The right rug pulls a room together. The wrong size makes even a beautiful space feel off: a rug that is too small floats in the middle of the floor, while one that is too big swallows the room. Here are the sizes interior designers use, in centimetres, for every room in the house.
Common rug sizes in Australia
- Small: 60 x 90 cm, 90 x 150 cm (doorways, bathrooms, beside the bed)
- Medium: 120 x 170 cm, 150 x 210 cm (small lounges, bedrooms, studies)
- Large: 200 x 290 cm, 240 x 300 cm (lounge rooms, dining rooms)
- Hallway runners: 60 x 180 cm, 60 x 240 cm, 80 x 300 cm
- Round rugs: 120 cm, 150 cm, 180 cm diameter
What size rug for a lounge room?
Choose a rug that is wide enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and armchairs to sit on it. That connects the furniture into one zone. For a standard three-seater, that means 150 x 210 cm minimum; most lounges look best with 200 x 290 cm. In open-plan living areas, the rug can define the lounge from the kitchen and dining space.
Leave around 20–45 cm of bare floor between the rug and the walls.
What size rug under a dining table?
Measure your table and add 60 cm on every side. That way the chairs stay on the rug when you pull them out. A table for six (about 180 x 90 cm) needs roughly a 200 x 290 cm rug. Round tables look best on a round rug. A washable rug is a smart choice here because of food spills.
What size rug for a bedroom?
- Queen bed: 200 x 290 cm under the bottom two-thirds of the bed, or two runners along each side.
- King bed: 240 x 300 cm.
- Single or kids' bed: 120 x 170 cm beside the bed, or a 150 cm round rug.
Want something extra soft where your feet land first in the morning? A natural sheepskin rug beside the bed does the job.
Hallway runner sizes
Measure the length and width of your hallway. The runner should leave 10–15 cm of floor on each side and around 15–30 cm at each end. A 60 cm wide runner suits most Australian hallways (around 90–110 cm wide). For long hallways, choose 240 cm or longer instead of two short runners. Kitchens work with the same runner sizes in front of the bench.
Good picks: the Black Botanical Washable Runner and the Cream Botanical Palm Runner.
When to choose a round rug
Round rugs soften rooms full of straight lines. Use them under a round dining table, in a reading nook with an armchair, in an entryway or in a nursery. Make sure a round rug under a table is at least 120 cm wider than the tabletop.
Shop round options like the Green Scalloped Floral Rug or the Green Botanical Rug.
Quick tips before you buy
- Mark the size on the floor with painter's tape to see how it feels.
- When in doubt, go one size bigger.
- Use a non-slip rug or rug underlay on timber and tiles.
- In high-traffic areas, a low-pile washable rug lasts longer and is easier to clean.
Browse all sizes in our Washable Rugs collection, or read our washable rug guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common rug size?
150 x 210 cm (roughly 5 x 7 ft) is the most popular size for lounges and bedrooms in Australian homes.
Should a rug go under the sofa?
At least the front legs of the sofa should sit on the rug. In larger rooms, all furniture legs can sit on the rug.
How wide should a hallway runner be?
Most hallways suit a 60–80 cm wide runner, leaving 10–15 cm of floor visible on each side.