Area Rug Size Guide & Ideas: Living Rooms and Entryways

What’s the right size rug for your living room or entryway? Choosing the right rug size depends on the size of your space, the furniture, the layout, and more. Whether you have a large or small space, a specific idea in mind, or you’re not sure where to start, our area rug guide for how to choose the right rug for your living room or entryway will be sure to help you get the perfect rug. We’ll help you find the right size area rug for your space no matter the dimensions, and we’ll also give you some inspiration and examples of what the finished product may look like in your home. 

General Area Rug Tips

No matter what space you're looking add an area rug to, there are some general tips that will help you find the perfect area rug for that bare floor space. So before you start exploring colors and styles you'll want to:

1. Measure Your Space - Always measure your space and layout before purchasing a rug. Use painter's tape to outline the rug's dimensions on the floor to visualize how it will fit.
2. Consider Furniture Layout - Think about how the furniture will be arranged on or around the rug to ensure it complements the overall layout. 
3. Room Size - Larger rugs can make a room feel more cohesive and expansive, while smaller rugs can create defined areas within a larger space.
4. Purpose and Traffic - Consider the purpose of the room and the amount of foot traffic. Durable, easy-to-clean rugs are ideal for high-traffic areas.

What Size Area Rug for Living Rooms?

When it comes to choosing the area rug that will fit your living room or entryway, first you should decide how your furniture will be set up. If you’re planning on purchasing new furniture, choose how you want the room to look before you invest in a rug. It’ll be easier to determine the right size rug once the furniture is in place. Ask yourself if you will have a sectional with a coffee table, two small couches, or a small couch and a couple of chairs. Will you arrange the room around one centered piece like the fireplace, or will you leave some space to create an opportunity for more depth? 

Once you have decided on what elements you will have in your home and where they will be placed, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re looking for in an area rug, especially when it comes to size and style. There are three common ways that area rugs are styled in living rooms today. Each one has a unique look, and while all are stylish and trendy, your ideal size may come down to personal preference.

Living Room Rug Size: All Legs on the Rug

The first way that you can style an area rug in your living room is with the rug under all of the furniture. This means that you’ll need to measure the from the outside of your furniture to find the best area rug for your living room space. One recommendation we have is to add five to eight inches to the outer measurement on both sides of your furniture to make sure the rug extends beyond your furniture arrangement. Proper measurement will ensure that the rug you purchase will fit underneath the furniture, as it is always better to have too big a rug than too small. Rugs that are underneath all of the living room furniture tend to bring a room together and define a living room space. Typical area rug sizes for living rooms depend on the size of the room and the furniture inside, but 5x7 rugs, 8x10, and 9x12 are popular sizes for most living rooms but you can also have carpet custom cut to get the perfect rug size for your space.

Living Room Rug Placement: Front Legs on the Rug

Another area rug layout that will likely fit well in your living room is placing the rug only underneath the front furniture legs. Whether you have a sectional with chairs, two couches, or just two chairs, this can be an excellent way to warm up the space without allowing the rug to define the room. In some cases, this style of area rug setup can also make a room look and feel more formal. Also, choosing an area rug that only allows the furniture’s legs to sit on the rug can often be less costly, especially if your furniture is sitting up against a wall where the extra area rug will not be seen anyways. 

Living Room Rug Placement: No Legs on the Rug

If you have a smaller rug, place it in front of the furniture without any legs on it. This is common with smaller accent rugs. This technique could work well in small living room or in a sitting area that is set away from a bigger rug in a larger room. In all layouts, coffee tables should generally be completely on the area rug. 

What Size Entryway Rug is Best?

While entryways come in all shapes and sizes, not all entryway rugs are created equal. But choosing the right size entryway rug isn’t difficult, especially when you know what to look for. One of the most important things about an entryway rug is getting the size right, so it’s best to measure your space first. Once you have measured, you’ll know whether a runner or rectangular rug will fit better in the space. Is the space narrow or wide? Do you need space for shoes and other items? If you have a narrow mudroom or a hallway that leads to another room, a runner will fit perfectly. If you have a wider space rather than a narrow space, a small rectangular rug in a 3x5 size will likely be the best option. 

Narrow Entryway Rugs

Finding the best entryway rug for a narrow space doesn't have to be difficult. A runner rug is designed to be used in a narrow space like a hallway or entryway. To make a runner work in your space just leave about 4 to 5 inches on either side of the rug and be sure that you allow clearance to open any doors in the space. 

Large Entryway Rugs

If you're lucky enough to have a large entry way, you can choose a more traditional rectangular or even round rug. The best entryway rug for your space is one that allows good coverage to protect your flooring but doesn't get in the way of doors. 

Area Rug Styles and Materials

Area rugs, just like carpets, come in a wide variety of styles and materials. Choosing the best rug for your space depends on how you are using the space and your design style preferences. 

Choosing The Right Rug Materials

When it comes to entryway rugs and living room rugs, you'll most likely need something that stands up to foot traffic. Durable materials like wool or synthetic fibers are ideal for high-traffic areas. You'll also want to pay attention to the climate when choosing a material for your living room or entryway rug. Natural fibers like wool and cotton are breathable and suitable for varying climates. Synthetic fibers are often more resistant to moisture and mildew, making them good for humid areas. When choosing a rug materials, especially for an entryway rug, you'll want to pay attention to pile height to make sure that doors can swing freely. Lower pile height is also less likely to cause tripping in a high traffic area. 

Finding Your Beautiful Rug Style

You'll want your rug to provide visual interest in your space but also match the style of the furniture pieces in your home as well as other decor items. Choose a style that complements your existing decor. Traditional rugs add elegance, modern rugs offer a contemporary look, and natural rugs provide a rustic charm.

Area Rugs for Living Rooms Inspiration 

A small sectional is the furniture of choice in this living room where natural light and shades of blue make for a simple but stylish space. The area rug sits underneath the entirety of the couch, designating the space as a living room. Clean and uncluttered, the area rug brings together the room but also leaves enough space for the doors to the outside to be opened and closed easily. This is a great layout for smaller living rooms. 

Interior design: Rebecca Hay  Photography: Stephani Buchman

In this modern living room with a fireplace, the two couches are setup to face each other with a rectangular coffee table in between. The rug is placed underneath just the front legs of each couch, while one side table sits on top of the rug, and the other does not. Giving dimension to this living room, the area rug serves as a soft space to land and also allows for the beautiful hard-surface floors to shine.

Interior design: Cynthia Soda  Photography: Stephani Buchman

Entryway Rug Inspiration 

This entryway is unlike other entryways thanks to its unique shape. While the hall tree makes for a great place for shoes and other items that need to be stored, the hallway serves as a space that takes on the perfect area rug. Because the area is much wider than it is long, Rebecca Hay opted for a rectangular jute entryway rug rather than a runner. This is just one of the many ways a rectangular rug can be styled in an entryway. 

Entryway Runner Ideas

Interior design: Rebecca Hay  Photography: Jason Hartog Photography 

The door to this home leads into a hallway where shoes and coats can be left right inside. A long entryway area rug is placed just inside the front door to not only complete the well-designed space, but also to ensure that dirt and debris are not tracked inside. 

Want more area rug and decor inspiration? Find more like this along with designer tips, home décor ideas, and more on our blog! Or, check out our beautiful selection of carpet here.