Buying an area rug that's too small for the room is a common mistake. The right size rug is more impactful, it helps make the space look larger and acts as an anchor to unify elements in a room. Here are more general area rug dos and don'ts when it comes to selecting the right size:

• Fit all four legs of major pieces of furniture on the rug. If that's not possible, make sure at least the front two legs are sitting on the area rug.
• Think about shape as well as size. For example, a round rug underneath a round table makes the space appear more cohesive.
• Allow for equal floor space clearance on all sides of the rug, typically between 6 to 24 inches beyond the furniture.
• Keep at least 10 to 24 inches of rug clearance from the edge of the carpet to the walls to create a more balanced border.
• Mark possible rug measurements with painter's tape on the floor to help you better visualize how a certain size area rug will look and function in the room.

• Living Room

• Your furniture layout will dictate how to choose an area rug for your living room. The legs of your seating should ideally sit on the area rug. In a limited space, you might just have the coffee table sitting on an area rug. Below are standard living room rug sizes and details of where to use them.

  10 x 14-Foot Rug

  This size is a statement-making area rug which is ideal for a large living room. This size rug allows you to unify the seating area and put all four legs of the furniture pieces on the rug. You will still have a generous amount of rug around the edges of the furniture. This is also a good size for a 9 x 11-foot or 10 x 10-foot sectional sofa. Try maintaining a wide border of about 4 to 12 inches between the rug and the wall on all sides.

  9 x 12-Foot Rug

  This medium-sized area rug anchors the living room's seating area but you may just be able to put the two front legs of each piece on the rug. An 8 x 10-foot rug also works in this scenario.

  6 x 9-Foot Rug

  In a smaller living room, opt for a compact rug that floats in the center of your seating arrangement or sits underneath just the coffee table. A centered and intentional floor covering adds warmth, cohesion, and a focal point. A 5 x 7-foot rug also works for this purpose. This size area rug works for a 6 x 8-foot sectional sofa but the couch will not sit on the rug at all.

• Dining Room

• There's a rule of thumb when choosing a rug size for your dining room. Select a size so your table and chairs sit completely on the rug but still have at least 8 inches of rug around the edges of the dining set. Ideally, the chairs should still sit on the area rug when you pull them out. Consider these sizes:
  

  Tip

  If you have an expandable dining table, measure for an area rug with the leaf in so you can make sure the dining set sits comfortably on the rug when the table is extended.

  9 x 12-Foot Rug

  If you have a large dining room, a 9 x 12-foot or a 10 x 14-foot area rug can fit under a table seating eight or more people. An 8 x 10-foot area rug fits well under a table that seats six people.

  8 x 8-Foot Rug

  Select an 8 x 8-foot or 6 x 6-foot rug for a round or square dining table. When measuring, remember to add a few feet to allow chairs to remain on the rug when they are pulled out from the table.

  6 x 9-Foot Rug

  Choose a 6 x 9-foot or 5 x 8-foot rug for a table that seats four people. The table may be round but these sizes ensure the chair legs comfortably fit on the rug.

• Bedroom

• The rug size you choose for your bedroom largely depends on the size of your bed and if you have nightstands flanking the bed. Most of the bed and at least the two front legs of the nightstands should sit on an area rug. Here are some tips:

  10 x 14-Foot Rug

  This is a good-sized rug to fit under a king-sized bed and the nightstands beside it. A large size like this will give your bedroom a grand, luxurious appearance. The rug should extend from the sides and foot of the bed by at least 18 inches.

  9 x 12-Foot Rug

  A 9 x 12-foot area rug is often an ideal size that fits under a queen-sized bed. It can also work under a king-sized bed if you leave the back legs of the bed and nightstands off the rug. Make sure your area rug extends from the side and foot of the bed by at least 18 inches.

  8 x 10-Foot Rug

  A queen-sized bed will also fit comfortably on an 8 x 10-foot rug though you may only be able to have the front legs of nightstands on the rug. This size rug works in a room with two twin-sized beds and a single nightstand in the middle. You should have 12 inches of rug extending from the sides of the beds.

  2 x 9-Foot Runner

  Put down a runner at the bottom or sides of a queen bed or two single beds.