Rug Size Guide
How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Your Living Room & Bedroom
Choosing the right rug size can completely transform a room. The correct rug anchors furniture, defines living areas and brings warmth, texture and balance to your home.
At Greenhaus, we help customers across Ballito, Durban and nationwide choose the perfect rugs for their spaces. Our curated collection of rugs is available online with delivery across South Africa, making it easy to find the perfect rug wherever you are.
This guide will help you understand standard rug sizes, rug placement and how to choose the right rug for your living room or bedroom.
Standard Rug Sizes
Most rugs are produced in a range of standard sizes designed to suit common furniture layouts.
Popular living room rug sizes
• 160 × 230 cm – Ideal for small lounges or coffee table placement
• 200 × 300 cm – One of the most popular living room rug sizes
• 240 × 340 cm – Perfect for larger seating areas
• 300 × 400 cm – Ideal for large open-plan living rooms
Popular bedroom rug sizes
• 160 × 230 cm – Works well with double beds or at the foot of a bed
• 200 × 300 cm – Suitable for queen beds
• 240 × 340 cm – Ideal for king beds or spacious bedrooms
Selecting the correct size ensures the rug feels intentional and integrated into the room design, rather than looking too small for the space.
Living Room Rug Size Guide
In living rooms, the rug should help connect the seating area and visually anchor the furniture.
All furniture on the rug
The most luxurious and balanced layout places all furniture legs on the rug, including sofas and armchairs.
Recommended sizes:
• 240 × 340 cm
• 300 × 400 cm
This layout works best in large living rooms or open-plan spaces.
Front legs on the rug
A very popular option is placing the front legs of sofas and chairs on the rug, with the back legs off.
Recommended sizes:
• 200 × 300 cm
• 240 × 340 cm
This creates a cohesive seating area without needing an oversized rug.
Coffee table only
For smaller spaces or apartments, a rug can sit just under the coffee table, defining the centre of the space.
Recommended size:
• 160 × 230 cm
Tip: Leave 30–40 cm of visible floor space around the rug edges to frame the room.
Bedroom Rug Size Guide
Bedroom rugs add warmth, softness and comfort underfoot while helping to visually frame the bed.
Rug under the bed
The most common layout places a large rug under the bed, extending beyond the sides and foot of the bed.
Recommended sizes:
Queen bed
• 200 × 300 cm
King bed
• 240 × 340 cm
Ideally the rug should extend 50–70 cm beyond the sides of the bed so you step onto the rug when getting out of bed.
Rug at the foot of the bed
Another stylish option is placing a rug across the bottom third of the bed.
Recommended size:
• 160 × 230 cm
Runners beside the bed
For a lighter look, place runners on either side of the bed.
Typical runner size:
• 80 × 250 cm
Dining Room Rug Size Guide
In dining spaces, the rug should be large enough that chairs remain on the rug even when pulled out.
A good rule is allowing 60–70 cm of rug beyond the table edges.
Recommended sizes:
• 200 × 300 cm – 6-seater dining table
• 240 × 340 cm – 8-seater dining table
• 300 × 400 cm – large dining tables
Custom Rugs Made to Fit Your Space
Not every room fits standard rug sizes. At Greenhaus, we offer flexible options to ensure your rug fits perfectly.
Cut-to-size rugs
Many of our natural fibre rugs such as sisal, jute and seagrass can be cut down to the exact size you need and professionally finished with a border.
This is ideal for:
• large open-plan living spaces
• awkward room layouts
• hallways and passages
• wall-to-wall rug installations
Custom made rugs
We also offer a select range of materials that can be made into fully custom rugs, allowing you to choose:
• the exact size
• material
• edging or border
• colour
This option works particularly well for interior design projects or large living areas where standard rug sizes may not suit the space.
Rug Size FAQ
What size rug should I choose for a living room?
The most common living room rug size is 200 × 300 cm, but larger spaces often benefit from 240 × 340 cm or 300 × 400 cm rugs so that the rug sits under the furniture.
Should a rug go under a sofa?
Yes. Ideally the front legs of sofas and chairs should sit on the rug. This visually anchors the seating area and creates a cohesive layout.
What size rug is best for a queen bed?
For a queen bed, a 200 × 300 cm rug works best when placed under the bed and extending outwards on both sides.
What size rug works for a king bed?
A 240 × 340 cm rug is ideal for king beds as it provides enough coverage around the bed.
Can rugs be made to custom sizes?
Yes. At Greenhaus, many of our natural fibre rugs such as sisal, jute and seagrass can be cut to size and professionally edged. We also offer select materials that can be made into fully custom rugs to fit your space perfectly.
Do you ship rugs across South Africa?
Yes. Greenhaus ships rugs nationwide across South Africa, allowing you to shop our curated rug collection online and have it delivered directly to your home.
Shop Rugs at Greenhaus
Discover our curated collection of designer rugs, wool rugs, natural fibre rugs and modern area rugs available in a variety of sizes and textures.
You can shop rugs online with nationwide delivery across South Africa, or visit our Greenhaus showroom in Ballito to explore the collection in person.
Whether you are styling a living room, bedroom or dining space, our team can help you find the perfect rug for your home.