Are you looking to purchase a rug for your living room but aren’t sure which size to get?
A rug can add some nice texture and a pop of color to your living room. But, if you get a rug that’s the wrong size, it’ll look painfully out of place.
How do you know which size to get?
Check out this guide to learn how to choose a rug size for your living room.
Understand the Standard Sizes
When buying a rug for your living room, you first need to understand the common rug sizes. Typically, area rugs are available in these standard sizes:
- 3×5 feet
- 4×6 feet
- 5×8 feet
- 6×9 feet
- 7×10 feet
- 8×10 feet
- 8×11 feet
- 9×12 feet
Most manufacturers offer rugs in three to four of these standard sizes. Of course, there are some companies that will custom make a rug for you that’s your desired size. Typically, living room rugs are 8×10 feet or 9×12 feet, but the rug you need for your living room will depend on the size of your furniture and how much space you have.
How to Choose the Right Rug Size for Your Living Room
Your living room will either go under your sofa or sit directly in front of it. Either way, your rug should be at least one foot wider than your couch on either end, as this will create the most visually appealing living room.
Additionally, there should be at least 18 inches of bare floor all the way around the rug. This allows for more walking space. To figure out the exact size of rug you need, start by measuring the size of your couch.
Then, get out some masking tape and create a border around your sofa with it that allows for a foot of space on each side. For example, let’s say your couch is seven feet long. Use your masking tape to create a rectangle that’s 8×10 feet. If 8×10 feet doesn’t look quite right, move the masking tape measurements to 9×12 feet.
If you plan to purchase a custom-made rug, you can play around with the measurements even more.
Size and Placement Tips
The size of the rug you purchase also depends on where you plan to place your furniture.
If you plan to place all of your living room furniture on the rug (i.e., your couch, coffee table, and chairs,), then you likely want to opt for a larger rug that’s about 9×12 feet. Purchasing a rug this size allows you to bring together all of the elements of your living room.
If you purchase an 8×10 rug, you’ll be able to place the front legs of all of your furniture on the rug. This can help create space for conversation, and it can add some extra room for walking. It also allows you to show off more of your floor.
If you purchase a 6×9 rug, you’ll be able to place the front legs of your chairs on the rug, but your sofa legs will remain off the rug. Still, you want to make sure the rug is a bit longer than your sofa.
Other Things to Consider When Purchasing a Living Room Rug
Besides the rug size, there are some other things that you need to consider when purchasing a living room rug. Rug trends come and go, but there are some rules for purchasing area rugs that will always remain the same. Here’s what you need to consider:
The Material
Rugs come in a wide variety of materials, from jute to sisal to sheepskin. Wool is one of the most durable rug materials available, and it can withstand a lot of foot traffic.
If you have little ones running around or a family with an active schedule, this is a great material to consider. Wool also naturally repels liquids, allowing for a quick clean-up after spills. However, wool is prone to shedding and piling.
Cotton is another common rug material. It’s affordable, machine-washable, and can be found in a variety of colors and patterns. Cotton rugs give your home a casual look, and they’re great for a family on a budget.
You may also want to consider a rug made from synthetic fiber, such as nylon, polyester, or olefin. Synthetic fibers can be dyed easily, but they’re not all durable and resistant to stains.
The Style and Color
A rug can really transform the look of your room, so you want to carefully think about the design and the color before buying. As a general rule of thumb, if you have a lot of solid prints in your living room, you should opt for a rug with an intricate design.
But, if you have a lot of texture and pattern in your living room, you should opt for a rug that’s a solid color.
Your Budget
Of course, you need to take your budget into consideration when purchasing an area rug. A living room rug will typically cost around $200. However, you can find rugs as cheap as $50 and as expensive as $10,000.
If you take proper care of your area rug, it can last ten years or more, so often times it’s worth spending a little extra money on your rug.
Time to Buy a Living Room Rug
Now that you’ve read this rug size guide, it’s time for you to purchase a rug for your living room. Pretty soon, your space will be adorned with a brand new rug that looks amazing.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more rug buying tips and tricks.
