Rishabh Khosla 28th April, 2021

How to Pick the Right Rug: Size, Shape & Colour for Every Room

Choosing a rug is one of the most impactful decisions in a room — it anchors furniture, adds warmth and pulls a colour story together. Here are answers to the questions we hear most often, to help you find the right rug for every room in your home.

Picking the right rug can be tricky if there are many sizes and varieties to choose from: floral rugs, botanical rugs, geometric rugs, and narrative rugs, in woven and printed techniques.

Let us help you with some of the most commonly asked questions when picking the right area rug or floor carpet for your space. These are real questions submitted by home enthusiasts like you on our Instagram (Follow us! @freedomtreehome)

How to choose the right rug size for your living room?

ANSWER:

Measure the seating area in front of your sofas and chairs. A good rule: choose an area rug large enough to fit all legs of your sofa on it, or at minimum the front two legs. This anchors the seating and makes the room feel intentional.

1. With all the sofa legs on the rug
2. Front legs of the furniture on the rug
3. All legs of the furniture off the rug

Which rug shape works best for each space?

ANSWER:

2 × 3 ft — Small: Entryways, alcoves or at a room entrance.
2.5 × 4 ft — Medium: A pop of colour for a small seating group or reading nook.
3 × 5 ft — Standard: Living rooms, kids' rooms, below a dining table.
4 × 6 ft — Large: Large living rooms or open-plan spaces.
5 X 8 FT - Larger Area Rugs: Furniture can also be placed entirely or along the edge of these rugs to tie the look together.

How to decide on a rug size?

ANSWER:

As a general rule, tuck the rug just under the front legs of your longest sofa. The rug should ideally extend 1–2 feet beyond the sofa on each side. When in doubt, go one size larger — a rug that's too small makes a room feel unfinished.

Typically you would consider rugs from 4x6 to 5x8 feet. And in the case of a slightly larger setting, even an 8 x 10 feet. 

What rug works well with wooden furniture?

ANSWER:

With wooden furniture, you have three good directions: natural beiges and warm neutrals that complement the wood tone; earthy botanical prints that bring in a touch of nature; or a pop of colour — try pastels, a terracotta, teal or mustard — that lifts the whole room. Browse our colourful rugs and woven rugs for inspiration.

What's the best rug for a kids' room?

ANSWER:

Go for a size that gives them room to sprawl and play — a 3 × 5 ft rug is ideal if you have the space. For design, choose something bold and graphic that can handle wear. Geometric prints and playful motifs work well and are easy to spot-clean.

How to pick a rug for next to the bed?

ANSWER:

Two approaches work well beside a bed: a runner (typically 2.5 × 4.5 ft) placed along the side of the bed, or a larger area rug centred under the bed with 1–2 feet extending on each side. The second option creates a more grounded, hotel-like feel.

How to choose a rug colour — especially in an Indian home?

ANSWER:

In an Indian home, don't shy away from colour — warm ochres, terracottas and turmeric tones complement the natural light and earthy tones common in Indian interiors beautifully. Our printed rugs in these shades also age gracefully and hide wear well.