Introduction

Choosing a rug size starts with the room, not the rug. Measure the floor space first, then work outward from your furniture layout.

Crucial Criteria to Look For

Look at how much floor you want the rug to cover, and how furniture legs will sit on or off it.

• Living rooms: the rug should sit under the front legs of your main seating.
• Bedrooms: the rug should extend past the sides of the bed.
• Hallways: leave a small border of floor on each side.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A rug that is too small for the room can make the space feel disconnected. Measure twice before ordering.

Expert Recommendations

When in doubt, size up rather than down. A slightly larger rug reads better in most rooms than a small one.