How to Choose the Perfect Rug Size for Every Room

Looking for the perfect rug size? This guide explains exactly how to measure, choose and place rugs in living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms - with clear sizing rules, layout tips and expert advice from Milola.

As the evenings draw in and the floors grow cooler underfoot, there’s no better time to introduce softness and warmth into your home. From the first press of your feet on a cold bedroom floor to those final hours spent gathered in the living room, the darker days naturally call for comfort, texture and warmth – and a beautifully chosen rug can make all the difference.

Rugs are a powerful way to introduce organic texture, colour and cohesion into your interior. They help rooms feel grounded and intentional, framing furniture layouts and creating visual harmony throughout the home. From perfectly anchoring a sofa and coffee table to bringing order and depth to a dining space, the right rug can transform a simple layout into something inviting and refined.

Why Rug Size Matters

Choosing the right rug size is just as important as choosing the right design. A rug that’s too small can make a room feel disjointed, while one that’s too large can overwhelm the space. The ideal rug should:

• Ground your furniture layout
• Create visual harmony and proportion
• Add warmth, texture and acoustic comfort
• Enhance the sense of luxury and intention in a room

Living Room Rug Size Guide

What size rug is best for a living room?

For most living rooms, the best rug size is one that allows the front legs of all seating furniture to sit on the rug, with the rug extending at least 20–30cm beyond each side of the sofa. This creates balance, proportion and a cohesive seating area.

A living room rug should anchor your seating area and bring all key furniture pieces into a cohesive arrangement.

Best Placement

• Position the rug centrally in the room
• Place the front legs of your sofa and armchairs on the rug
• Centre your coffee table on top of the rug
• This layout visually connects the furniture, encouraging conversation and relaxation.

Ideal Size Rules

• The rug should extend at least 20–30cm beyond each side of the sofa
• In L-shaped or corner sofas, place the rug neatly within the sofa’s angle
• Avoid rugs that only sit under the coffee table – they tend to shrink the space visually

Design Tips for Living Rooms

Beyond size and placement, your living room rug should work effortlessly with your existing colour palette and materials. Many of our rugs here at Milola are available in multiple tones, making it easy to integrate them into both bold and pared-back interiors.

• In minimal or neutral spaces, rugs with vibrant colour or graphic patterning can add visual interest and personality
• Textural designs work particularly well in living rooms, enhancing the richness of surrounding upholstery and wood finishes
• Deep pile rugs create a sense of indulgent comfort, while flatter weaves feel lighter and more informal

Explore our Living Room Rugs →

Bedroom Rug Size Guide

What size rug should you choose for a bedroom?

The ideal bedroom rug size is large enough to sit under the bed and extend beyond the sides and foot, ensuring a soft landing underfoot and a visually grounded layout.

Bedroom rugs are all about comfort, softness and calm. They should feel luxurious underfoot and visually frame the bed.

Best Placement Options

Option 1: Large rug under the bed

• Place the rug beneath the entire bed frame
• Place other furniture items such as armchairs or bedside tables over the rug as well

Option 2: Rug under the lower two-thirds of the bed

• The bottom two legs of the bed should rest on the rug
• Any bench or storage at the foot of the bed should also sit on the rug

Option 3: Bedside rugs (for smaller rooms)

• Place a rug on the side where you step in and out of bed
• The rug should be shorter than the bed length

Design Tips for Bedrooms

Bedroom rugs are often the first thing your feet touch in the morning and the last at night, so comfort is key. Soft, tactile materials help create a calm, welcoming atmosphere, while thoughtful colour choices bring cohesion to the space.

• Neutral rugs create a serene base and allow bedding and cushions to shine
• Colourful or patterned designs can echo existing soft furnishings for a layered look
• Wool and silk blends add warmth while elevating the sense of luxury

Shop Bedroom Rugs →

Dining Room Rug Size Guide

What size rug works best in a dining room?

A dining room rug should be large enough that all dining chairs remain on the rug even when pulled out, with at least 60–65cm of rug extending beyond the table on all sides.

Dining room rugs should define the dining zone while remaining practical for everyday use.

Best Placement

• The rug should sit fully beneath the dining table and chairs
• Chairs must remain on the rug even when pulled out
• Centre the table precisely on the rug

Ideal Size Rules

• Allow at least 60–65cm beyond each side of the table
• Maintain clear walkways between the rug and surrounding walls
• For extendable dining tables, always size your rug to suit the table when fully extended, ensuring balance and ease when entertaining

Round Rugs in Dining Rooms

• The perfect option for a round dining table
• Keep the round rug perfectly centred underneath the table
• The same rules apply for clearance - maintaining 60-65cm beyond each side of the table

SYDNEY Round Dining Table by Kristensen Kristensen

Design Tips for Dining Rooms

When selecting a dining room rug, it’s important to consider the room as a whole – not just the rug beneath the table. Think about functionality as well as form, from chairs gliding easily across the surface to how the rug complements the grain and tone of the dining table.

• Neutral rugs allow the focus to remain on the table and dining experience
• Subtle patterns add interest without overwhelming the space
• Flat-woven or low-pile rugs are practical for everyday dining

Browse Dining Room Rugs →

Shop Premium Designer Rugs at Milola

Explore our curated selection of designer rugs by Linie Design, designed in Copenhagen but brought to life entirely by hand by skilled artisans in India whose expertise has been passed down through generations. Explore online or visit our showroom to experience textures, colours and quality in person.