The right size is the difference between a rug that anchors a room and one that floats in it. Below: what works in each room, a quick-reference chart, and how to know before you buy.
What size rug do I need for a living room?
An 8x10 rug fits most living rooms. Place it so the front legs of your sofa and chairs rest on the rug — this gathers the seating into one composed conversation area. In larger rooms, step up to a 9x12 or 10x14 so all four legs sit on the rug. Browse our 8x10 rugs and 9x12 rugs.
What size rug goes under a bed?
An 8x10 rug suits a queen bed; a 9x12 suits a king. Slide the rug under the bed so it extends generously past the sides and foot — your first step in the morning should land on wool, not floor.
What size rug works under a dining table?
The rug should extend 24 to 30 inches beyond the table on all sides, so chairs stay on the rug even when pulled out. An 8x10 comfortably seats six; larger tables call for a 9x12 or beyond.
How wide and long should a runner be?
Most runners are 2'6" to 3' wide and 8 to 12 feet long. Leave a few inches of floor visible along each wall so the runner reads as deliberate, not wall-to-wall. See our runner collection.
Rug size chart
| Size | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| 5x8 | Smaller living rooms, dens, under a full bed, reading corners |
| 8x10 | Most living rooms (front legs on), under a queen bed, dining for six |
| 9x12 | Large living rooms (all legs on), under a king bed, dining for eight |
| 10x14 and up | Great rooms and open-plan spaces |
| Runner (2'6"–3' x 8–12') | Hallways, kitchens, alongside a bed |
How do I measure before buying?
Outline the rug's exact footprint on your floor with painter's tape, then live with it for a day. Walk around it, pull out the dining chairs, open the doors. The tape will tell you more than any formula.
Why do one-of-a-kind rug sizes vary?
Hand-knotted rugs are woven by hand, not cut by machine, so a rug catalogued as 8x10 may run an inch or two over or under. That's the handmade truth — and why we list exact dimensions on every rug's page. Measure against those, not the label.
Still deciding?
Send a photo of your room plus its dimensions and we'll suggest pieces that fit — reach our curator here.