How to Measure for an Area Rug Around My Couch and Loveseat? Complete Guide

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
12 min read

Generally speaking, rugs come in four sizes. These are six by nine feet, eight by ten feet, nine by 12 feet, and ten by 14 feet in length.. I’m not sure how to go about measuring an area rug to go around my couch and loveseat.

A minimum of 6 to 8 inches should separate your rug from the floor on all sides. Every large piece of furniture should have at least two legs resting on the carpet at all times.

You want your carpet to extend 12-18 inches beyond both the furniture’s edges. However, using a rug that is too small, according to interior design professionals, is the biggest no-no. Even in a large, open room, a well-chosen rug can make or break the overall look.

Before you start your shopping, you’ll need two things. Tips on how to choose the right rug size and where to place your rug. When you have obtained rug dimensions, it will be much easier to select a rug style and color.

How to Measure for an Area Rug Around My Couch and Loveseat?

Follow these steps to see how an area rug might look in a room. Using masking tape, draw a line on the floor. Once you have established the space’s layout and routes, leave at least 18 inches of the base vacant.

If the space is limited, keep items 8 inches apart. Consider allowing yourself a 2-inch margin of error when selecting a rug’s dimensions. Don’t wait until you’ve got your tape in place before taking your measurements.

How to Arrange Furniture Around an Area Rug | Mohawk Home

You can use the table above to help you choose from the normal rug sizes listed in the chart. The size of your living room’s seating area should serve as a guide for the size of your area rug. Your rug should be at least a foot wider on either side of your sofa to avoid looking awkward.

Make sure the rug matches the shape of the room. A couch or table against the wall, for example, can be particularly difficult to fit into smaller spaces. Visual flow creates a sense of space, making the room appear larger.

When you pick a large-area rug that can accommodate all of your furniture, your space will look more coherent. The sofa and chairs should be separated by at least a few inches on a carpeted floor. The outcome is that seating areas can be arranged and a sense of distinction can be created.

A large rug isn’t necessary to achieve a uniform look. However small your living room may be, it can help you maintain a unified seating space. In other words, your rug should be the same size as the surface you’ll be sitting on when you sit.

This helps to define the concept of space. Keep at least 18-24 inches of the floor visible beyond the rug’s borders. Allowing for simple movement and defining the living room’s size are the primary goals of a stairway.

The rug should be placed such that it runs parallel to the longest wall or piece of furniture on the floor. If you have a small living room or a limited budget, go with a five- or six-foot-long area rug. Generally speaking, the rug should be placed immediately in front of the legs of your furniture.

To ensure plenty of legroom, place a big rug 12-24 inches from the table’s edge and the chairs’ backs. A huge rug can be used in a large living room. In your living area, a rug can help to establish a sense of belonging because it serves as an anchor.

Just a few inches in from the rug’s outside perimeters should be the distance between your furniture’s front legs and it. An open-concept living room or basement works well with this rug arrangement. Large area rugs are favored by interior designers because they make a room feel cozier and more united, making them a popular choice for homeowners.

Some extra inches of room are needed beyond your current furnishings. It allows you to place an ottoman or coffee table in front of it, for example. Make sure that the rug is big enough to fit all of your furniture before you buy it.

How to Measure and Place an Area Rug

With the proper rug, you can transform a room and bring it all together, especially in an open space. It’s important to know two things before you start shopping: how to pick the proper rug size, and where to put your rug when you get home. It will be easier to sort through Rug Styles and Colors if you take rug measurements first.

To get an idea of how an area rug will look in your room, follow these steps:

  1. Use masking tape to draw a line across the floor.
  2. In order to frame the room’s layout and establish walkways, keep at least 18 inches of bare floor around the perimeter.
  3. If the room is smaller, leave 8 inches of space.
  4. To ensure that you don’t end up with the wrong rug size, give yourself a 2-inch margin of error.
  5. Make a note of the dimensions after you’ve positioned the tape exactly where you want it. You can use this information to narrow down your search for a rug to one of the regular sizes shown in the table above.

Things to Consider When Buying and Placing a Rug

There are several considerations to make when determining where and how to place your rug. Among them:

Size of the Rug

Larger rooms necessitate a larger rug. In order to establish a path for the rug to follow, you should allow about 18 inches of space between it and the wall. It also prevents your rug from seeming out of proportion in the space. Before purchasing a rug, you should always measure the dimensions of your room to guarantee that the rug will both fit the space and achieve the desired style.

The Shape of the Rug

Among modern, nylon carpets, there are a broad diversity of shapes. This allows you to pick the appropriate accent piece for your room. For large or medium-sized spaces, rectangular shapes are unrivaled when it comes to design. However, circular and asymmetrical carpets add a unique charm and character to a space.

Rugs in the shape of a circle work well in tiny spaces, such as dining rooms. In addition, they function well with round eating tables as well as in the workplace.

How To Choose The Right Rug Size For Your Living Room - 5 Formulas Guaranteed to Work (+ 36 Shoppable Picks) - Emily Henderson

Rug Style

Your new rug’s style will be determined by the rest of your decor. It’s not a good idea to use an oriental rug in a contemporary setting. And a bright, contemporary rug is out of place in a more traditional-looking home. In order to select the right rug for your home, you must first decide on an overall design style. You’ll be able to get the ideal rug for your room this way.

Foot Traffic and Your Rug

Even though we frequently overlook this when selecting a rug, it is important to consider how much foot traffic the rug will have to deal with. Rugs for entryways and hallways should be durable enough to handle heavy foot traffic. As a result, a nylon rug may be a better option because they are less expensive and easier to replace than an antique or wool rug.

There are some differences between a rug for a child’s room and one that is appropriate for an adult’s room. Wool rugs have a soft, cushioned feel underfoot, making them ideal for rooms where people are less inclined to wander around or wear shoes.

Before deciding on a rug and a rug fiber, think about how the room will be utilized.

Should My Area Rug Go Under My Couch?

Kylie M. adheres to a basic rule that area rugs should be large enough to be supported by two pieces of furniture. With a sectional, this is a cinch because there is usually a coffee table involved. However, keep in mind that this is simply a general guideline, and we’ve provided additional information below.

Going Large With The Rug Beneath Your Sectional Sofa

As long as your sectional sofa and coffee table count as two pieces of furniture, then this rug is in compliance with the two pieces of furniture guideline. There are many advantages to this piece, including the fact that it provides a visual square and a warm area to relax.

Defining Your Sectional Space With Your Area Rug

It achieves the same aesthetic effect as our larger rug, but it’s much more manageable. With the sectional and the coffee table, it accentuates the space produced by the ‘L-shaped’ interior of the sofas. In this case, the rug is a little smaller than our previous example, but it still manages to create the same comfortable atmosphere.

What Size Rug Do You Put Under A Sectional?

When it comes to choosing the right rug size, there are no hard and fast rules. A home’s décor should reflect your unique personality, but there are rules and tips to follow. Large and little rugs can both look out of place in the same room, but there are methods to get around this problem. Below, you’ll find a variety of samples.

Asymmetrical Placement Of An Area Rug Below A Small Sectional

With a smaller rug, this space is able to make great use of smaller furniture items. The striking geometric pattern is intended to look like a work of art on your floor, so it is installed accordingly. When the sectional is flipped around, the short side stretches below the long side, directing the viewer’s attention toward where they’re sitting. The small coffee table at the perimeter of the room creates a harmonious equilibrium despite the room’s seeming imbalance.

Filling The Room With A Centered Rug

To get the most out of your sectional, measure the space it takes up in your home. Then, look for a rug that will fit perfectly in the surrounding environment. A neutral gray area rug serves as a grounding element in this peaceful rose and pink bedroom.

Center Your Coffee Table Within The Framework Of Your Sofa

Consider both filling the area inside the ‘L’ of your sectional and correctly centering your coffee table when choosing a rug size. The glass and aluminum coffee table has a smooth landing on a vivid white shag carpet in this bright environment. They enhance the seating area provided by the sectional sofa in a subtle but effective way. The contrast between the white textured carpeting and the bright burst of color is stunning.

Going Diagonal With Your Sectional Sofa Rug

There is no rule that says a rectangle must be placed next to another rectangle. That’s not a big deal. You can clearly see where each sectional sofa component meets in this wonderful shot below, thanks in part to this carpeting. The diagonally arranged carpet is covered by a swath of additional huge ottomans, creating a sprawling seating space. The rug’s diamond design adds visual interest to the chosen location.

Safari Rugs - Safavieh.com

Round Rugs and Sectional Sofas

It’s depressing to see so many rectangles. A spherical rug is what you’re looking for. You may recall that we claimed there are no restrictions when it comes to rug placement and selection. Shapes are no exception to this rule. A round rug under a round coffee table adds playfulness to the space and completes the look flawlessly. They also help to break up the straight lines of your sectional sofa and create a contrast to it. The spherical rug is surrounded on the other side by ottomans, creating a focal point for the design plan.

Here’s a great guide to choose the correct rug shape for you if you want additional information on different rug shapes and sizes.

Now that you’ve read everything, you should feel more confident and inspired about where to put your rug and sectional. Keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules, but you do want the area to seem balanced. A rug that is somewhere in the middle of those two extremes will do just well.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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