Step 1 — Measure your space

Use a measuring tape to mark out the area. The simplest trick: masking-tape the outline of your shortlisted rug size on the floor so you can see exactly how it'll feel in the room before buying.

Common rug sizes (cm)

Quick rules of thumb

• Lounge rooms: at least the front legs of all sofas should sit on the rug. Aim for 30 cm of rug visible around the furniture.
• Dining rooms: the rug should extend at least 60 cm beyond the table edge so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.
• Bedrooms: a rug under a bed should extend roughly 50–75 cm out either side and at the foot.
• Hallway runners: leave 10–15 cm of bare floor at each end.

For a deeper dive, our blog has a full rug size guide with photos and diagrams.