Living Room Rug Sizing

For a sectional sofa, you'll need a larger rug than for a standard sofa. The standard recommendation is a 9×12, which allows all front legs of the sectional to rest on the rug. For a premium look with all furniture on the rug, consider a 10×14. The budget option (8×10) works but may leave part of the L-section hanging off.

Your furniture! This is the most common misconception. A 15×20 room with a loveseat doesn't need a 12×15 rug. Your sofa type determines the minimum rug size you need. Room dimensions only tell you the maximum size that will fit.

The 'front legs on' placement is the most recommended by interior designers. It means the front legs of all your seating (sofa, armchairs) rest on the rug while back legs are on the floor. This creates a cohesive look while being more affordable than having all furniture fully on the rug.

Rarely! A rug that nearly fills the room (leaving just 12-18 inches to walls) often looks intentional and luxurious. The far more common mistake is choosing a rug that's too small. If your rug only fits under the coffee table, it's definitely too small.

Either works! The key is contrast. If your sofa is dark, a lighter rug adds balance. If your sofa is light, a darker or patterned rug grounds the space. Avoid matching the exact same shade—you want definition between pieces, not a sea of one color.

Your rug should extend 12-18 inches beyond each side of your sofa. This ensures the front legs of accent chairs can also sit on the rug. If the rug ends right at the sofa's edge, it looks like it's floating on an island.

Yes! A quality rug pad prevents slipping, protects your floors, adds cushion, and extends rug life. For hardwood floors, use a felt or natural rubber pad. Avoid plastic-backed pads on hardwood as they can damage finishes.