An area rug can do more than add comfort to a room with hard flooring. At its best, an area rug will serve as either a unifying element, anchoring together all the pieces in a room; or conversely, defining independent spaces in an open-concept layout. While there are many important factors in selecting an area rug, including material, color and pattern, size is one of the most important elements and first considerations. That’s why we’ve put together a helpful area rug size guide. Read on to learn how to select the ideal area rug sizes for the rooms in your home. You’ll also find handy rug sizes charts and area rug layout ideas for your spaces.

Living Room

Area rugs serve numerous purposes in living rooms. They can add an element of warmth to the room, introduce your personal style to a neutral area and add a finishing touch to your design. More practically, area rugs protect flooring and enhance the comfort of the room by padding and insulating the space.

Selecting from standard area rug sizes for the living room generally boils down to three choices: 5x8, 8x10 or 9x12. As a general rule, all furniture should rest on the rug, or all furniture except the coffee table should be placed completely off the rug. A common exception is the sofa, which can be placed so the front legs rest on the rug with the rest of the sofa off the rug. A 5x8 rug will typically be placed under the coffee table, with the rest of the furniture placed off the rug. The larger rug sizes, 8x10 or 9x12, allow room for more flexibility. Furniture can either be placed all on top of the rug or completely off the rug, depending on the furniture itself as well as the dimensions of the living room.

Bedroom: An Area Retreat

Who wants to feel cold, hard flooring underfoot first thing in the morning, when a cushy area rug provides a softer transition from slumber to your daily tasks? For bedrooms, there are typically two different approaches to selecting an area rug/s, and different rug sizes are appropriate for these different placements. Rugs can be positioned around the bed with runners flanking each side and a larger rug by the foot of the bed, or a larger rug can be placed horizontally under the bed with part of the rug exposed on each side. 5x8 rugs are appropriate for the foot of the bed or along one of the sides; while 8x10 and 9x12 rugs work best positioned underneath the bed.

Don’t Forget Dining

Dining room rugs can help separate the dining room in an open concept layout, or just provide a finishing touch that complements other furnishings and decor in the room. For the best functionality, choose a rug that extends beyond the table on all sides. The ideally sized rug will include room for dining chairs, so they can be pushed out without hitting the edge of the rug. Typically, 5x8 rugs are a great choice for smaller sized dining tables with 4 chairs, and 8x10 or 9x12 rugs will work best under a dining table with 6 – 8 chairs.

Rules to Follow—or Not!

There are many go-to rules to consider when selecting your area rug, and the size or a rug—not just it’s appearance—can influence the dynamic of a room. For example, a 5x8 and an 8x10 rug may both fit nicely inside a living room, but the bigger option may actually make the room appear larger. Alternatively, a large area with various functions—such as an entertaining area and child-play area—can use multiple rugs to identify and divide sections of the room. Whatever rug layout you choose, make sure to allow at least 18-inches of space between the wall and the edge of the rug.

Whether you decide on a traditional area rug design or a bold approach, area rugs are more than a statement. They are an investment! Act accordingly. Once you have the basic size and shape in mind for your room, test it out. Get out your tape measure and masking tape to create a rough visual in your room. Don’t be afraid to sit on it (or around it!) for a few days to make sure the size and shape is going to be the right fit for you.