How to choose the right rug size for your living room

The rug is the piece most often bought in the wrong size, and almost always too small. A rug that is too small makes the furniture look like it is floating and the room look smaller. Here is how to get it right.

The three living room layouts

All legs on

The rug is large enough for all the furniture in the seating area to stand on it completely. It looks generous and calm and suits larger rooms. You need a rug at least 30 cm wider than the sofa on each side, usually 250 × 350 cm or more.

Front legs on (the safe choice)

The front legs of the sofa and armchairs sit on the rug and the back legs on the floor. It ties the area together and works in almost any room. For a three-seater sofa this usually means 200 × 300 cm; in a smaller room 160 × 230 cm.

Coffee table only

The rug sits only under the coffee table. This is the layout that tends to look wrong, because the seating floats around a small island. Avoid it unless the room is very small.

Three quick rules

1. Wider than the sofa. The rug should be at least as wide as the sofa, ideally 15–30 cm wider on each side.
2. Leave a border of floor. Keep about 30–50 cm of floor visible between the rug and the walls in a living room.
3. Mark it out. Before you buy, outline the rug on the floor with masking tape and look at it for a day.

Common sizes and where they fit

• 120 × 170 cm: a reading corner, under a single armchair, or beside a bed.
• 160 × 230 cm: a small living room with a two- or three-seater sofa, front legs on.
• 200 × 300 cm: most living rooms with a three-seater and an armchair. The most useful size.
• 250 × 350 cm: larger rooms or "all legs on" layouts.

Bedrooms and dining tables

Under a double bed (140–160 cm), use 160 × 230 cm or 200 × 300 cm placed across the bottom two thirds of the bed, so there is rug to step onto on both sides.

Under a dining table, the rug should extend at least 60–70 cm beyond the table edge on every side, so chairs stay on it when pulled out.

Material in brief

Wool is hard-wearing and naturally stain resistant, a good choice for living rooms. Flat-weaves are easy to clean and cheaper in large sizes. Viscose looks silky but marks easily, so keep it away from busy areas.

The rug is one of the first pieces Gaudi places in a room plan, because it sets the size of everything around it. If you would like a to-scale plan for your own room, see more small living room ideas or join the waitlist.