How to Determine How Big My Area Rug Should Be

Measure the length and width of your room using the tape measure. Subtract two feet from the shortest room measurement. For example, if your room measured eight feet by nine feet, subtract two from eight for a measurement of six feet. This figure represents the maximum measurement of any area rug purchased for the room.

Situate furniture around the area rug or completely on top of the area rug. Generally, you don't want any furniture half on and half off of the area rug. If you are placing a table and chairs on top of the area rug, let the area rug extend approximately two feet past the edge of any chairs. This will allow you to back up a chair without falling off the rug.

Tie the area rug in with the decor in the entire room and have it fit the theme of the room. Picture how the area rug will look in the room. Imagine how the room would look with multiple area rugs, a bigger rug, or a smaller rug than indicated by the measurements.