A rug is one of those decor items that can truly make or break a space. No matter the effort you put into your furniture or wall furnishings, the wrong rug size makes the room feel off-putting, like either the rug or the furniture shrunk.

Avoid this awkward look by referring to our standard rug sizes guide — find the perfect fit for every room before you haul that heavy piece of decor home!

Common rug sizes chart

Here’s a breakdown of standard area rug sizes based on typical room layouts to help you quickly understand what works best where. 

Use Onton's Imagine tool to play around with rug placement

Standard rug sizes by room type

Wanting to really get into the weeds to ensure your rug matches your space just right? Here’s a thorough breakdown by room type. 

Rug sizes for living room

The living room rug plays a significant role in defining the space and anchoring your furniture.

• For smaller rooms, a 5’x8’ rug is often enough to ground a coffee table with the front legs of the sofa and chairs sitting on top. This keeps the layout connected without making the rug feel oversized. 

• An 8’x10’ or 9x12’ rug is usually better suited for medium to large rooms. This allows all major pieces of furniture to rest entirely on the rug, creating a more cohesive look. 

The right size living room rug guides the flow of movement and frames the living room as a central gathering area.

Rug sizes for bedroom

In the bedroom, a well-proportioned rug adds comfort, symmetry, and warmth. 

• An 8’x10’ rug typically fits best under a queen bed, with enough rug extending beyond the sides and foot of the bed to provide a soft landing. Go a bit bigger or smaller depending on your bed size.

Two runner rugs on each side of the bed can also work, particularly in narrower spaces. Either way, the rug should frame the bed, giving your space a sense of zen.

Dining room rug size guide

For dining rooms, the most important element (aside from durability) is that chairs can move comfortably in and out from beneath the table. With this in mind, a good rule of thumb is to choose a rug that gives 24 inches of clearance around the table. As for the shape, match your dining table. 

Kitchen rug sizes

Kitchens are often awkwardly shaped for standard rugs, so runner rugs are a nice option to add cushioning between narrower corridors. Something like 2’x6’ or 2.5’x8’ could suit this space well.

In larger kitchens, especially those with islands or U-shaped layouts, placing a small, non-slip rug in front of the sink or stove creates comfort without blocking foot traffic. Multiple rugs can also be used to divide zones, such as one for the prep area and another near the dining nook. 

Durability and cleanability are extra important in this space, so consider performance fabrics or washable materials.

Standard area rug sizes

Standard sizes include 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’, and 9'x12’, which are versatile enough to suit almost any room type. 

• A 5’x8’ rug works well in smaller spaces like reading corners, offices, or under compact furniture groupings. 

• A 6’x9’ or 8’x10’ rug can define a central zone in medium-sized rooms such as bedrooms or living rooms, offering just the right balance of floor exposure and coverage.

• A 9’x12’ rug in larger rooms or open-concept layouts allows all major furniture pieces to sit entirely on the rug. 

Start searching for the perfect rug on Onton

Rug sizing tips for layout and placement

More goes into rug styling than its size. Here are some easy-to-implement tips regarding rug placement: 

• Measure the furniture area, not just the room: Rugs should anchor the core furniture it’s under, so measure out an ideal rectangle or round rug shape around these items to get a good estimate of the ideal rug size.

• Keep furniture legs consistent: Decide if all or just the front legs will sit on the rug, and keep the rule the same across all pieces.

• Use painter’s tape to preview the rug size: This will give you a clear sense of how it will look and feel in the space.

• Choose a large rug for open layouts: This way, you can visually define various zones without needing more cumbersome dividers.

• Don’t forget flow and door clearance: Make sure the rug doesn’t block doorways or walkways and that the ideal flow through the room is clearly apparent.

Choosing the right rug size with Onton

Ready to rug-up your space? Use Onton’s AI-driven search engine to find items from the best brands. Try prompts like “6’x9’ dining room rug” or “large floral bedroom rug” and browse pieces that suit every style and preference. 

Once you’ve chosen some favorites, see how they’ll look in your space using Onton’s Imagine tool. Simply upload a photo of your room and play around with styles and placement. 

Dream up your ideal rug aesthetic with Onton.