchase runners that you can place alongside the bed. Standard bedside runners usually measure 3’x5′.
Hallway
The runner you choose for your hallway is determined mainly by the dimensions of the space. Most halls are 3’ wide, and most runners will accommodate this measurement. When selecting a runner to suit the length of the hall, be sure to take into account any doors that may open into the space as well.
Living Room
The living room is arguably the trickiest room for which choose a rug. You will need to take the size and shape of both the room and your furniture into account. Once you have that information you can choose one of two popular ways to arrange a living room area rug.
The first option is to have all (or most) of the seating in your room touching the rug. Choose a rug large enough that the front legs of the couch and chairs can rest on the rug.
Obviously, that first option calls for a fairly large rug. If you do not want to invest in such a large rug, there is another way to style a living room rug. Instead of having all the seating rest on the rug, arrange furniture so that none of the seats touch the furniture. The rug should float in the middle of the seating arrangement like an island.
Standard living room area rugs range from 4’x6′ to 8’x10′.
Dining Room
The biggest obstacle when choosing a rug for a dining room has to do with the chairs. Nobody wants to sit in a wobbly chair that is half on the rug and half on the floor. To avoid this problem, choose a rug that offers at least 24″ of clearance on all sides of your dining table. Unless you have a very small dining room table, this will likely mean you will need a table that is 8’x10′ or 9’x12′.
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If standard size rugs do not fit the space in your apartment that you’re looking to cover, you can always DIY the perfect size rug. Hopefully this guide has given you the information you need to find the perfect size rug for your room!