Getting The Perfect Rug Size for Your Living Room

The perfect living room rug can be the crucial final piece to fill your floor space and complete your living room design. The rug size can impact several aspects of your living room, including the aesthetics of the room and its functionality.

Continue our guide to get some insight into some of the best living room rug options on Viesso and how to choose a rug size for a living room.

Understand Your Living Room’s Dimensions Before Buying a Living Room Rug

Before looking at any rugs, you need to measure the dimensions of your living room. The best way to do this is with a tape measure, laser measure, or painter's tape (for measuring underneath furniture pieces). To get the most accurate dimensions, ensure you measure wall to wall and double-check all measurements.

You must also consider the living room shape before buying a rug. For example, if you have a rectangular room, a rectangular rug like the Bob Storm & Vanilla Rug. You must also determine if positioning the rug horizontally or vertically looks best for your living room size.

You also need to consider design features that may impact the aesthetics of the living room rug, including alcoves, windows, shelves, and more.

What Size Rug For a Living Room is Best?

When looking at a living room rug, you want to leave a border of floor space around the rug so you can quickly determine the size rug you need once you do this and measure the room.

However, if you have a large room, you have way more options for the rug size that fits best. 

You would expect that a large rug is the best option because it covers the visible floor space. If this is how you want to go, consider an option like MONO Dark Mud & Mud Rug, which will cover the living space and provide a subdued aesthetic.

Also, you need to rule out rugs for different purposes, such as dining room rugs (these typically go under the dining table).

You must also test several living room rug shapes to find the one that best matches your room. Some of these include:

• A large rug – A larger rug can cover enough space to hide most of the floor if that is what you want. Ensure you measure the space to find the larger rug that suits your floor.
• A round rug – Round rugs can complement a living room with a more circular shape. Also, a round rug looks more striking and memorable than a rectangular living room rug.
• A small rug – Smaller rugs are typically for a small living room. However, you can use a small rug for a larger room to be a striking design piece. Read more about this in our smaller rug section.
• Square rugs – These pair very well under a coffee table in the living room.
• An accent rug – You can layer these over other rugs to create a striking design for your living room. An example of one of these is the Viggo Small One Black & Vanilla Rug.

When is a Smaller Rug A Suitable Choice for a Living Room?

The obvious reason to buy small rugs is if you have a very small living room. Small living rooms can only fit a specific size rug, and a rug that takes up too much space can look obtrusive.

Additionally, a small rug can compliment the furniture arrangement in your living room; it can provide a striking accent when paired with a coffee table or furniture legs on your couch. Our Tact rug is an excellent example of a rug that pairs well with other living room furniture.

How to Arrange Furniture Like a Coffee Table on Your Living Room Rug

Home decor should be a massive consideration when finding the perfect living room rug size.

You need to visualize how a specific rug size (or color) will affect your furniture layout. When looking at a smaller rug, you must see if the furniture fits on it. 

Additionally, you must check the same for awkwardly shaped furniture like an L-shaped couch or a sectional. For example, for sectional, living room rugs must be visible to affect the room's design, so make the appropriate measurements to see what size rug for a living room with a sectional is best.

Can The Rug’s Size Compliment the Style of the Living Room?

As well as searching for living room rugs that fit your living room, you should find one that compliments the style.

For example, if you have a modern living room style, you will likely want a rug size and style that doesn’t overpower the room; less is always more regarding modern design. Alternatively, you may want the rug to be the room's centerpiece, so something like our Construct Cargo Rug will fit your needs.

Also, you need to consider the color of the rug. Bold and bright colors often work as a living room centerpiece, whereas subdued colors are better for a subtle design.

You should also think about rug patterns and textures similarly; if a rug pattern clashes with other striking and bright furniture pieces, your living room design will look confused and off-putting, especially if you have a smaller living room.

Can You Find The Perfect Living Room Rug Size on a Budget?

After multiple considerations, you will answer the question, what size area rug for a living room is best? After this, the final consideration will be the budget.

Even if you have a large living room, you may need to buy a too-small rug because you can’t afford a larger area rug.

If this is the case, you can layer multiple small rugs. Doing this will make the rugs seem larger than they are and can be a good centerpiece if you layer patterns and colors that complement each other.

If you are on a tight budget, we have many cheaper rug options around $100 for you to choose from.

Final Thoughts on How to Find the Best Living Room Rug?

In summary, there are multiple considerations to get the perfect rug size for your living room, including the room size and shape, the positioning of the rug, how it will look with furniture, and more.

You must also consider design, color, texture, and price, along with rug size.

The perfect size rug can complete the look of your living room, so take time to make the right decision.