What Size Area Rug Is Best For The Living Room?

We’re back with one of our favourite topics: rugs. “What size rug is best for the living room?” is one of the questions most frequently asked by our customers.

And we get it! We understand that purchasing a rug can be a significant investment and it is important to get it right the first time to avoid the hassle of returning it.

If you are in the process of shopping for a living room rug or looking to update your current one, we hope that these guidelines will help you find the perfect area rug for your space.

General rules

• Common sizes for living room rugs are 240 x 300 cm and 270 x 360 cm.
• The rug should be at least 15 cm wider than the sofa on both sides (20 cm is preferable).
• It is typical to place the rug the length of the sofa.
• Leave a walkway of 76 to 91 cm between large pieces of furniture (if possible) or a minimum of 45 to 60 cm. This will help you determine the appropriate size for the rug.

FCI recommended rug layouts for the living room

Front legs only

This layout is a popular choice because it allows all the furniture pieces to have their own space while still being included in the overall design. In this layout, the front legs of the sofa and chairs should rest on the rug, while the back legs hang off. This creates the illusion of a larger space.

When using this layout, it is recommended to place the rug under each piece so that it extends about 1/3 of the way under the width of the piece. For example, if the width of a chair is 53 cm, the rug should extend about 17 cm under it (give or take).

All legs on board

If your room is large enough and you want all of your conversational pieces, such as the sofa, accent chairs, and coffee table, on the rug, make sure to leave a space of about 20 cm between the edge of the furniture and the edge of the rug.

You should also leave a space of 25 to 45 cm (or even 60cm if possible) between the rug and the wall to prevent the rug from overwhelming the space and looking like an awkwardly-placed wall-to-wall carpet.

The only exception to these rules is if the sofa is positioned against a wall (or a few inches away from the wall). In this case, you can place the rug closer to the sofa to make better use of the common area.

Layering rugs

If you have a small vintage rug that would be perfect for your room but doesn't fit the recommended size guidelines, don't worry! You can still use it by layering it on top of a larger rug.

A good method for this is to choose a natural rug such as this Jute Loop Natural Rug by Attic Rugs, as the base and then layer a smaller rug with a different colour and material on top.

You can place the smaller rug in the centre of the larger one, or even offset them as long as the front legs of your seating are on one of the rugs. Layering rugs can create a unique and visually interesting effect.

Floating rug

This layout involves placing the rug under the coffee table but not the seating. This can be a visually striking look, but it is important to be careful with it. If you have a fantastic rug that only misses your sofa and chairs by a few inches, it may still work.

However, it is best to avoid having a gap larger than 12 cm between the sofa and the rug. A gap that is too large can make the rug look too small and may not be aesthetically pleasing.

Unusual shapes

There are various rug shapes beyond the traditional rectangle that can be useful for awkwardly shaped rooms (such as those with a corner fireplace).

Rugs such as this Rodeo Cowhide Black White Rug by Attic Rug, are easy to float and layer, but it is important to ensure that they are proportionate to your sofa and that the majority of your seating has its legs on top of part of the rug.

Common mistakes when selecting a living room rug

Picking a rug that is too small

We see this all the time — where a rug looks nice but is too small for the room, which can make the space feel disconnected. Instead of choosing a rug that is too small, we recommend getting rid of it altogether

The rug is the same colour as the couch

… and the chairs, and the walls, and the throw blankets. While a neutral colour palette can be beautiful, having too many neutral colours can be uninteresting. In this case, the rug is adding to the monotony of the neutral colours and may be contributing to a "blah" atmosphere.

The rug is the same texture as the furniture

A rug is a chance to introduce a different texture to a space, and if it has a similar texture to the other furniture, it can make the room feel dull. Using a rug with a contrasting texture can add interest and depth to the room.

The rug pattern is too loud

It is possible to create an overpowering or chaotic atmosphere in a living room by combining a rug with a strong pattern and loud throw pillows. To avoid this, it is important to find a balance between having too much of the same tone or colour and having a rug that is too busy.

A good way to achieve this balance is by using a rug with muted tones and bold throw pillows, or by using a bold rug with neutral throw pillows.

In conclusion

Now that you have a better understanding of the various rug layouts, you can start shopping for a contemporary luxury rug that will fit your space.

At FCI, we have a carefully curated selection of luxury rugs in a variety of materials; one of the widest collections of rugs available in the UK. With brands and products coming from all parts of the world, we’ve got something for every look.

Need more inspiration and guidance before getting started? Book a consultation either virtually or in person, and an experienced design specialist will work with you on reimagining your space from top to bottom, down to the last detail.