The most common styling mistake we see is a rug that’s too small. A small rug floating in the middle of a room makes the furniture look disconnected and the room feel smaller. The right size pulls everything together. Here’s how to choose a rug size for every room, with the standard sizes you’ll find in Australian stores.
Common rug sizes in Australia
| Size (cm) | Typically suits |
|---|---|
| 120 x 170 | Entryways, beside a bed, small reading nooks |
| 160 x 230 | Small living rooms, under a queen bed (narrow rooms), small dining tables |
| 200 x 290 / 200 x 300 | Most living rooms, queen beds, 6-seat dining tables |
| 240 x 330 / 240 x 340 | Large living rooms, king beds, 8-seat dining tables |
| Runners (e.g. 80 x 300) | Hallways, kitchens, beside a bed |
Sizes vary slightly by brand, so always check the exact measurements.
The golden rule
As a general guide, leave around 20–45 cm of bare floor between the rug and the walls. Less than that and it looks like wall-to-wall carpet that doesn’t quite fit; much more and the rug looks lost. In open-plan spaces, ignore the walls and size the rug to the furniture zone instead.
Living room rug size
There are three common layouts:
- All legs on: the sofa and chairs sit entirely on the rug. This looks luxurious and suits large rooms, but needs a big rug (often 240 x 340 or larger).
- Front legs on: the front legs of every seat sit on the rug. This is the most versatile option and connects the furniture with a 200 x 300 rug in most rooms.
- Coffee table only: only suits very small spaces. If you go this way, the rug should still be wider than the coffee table by a good margin.
A handy check: the rug should be at least as wide as your sofa, and ideally a little wider (around 15–20 cm each side).
Dining room rug size
Chairs need to stay on the rug when they’re pulled out, otherwise they catch on the edge every time someone sits down. Measure your table and add at least 60–75 cm on every side. For a typical 6-seat table, that usually means 200 x 300 or larger. Choose a low-pile or flat-woven rug that’s easy to clean under a dining table.
Bedroom rug size
Most people place the rug across the bottom two-thirds of the bed, leaving the bedside tables on the floor. Aim for the rug to extend 45–60 cm beyond each side of the bed, so your feet land on something soft when you get up.
- Queen bed: 200 x 300 placed sideways is the most common choice; 160 x 230 suits a tight room.
- King bed: 240 x 340 sideways.
- Alternative: a pair of runners down each side of the bed works well in narrow rooms.
Hallways and runners
Leave roughly 10–15 cm of floor visible either side of a runner, and leave clear floor at each end so doors can open freely.
Test before you buy
Mark the rug’s outline on the floor with painter’s tape or lay down sheets of newspaper. Live with it for a day. It’s the cheapest way to avoid an expensive mistake, and it nearly always shows people they need to size up.
FAQ
Should a rug go under the sofa?
Ideally yes, at least the front legs. It connects the sofa to the rest of the seating and makes the room look bigger.
Can I layer rugs?
Yes. Layering a smaller patterned rug over a large jute or sisal rug is a good way to get the right size without paying for a large statement rug.
Does a rug work on carpet?
It can, especially to define a zone or add colour. Choose a low-pile or flat-woven rug so it sits flat and doesn’t move.
See it to scale first. Plan your room on a Design it Yourself style board. Try Carpet Court flooring and rugs from leading retailers with your furniture and Taubmans wall colours before you buy.