How do I know if my rug is the right size?

Your rug is the right size if: front legs of all seating are on it, there's 12-18 inches of floor showing around edges, dining chairs stay on when pushed back, and the rug is centered on your furniture grouping.

Is it better to have a rug too big or too small?

Too big is almost always better than too small. A larger rug rarely looks wrong (as long as you leave 12-18 inches to walls), while a too-small rug is immediately noticeable as a decorating mistake.

Expert Guide

7 Common Rug Mistakes

Q: What is the most common rug mistake?

Choosing a rug that is too small is the #1 mistake. A too-small rug creates a floating island effect that makes furniture look disconnected and rooms feel smaller. When in doubt, size up.

Even expensive rugs can make a room look cheap if placed wrong. Here are the mistakes interior designers see most often—and how to fix them.

#1 Most Common Mistake

Choosing a Rug That's Too Small

This is the mistake interior designers see in nearly every home they visit. A too-small rug creates a "floating island" effect that makes furniture look disconnected and rooms feel smaller.

Signs your rug is too small:

×No furniture legs touch the rug
×Only the coffee table fits on it
×It looks like a postage stamp in the room
×Dining chairs fall off when pushed back

The Fix:

Size up! A properly sized rug should have at least front legs of all seating on it. When in doubt, always go bigger—a too-big rug rarely looks wrong.

TOO SMALL

CORRECT SIZE

Take the "Is My Rug Too Small?" Quiz →

More Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Half-On, Half-Off

Some furniture on the rug, some completely off, with no clear pattern. This creates visual chaos and looks unintentional.

Fix: Commit to one placement style—either all furniture on, front legs on, or none on (accent only). Consistency is key.

The Wall-to-Wall Look

A rug so large it nearly touches the walls makes it look like badly fitted carpet rather than a deliberate design choice.

Fix: Leave 12-18 inches of floor visible between the rug edge and walls. This creates visual breathing room.

Mismatched Shape

Using a round rug under a rectangular table or vice versa can create awkward visual tension.

Fix: Match rug shape to table shape. Round rugs under round tables, rectangular under rectangular. Exceptions can work, but require care.

Ignoring Functionality

Placing a rug where doors catch on it, high-traffic paths create wear patterns, or it interferes with daily use.

Fix: Check door swings, walk paths, and traffic patterns before placement. Flat-weave rugs work better in high-traffic areas.

Visibly Off-Center

A rug that's noticeably off-center from the furniture or room creates subtle visual tension that makes the space feel "wrong."

Fix: Center the rug on the main furniture grouping, not necessarily the room. Use tape on the floor to check placement before final positioning.

Wrong Material for the Space

A delicate hand-knotted rug in a high-traffic area, or a shaggy rug under a dining table where crumbs accumulate.

Fix: Match material to use: flat-weaves for high traffic, avoid shag in dining areas, consider indoor/outdoor for families with kids/pets.

Rug Placement Checklist

Front legs of seating on rug (minimum)

12-18" of floor showing around edges

Dining rug extends 24"+ past table

Bedroom rug: 18-24" past bed sides

Centered on furniture, not room

Doors clear the rug when swinging

Get the Right Size First Time

Use our interactive calculators to find the perfect rug size for your furniture.

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