The right rug size is the difference between a room that feels pulled together and one where the furniture seems to float. This guide gives you clear centimetre sizes for every room, a quick-reference chart, and the simple rules interior designers actually use.
The 3 rules that decide rug size
- Anchor the furniture. A rug should touch or sit under the key pieces in its zone (sofa, bed or dining chairs), never drift alone in the middle of the floor.
- Leave a border. Keep 20 to 40 cm of visible flooring between the rug edge and the walls. Closer than 20 cm and it starts to read as fitted carpet, and doors may catch the pile.
- Go wider than the sofa. Your rug should extend 15 to 20 cm beyond each side of the sofa so the seating sits comfortably within it.
Rug size by room: quick chart
| Room and layout | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Large living room (all legs on) | 183 x 275 cm or 245 x 245 cm |
| Standard living room (front legs on) | 122 x 183 cm to 152 x 213 cm |
| Compact living room (floating) | 100 x 140 cm to 120 x 160 cm |
| Double bedroom (under bed) | 152 x 213 cm, or two 60 x 122 cm runners |
| Hallway | 40 x 122 cm to 60 x 275 cm runner |
| Entryway | 40 x 60 cm to 50 x 80 cm |
Living room rug sizes
All legs on the rug. The most luxurious look, ideal for spacious or open-plan rooms. Go for at least 183 x 275 cm, or a large square such as 213 x 213 cm or 245 x 245 cm for corner sofas.
Front legs on the rug. The everyday favourite that suits most rooms. A 152 x 213 cm or 122 x 183 cm rug ties the seating together while keeping 15 to 20 cm of rug visible either side of the sofa.
Floating in front of the sofa. For compact rooms, sit a 100 x 140 cm to 120 x 160 cm rug under the coffee table only. Keep the gap between the sofa and the rug edge under 15 cm so it still feels connected.
Rugs that work in real rooms
Browse the full Covaba rug collection, which runs from 40 x 60 cm doormat scale up to 245 x 245 cm statement squares, so there is a fit for every room above.
Bedroom rug sizes
Place the rug under the lower two-thirds of the bed so it extends 40 to 60 cm beyond each side. A standard UK double works best on a 152 x 213 cm rug, while a king suits 183 x 275 cm. Prefer softness underfoot on both sides? Use a pair of runners, roughly 60 x 122 cm or 60 x 183 cm each. For the full breakdown, see our bedroom rug size guide.
Hallways, kitchens and entryways
Runners should leave 5 to 10 cm of floor visible on each side and stop short of doorways. Common runner sizes span 40 x 122 cm to 60 x 275 cm. For entryways, a compact 40 x 60 cm or 50 x 80 cm mat catches the traffic without crowding the space.
Frequently asked questions
What size rug is most versatile?
Around 152 x 213 cm (roughly 5 x 7 ft). It works front-legs-on in a living room and fits under a double bed, so it suits more rooms than any other single size.
Should a rug be wider than the sofa?
Yes. Aim for the rug to extend 15 to 20 cm beyond each side of the sofa so the seating sits within it rather than on the edge.
Can a rug be too big?
It can. If it runs closer than about 20 cm to the walls it reads as fitted carpet and loses the framed, intentional look. Leave 20 to 40 cm of bare floor as a border.
How much floor should show around a rug?
Between 20 and 40 cm to the walls in most rooms. In very small rooms, 20 cm is enough to keep the border looking deliberate.
Measure your room, match it to the chart above, then shop by size in one place.
Shop all rugs →Emily Carter writes about home textiles and interiors for Covaba, focusing on practical sizing and styling advice that works in everyday rooms.
Keep reading: How to place a rug in a living room, what size rug under a dining table and our calm palette colour guide.