The Size of Area Rug You Need for Your Living Room

When it comes to decorating your living room, an area rug can add a lot of style and comfort to your space. However, choosing the right size of area rugs tends to be tricky. An area rug that is too small appears awkward and out of place, while a rug that is too large can overpower the room. 

In this blog, we put together a comprehensive area rug size guide to help you choose the ideal rug for your living room.

Before we dive into the specifics of area rug sizes for living rooms, it's important to consider the layout of your space. The size of your living room, the furniture you have, and the overall style of the room will all play a role in determining the size of the rug you need. The general rule of thumb is that your area rug should be large enough to anchor your furniture, but not so large that it overwhelms the room.

Factors to Consider when Choosing an Area Rug Size

When choosing area rug sizes for living room, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the rug fits the room perfectly. Let’s have a look at them.

1. The size of the living room

The first factor to consider if you want to choose the right size of area rugs is the size of the living room itself. A larger living room will require a larger rug, while a smaller living room will need a smaller rug. It is important to measure the room before choosing a rug size to ensure that the rug will fit properly and create the desired look.

2. The furniture arrangement

The furniture arrangement in your living room is another important factor to consider when choosing the ideal size of area rugs. If the furniture is arranged in a tight group, a smaller rug may be appropriate. On the other hand, if the furniture is arranged in a larger grouping or an open-concept layout, a larger rug may be necessary to anchor the space and create visual continuity. Get better insights when you read our comprehensive guide on matching area rugs with furniture.

3. The style of the living room

The style of a living room is equally important when choosing area rug sizes for the living room. If your room has a minimalist or contemporary style, a smaller rug may work well to complement the clean lines and simplicity of the space. However, if your room has a more traditional or eclectic style, a larger rug with a bold pattern or bright colors may be more appropriate.

4. The desired look and feel of the room

The desired look and feel of the living room is another factor to consider when choosing area rug sizes for living rooms. If the goal is to create a cozy and intimate space, go for a smaller rug. If the goal is to create a more open and airy space, you may need a larger rug to create a sense of flow and continuity.

Common Area Rug Sizes For Your Living Room

The rug size you choose for your living room is up to you. But these guidelines below can help you decide on an area rug that’s right for your living room. Let’s take a look.

5x7 Rugs

If you have a small living room, 5x7 rugs may be the ideal size to use. This area rug size is suitable for defining a seating area in a compact space. If you have a sofa and a couple of chairs, you can place a 5x7 rug under the front legs of the furniture, with the back legs resting on the bare floor. That will create a cozy and inviting space, without making the room feel too cramped.

8x10 Rugs

For a medium-sized living room, 8x10 rugs would be a great choice. This area rug size tends to accommodate a larger seating arrangement, such as a sectional sofa, along with additional chairs or a coffee table. When placing 8x10 rugs in your living room, make sure that they extend beyond the edges of your furniture by at least a few inches. This will create a cohesive and balanced look, while also making your space feel larger.

9x12 Rugs

If you have a large living room, 9x12 rugs may be the perfect rug size for you. This area rug size accommodates a large sectional sofa, along with additional chairs and a coffee table. When placing 9x12 rugs in your living room, ensure that they extend beyond the edges of your furniture by at least a foot or two. That will create a sense of space and balance, while also making your room feel cozy and inviting.

3×5 Rugs

The 3x5 area rug is the smallest size suitable for living rooms. Any area rug that is smaller than 3x5 rugs is only suitable for entryways, bathrooms, or kitchens. If your living room is quite small, this rug size can work perfectly. It easily fits under a rocking chair and can add warmth to the area it occupies.

12×18 Rugs

The 12x18 rug size is ideal for extra-large living rooms. It's important to note that the larger the area rug, the more expensive it will be. So, this rug size may come with a hefty price tag. You can consider a 9x12 rug instead since it can work just as well and come at a fraction of the cost of 12x18 rugs.

How To Place an Area Rug in Your Living Room

To ensure your living room looks and feels comfortable, its shape, size, and furniture placement should determine your choice of rug size and dimensions. Ideally, area rugs for living room should cover the seating area to ground your conversation space.

To prevent your living room from looking awkward, choose area rugs that are at least six to eight inches wider than your sofa piece on either side. Try these five area rug placement tips in your living room to get the most out of your area rug.

1. All Legs On

If you have enough living room space and would like to fit all your conversational furniture pieces(sofas, accent chairs, and coffee tables) on your area rug , allow for approximately eight inches between the edge of the furniture and the rug.

Additionally, leave around ten to 18 inches of space from the rug to the wall (or more if you have the space). Placing the rug too close to the wall creates an awkward "almost" wall-to-wall carpet effect. However, if your sofa is against the wall or a few inches off it, or if your space is small, you get to make an exception.

2. Front Legs Only

The front-legs-only layout is a popular choice for several reasons. It is ideal for small-sized rooms, a more budget-friendly option, and makes a small space appear larger. With this layout, only the front legs of your furniture (sofas and chairs) rest on the rug, while the back legs rest on the bare floor.

The rule of thumb is to have the area rug only go under each furniture piece for about one-third of its width. That keeps the seating area unified and creates a cohesive look without the extra expense of a larger, room-sized rug.

3. The Floating Layout (All Legs Off)

In this layout, only your coffee table or a central furniture piece rests on the area rug, while the seating area remains off the rug. This layout tends to look stylish if done appropriately. It is important to measure your seating area before buying your area rug. 

When done properly, the area rug will look intentional, and well-styled, and fill the negative space created by your furniture grouping. For the floating layout, a smaller rug size like a 5x7 rug will fit in perfectly, depending on the size of the living room. 

4. Rugs Layering

Have you found the perfect vintage 5x7 rug for your living room, but it feels a bit too small? You can place your small area rug on top of a larger one to create a unique look. The key is to choose a flatweave area rug as your base, preferably with a different color and material to add depth and texture to your space.

5. Rounded Arrangement

For a unique touch to your living room, consider a round rug to anchor your seating area. Choose a large enough rug to accommodate all your furniture pieces and leave a few extra inches around the edges. Use an area rug that is big enough to fit at least the front legs of each of your furniture pieces. A round area rug adds softness and fluidity to your room while creating an intimate seating area for entertaining guests.

Conclusion 

Choosing the right size of area rugs for your living room may not be a walk in the park but it's an important part of creating a comfortable and stylish space. Regardless of the size you choose, make sure that it fits your furniture and complements the overall style of your room. With the appropriate area rug sizes for living room, you can transform your space into a cozy and inviting area that you'll love spending time in. Shop Luxe Weavers top quality area rugs for different living room sizes today and get free shipping on orders above $100.