Introduction
Choosing the right rug size can make or break a room's design. Too small, and your space looks disjointed and awkward. Too large, and the rug overwhelms the room and gets hidden under furniture. The perfect size brings a room together, anchors your furniture, and creates visual harmony.
This comprehensive guide covers rug sizing for every room in your Australian home — with specific measurements, furniture placement tips, and pro styling advice from our team at Rug Queen.
The Golden Rule: When in Doubt, Go Bigger
Before we dive into room-specific guidance, here's the #1 rule of rug sizing:
If you're torn between two sizes, always choose the larger one.
A rug that's slightly too big looks intentional and luxurious. A rug that's slightly too small looks like a mistake — or like you bought the first one you found on sale.
Australian living spaces tend to be more open-plan than their UK or US counterparts, which makes proper rug sizing even more important for defining zones within larger areas.
Living Room Rug Sizes
The living room is where rug sizing matters most. It's the heart of your home and where your rug makes its biggest statement.
Standard Living Room Rug Sizes (Australia)
The Three Placement Options
1. All Legs On- All furniture legs sit completely on the rug
- Creates a cohesive, connected look
- Best for: Open-plan spaces, formal living rooms
- Rug size needed: Larger (typically 240 x 340cm or bigger)
- Front legs of sofas and chairs on the rug, back legs off
- Most popular choice for Australian homes
- Best for: Most living rooms, flexible furniture arrangements
- Rug size needed: Medium (200 x 290cm works for most setups)
- Furniture surrounds the rug without touching
- Works only with larger rugs
- Best for: Small accent rugs, entryways
- Caution: Can look disconnected if rug is too small
Living Room Rug Placement Tips
- Leave 30-45cm of floor visible between rug edge and walls
- The rug should extend at least 15cm beyond the edge of your sofa on each side
- For L-shaped sofas, the rug should accommodate the full chaise section
- Coffee tables should sit fully on the rug
Bedroom Rug Sizes
Bedroom rugs are all about that luxurious feel when your feet hit the floor each morning. The right rug transforms a bedroom from functional to sanctuary.
Standard Bedroom Rug Sizes
The Two Main Bedroom Layouts
Full Under-Bed Placement- Rug sits under the bed, extending 60-90cm on sides and foot
- Most luxurious look
- Anchors the bed as the room's focal point
- Bedside tables can sit on or off the rug
- Two matching runner rugs (80 x 200cm or similar) on each side
- Budget-friendly alternative
- Great for rooms with beautiful floorboards
- Easier to clean and rotate
Bedroom Rug Pro Tips
- For a cohesive look, the rug should extend at least 45cm beyond the bed on each side
- In master bedrooms, consider a large rug that accommodates bedside tables
- Light-coloured rugs make bedrooms feel larger and airier
- Low-pile rugs work better in bedrooms (easier to vacuum, less dust)
Dining Room Rug Sizes
The dining room has specific requirements: the rug must be large enough to accommodate chairs when pulled out, or you'll have guests tipping over every dinner.
The Critical Rule: Chair Clearance
Your dining rug needs to extend at least 60-75cm beyond the table edge on all sides.
This allows chairs to be pulled out and pushed back without catching on the rug edge.
Standard Dining Room Rug Sizes
Dining Room Material Considerations
Not all rug materials suit dining areas. Consider:
Best for Dining:- Flatweave/kilim rugs (crumbs don't hide, easy to vacuum)
- Indoor/outdoor rugs (stain-resistant, hose-cleanable)
- Low-pile wool (durable, naturally stain-resistant)
- High-pile shaggy rugs (food hides, hard to clean)
- Silk or delicate fibers (staining risk)
- Very light colours (unless you have no children or pets!)
Home Office Rug Sizes
The rise of remote work means home offices need proper attention. A rug anchors your workspace and adds warmth to what can otherwise be a sterile room.
Rug Sizing for Home Offices
Office Chair Considerations
- If using a wheeled office chair, add a chair mat on top of the rug
- Low-pile rugs work best (wheels roll more easily)
- The rug should extend 30-45cm beyond your chair's typical rolling range
- Consider a second smaller rug for a reading nook or meeting area
Entryway & Hallway Rug Sizes
First impressions matter. Your entryway rug sets the tone for your entire home.
Entryway (Foyer) Rugs
Hallway Runners
Hallway runners should be:
- Width: 60-90cm (leaving 10-15cm floor visible on each side)
- Length: Stop 30cm from each end of the hallway
- Multiple rugs: For long hallways, use matching runners with 15-30cm gaps
Outdoor Rug Sizes
Australian outdoor living demands rugs that can handle sun, rain, and bare feet carrying pool water.
Alfresco & Patio Rug Sizes
Outdoor Rug Materials
Look for:
- Polypropylene (the gold standard for outdoor rugs)
- Recycled PET (eco-friendly and durable)
- Jute/sisal blends (natural look, limited water exposure only)
Kids' Rooms & Playrooms
Children's spaces have unique requirements: the rug needs to be soft for play, durable for wear, and easy to clean for inevitable spills.
Playroom Rug Sizing
- Cover as much floor as possible for safe play
- Leave clearance around the walls for furniture
- Larger is better — kids need space to spread out
- Small playroom: 160 x 230cm
- Standard playroom: 200 x 290cm
- Large playroom/rumpus: 240 x 340cm
Kids' Bedroom Sizing
Same as adult bedrooms, but prioritise:
- Stain-resistant materials
- Washable rugs (machine-washable options up to 200 x 290cm)
- Non-slip backing for safety
Shape Selection Guide
Rug shape affects a room just as much as size.
Rectangular Rugs
- Best for: Most rooms, especially living and dining areas
- Works with: Standard furniture arrangements
Square Rugs
- Best for: Square rooms, under square dining tables
- Works with: Symmetrical layouts
Round Rugs
- Best for: Entryways, under round tables, breaking up angular rooms
- Works with: Curved furniture, circular traffic patterns
Oval Rugs
- Best for: Traditional spaces, under oval tables
- Works with: Long narrow rooms
Runner Rugs
- Best for: Hallways, beside beds, kitchens
- Works with: Linear spaces
Common Rug Sizing Mistakes
❌ Mistake 1: "It's just an accent piece"
Buying a tiny rug because it's "just decorative" leaves furniture floating and the room looking unfinished.❌ Mistake 2: Not measuring furniture
Forgetting to account for how furniture sits on the rug — especially dining chairs.❌ Mistake 3: Ignoring room shape
Square rugs in rectangular rooms (and vice versa) can look awkward.❌ Mistake 4: Forgetting about doors
Make sure your rug won't block doors opening or closing.❌ Mistake 5: Trusting "it'll shrink"
Rugs don't shrink to fit. Measure twice, buy once.How to Measure for a New Rug
Step 1: Clear the Floor
Remove existing rugs and small furniture to see the full space.Step 2: Tape the Outline
Use painter's tape to mark the corners of your ideal rug size. Live with it for a day or two.Step 3: Position Your Furniture
Arrange furniture as you want it, then check how it relates to your taped outline.Step 4: Adjust and Confirm
Move the tape if needed. Make sure chairs pull out, coffee tables fit, and walkways remain clear.Quick Reference: Standard Rug Sizes (Australia)
Ready to Find Your Perfect Rug?
Now that you know exactly what size you need, browse our collections:
- Living Room Rugs — From modern to traditional
- Bedroom Rugs — Soft, luxurious options
- Outdoor Rugs — Built for Australian weather
- All Rugs by Size — Filter by your exact dimensions
Published: February 2026 | Updated: February 2026 © 2026 Rug Queen. All rights reserved.
