Leave 18 inches
Aim for about 18 inches of bare floor between the rug and the walls. In a small room, 12 inches is fine.
What size rug do I need?
Leave about 18 inches of bare floor on each side, and let the front legs of your furniture sit on the rug. For most US living rooms that is an 8×10.
The three rules
Every size recommendation we make comes back to these.
Legs on the rug
The front legs of every seat should sit on the rug.
When in doubt, go bigger
A rug that is slightly too big almost always looks better than one that is slightly too small.
How to measure your room
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01
Measure the floor
Length and width, wall to wall.
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02
Leave the border
Take 18 inches off every side. That is 3 ft off the length, and 3 ft off the width.
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03
Note the furniture
The sofa, the bed or the table, and its length.
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04
Pick the size
The largest standard size that fits the space that is left.
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05
Tape it
Tape the outline on the floor and live with it for a day before you order.
Washable rug sizes at a glance
3×5 Entryways, bedsides, under a desk.
5×7 Bedrooms and small living rooms. A loveseat and a coffee table.
6×9 Dining for 4, or a full bed.
8×10 Most US living rooms. A 3-seat sofa and two chairs. Sideways under a queen.
9×12 A sectional, a king bed, or a table for 8. This size needs a large-capacity washer.
2.5×7 A short hall, or in front of a sink.
2.5×10 A long hall, with about 6 inches of floor at each end.
Common mistakes
Too small
A 5×7 in front of a 3-seat sofa floats. If no legs reach it, size up.
Centered on the room
Center the rug on the furniture, not the walls.
Wall to wall
Leave floor showing. A rug that touches the baseboards makes a room look smaller.
Forgetting the doors
Check that every door swings clear before you choose the spot.