Choosing a rug is easier when you begin with the room, not the rug. Measure the usable floor area, place the furniture as it will normally sit, and decide whether you want the rug to gather the whole setting or simply sit beneath its centre.
Living room rug sizes
For most living rooms, the rug should reach beneath at least the front legs of the sofa and nearby chairs. A small rug that sits only beneath the coffee table can make the seating feel disconnected.
- 160 × 230 cm: useful in a compact sitting room or apartment, usually with the coffee table and the front legs of a small sofa on the rug.
- 190 × 290 cm: a practical starting point for many living rooms, with the front legs of the main seating on the rug.
- 240 × 300 cm: gives a larger sofa setting more room and can hold more of the furniture group.
- 270 × 360 cm and larger: suited to generous or open-plan rooms where all the seating can sit on the rug.
Leave roughly 30–45 cm of floor visible around the rug where the room allows. The exact amount matters less than keeping the rug centred on the furniture group.
Dining room rug sizes
Measure the table, then add about 60 cm on every side. This gives dining chairs room to stay on the rug when they are pulled out. A six-seat table often needs around 240 × 300 cm; an eight-seat table may need 270 × 360 cm or a custom size. Round tables usually work best with a round rug large enough to include the chairs in use.
Bedroom rug sizes
A bedroom rug can sit beneath the lower two-thirds of the bed or extend beneath the bed and nightstands. Around a queen bed, 190 × 290 cm is a useful starting point. A king bed will often need 240 × 300 cm or larger. In a narrow room, a pair of runners beside the bed can be a simpler answer.
Hallways and unusual rooms
For a runner, measure the clear walking area rather than the full wall-to-wall space. Leave a visible border of floor along both sides and at each end. Older houses, long corridors and open-plan spaces often benefit from a made-to-measure rug because the right proportion matters more than choosing the nearest standard size.
Before ordering
Mark the rug outline on the floor with painter’s tape and live with it for a day. Check door clearance, chair movement and the main walking paths. Handmade rugs can vary slightly in size, so allow for a small natural tolerance.
You can use our interactive rug size guide, request a custom size, or browse rugs chosen for Australian homes. Australian visitors see prices in AUD. Shipping is free, and taxes and duties are included.
