Choosing a rug is easy once you get the size right — and getting it wrong is the single most common mistake we see. A rug that’s too small makes a room feel disjointed and cramped; the right size pulls the whole space together. This guide gives you simple rules and exact centimeter sizes for every room, so you can shop with confidence.
The golden rule of rug size
Bigger is almost always better. As a rule of thumb, your rug should be large enough that the front legs of your furniture sit on it. A rug that floats in the middle of the floor, with all furniture off it, will make the room look smaller than it is. When in doubt, size up.
Living room rug size
Your living room rug should anchor the seating area. You have three good options:
- All legs on (best): a large rug (roughly 240 x 330 cm or bigger) with every piece of furniture sitting on it. Ideal for open-plan spaces.
- Front legs on (most popular): a 160 x 230 cm or 200 x 290 cm rug with just the front legs of the sofa and chairs on it. Balanced and budget-friendly.
- Coffee-table island (smallest): a 120 x 170 cm rug under the coffee table only. Works for small lounges, but keep furniture close.
Browse our living room rugs to see these sizes in real rooms.
Bedroom rug size
In the bedroom, you want soft rug underfoot when you get out of bed. Two approaches work:
- Under the bed: a large rug (200 x 290 cm for a queen, 240 x 330 cm for a king) placed two-thirds under the bed, leaving a generous border of rug on either side and at the foot.
- Beside the bed: two runners (around 80 x 300 cm) or small rugs on each side — a great option if you already love your flooring.
See our bedroom rugs for both looks.
Dining room rug size
The key here is simple: the rug must be big enough that the chairs stay on it even when pulled out. Measure your table and add at least 60 cm on every side. For most 6-seater tables that means a 200 x 290 cm rug; for an 8-seater, go to 240 x 330 cm. Browse dining room rugs.
Hallways, entrances & kitchens
Long, narrow spaces call for a runner. Leave roughly 10–20 cm of floor showing on each side and at both ends so the runner looks intentional rather than wall-to-wall. Common runner sizes are 80 x 300 cm and 80 x 400 cm. Explore runner rugs.
Round rugs
Round rugs soften square rooms and work beautifully under round tables or in reading nooks. Match the shape to a round feature in the room. Popular sizes are 150 cm and 200 cm diameter. See our round rugs.
Quick reference: rug size by room
| Room | Recommended size (cm) |
|---|---|
| Small lounge / apartment | 120 x 170 |
| Standard living room | 160 x 230 or 200 x 290 |
| Large / open-plan living room | 240 x 330+ |
| Queen bedroom | 200 x 290 |
| King bedroom | 240 x 330 |
| 6-seater dining | 200 x 290 |
| 8-seater dining | 240 x 330 |
| Hallway / kitchen | 80 x 300 (runner) |
How to measure your space in 3 steps
- Mark the area with masking tape on the floor where you want the rug to sit.
- Measure length and width of the taped area in centimeters.
- Match it to the closest size above — and if you’re between two sizes, choose the larger one.
Still not sure? We’ll help
Send us your room dimensions and a photo and we’ll recommend the perfect size — it’s a free service. Get in touch here, or start browsing our full range of rugs on sale. With free delivery on orders over R1 500 nationwide, finding the right rug has never been easier.