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What Size Rug Do I Need? A Room-by-Room Moroccan Rug Size Guide

On By Berber Wool Rug
Ivory and indigo Beni Ourain rug in a living room with a cream sofa and rattan chair

Most people who are unhappy with a rug bought one that is too small. The right size depends less on the room and more on the furniture that will sit on it. This guide gives simple rules for each room, a size chart in feet and centimetres, and a quick way to check before you order.

Three rules that work in any room

  • If you are between two sizes, go larger. A generous rug makes a room feel bigger. A small one makes furniture look as if it is floating.
  • Connect the furniture. The rug should sit under, or at least touch, every main piece in the group.
  • Leave a border of floor. Aim for roughly 8 to 17 inches (20 to 45 cm) of visible floor between the rug and the walls.

Living room

At a minimum, the front legs of the sofa and of each armchair should rest on the rug. For a fuller look, choose a rug large enough to hold the whole seating group, with all legs on.

Ivory and grey Beni Ourain rug under a brown sofa and black coffee table in a living room
A living room rug sized so the seating rests on it.
  • Small living room or apartment: 5'×8' with a two-seat sofa.
  • Medium living room: 6'×9' with a three-seat sofa and one or two chairs.
  • Large living room: 8'×10' or 9'×12', with all furniture legs on the rug.
  • Open-plan space: 10'×14' or larger, to mark out the seating area.

Browse living room rugs.

Bedroom

Place the rug under the lower two-thirds of the bed so that it extends past the sides and the foot. You want 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) of rug showing on each side, enough to step onto when you get up.

Charcoal and ivory Beni Ourain rug at the foot of a bed in a minimalist bedroom
A Beni Ourain rug at the foot of the bed.
  • Twin or single bed: 4'×6' or 5'×8'.
  • Queen bed: 6'×9', or 8'×10' for a more generous look.
  • King bed: 8'×10' or 9'×12'.

For a lighter look, use a runner along each side of the bed instead. Browse bedroom rugs.

Dining room

The rule here is practical. Chairs should stay on the rug when they are pulled out. Add 24 to 30 inches (60 to 75 cm) to every side of the tabletop.

Terracotta and ivory Beni Ourain rug under a wooden dining table with woven chairs
A dining rug that extends beyond the table on every side.
  • Table for 4: 6'×9'. A compact table can work on 5'×8'.
  • Table for 6: 8'×10'.
  • Table for 8: 9'×12'.
  • Round table: a square 8'×8' rug works well.

Browse dining room rugs.

Hallway and entryway

A runner should leave 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of floor showing on both sides, and should stop short of doorways so doors open freely. In an entryway, a 2'×3' or 3'×5' rug is usually enough. Runner lengths vary a lot from home to home, so this is where a custom size is most useful. Browse Moroccan runner rugs.

Long hallway with light wood floor and a fringed Moroccan runner rug
A runner with floor showing on both sides.

Home office, nursery and kitchen

  • Home office: The rug should be big enough that the chair stays on it when you roll back. A 5'×8' or 6'×9' suits most desks.
  • Nursery: A 4'×6' or 5'×8' gives a soft play area in the middle of the room.
  • Kitchen: A 2'×3' at the sink, or a runner between counters.

Size chart: feet to centimetres

Feet Centimetres Works well for
2' × 3' 60 × 90 cm Doorways, kitchen sink, bedside
3' × 5' 90 × 150 cm Entryways, bedside, reading corners
4' × 6' 120 × 180 cm Small bedrooms, offices, nurseries
5' × 8' 150 × 240 cm Apartment living rooms, compact dining
6' × 9' 180 × 270 cm Medium living rooms, queen bedrooms
8' × 8' 240 × 240 cm Square rooms, round dining tables
8' × 10' 240 × 300 cm Large living rooms, king bedrooms, dining for 6
8' × 11' 240 × 330 cm Longer living rooms
9' × 12' 270 × 360 cm Open living spaces, dining for 8
10' × 14' 300 × 420 cm Grand rooms, oversized seating groups
12' × 15' 360 × 450 cm Very large and open-plan rooms
12' × 18' 360 × 540 cm Lofts, great rooms, hospitality spaces

Handmade rugs are measured, knotted, trimmed and washed by hand, so finished dimensions can vary slightly.

How to check before you order

  1. Mark the outline of the rug on the floor with painter's tape.
  2. Check that doors, cabinets and vents can open over the rug and a rug pad.
  3. Live with the outline for a day and see how the furniture sits on it.
  4. Take a photo. If you are still unsure, send it to us with your room dimensions.

When a standard size does not fit

A quick formula for a custom rug is room width minus 2 feet by room length minus 2 feet. That leaves about a foot of floor on every side. In a larger room, 18 to 24 inches often looks more balanced.

Because our rugs are woven to order, we can make exact dimensions. You can request a custom rug, see our full size guide page, or send us your room measurements for a personal recommendation.

Not sure which style to choose once you know the size? Read Beni Ourain vs Mrirt rugs.

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