Knowing how to place an area rug can frustrate us no matter how many home decorating shows we’ve watched or how many interior design magazines we’ve read. The problem, in part, is that rugs tend to be last on the list when we’re buying furniture and accessories for our homes, and they’re often purchased for utilitarian purposes instead of decorative ones. They’re great for dampening sound, softening floors, and keeping our kids and pets from tracking dirt, mud, snow and other outside things in through the front door.
The good news, though? Area rugs can be useful and attractive additions to your living space. By applying just a few basic tips, you can find and place an area rug that will make your space more comfortable and more inviting at the same time! It’s all about understanding their sizes and how you arrange your furniture with them.
Area Rugs in the Living Room
When you need an area rug for your living room, look for one that is approximately the same size at your seating area. Center your coffee table in the middle then, depending on the size of the area rug and the room, you can make some choices.
An example of an “all legs off” furniture and area rug placement.
An example of a “front legs on” furniture and area rug placement.
An example of an “all legs on” furniture and area rug placement.
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5’ x 8’ area rugs are ideal for smaller spaces and “all legs off” furniture placement. This means you’ll arrange your sofa/chair/loveseat around the edges of the area rug, leaving a couple of inches between the legs and the rug.
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8’ x 10’ area rugs are ideal for in-between spaces and “front legs on” furniture placement. This means you’ll arrange your sofa/chair/loveseat with the front legs on the rug, a few inches in from the edges.
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9’ x 12’ area rugs or 10’ x 14’ area rugs are ideal for large spaces and “all legs on” furniture placement. This means you’ll arrange your sofa/chair/loveseat entirely on the rug, leaving a few inches of rug extending beyond the backsides of each piece.
See how it works? Each placement is based on size—the size of rug and the size of your space. Now, the guidelines above are just that—guidelines. Area rugs are made in many sizes and an inch or two difference probably won’t make much difference as long as it’s not larger than your living room.
Now, the next time you’re drawn to an unbelievably perfect area rug at an unbelievably great price, you’ll have an idea whether or not it’ll work in your living space before you commit to the purchase. And, as always, take the measurements of you space (and your furniture piece) with you when you shop. You can always ask a Team Member for advice.
