Best Way to Measure for an Area Rug

How do you go about measuring for the perfect area rug? Use the steps below to start choosing the perfect rug for your space.

1. Decide on the room & the location of the rug or rugs in that room.

Consider the usage of the room, heavy traffic areas, where and how you clean most often.  For instance, to bring a cozy feel to a living room, family or dining room you probably want your rug in the middle of the "action" so to speak. As a focal point in the room and to feel soft underfoot where your guests and family members are typically seated and spending the greatest amount of their time.  In large rooms or rooms with more than one main walkway or seating area, you may want to consider adding coordinating sets.  Sets with smaller pieces like runners or doormats look fantastic in high traffic areas, but are easy to move and clean under and even replace at a lower cost than replacing one large rug.  Don't forget the non-skid rug pad for those smaller rugs!

2. Figuring out the size of the rugs you need.

Once you know where you want to put your rugs in general, there are a few specifics to consider before you take your measurements.

Which furniture will sit on top of the rug?  Do you want your rug to go all the way under your couch, just have the front legs on the rug, or have the rug completely sit in front of it?  In a dining room or kitchen, you may want to pull your dining chairs out from the table a bit before you measure to make sure family and guests can slide the chairs in and out without having to go over the edges of the rug.  A dining chair that isn't all the way on the rug can wobble and also cause extra wear to the edges of the rug.  *PRO TIP*: Keep in mind that a room that is vacuumed often can benefit from having heavy furniture like a sofa or loveseat with at least the front legs holding down the edges of your rug on two sides.  This makes frequent vacuuming without the rug shifting around most convenient.

How much of the floor do you want to cover? In large and spacious open floor plans, larger rugs can help define spaces for their use and make them seem cozier.  However, in smaller rooms, getting a large rug that dominates the entire open area may actually make the room feel smaller.  Consider carefully the amount of bare floor you will be leaving in your room once the rugs and the furniture are both in place and strive to achieve a balance that is just right for your space.

Watch out for floor surface transitions.  Be sure to consider any changes in floor surface around doorways, hearths, and entryways.  Covering or partially covering a change in the flooring surface under your rug can cause your rug not to lay completely flat.  A rug that doesn't lay flat can incur extra wear and tear and even become a tripping hazard.

3. Take your measurements.

Go on now. Go get that tape measure and take the measurements of exactly where you want the rug to go.  If you are having trouble knowing what to measure, you can use painters tape to mark out the important edges and corners of the placement for your new rugs.  Keep in mind that the rugs won't be exactly what you measure to the inch, so you may want to give yourself a range for your desired size of up to a foot or so.  Keep in mind also that even within a given rug line, there can be variation of a couple inches in the dimensions.  It may help for you to know the most typical rug sizes.  Here at That Rug Place most of our rugs come in 2-4 approximate sizes:

2' by 3'

2' by 8'

5' by 7' OR 5' by 8'

8' by 10' OR 8' by 11'

4. HAVE FUN SHOPPING!

Now is the fun part. You have a better idea of what size rugs you want to order, which makes the task of choosing the perfect new rugs for you home less overwhelming and much more fun!  You can browse our great selection of rugs in many ways including style, color, and of course SIZE!  Take a look around and we look forward to shipping your new rugs to you very soon.

We hope these tips will help you find the perfect area rug you're searching for! If you have any questions on design or quality of rugs, just email us at contact@thatrugplace.com. We would love to help you find your next rug!