How do I know if my rug is too small?

Signs include: the rug looks like a postage stamp floating in the room, no furniture legs touch it, dining chairs fall off when pulled out, or your feet hit cold floor getting out of bed.

What can I do with a rug that is too small?

Options include: layer it on top of a larger neutral rug, move it to a smaller space (entryway, nursery), rearrange furniture to create a smaller grouping, or buy the properly sized rug you need.

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

Too big is almost always better than too small. A larger rug makes rooms feel more spacious and expensive, while a too-small rug looks like a mistake and makes spaces feel disjointed.

Common Mistakes

Is Your Rug Too Small?

A too-small rug is the #1 decorating mistake. It makes rooms look disjointed, furniture look cheap, and spaces feel smaller than they are.

This guide helps you identify whether your rug is undersized—and shows you what to do about it.

7 Signs Your Rug is Too Small

If any of these apply to your space, it may be time to size up.

It Looks Like a Postage Stamp

If your rug appears to "float" in the middle of the room with large expanses of bare floor around it, it's too small. The rug should fill the seating area, not create an island effect.

No Furniture Legs Touch the Rug

At minimum, the front legs of your sofa and chairs should rest on the rug. If all furniture is completely off the rug, it's definitely too small. See our living room sizing guide.

Only the Coffee Table Fits

A rug that only accommodates the coffee table while all seating sits on bare floor creates visual disconnection. The rug should anchor the entire seating arrangement.

Dining Chairs Fall Off When Pulled Out

If chair legs leave the rug when guests push back from the table, your dining rug is too small. You need at least 24 inches of rug beyond the table edge on all sides. See our dining room rug sizing.

Your Feet Hit Cold Floor Getting Out of Bed

A bedroom rug should extend at least 18-24 inches beyond each side of the bed. If you're stepping onto bare floor every morning, size up. See our bedroom rug guide.

The Room Feels Smaller

Counterintuitively, a small rug makes rooms feel smaller by breaking up the floor visually. A larger rug creates flow and makes spaces feel more expansive.

It Looked Great in the Store

Rugs displayed flat in large showrooms look bigger than they are. If your rug seemed perfect at the store but disappoints at home, you likely misjudged the scale.

Why People Buy Rugs That Are Too Small

Budget Constraints

Larger rugs cost more. But a too-small expensive rug looks worse than a properly sized affordable one. Consider indoor/outdoor rugs, flat weaves, or synthetic materials to get the size you need within budget.

Underestimating Room Size

Rooms look smaller when empty. Once furniture is in place, you need more rug than you think. Always measure, and when in doubt, size up.

Store Display Illusion

Rugs displayed in cavernous showrooms appear larger than they are. Always bring actual room measurements, not guesses.

"It'll Work" Mentality

Convincing yourself a smaller rug will be fine is a recipe for disappointment. The rug police won't arrest you, but your room will never look quite right.

How to Fix a Too-Small Rug

Options from easiest to most dramatic:

Layer It

Put your small rug on top of a larger, neutral sisal or jute rug. This is a designer trick that adds texture and solves the size problem.

Cost: $100-$300 for base rug

Reposition It

Use the small rug in a space where it's properly sized—entryway, nursery, under a small table, or as a bedside runner.

Cost: Free

Buy the Right Size

Sometimes the only solution is to get the rug you actually need. Use our rug size guide to find the right size before purchasing.

Cost: Varies

Rearrange Furniture

In some cases, you can create a smaller, more intimate furniture arrangement that the rug properly anchors. Works in large rooms.