Let’s Talk Rugs: What Size You Actually Need for Each Room
If there’s one home design mistake I see over and over again, it’s rugs that are too small. And I get it—area rugs can be expensive, and the “right” size often sounds much bigger than what we think we need. But trust me on this: a rug that’s too small will throw off the balance of the whole room. The good news? Once you know the sizing rules, it’s so much easier to get it right—and you don’t have to guess or second-guess every time you shop.
Let’s start with the living room. Your rug should be large enough that at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs rest on it. Ideally, your rug extends about 6–10 inches beyond the sides of your sofa. For most living rooms, that means an 8x10 or larger. If the rug is just floating in the center of the room, everything feels disconnected. The rug is your anchor—it pulls the room together.
In the dining room, the rug should be big enough that all four legs of each chair stay on the rug even when the chair is pulled out. That usually means at least 24 inches beyond the edge of the table on all sides. A good rule of thumb is to measure your table, add 48 inches to both the width and length, and that’s the size you’re looking for.
Bedrooms can vary a bit depending on the size of your bed. For a queen bed, a rug that’s at least 8x10 usually works well. Place it under the bottom two-thirds of the bed so it peeks out on both sides and at the foot. For a king, you’ll probably need a 9x12. You can also do runners on either side of the bed if you have hardwood floors and want softness underfoot without investing in one large rug.
And for smaller spaces like entryways or kitchens, don’t forget that a runner or small rug still needs to fit the scale of the space. A 2x3 in a big entry? It’ll feel like a doormat. Size up to a 3x5 or find a longer runner that fills the space more intentionally.
Here’s the bottom line: when it comes to rugs, bigger is almost always better. It gives your furniture room to breathe and your space a more grounded, polished look. If you’ve been staring at a room and something just feels off… check the rug. It might be the fix you didn’t realize you needed.