Correct placement of floor rug underneath a dining table. — One of the most common issues I see as an interior designer is a room where the rug just doesn’t work because it’s too small. A poorly sized or misplaced rug can throw off the balance of a space, no matter how well everything else is styled. The good news? Often, the simplest fix is swapping in a larger rug and placing it correctly.
In this guide, I’ll share professional tips on choosing the right rug size and the best rug placement for your living room, dining room, bedroom, and hallway. Following these tips will help your rooms feel warm, cosy, and perfectly pulled together, while giving your home a polished, designer-finished look.

Rugs aren’t just decorative—they define spaces, anchor furniture, add texture, and make a room feel complete. With the right size and placement, you can instantly lift the style and comfort of your home.

Living Room floor Rug Size & Placement Tips

The living room is often the heart of the home, and the rug should anchor your furniture and create a cohesive feel.

Sizing

If in doubt, always go bigger! Depending upon the size of your space, For example, I would usually include from a 2000 x 3000 up to a 3000 x 4000 rug in a living room.

Placement:

Ideally, all of your furniture sits on the rug.
Another option is to have the rug just touching the furniture—sofa and chairs sit just on it, rather than fully on it. This works beautifully in smaller rooms or when you want a more airy feel.
Leave about 30–45cm of floor visible around the edges to keep the room balanced.
Centre the rug under your seating area to create a cohesive focal point.

Dining Room Rug Size & Placement Tips

Dining rugs need to allow for chairs to be pulled out without catching on the edge,

Sizing

Add about 500–700 mm to the length and width of each side of the table. For example, a 1800 x 900 mm table needs a rug at least 3000 x 2100 mm.

For round tables add 500 - 700 mm all around.

Placement:

Centre the rug under the table.
Make sure there’s enough space for chairs to move without leaving the rug.
Avoid rugs that go too close to walls or doors so the space remains comfortable to move through.
Round rugs work best with round tables.
For a refined look, consider having rectangular rugs re-bound to round off the corners.

Bedroom Rug Size & Placement Tips

Rugs in bedrooms soften the space and make it feel cosy and inviting.

Sizing

For a single bed that is pushed against a wall, a 150 x 215 cm rug will be perfect to have around half of the rug underneath. Make sure the end of the rug site slightly longer than the actual bed.

For two single beds in a kids or guest room, the best option is to use a runner, 90 x 150cm between the two beds (longer if there aren’t bedside tables between the beds). The rule of thumb is to allow a small overhang past the bottom of the bed.

For a queen bed a rug that extends around the sides and foot of the bed works well, ideally placed so it starts about one third down from the bedhead. A rug that is approximately 2000 x 3000 works well.

For a king bed a larger rug following the same principle works beautifully. Depending upon the overall floor space consider a 2000x 3500 rug size. The rug should sit at least two thirds under the bed, leaving about 600mm underfoot around the bed.

Placement:

Large rugs: Position under the bed so it extends beyond the sides and foot. Starting one third down from the bedhead keeps the visual balance and allows for floor space near the head of the bed.
Bedside rugs: Place one on either side of the bed so your feet land on soft flooring when alighting.

And yes, rugs on top of carpet is absolutely acceptable!

Hallway Size & Placement Tips

Hallway rugs (or runners as we call them) help define the space and soften what can often feel like a narrow, uninteresting walkway.

Sizing

Width: 700 - 900 mm is standard, leaving 100 - 200 mm of floor visible on either side.

Length: Stop about 200 - 300 mm short of each end of the hallway to avoid tripping hazards and allow doors to open freely.

Placement:

Centre the runner along the hallway.
Keep it flush with doors and walls so it looks intentional and neat.

Final Thoughts

Rugs are one of the easiest ways to make a home feel warm, inviting, cosy and complete. Choosing the right size and placement ensures your furniture feels anchored, spaces are defined, and your home feels both practical and styled.

Take the time to measure, visualise, and experiment with placement—you’ll be amazed at the difference the right rug can make. After all, a rug isn’t just a piece of décor—it’s the piece that pulls everything else together.