Carpet is a huge commitment. It’s difficult to remove or change. It’s difficult to keep clean, especially if you have children or a messy husband. Carpet seems like a great idea, until it’s a year later.
You are tired of the color. You want a change. You’ve given up on removing or even identifying the mystery stains.
But you don’t want to deal with the expense and hassle of replacing your carpet. Or, perhaps you are familiar with the ways a carpet can become the bane of your existence, so you choose hardwood or tile floors. They are beautiful and easy to keep clean.
However, you are tired of your feet freezing each morning as they hit the floor. Perhaps you miss the cozy atmosphere that carpet brings, or just want something comfortable and warm beneath your feet. Enter the often underappreciated middle ground that rugs provide.
Easy to put down, and easy to change. Better yet, a rug can completely change the look of a room. It can add character and comfort to your space.
If you have an open floor plan, a rug can reduce noise and echo. They also help to define different areas. They can be an accent or focal point for the room.
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Types of Rugs

There are many rug sizes, but only a few basic types of rug. Once you know which type of rug you are looking for, choosing the right rug size becomes easier.
Types of rugs include:
- oriental rug
- area rug
- accent rug
- runner rug
- round rug
- rug pad
Oriental Rug

Oriental rugs are a heavy woven type of rug. Traditionally, these rugs were hand-knotted. It takes months to create an oriental rug by hand, so they are also very expensive.
You can find many manufactured oriental rugs today. They are created using a loom and can be inexpensive. They often have floral or oriental patterns.
Area Rug
An area rug is a rug that is designed to cover a large area of the room, with the bare floor on each side of the rug. They are most often used in living rooms and bedrooms to anchor furniture into the space.
Accent Rug
An accent rug is simply a small rug. They are usually used to provide accents for the room, instead of covering a big part of the floor. Most accent rugs are 4×6 or smaller.
Runner Rug

A runner rug is longer than it is wide. They are rectangular shaped. A small runner rug is perfect for an entryway, while longer runner rugs work well in hallways.
Round Rug
A round rug is a rug that is round. These can be used as accent or area rugs depending on their size.
Living Room Rugs

There are three basic layouts for living room rugs. The most common is for all furniture legs to be on the rug. You can also place the front legs of all furniture on the rug.
Lastly, you can keep all furniture legs off the rug, except for the coffee table. If the couch is on the rug, you’ll need at least six inches of rug on each side of the sofa for proper scale.
Living Room Rug Size Chart

A living room area rug is a great way to tie the space together. If you have a large living room, you may want to choose a rug for each conversation area, instead of one very large rug. Most living room rugs are square or rectangular.
However, a 12 foot round rug also looks great in a living room.
The common living room rug sizes are:
- 6×9
- 8 x 10
- 9x 12
- 10×14
- 12×12
- 12
Dining Room Rugs

The simplest way to choose a dining room rug is by the size and shape of the table. The rug should extend between 2 and 3 feet beyond the edges of the table on all sides. The chairs should have all legs on the rug.
A round table looks great with a round or rectangular rug. A square rug works well for a smaller table. A rectangular table is usually paired with a rectangular area rug.
When it comes to choosing the right rug size for your dining room, use the number of chairs as a rule of thumb.
Dining Room Rug Size Chart

The common sizes for a dining room rug are:
4 Chair Table:
- 8×8
- 8 round
- 8×10
6 Chair Table
- 8×10
- 9×12
8 Chair Table
- 9×12
10 Chair Table
- 10×14
Bedroom Rug

If you are choosing an area rug for the bedroom, it should be centered under your bed. Your bed and the size of the room will determine the right rug size for your bedroom. All legs on the rug include the bed and any nightstands.
It does not include furniture on other walls like dressers. It’s best to have the rug extend 18-24 inches past your bed on each side. You can also choose the 2/3 style.
The bottom 2/3 of your bed will be on the rug. The headboard and night stands will be off the rug. The last option is to place a runner rug on each side of the bed.
You’ll want to keep the runner the same length as your bed and wider than your nightstand for proper scale.
Bedroom Rug Size Chart

The bedroom rug chart is divided by twin, full/queen, and a king-size beds. We’ll look at rectangular rugs, because these are the most common. However, uniquely shaped rugs are great for kid’s rooms and nurseries.
Twin
- 5×8
- 6×9
- 8×10
Full/Queen
- 5×8
- 6×9
- 8×10
King
- 6×9
- 8×10
- 9×12
Other Rug Options

A rug can go in nearly any area of your home, as long as you choose the perfect rug for the space. They are commonly placed in the kitchen, hallway, and entryway.
Kitchen Rug

There are two basic rug styles that work well in the kitchen. Both use your kitchen sink as the focal point. A runner rug can be placed parallel to your sink and cabinets.
The most common size is 2×6. You can also choose an accent rug for the sink area. This can provide a cozy feel and bring the kitchen together.
A 2×3 or 4×6 rug size works well, depending on the size of your kitchen.
Hallway Rug
If you have furniture in your hallway, leave the furniture legs off the rug. A runner rug is a perfect rug for this area. It should be centered in the hallway, with clearance on each side.
The length will depend on the length of your hallway. You’ll generally want one rug to span the entire length of the corridor. 2′ 6″ x10′ is a good starting point for hallway rug size.
Entryway and Foyer

You can also choose a rug for your entryway or foyer. This creates an inviting atmosphere as soon as someone steps into your home. It can also help remove dirt from shoes which can keep your floors cleaner.
A 4×6 rug is the most common rug size for this area. You’ll generally want to keep furniture off the rug in this area to create a clean spacious look.
Unique Rug Shapes

Besides the classic square, rectangular, and round rug size options, unique shapes can add interest and originality to your space.
Unique rug shapes include:
- Oval
- Hexagon
- Kidney
- Hearth
Oval Rugs

Oval rugs work well in larger foyers and wide hallways. They can also be used under an oval coffee table. If you have a child, consider an oval rug to create a play area.
Oval rug size ranges from 3×5 to 12×18.
Octagon Rugs
Octagon rugs can create a unique look. They can be used in an octagon-shaped living room. You can use an octagon rug in place of a round rug to create visual interest.
They are a great choice for a kid’s room or a bathroom. They come in sizes ranging from 4×4 to 12×12.
Hearth Rug
As the name suggests, a hearth rug is a perfect rug for a hearth. They have a half-moon shape, so the flat edge fits against the fireplace. They range in size from 1×2 to 2×4.
Kidney Rug
A kidney rug is commonly used in the bathroom in front of the toilet. They can also be placed in entryways, or around a piece of furniture, you would like to draw attention to. They range in size from 2×4 to 6×9.