Coffee Table on the Rug

Coffee Table on the Rug

Perfect for small or narrow spaces, this layout plays off the room’s scale to make it feel larger. To get the proportion right, base the rug size on the interior dimensions of your seating area—and not just the coffee table—so it fills the negative space created by your furniture grouping.

Dining Room

Both the shape of your room and dining table should make the rug choice clear—whether it’s rectangular or round.

All Legs on the Rug

Our only advice? Stick with all legs on the rug for this room—for safety’s sake. It should extend 36 inches beyond all sides of the table (no less than 24), so chairs can sit on a flat surface, even when pushed back. Don’t forget to account for extendable leaves, if your table has them.

Bedroom

As the focal point of the room, your bed should also be the base for rug placement. Not only will this further define space, but will also give your feet a soft spot to land each morning.

All Legs on the Rug

This all-inclusive layout extends beyond the bed to its accompanying furniture, like nightstands or a bench—but does not include bedroom pieces along other walls, like dressers. Rule of thumb is to leave around 18-24 inches of space, but not encroach upon any main walkways.

2/3 Bed on the Rug

Frame your bed with this popular option, which doesn’t quiet extend up to your nightstands but still allows for 18-24 inches of room on the sides and past the foot of the bed. For a symmetrical finish, an 8×10 rug is best for queen beds and a 9×12 for king.

Runners on Each Side

This flexible choice works for spaces and beds of all sizes—and is a great option if two sides of the bed sit against a wall. Scale matters for this look: The runner shouldn’t extend beyond the bed itself, but should be a bit wider than your nightstand.

Kitchen

A well-placed runner can visually extend the space, whether you have a galley kitchen or large island. For U-shaped layouts, a small rug in front of the sink centers the space nicely.

Hallway

Runners are the go-to choice for corridors. It’s best not to clutter these narrow thoroughfares, so leave all furniture legs off the rug in this space.

Entry

Let the shape of the space dictate the choice of round, rectangular, or runner, and use the width of your front door as a baseline. Check the pile height to ensure your door will clear the rug when it’s opened.