10 Area Rug Placement Dos and Don’ts

Area rugs are a terrific alternative to wall-to-wall carpets, namely because they're easier to remove and clean. But there remains one big challenge when it comes to area rugs: placement.

There are some important rules to remember when using area rugs in your home, whether in a bedroom, living room, dining room, or den. Before buying, check out these dos and don'ts for area rug placement.

Do Extend Rugs Under Furniture

When selecting an area rug, make sure it extends under all the key pieces of furniture in the room.

Living Room Rug Placement

In a living room, all of the furniture should be on top of the rug. If this isn't possible, it's okay to have the front legs of major upholstered pieces on the rug and the back legs off though all the legs of smaller pieces should be on the rug.

Bedroom Rug Placement

You’ll want to push the area rug all the way against the wall at the head of the bed, with ample room for nightstands and clearance at the end of the bed—effectively anchoring the bed and the surrounding furnishings.

Dining Room Rug Placement

In a dining room, the rug should be large enough for the chairs as well as the table. A good rule to follow is that the chairs should be on the rug, even when they're pulled out from the table.

Do Go Big If You Want Your Living Room to Feel Larger

It might sound counterintuitive, but a bigger area rug will actually make your living room seem larger. If you’re working with a sectional, you’ll want the entire couch to fit on the area rug, creating an expansive (and cohesive) anchor in the space. You’ll still want enough room on the perimeter of the rug for walking, so furniture shouldn’t take up all the space.

Do Cover High-Traffic Areas

Make sure that any rooms that act as a thoroughfare are fully covered by the rug you choose. When people are walking through, they shouldn't have one foot on the rug and one foot off. It's awkward, uncomfortable, and can lead to unusual wear patterns on both the rug and your flooring.

Don't Go Too Small in the Bedroom

What good is an area rug if it doesn't extend beyond the bed? You'll end up stepping out onto a cold, hard floor in the morning, rather than a soft rug. Be sure to get your measurements right before you go shopping.

Bed Dimension Measurements

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

• Twin/Double Bed: The rug should be large enough to extend beyond the sides of the bed by at least 12 inches.
• Queen/King: Opt for a rug that, at minimum, extends 18 inches beyond the sides of the bed.
  

Do Leave Equal Space

Regardless of which room you’re working with, you should leave the same amount of floor space on all sides of your rug. Give yourself anywhere from about eight to 24 inches of clearance on all sides. Eighteen inches is the most common parameter, but in a smaller space, you can get away with as little as eight inches.

Don't Be Afraid of Color and Pattern

Placement is key when it comes to injecting playfulness and fun into a room using an area rug. You’ll want to be sure the area rug is situated near items that play nicely together and don’t create a cacophonous or chaotic feel.

Do Know How to Clean It

Area rugs are typically situated in high-traffic areas around living room couches and under dining room tables, so knowing how to clean it is going to be key. That being said, it’s important to always check the cleaning instructions on any rug before you buy it. Sisal, jute, and other natural fiber rugs are inexpensive, but they can't be cleaned so you might have to replace them if there's a big spill.

Don't Place Your Best Rugs in Danger

Placing an area rug under a dining table isn’t entirely inadvisable, but placing your most expensive area rug under a dining table likely is. It makes sense to place your best rug in a focal point of the house, but consider if there is a place where spills, stains, and a high level of wear and tear will be less of a problem.

Even though they're easier to clean than broadloom carpet, area rugs can still be difficult when it comes to removing stains. Keep this in mind (especially if you have children and pets) and consider if it’s best to go with inexpensive, easy-to-clean options in the more hazardous areas of your home.

Don't Let the Investment Scare You  

The number one mistake people make when decorating with area rugs is getting one that is too small in size. This is understandable, especially when you start comparing price tags on a 5’x8’ versus a 10’x14’. However, investing now will save you from replacing one that doesn't work later—not to mention, the cost of a rug is still lower than an entire room of carpet.

Do Consider What Kind of Rug Pad You Need

Finding the right pad for your area rug can help it stay in optimal positioning, give some added cushion in areas where needed (for example, in bedrooms), or even protect the flooring (especially when layering sisal over hardwoods). Determine your needs and plan your rug pad appropriately. It’s helpful to buy a slightly larger rug pad than your area rug and trim it down to size with scissors for the perfect fit.