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Area Rug Sizes: An Introduction

Area rug sizes must be given due consideration whenever you want to decorate rooms with area rugs. It helps to include the area rug’s size among the decorative elements of any room it will be a part of. Decorative elements include wall color(s), lighting, curtains, furniture, and so forth.

The area rug size which you choose is merely decided by the dimensions or measurements of the open area of floor you wish to cover. This depends on the place, however.

Here are the most standard rug sizes:

British Imperial System Area Rug Sizes (Width x Length)

2' x 3'

2' x 4'

3' x 5'

4' x 6'

5' x 8'

6' x 9'

7' x 10'

8' x 10'

9' x 12'

10' x 13'

10' x 14'

12' x 15'

12' x 18'

13' x 20'

14' x 21'

Metric System Area Rug Sizes (Width x Length in Meters)

0.50 x 1.00

1.00 x 1.50

1.50 x 2.00

1.50 x 2.50

2.00 x 2.50

2.00 x 3.00

2.25 x 3.25

2.50 x 3.50

2.75 x 3.75

3.00 x 4.00

3.50 x 4.50

3.00 x 5.00

3.50 x 5.50

4.00 x 6.00

4.00 x 7.00

Then, there are the less common rug sizes:

Large area rugs

Odd size area rugs

Oversized area rugs

Entire Room

Consider an entire room, for example. Try to leave the same amount of flooring exposed as a border on all sides. Ideally, this is 12 to 15 inches. If that is not possible, then try to ensure borders on parallel sides of the rug are equal.

If you want to keep it simple, for many rooms, an 8' x 11' rug works well.

If the front legs of the stationary furniture are on the rug, and the back legs are off the rug, it’s okay. But, you must be sure the piece is stable and balanced. Sometimes placing furniture coasters under the back legs helps to raise them to the height of the rug. It protects your floor as well.

Living Room

living room rug For the living room, under the coffee table, for example, area rug sizes 4' x 6' or 6' x 9' typically work well. The area rug size to choose depends on the coffee table's size and surrounding furnishings. The area rug should be large enough to accommodate all four legs of the table.

The area rug should be approximately the same length and width of the furnishings in the space. To accent the furnishings most effectively, leave several inches of flooring between the area rug and the furniture exposed.

Bedroom

If it’s the bedroom, first you must decide if you want to place the bed over a large area rug, or simply place a number of smaller rugs around the bed, without going under it. To determine what size rug you need, measure the length and width of the bed, then add at least 15 inches to the sides and the foot of your measurements.

Dining Room

In a dining room, there are different concerns. The dining room table must be set in the center of an area rug. In measuring for a dining room, remember this, if you are placing an area rug under the dining room table: To determine what size rug you need, measure the length and width of the table, and then add at least 4 feet to each measurement.

The rug must be large enough so that the chairs are on the rug will have enough space to be pushed back, when diners get up from the table.

In any situation where rug sizes are important, accurate and proper measurements of the spaces you want to cover are a serious “must.” Another thing to consider are the dimensions of the room.

Some guidelines for taking measurements

If size is critical for you, then let these guidelines help you determine what area rug size will best suit your needs:

Measure the size of the room. (Do it twice, just to be sure.)

Measure the space you want covered. (Do this twice, as well.)

Now place a piece of paper where you want each corner to fall. You can then adjust the “corners,” as needed to enlarge the space or shrink it. Then re-measure the area. Do rush this task. You don’t want to make mistakes that will cost you later.

When the goal is to cover the majority of a room, it’s best to leave a 12 inch to 15 inch border of the floor exposed on all sides. If this is not possible, then ensure the parallel sides are equal. This will set off your area rug.

A Final Note

I'm sure you'll find the rug that suits your choice in design, material, color, type of weave, and size at one of the recommended sources below.

CSN Rugs

I can assure you I took great care to select each one. Both rank high in customer satisfaction, and they have quality rugs in many price ranges, a sure bet they can, and do, satisfy their customers' needs.

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