10 Area Rug Placement Considerations

Area rugs are a great alternative to wall-to-wall rugs because they are easier to remove and clean. But for rugs, there is still a big challenge: placement.

Definition: An area rug is a type of decorative rug that does not extend to the wall. It is mainly used to fix furniture in a space.

When using rugs in your home, whether in the bedroom, living room, dining room, or study, there are some important rules to keep in mind. Before purchasing, check the precautions for area carpet placement.

Extend the Rug Underneath the Furniture

When choosing an area rug, make sure it extends underneath all the key furniture in the room.

The Placement of the Living Room Carpet

In the living room, all furniture should be placed on the carpet. If this is not possible, the front legs of the main upholstered parts can be placed on the carpet and the hind legs on the carpet, but all the legs of the smaller parts should be placed on the carpet.

Placement of Carpets in the Bedroom

You’ll need to push the rug all the way to the wall at the head of the bed, leaving enough space for the bedside table and space at the foot of the bed to effectively secure the bed and surrounding furniture.

Placement of Restaurant Carpets

In a dining room, the rug should be large enough to accommodate chairs and tables. A good rule to follow is that chairs should be placed on the carpet, even if they are pulled out of the table.

If You Want Your Living Room to Feel Bigger, Make It Bigger

It may sound counterintuitive, but a larger area of carpet will actually make your living room look bigger. If you’re using a sectional sofa, you’ll want the entire sofa to fit into the area rug, creating a broad (and cohesive) anchor point in the space. You still need to have enough space around the perimeter of the carpet for walking, so furniture shouldn’t take up all the space.

Cover High-Traffic Areas

Make sure that all rooms that act as passageways are completely covered with the carpet of your choice. People should not step on the carpet with one foot and leave the other when they walk by. It is awkward, uncomfortable, and can cause unusual wear patterns on carpets and floors.

The Bedroom Should Not Be Too Small

What’s the use of a rug if it doesn’t extend out of the bed? In the morning you’ll end up stepping on a cold, hard floor instead of a soft rug. Be sure to measure your size before shopping.

Bed Size Measurement

You can be bigger, but these numbers should be the minimum you want to look for.

• Single/Double Bed: The carpet should be large enough to extend at least 12 inches beyond the edge of the bed.
• Queen/King: Choose carpet that extends at least 18 inches beyond the edge of the bed.

Be Sure to Leave Equal Space

No matter which room you’re working in, you should have the same floor space on all sides of your rug. Leave about 8 to 24 inches of clearance around yourself. Eighteen inches is the most common parameter, but in smaller spaces, you can go as little as eight inches.

Tip: Always remember that the main goal is to place the rug in the center of the room.

Don’t Be Afraid of Colors and Patterns

When using area rugs to inject playfulness and fun into a room, placement is key. You’ll want to make sure that the area rug is close to items that fit well together and doesn’t create a harsh or messy feel.

Know How to Clean It

Area rugs are typically located in high-traffic areas around living room couches and under dining tables, so knowing how to clean it is key. That being said, it’s important to always check the cleaning instructions on your rug before buying one. Sisal, jute, and other natural fibre rugs are inexpensive but can’t be cleaned, so you may need to replace them if there is a large spill.

Don’t Put Your Best Rug at Risk

Placing a rug under the dining table is not completely undesirable, but it may not be advisable to place the most expensive rug under the table. It makes sense to put the best carpet in the center of the house, but consider if there is a place where there are no spills, stains, and severe wear and tear.

Although they are easier to clean than wide-format rugs, small rugs can still be difficult to remove stains. Keep this in mind (especially if you have children and pets) and consider whether it’s best to choose a cheaper, easy-to-clean option in a more dangerous area of your home.

Don’t Let Investing Scare You

The first mistake people make when using rugs for decoration is that the size is too small. This is understandable, especially when you start comparing the price tags of 5’x8′ and 10’x14′. However, investing now can save you from having to replace a rug that can’t be used later, not to mention, a rug still costs less than an entire room.

Consider What Kind of Carpet Mat You Need

Finding the right mat for your area rug can help keep it in the best position, provide some extra cushioning in areas where it’s needed, such as bedrooms, and even protect the floor (especially if sisal is placed on hardwood). Identify your needs and plan your carpet mats appropriately. It can be helpful to buy a carpet mat that is slightly larger than your rug and trim it to a perfect fit size with scissors.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it possible to put a small rug on top of the rug?

Yes, it is possible to lay a small rug on the carpet. You may decide to do this for a number of reasons, including protecting your rug from wear and tear or even to cover up damage to your rug that is already there. Make sure to hold the rug together with the furniture so it doesn’t move, and try to stick to low-key options.

• How do you measure a carpet?

It is best to determine the size of the rug based on your furniture configuration rather than the size of the room. Use tape to paint how your rug will look once placed so that you can adjust the furniture configuration and/or rug size until you find the right balance for your space.

• What sizes are the area rugs?

Area rugs are available in a variety of standard sizes:

• 3 ft x 5 ft
• 4 ft x 6 ft
• 5 ft x 8 ft
• 8 ft x 10 ft
• 9 ft x 12 ft