Rug Placement Rules: Where to Put a Rug in Every Room
Rug placement rules made simple — where to put a rug in the living room, bedroom, dining room and hallway, and how much floor to leave around it.
The golden rule of rug placement is to leave an even border of bare floor — about 20 to 45 cm — around the rug, and to let the rug connect your furniture rather than float between it. Here is where to place a rug in every room.
Living room rug placement
Place the rug so at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on it. In large rooms, put all furniture legs on the rug; in small rooms, the rug can sit in front of the sofa under the coffee table.
Bedroom rug placement
Slide the rug under the lower two-thirds of the bed so it extends past the sides and foot — that is where you step out.
Dining room rug placement
Centre the rug under the table with at least 60 cm of rug beyond the edge on every side, so chairs stay on it when pulled out.
Hallway and entryway
Use a runner that leaves 10 to 15 cm of floor on each side and stops short of the walls.
Not sure of the size? See the rug size guide, and use a rug pad to keep it in place. Shop made-to-order rugs at rugkari.com.
Frequently asked questions
How much floor should show around a rug?
Aim for an even border of 20 to 45 cm of bare floor between the rug and the walls.
Should all furniture be on the rug?
In large rooms, yes. In smaller rooms, the front legs of the seating on the rug is enough to tie the space together.
Where should a bedroom rug be placed?
Under the lower two-thirds of the bed, extending past the sides and foot of the bed.
