Considering the fact that I’ve visited over a hundred homes a year, it is safe to say that I have seen everything when it comes to home decor. And one thing is for sure — one of the most common design mistakes in Irish homes is rugs that are way too small for the room or rugs placed in the wrong spot. 

Nothing a little know-how can’t overcome, though. And so, I decided to put together a blog post on the tips and tricks to use to define the perfect rug size. Without further ado, let’s get to it!

Understand Rug Types

The first step to defining the perfect rug size is learning about its different types. Generally, rug sizes can be classified as:

• Room rug: to define entire spaces

• Area rug: to separate different spaces in one room (useful for open-floor plans)

• Round rug: often used for decorative/accent purposes

• Runner rug: for elongated spaces, such as a hallway

Consider The Room

Different rooms have varying requirements for rugs. As a rule of thumb, ensure the rug is proportional to the space and is laid down in appropriate dimensions. 

For the living area, you know your rug is the wrong size if it is nearly entirely covered by a coffee table. It is also the wrong size if it’s smaller than your couch. Ideally, the rug should be big enough for the front legs of the sofa to sit comfortably on top of it. 

Here are tips to consider for other rooms of your house:

• Dining room: Choose rectangular rugs for rectangular dining tables, and round alternatives for round tables. Go for a size that allows all furniture legs to rest on the rug, including the chairs when pulled out for seating.

• Bedroom: Allow the rug to be placed completely under the bed while also extending from the bottom end. Alternatively, allow two-thirds of the bed (from the bottom half onwards) to rest on the rug, or flank the bed with two runners.

• Kitchen: Preferably go for a runner between the counters and the island, or use a small rug in front of the sink.

When In Doubt, Go Big

Remember, your rug should never be too small! It may sound like an extra investment while choosing a big rug over a small one — and you may even feel it might hide that hardwood flooring you just installed — but it’s going to be worth it! Correctly-sized rugs enhance the flooring, even if they’re big.

Think Of Rugs As An Anchor

Consider a rug as something that anchors the furniture and helps you create (or define) a particular zone. For example, if you have a large room where it feels like all the furniture is too far away from each other, a rug can help you overcome the problem.

Visualize The Final Look

Use removable masking tape to tape off an estimate of the rug size you want. View it from different angles to ensure it fits appropriately in the space. Finally, obtain accurate dimensions — and find your rug based on these.

I hope you can now choose the right rug size for each room of your home and anchor the space together while adding to the visual aesthetics. Happy rug shopping!