How Do You Determine the Size of a Rug?

What Size Is The Rug?

When we say the right area rug can transform the feel and functionality of virtually any room in the house, we’re not exaggerating. For better or worse, you have a virtually unlimited variety of area rugs to choose from. When you consider the wide ranges of shapes, sizes, and rug styles available, though, you might feel a little overwhelmed. The last thing you want is to buy the rug of your dreams, only to realize that it fits poorly within the room’s dimensions.

We’ve put this blog together to help you know the perfect rug sizes to consider for the various rooms in your home. It includes a rug size chart, directions for measuring a rug, and how to choose the best rug for your space.

What Are Standard Rug Sizes in Feet?

Area rugs typically fall into one of four categories, based on their size:

For your reference, the chart below lists standard rug sizes in both feet and inches:

Feet Inches
3 ft x 5 ft 36 in x 60 in
4 ft x 6 ft 48 in x 72 in
5 ft x 7 ft 60 in x 84 in
5 ft x 8 ft 60 in x 96 in
6 ft x 9 ft 72 in x 108 in
8 ft x 10 ft 96 in x 120 in
9 ft x 12 ft 108 in x 144 in
10 ft x 14 ft 120 in x 168 in
12 ft x 15 ft 144 in x 180 in
12 ft x 18 ft 144 in x 216 in
14 ft x 20 ft 168 in x 240 in

How To Measure a Rug?

One of the most frequently asked rug questions that we get is how do you measure a rug to determine the actual size of a rug. Measuring a rug is as simple as using a tape measure. For rectangular rugs, simply measure the length and width, and then multiply them together to get the square footage. For round rugs, or any other shape, just measure the farthest points along the perimeter.

How Do You Determine the Size of a Rug - Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Determine the Size of a Rug

Do You Include Th Fringes When You Measure Th Rug Size?

If the rug has fringe around its edges or ends, you should not include the fringe measurements when calculating the rug’s size.

How Do You Choose a Rug that Fits the Room? (3 Steps)

There’s a difference between a rug technically fitting within a room’s dimensions and a rug actually fitting well within the room. After all, if you wanted coverage from wall to wall, you would probably be looking into carpeting as opposed to an area rug.

So, how do you make sure a rug is going to be a great fit? There’s a 3-step process you can follow, which we’ll describe through a scenario. For this example, we’re going to outline how to choose a rug for the living room.

3 Steps For Measuring and Making Sure The Rug Will Fit Perfectly

Step 1: Measure the Room

Carefully measure the room.

For rooms with a unique or challenging shape, you have a couple of measurement options:

  • You could sketch out the room on graph paper as you measure it. This can help you visually determine which rug sizes might be too large to fit comfortably within the room’s setup.
  • Or, you could simply measure the largest possible rectangle that would fit within the room’s walls.

Whichever measuring method you go with, that figure will provide you with a basic range of area rug sizes that could fit in the room. For the living room specifically, you should also consider your furniture arrangement, and whether you’ll want pieces like your couch to be on the rug, around the rug, or a combination of on / off.

Furniture Arrangement With Different Rug Sizes by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Step 2: Decide How Much Coverage You Want

In addition to the practical matter of making sure the rug will physically fit within the space, it’s just as important to consider how the rug will complement the room’s furniture and decor choices.

How Much Smaller Should a Rug Be Than the Room?

A general rule of thumb for when placing area rugs in a space is that they should leave a buffer of 18” to 24” between the edges of the area rug and the room’s walls. This gives the rug some space to breathe within the room’s interior design. It’s important to mention that that’s just a general principle, not some hard and fast rule. At the end of the day, things like how much space should be left around a rug is as much a matter of opinion and perspective as anything else.

How Do You Tell If a Rug Is Too Big for a Room?

There are a few telltale signs that an area rug is too big for the room it’s in. If the area rug is touching the walls, it’s technically too big for the room. Beyond that general rule, you can trust your eyes and your design instincts. Are you intending for the rug to be an accent piece, a focal point, or simply to serve as a floor covering? Let these details — as well as existing furniture and decor — guide your selection.

Is It Better to Have a Rug That’s Too Big or Too Small?

From a logistical perspective, a rug that’s too small would be preferable to one that’s too large. If the rug is too large for the room, not only will it touch the room’s walls, but it might not lay flat, which could pose a tripping hazard. A too-small rug can always be repositioned to make the most of its coverage, complemented with other rugs, or moved to a smaller room (and then replaced).

Step 3: Browse the Nazmiyal Collection

Once you have your basic measurements ready, you can enter the more exciting stage, which is browsing your options and finding what inspires you. The Nazmiyal Rug Collection is home to a vast collection of modern, vintage, and antique rugs for any room of the house.

You can browse our full rug collection by name, origin, color, pattern, size, price, and more. You can also reach out to our experts who could help put together a selection and source the rug for you. Whether you’re looking for small, room-size, large, or oversized rugs, you can find options to complement your style and elevate your space.

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