Shapes, Sizes & Spaces
Shapes, Sizes & Spaces
Rectangular Rugs
These are the most commonly found rugs and are also called regular rugs. These rugs are available in standard sizes, making the selection process easy.
| Size in ft. | Size in cm | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 3’x5’ - 4’x6’ | 90x150 - 120x180 cm | Living Room Bedrooms Entryways Offices |
| 5’x8’ - 6’x9’ | 150x240 - 180x270 cm | |
| 7’x5’ - 9x5’ | 230x290 cm | |
| 8’x10’ - 9’x12’ | 240x300-270x360 cm | |
| 10’x13’ - 12’x15’ | 300x390-360x460 cm |
Round Rugs
These rugs are unique; the layout most round rugs have, is a medallion.
| Size in ft. | Size in cm | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 3’x5’ - 4’x6’ | 90x150 - 120x180 cm | Living Room Bedrooms Entryways Offices |
| 5’x8’ - 6’x9’ | 150x240 - 180x270 cm | |
| 7x5’ - 9x5’ | 230x290 cm | |
| 8’x10’ - 9’x12’ | 240x300-270x360 cm | |
| 10’x13’ - 12’x15’ | 300x390-360x460 cm |
Runner Rugs
These are long and narrow rectangular rugs. They are used as coverings for hallways, aisles, stairs, and the wider ones can be used for entrances.
| Size in ft. | Size in cm | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 6’x8’ | 180x240 cm | Bedrooms Hallways |
| 3’x12’ | 90x360 cm |
Oval Rugs
These rugs are dramatic; their larger diameter is the length and the smaller one is considered as the width.
| Size in ft. | Size in cm | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 6’x9’ | 180x270 cm | Living Rooms Dining Rooms |
| 8’x10’ | 240x300 cm |
Square Rugs
Perfect for square rooms; these rugs are balanced having equal length and width.
| Size in ft. | Size in cm | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 4’x4’ | 120x120 cm | Living Rooms Dining Rooms |
| 6’x6’ | 180x180 cm | |
| 8’x8’ | 230x290 cm | |
| 10’x10’ | 240x240 cm |
Shaped Rugs
These rugs can be hexagonal, octagonal or even triangular; these can either include geometric crystals with asymmetrical angles, to curvy hand drawn forms.
| Shape | Size in ft. | Size in cm | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | 4’ 6’ 8’ 10’ |
240 cm 180 cm 240 cm 300 cm |
Living Room Dining Room Entryways |
| Octagon | 4’ 6’ 8’ |
120 cm 180 cm 240 cm |
Dining Room Entryways |
| Semi Circle | 2’x4’ | 60x120 cm | Entryways |
| Kidney | 3’x5’ 4’x6’ |
90x150 cm 120x180 cm |
Living Rooms |
Sizing
Measure before you start
Before you start looking at rugs you need to measure the dimensions of your room to work out the approximate space you have for a rug and any constraints you have (door openings, etc).
Bigger is usually better
A small rug can make a room look small and its elements disconnected. When in doubt, go for a bigger size to help tie everything together.
The 18-Inch rule
Most interior designers will tell you to leave around 18 inches of bare floor around a rug to get the right proportions. However, for small spaces you can tweak this.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
You’re allowed to bend the rules a bit when choosing a rug – they’re only guidelines after all.
Spaces
- For big living rooms with furniture in the center, a large rug is best
suited. This rug will help in fitting the furniture on top without
getting overcrowded.
Standard Sizes: - 9’x12’ and 11’x14’ - If furniture is kept against the wall, the rug must be placed such that
the front two legs of the furniture remain on the rug.
Standard Sizes: - 6’x9’ and 8’x10’ - If the room has a coffee table then small rugs would be most suited for
this space.
Standard Sizes: - 4’x6’ and 5’x7’ - With wooden flooring, it is best to choose an area rug which lets about eight inches (twenty centimeters) of wood to be exposed around the rug’s borders.
- More than 2 area rugs can also be placed in some large living rooms.

- Instead of a room-sized area rug for the bedroom; use multiple area rugs. Bigger rugs in bedrooms will get hidden under the bed.
- Place an area rug at the foot of the bed and two runners on each side, for a cozier foundation.
- Alternately, several smaller rugs can be scattered to fill the space as
needed.
Standard Sizes: - 2’6”x8’ and 3’x5’ - However, if you chose an area rug to go under the bed, it should extend
around 3 feet or so, all around the bed. Alternatively, it could also
extend on the sides and not on the foot of the bed.
Standard Sizes: - 8’x10’ (queen) and 9’x12’ (king)
- Area rug should be large enough to accommodate all chairs. The back legs of the chair must remain on the rug when the chairs are pulled out.
- It is recommended that area rug extends around 2 feet beyond each side
of the table.
Standard Sizes: 8’x10’ and 9’x12’
- A runner, made of wool, can be placed in the center of hallways. Wool runners are durable in this high traffic area.
- Very light colors usually do not suit this space.
Standard Sizes: - 2’6’x8’ and 3’x12’ - A runner can also be kept on one side of the hallway or aisle and the
furniture can be placed against the opposite wall.
Standard Sizes: - 2’6”x8’ and 3’x12
- Place a small rug in front of the sink if there will be high traffic.
Standard Size: 2’x3’ - Runners are the best choice for narrow kitchens. They fill up the space
and remain soft under feet.
Standard Sizes: 2’6”x8’ and 3’x5’
