What Size Rug for Living Room? 8 Tips to Help YOU!

  • By: Dwelling Heart
  • Time to read: 12 min.

Do you want to buy a rug for your living room? And you Don’t you know what size rug for living room are good for you?

Then Continue reading this article!

Rugs can help define a space, add a pop of color and complement the furniture.

What Size Rug for Living Room? 8 Tips to Help YOU!

But before you rush out and buy one, make sure you know what to look for when shopping for a rug.

Rugs can help define a space, add a pop of color and complement the furniture.

But before you rush out and buy one, make sure you know what to look for when shopping for a rug.

You don’t have to be an interior designer or spend hours on Pinterest looking at rugs to find the perfect fit.

Here are 8 tips that will help guide you through the process of choosing the right rug for your living room.

what size rug for living room are good for you - Dwelling Heart
What size rug for living room? – Dwelling Heart

General Information About What Size Rug for Living Room?

General Information About What Size Rug for Living Room? - Dwelling Heart
General Information About What Size Rug for Living Room? – Dwelling Heart

Find a rug that merges with the design and color of your room for a seamless look.

If you use a large, patterned rug in an open space, break up the pattern by placing one or two smaller rugs to match the colors already present.

A natural fiber rug can be challenging to maintain because it collects dirt and needs more care than synthetic ones.

However, choosing a low pile carpet over a high pile carpet will need less infrequent professional cleaning.

Area rugs are made from woven polypropylene fibers which make them durable and easy to clean.

They come in all sizes, so can rug used under desks or along walls with minimal foot traffic.

A shag rug is a good choice for an area that sees lots of activity and needs to be replaced often.

However, this type of rug should be used under furniture or tables because it tends to slip around.

Color is the most critical factor when choosing a rug for your home.

Color is the most critical factor when choosing a rug for your home
What size rug for living room?

It affects the mood of the room, so choose wisely.

Shag rugs are known to be a bit more high maintenance, but if you enjoy cleaning your rugs frequently, then it’s an investment that’s well worth the cost.

They look spectacular under tables or in rooms where foot traffic is minimal.

You can also use them along walls because they won’t slip around.

Remember to vacuum them regularly!

Remember to vacuum them regularly! - Dwelling Heart

Make sure you’re familiar with the care instructions for your shag rug before getting it.

Some recommend dry cleaning, while others are okay to be cleaned in the washing machine.

Pro Tip 🌟

To get a feeling for how it will feel, measure out your desired rug size with painter's tape. We assure you that it's a life-saver.

8 Tips to Choose the Right Rug for Your Living Room!

Tips to Choose the Right Rug for Your Living Room
8 Tips – What size rug for living room?

Size

This is the most crucial consideration when choosing your rug size.

The size of your rug will depend on your living room space and whether the rug is in the center of it or just along one wall.

For rugs in the center of the room, you will want to buy a rug that is 4-feet by 6-feet.

This gives plenty of room for people to walk around on all sides of your furniture.

For rugs on one side of the room, you can get by with a 3-foot by 5-foot rug.

However, if you only have space for a smaller area rug, try to get at least a 2-foot by 3-foot size, so there’s still enough room for people to walk around on both sides of the furniture.

Style

Style of Rug- Dwelling Heart

One of the first and most important things to consider when looking for a rug is to decide on your decor style.

If you prefer modern design, choose a rug with geometric patterns rather than those made from natural fibers.

Opt for a larger area rug in neutral colors such as beige, brown, or deep blue for those wanting to make a space feel cozy.

Color can also play an essential role in selecting a rug.

If you already have lots of colors in your room, go monochromatic – just pick one primary color and pair it with different shades of that hue.

For example, if you want a pastel look, go with a soft pink or minty green.

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If the room needs more warmth and brightness, consider a burnt orange or gold color instead.

Another way to integrate color with your rug is to paint your wall with two shades of the same tone as the rug.

This will create a nice gradient effect, and the different textures will play off one another nicely.

Make sure that both colors are equally intense – you don’t want one area looking washed out next to the other.

If you want to go bold, consider painting one wall in your living room with a color similar to your rug.

This will give the illusion of having two separate spaces within the same area.

Remember that both colors must be equally intense for this effect to work best, so pick colors at least one or two tones apart, such as neon green and grassy green.

For those wanting a more rustic feel, choose an area rug with natural fibers such as jute or sisal instead of polypropylene.

Look for one that has been intricately woven to have more dimension and texture, making your room feel cozier.

Choose a rug that’s just big enough to cover the area where you plan on placing it.

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A good rule of thumb is to put your coffee table on top of it and make sure there are about two feet of extra space all around the table on every side.

If you want to define more than one area with your rug, make sure each has enough space.

The last thing you’ll want is to place several carpets down in different areas only to realize they all look too small for the room.

The thickness of your rug depends on personal preference.

Thinner rugs are easier to clean and will be less likely to catch dirt or dust.

Thicker rugs will add more depth and texture to your room while also absorbing noise from movement in the room.

If you’re having difficulty choosing between a large area rug and a smaller one, go with the more practical option.

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If it’s too small, chances are you’ll end up buying another one eventually.

Instead of spending money on two rugs, make one rug the center of attention and let it be the main focus in your room.

To give your rug a perfect finishing touch, roll it in under with a brush until it is smooth and level.

This will give you a modern polished look that will tie everything together nicely in the space.

The best part is, if you ever decide to switch up your style or change rooms, simply roll it back out, and all your efforts won’t have been in vain.

Other helpful tips include that when choosing dark-colored rugs, keep in mind that they can sometimes show stains easier than lighter ones.

Therefore, avoid placing these types of rugs in high-traffic areas like the living room or right outside your entryway.

To make it easier to match rugs to your other decor, choose one that’s slightly smaller than the size of your wall space.

This will give you more flexibility when trying to find pieces that look complementary.

Texture

A shag rug can provide lots of texture for anyone who enjoys using their hands to touch things.

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It is also easy to clean, providing a constant feeling of freshness if you place your chair on the rug.

A shag rug is also suitable for kids because they can play on it without scratchy wool or considerable pile heights.

Durability

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Keep in mind that rugs sometimes act as placeholders for where people will walk so they can hold up for years without deteriorating.

It is essential to research what the rug is made of and how it was manufactured so you know whether or not your floors can handle the weight.

You’ll also need additional padding beneath it, depending on if there are any gaps in between where two pieces meet.

Experience

Before buying any new rugs, think about all of the experiences that will happen around them.

Will someone eat meals on it?

Will someone sit on it to watch TV?

Either way, a rug should be durable and easy to clean.

Do you have a dog in your home?

Use

How will you use the area rug? 

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The way that an area rug is used will depend on what type of rug it is. 

A large carpet can be used to cover most of the floor and break up a room. 

A runner rug, which is only a few feet long, can create a path or divide a space in two. 

Area rugs can also serve as cushions with throws and pillows placed on them for added comfort and style. 

And if you’re looking for something more minimalistic, an abstract print can add just enough for decorating your living room.

Do you want it as an accent piece, or do you want something functional? 

A smaller-sized rug can act as an accent piece, while larger ones are great for more practical uses.

Maintenance

There are many types of rugs out there, and each requires a different kind of maintenance.

Some, for example, need to be vacuumed every few days, while others should not be vacuumed at all because they can get ruined that way.

If you have pets or small children, it might be best to go with a more durable rug so it can hold up to any messes.

Price

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While some people only focus on the price of the item they purchase, they look for deals while still thinking about quality.

You don’t want your rug to fall apart after just one year of use because you paid less for it.

At the same time, you don’t want to spend too much money on something that’s not worth it.

Rugs can help define a space, add a pop of color and complement the furniture.

But before you rush out and buy one, make sure you know what to look for when shopping for a rug.

Our Criteria about What Size Rug For my Living Room Should I Have?

All Furniture Above the Reg

All Furniture Above the Reg- Dwelling Heart
Image Credit to: leolux.com, All Furniture Above the Reg- Dwelling Heart

If you have a big enough area and desire all of your conversational pieces on one rug, then go for it!

Suppose the furniture is spread out over a large extent.

In that case, you may want to consider multiple smaller rugs throughout your living space.

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Persian Area Rugs
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“Floating Rugs”

Evenly distribute an 8×10 and two or three 4x6s around the room to create one stylish piece.

This gives each piece of furniture its own statement piece.

Only Front Legs Above the Rug

Only Front Legs Above the Rug - Dwelling Heart
Only Front Legs Above the Rug – Dwelling Heart

For those who love to maximize floor space, this is the layout for you.

All furnishings are given room to “play,” yet they also have individualized features that make them stand out from one another.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of our carefully chosen furniture could do what they want too?

A rug that goes beneath each piece of furniture in your room can make it feel more spacious and open.

7″ is the minimum recommended depth for every chair height, including those 21-inch tall ones we all know so well from childhood memories or adulthood couches.

A beautiful large area rug may seem like a good idea when considering how often they’re marketed as “spacious,” but don’t forget there are other aspects too!

Make sure you measure before making such expensive investments–you want enough space underneath those gorgeous carpets, right?

Small Size Rug

Small Size Rug

In some instances, you can put a smaller rug on top of an even larger one. This is totally legal, and it will look great if the right pairing is found!

How do you arrange the furniture in your living room for maximum style points?

One way is by using different-sized rugs and pillows.

Natural jute rugs are suitable for adding some texture to your space.

Place them in the center of a room, or surround one side with raw materials like wood flooring and brick walls!

Floating

Floating Rug - Dwelling Heart

This layout can look cool, but you have to be careful.

First, what does a “float” mean?

Well, it means your rug is under the coffee table and not seating- so make sure there are no chairs or other furniture on top of them!

It’s essential to have the right rug for your space. A small gap can make all of the difference in how comfortable you feel when sitting on that floor!

The ideal size is 5 inches or less. Still, suppose it’s larger than this.

In that case, we recommend getting new furniture as soon as possible before regretting it later down the line due to not having enough room with any available pieces.

Let’s take a look at some of our recommended sizes for each space in the home:

Living Room

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5 inches or less, ideally enough room to move entire furniture away from walls if needed.

This is where you want to get cozy and feel like your own personal getaway, which can’t be done if you have a small gap there.

Bedroom

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7 inches or less with enough room to fit two people sleeping comfortably.

If your bed is on the floor, then this isn’t necessary!

But it’s still essential to fill up empty space from a frame that is no longer taking up space in your bedroom due to being replaced with a floor bed!

Kitchen

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Cushioned Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Rug”]

3 inches or less to clear extra space for cooking and cleaning while still having room to scoot around the island quickly.

Bathroom

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5 inches or less to fit in your bathtub/shower combo.

Not only should you make sure there is enough room for yourself to work, but you also shake off and move around quickly.

Don’t forget about the option for floor lamps to fill up any remaining space or make use of your existing furniture!

You can even set them on top of a rug if needed!

But always remember to respect living space and not crowd it with too many rugs without having enough room to move around freely!

The Float has no shape or form, it’s an amorphous conglomeration

The ultimate in rug design is the circle. The best part?

If you have an awkwardly shaped room, it’s perfect for that space!

You can just use a few layers of these circles and paths around your corner fireplace to create an atmosphere without any worry about being too cluttered or overwhelming at all.

Pro Tip 🌟

A Cowhide or Sherpa Rug is a great way to create an extra seat cushion for when you're entertaining guests. It also makes an inviting conversation area in your home!

But there are no actual rules for this one.

Just make sure to buy proportionate and have at least one of your seating’s legs on top.

Hence, do not damage anything around them when they’re sitting down with their backsides facing you!

Conclusion About What Size Rug for Living Room?

Conclusion About What Size Rug for Living Room? - Dwelling Heart
Conclusion About What Size Rug for Living Room? – Dwelling Heart

Choosing the right rug can be overwhelming. What size do you need?

What style are you looking for?

Do you want a textured or flat rug?

What about durability, experience, use, and maintenance requirements?

The good news is that there are so many different types of rugs to choose from!

And with our handy guide on how to choose the perfect living room rug, it’s easier than ever before to find what your space needs.

So whether you’re shopping online or in-store, we hope this article helps make your search much more straightforward.

You’ll now know which questions to ask when buying a new rug (and even have some answers!).

Now go forth and furnish wisely!

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