How to Calculate the Correct Sized Rug for Your Room

Square and Rectangular Rugs

• 1

  Place a piece of paper where one corner of a square or rectangular area rug will go on the floor. For example, if the rug goes in the dining room, place one piece of paper just past one corner of the dining table. Place one piece of paper at each other corner of the square or rectangular area where the rug will lay.

• 2

  Look at the area framed by the pieces of paper, and imagine the rug in that space. Move the paper pieces farther from each other or closer to each other to help you imagine what a larger or smaller area rug would look like in the space.

• 3

  Measure the length and width of the area you select for the rug with a tape measure. If the shape is a square, then measure only one side from paper to paper. The measurement is the size of rug you need for the room.

• 4

  Compare the measurement to pre-cut rug sizes available. Choose a rug that is closest in size to the measurement you took.

Oval Rugs

• 5

  Place the end of a roll of masking tape where the length of an oval rug will begin. Pull the tape along the floor until you reach the area where the rug will end. Tear the tape from the roll, and press the tape flat on the floor.

• 6

  Put a second piece of tape on the floor for the width of the rug. Afterward, the tape will form a cross shape on the floor. Examine the size to decide whether you want the rug smaller or bigger. Add or remove tape if necessary.

• 7

  Measure the two pieces of tape to determine the length and width of the oval rug.

• 8

  Compare the measurements to pre-cut oval area rug sizes available. Choose a rug that is closest to the measurements.

Round Rugs

• 9

  Place a the end of a roll of masking tape where the edge of a round rug will lay on the floor. Pull the tape until you reach the point where the opposite edge of the rug will end. Tear that length of tape from the roll, and press it against the floor.

• 10

  Measure the length of the tape on the floor. The measurement is the diameter of the round rug.

• 11

  Compare the diameter measurement with pre-cut round rugs that area available. Choose a rug that has the closest diameter size.