How To Choose The Right Rug Size For Your Room

What sizes are rugs made in?

Genuine oriental rugs mean the rug is handmade. Rugs come in a variety of sizes. Let’s start with the smaller size rugs. Smaller sizes rugs are perfect for entryways, bathrooms, foyers, and kitchens. The sizes most common for smaller rug sizes are 2′ x 3′, 2′ 6″ x 4′, 3′ x 5′ and 4′ x 6′.

As you move into larger rooms the rug sizes of 6′ x 9′, 8′ x 10′, 9′ x 12′ and 10’ x 14’s are the most common sizes. These larger rugs are perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, studies, and dens. Some homes have great rooms, large master suites or other large areas that can accommodate a “palace sized rug”. We consider a “Palace Size” rug to be 12′ x 15′, 12’ x 18’, 13’ x 24’ and larger.

Runners come in a variety of lengths. The width of a runner is usually 30 inches wide but some come even wider. The length of a runner starts at 6 feet and typically go up in even increments of 2 feet (8′ long, 10′ long, 12′ long). Runners can be used in hallways, walkways, on stairs, along the side of a bed and in kitchens along an island.

Living Room Rugs

There are several ways to set up a living room, but in general, the rug should be used to frame out the seating area leaving anywhere from 1 to 3 feet of hardwood around the rug. For example, if the size of your room is 12’ x 15’ we would suggest using a 9’ x 12’ rug. When setting up your furniture the front legs of your sofa should anchor onto the edge of the rug and back legs off so your feet a fully and comfortably on the rug. We find this to be the most pleasing layout and most livable configuration to use in a living room.

You may also have additional chairs and furniture in your living room. Accent chairs may sit all the way on the rug, half on half off or even off the rug completely depending on the size of the chair and personal preference. In larger living rooms with a center fireplace, we suggest using one larger rug showing one to three feet of wood around the rug. If the fireplace is off center in your room you can create multiple seating areas with multiple rugs to balance out various areas within the room. Living Room rug sizes are generally 8′ x 10′ and 9′ x 12′ in hand-made. For a larger living room, we suggest 10’ x 14’, 12’x15’, 12’ x 18’ or larger.

Dining Room Rugs

The rule of thumb in your dining room is that bigger is better. Start by measuring the size of the room and considering the furniture also in the room. We suggest showing one to three feet of hardwood around the rug. The front legs of furniture such as a sideboard or a china cabinet can be anchored on the edge of the rug.

What is most important in your dining room is that the chairs are fully on the rug when pulled away from the table while you are trying to sit at the table. If the rug is too small the back legs of the chairs will fall off the rug and when trying to sit the back legs will catch the edge of the rug and will be uncomfortable.

An 8′ x 10′ rug will accommodate most tables with 6 chairs, a 9′ x 12′ size rug is necessary if you have 8 chairs. Rug sizes of 10′ x 14′ and larger are essential if you need to accommodate even more chairs. For many homes, you may want to consider a size up to accommodate an extra leaf on days, such as Thanksgiving, where a larger table is needed.

Bedroom Rugs

When buying a rug for the bedroom it is most comfortable to buy one large rug and anchor the bed onto the rug showing between one to two feet of wood around the rug. We recommend extending the rug under the bed allowing the rug to show on both sides and at the foot of the bed so when exiting the bed your feet are on the rug and not the cold floor. This makes the room a little more cozy and warm. Typically, a Queen bed works best with a rug between 8′ x 10′ – 9′ x 12′ while a King size bed works best with rug sizes of 9′ x 12′ – 10′ x 14′. For very large bedrooms you may want to consider a rug in a 12’ x 15’ or 12’ x 18’ size to add some grandeur to an overwhelming space. Bring in your room size, wall colors, and pictures of your bedding and let our design professionals help you select the right rug.

Office

Your office is one area that you should go larger so your desk is on the rug and to make sure the office chair has room to move and not fall off the rug. You should show between one to three feet of hardwood around the rug.

Hall

Hallways are generally well traveled so a rug can really help preserve your floors. Hall rugs should extend end to end in your hall. We recommend approximately 6 inches of hardwood at either end. In extremely long halls you may want to consider multiple hall rugs. Bring in your hall size and let our experts find the perfect runner for your hall.

Kitchen

Kaoud rugs are very durable and can be used under a kitchen table, in front of a sink and islands. Depending on the size of your kitchen table the most common used size under a table are 5’ x 8’, 6’ x 9’, 8’ x 10’ and squares from 6’ x 6’ to 10’ x 10’. We use 3’ x 5’ or 4’ x 6’ size rugs in front of a kitchen sink and runners that are 30 inches wide and extend from 6’ to 12’ or longer along the island. We recommend a 2.6’ x 4’ or 3’ x 5’ rug at the side or rear entrances to the kitchen.

Staircases

A Kaoud runner on your staircase will instantly improve the look and safety of your home. It helps prevent people and pets not slip and fall on the stairs. Usually we figure 18 inches will cover one step. For example, if you have 12 steps you would need 18.6 feet which will cover your stairs and the top riser. This might vary depending on the riser and step in your home. Before coming into our store measure the depth of your step, the height of your riser and count the number of steps you have starting on the first floor and counting to the second floor (what # step if the second floor). This will help us with calculating the correct length needed for your staircase. If you have an “L” shaped or “U” shaped staircase you will need more material so make a map of your staircase with the number of steps and the sizes of any landings. Please take pictures of the area and bring them with you and remember a runner on your staircase increases the safety of your home as it minimizes the chances of falling or slipping!

Why should I choose a Kaoud Rug?

Kaoud Rugs imports oriental rugs directly from our own looms in the world’s leading weaving capitals. We offer thousands of rug in every size, style, color, and budget using only the finest wool and dyes. We’re so confident in the quality and durability of our rugs that we offer New England’s only “Lifetime Trade-In Guarantee”.