What Size Rug Do I Need?
Closely related: What size hallway runner do I need?One of the most common questions we get is "if my room is 11' x 13', what size area rug do I need?" But we need to know more than room size to answer the question, unless you want to cover most of the floor. Here's a guide to rug sizes.
If you want a room size rug, then people have commonly left a one foot border around their room. This will typically place the rug under the furniture. For a room that's 11' x 13', we subtract 2 feet from each dimension (to leave a one foot border on each side). The rug would then be 9' x 11'. Decorative rugs will not come in that exact size, so use the size that's closest. Common decorative rug sizes are 8' x 10', 8' x 11', and 9' x 12'. One of these will work just fine.
Otherwise, a good question to ask is: What is the size of the floor that's left over once my furniture is in the room? The floor that's left over is the area we want to accent with an area rug. This will vary depending on the type of room you have.
Some Common Area Rug Sizes
Living Room Rugs
![What size rug? This area rug accents a seating area.](images/rugs/living-room.jpg)
This area rug accents the seating area.
In the picture, you can see that the area rug is significantly smaller than the room. In fact, it is just 5' x 8', yet it fits this room perfectly.
The furniture reduces the usable space.
Bedroom Rugs
![Bedroom with a room size rug.](images/rugs/bedroom-with-room-size-rug.jpg)
A bedroom with a room size rug.
The advantage to one large rug is you don't have smaller loose rugs. The rug is more stable and less likely to move.
![Scatter rugs accent this bedroom.](images/rugs/bedroom-with-scatter-rugs.jpg)
Scatter rugs accent this bedroom.
The scatter rugs are 2' x 5' and 4' x 6'.
Dining Room Rugs
![A properly sized dining room rug.](images/rugs/dining-room-with-rug.jpg)
8' x 10' is the most common dining room rug size.
8' x 10' gives you enough width so when you pull out your chairs, you are comfortable on the rug.
To know the exact size you need, measure your table. A rug that is 3' to 4' larger than the table in both directions will be ideal.
![This dining room rug is too small. The chairs come off the rug.](images/rugs/dining-room-rug-too-small.jpg)
Too small. The chairs come off this rug.
However, if your room is small, then you may have no choice but to use a smaller size. Don't fret. Just get the largest size that will fit.