Area Rug Rules (Are Meant To Be Broken)

So often I'm asked how we select the size of rug to use. The answer as to what size rug is best for the space can be confusing - there are many "rules" and just as many opposing opinions. 

One very popular rule is that the rug should be large enough to slide under the front legs of sofas and chairs in a seating arrangement, unifying the furniture. But just as often one will hear that the rug needs to sit under ALL legs of the furniture! So, rather than being bound by rules, just being aware of these guidelines helps determine what size rug will provide the desired visual effect in the room.

Rule 1: Front legs on the rug, back legs off. Take a look at examples 1, 2, and 3. In these gorgeous rooms the front legs of the furniture sit on the rug while the back legs are off. This approach works really well in most situations; the rug connects the various furniture pieces together while extending far enough into the room to create a sense of good proportion.

Rule 2: All legs on the rug. A room has a pulled together look if all the furniture legs are planted firmly on the rug. If an area is to be used mostly for conversation, this is a great way to go, as it lends such a “connected” feel (see Example 4).

(tip) It’s generally best to determine furniture placement before selecting the area rug size, especially if you’re going to be applying this rule.

Rule 3: Some front legs on, some all on. Sometimes only the front legs of the sofa will sit on the rug while the chairs have all four legs on the rug. This works so well in Example 5 because of the size of the room and the contrasting tone of the rug against the flooring.

Rule 4: No legs on the rug. If you’d like to use just a small rug, maybe one that introduces a pop of color and pattern into the room, you could have none of the furniture touching the rug. This is not as warm or inviting a look, but certainly can be dramatic, as in Example 6. This method must be used very carefully, as the room may look choppy if there’s too much pattern.

Rule 5: 12 to 18 inches of bare floor around the rug. This has been the standard for ages, and this approach brings in traditional proportion, as in Example 7. This rule is beautifully broken, however, in Example 8 which is a small room with only about 8” of bare floor exposed. In Example 9, just a few inches of floor show and the rug defines the room very well.

There are many more area rug “rules” to follow (or not). We will talk about some bedroom and dining room rug concepts in our next post. Stay tuned!