What size rug should you choose for a living room, dining room or bedroom?

Rug formats are not standardised, but manufacturers converge on around ten sizes. The table below lists the most common formats among the 1,895 rugs in The Cool Republic catalogue in September 2026, with the use each corresponds to.

Rug size: standard formats

The 200 x 300 cm is by far the most common format (286 references): it's the living room rug in front of a 3-seater sofa, or the bedroom rug under a 160 cm bed. The 170 x 240 cm (174 references) and the 160 x 230 cm (86) are the formats for a medium living room with a 2-seater or a small 3-seater. The 140 x 200 cm (80) dresses an entrance, a reading nook or the foot of a bed. Above that, the 250 x 350 cm (31) and the 300 x 400 cm (14) are the formats for large open-plan living rooms and corner sofas. Round rugs focus on four diameters: 120, 150, 200 and 250 cm.

Rug dimensions: how to read 160x230 or 200x300

The first dimension is the width, the second the length, in the direction of weaving; a 160 x 230 cm rug is therefore 1.60 m by 2.30 m and covers 3.7 m². Some product sheets reverse the order (230 x 160): it's the same rug. A round rug is designated by its diameter, an oval by its two axes.

All formats can be found in the rugs collection, and large wool formats in the wool rugs.

Living room rug size: the front feet rule

The rule is shared by all manufacturers: the two front feet of the sofa and armchairs rest on the rug, and the rug extends 20 to 30 cm beyond each armrest. In practical terms, a 2-seater measuring 150 to 180 cm calls for a 160 × 230 or 170 × 240 cm rug; a 3-seater measuring 200 to 240 cm requires a 200 × 300 cm rug; beyond that, a 250 × 350 cm rug. Place the long side parallel to the sofa, and leave 30 to 45 cm between the edge of the rug and the walls so the floor can breathe (a benchmark used by interior designers).

Living room rug dimensions with a corner sofa

A corner sofa measuring 250 to 350 cm is handled in two stages: the rug sits under the front feet of the long side and under those of the return, and its length covers at least two-thirds of each side. For a 300 × 200 cm corner sofa, this means a 250 × 350 cm rug positioned along the long side, with the coffee table in the centre. A smaller rug, 200 × 300 cm, only works if it slides entirely under the inner corner, never if it stops halfway along the chaise section.

Small living room: which rug to make the space feel larger

Counter-intuitive but proven: in a 12 to 15 m² living room, a rug that is too small (120 × 170 cm in front of an 180 cm sofa) breaks up the floor and makes the room feel smaller. Choose the size that fits under the front feet of the sofa—in this case a 160 × 230 cm—in a light, solid colour or fine pattern, with a low pile so the coffee table doesn't wobble. Light-coloured, short-pile rugs are gathered in the beige rugs.

Under a table, the rug must stay under the chair legs even when pulled back, otherwise the rear legs catch the edge at every meal. A chair pulls back 50 to 60 cm when you stand up: therefore add 60 to 70 cm to the tabletop on each side (rule of thumb from rug manufacturers). A 120 x 80 cm table for 4 guests requires a rug of at least 240 x 200 cm, a 160 x 90 cm table for 6 guests requires a 300 x 200 cm, and a 200 x 100 cm table for 8 guests requires a 350 x 250 cm. Choose a flat, low-pile weave (kilim, dhurrie, woven jute): chairs slide without catching, crumbs are picked up with the vacuum cleaner, and the rug does not retain odours. Table size details are in the dining table guide.

Which rug for a round table

A round table calls for a round rug, with a diameter of the table plus 120 to 140 cm: Ø 240 to 250 cm under a Ø 110 to 120 cm table (4 to 6 guests), Ø 300 cm under a Ø 150 cm table. A square rug of 240 x 240 cm works just as well and is easier to find. Diameters from 200 to 250 cm are in the round rugs.

In a bedroom, a rug is used to keep feet warm when getting out of bed. There are two ways to do this. The first: a large rug slipped two-thirds under the bed, extending 60 to 70 cm on both sides and at the foot, with bedside tables outside the rug. The second: two bedside runners measuring 70 x 140 or 80 x 200 cm on each side, more economical and easier to wash.

What size rug under a 160x200 bed

A 160 x 200 cm bed, whose frame actually measures 165 to 185 cm wide, takes a 200 x 300 cm rug laid widthways: the 300 cm length extends 60 to 70 cm on each side of the bed, and the 200 cm width covers the foot of the bed and two-thirds of the base. With a 140 cm bed, the same 200 x 300 cm extends 80 cm and gives a more enveloping effect; a 170 x 240 cm is sufficient if the bedroom is small.

What size rug for a 180x200 bed

A 180 cm bed, whose frame often approaches 190 to 200 cm, requires a 250 x 350 cm to achieve a 70 cm overhang, or alternatively a 200 x 300 cm laid widthways with 55 cm on each side. In a bedroom, opt for wool or cotton, soft underfoot, and a washable rug if young children sleep there. Washable cotton rugs are in the machine-washable rugs, and the bed size guide gives the actual footprint of each frame.

The round rug

A round shape breaks up the straight lines of a room and works beneath round furniture: a round coffee table (Ø 120 to 150 cm), a round dining table (Ø 200 to 250 cm), a reading nook with an armchair (Ø 150 cm). In a rectangular living room, a round rug in front of a 3-seater sofa quickly looks out of place: reserve it for a 2-seater sofa or a square space. See the round rugs.

The rectangular rug

This is the shape that works with a sofa, bed or rectangular table, and the one that offers the most formats. Always lay the long side parallel to the main piece of furniture. See the wool rugs.

Hallway and entrance

In a hallway, leave 10 to 15 cm of visible floor on each side and stop the rug 20 cm before doors: a 100 cm wide hallway takes a 70 to 80 cm rug, in 200, 250 or 300 cm length depending on the distance to cover. In an entrance, a 70 x 140 or 80 x 150 cm rug in jute, cotton or synthetic fibre withstands wet shoes. See the jute rugs.

Wool

The reference fibre for the living room and bedroom: elastic, it bounces back after furniture has been moved over it, traps little dust and resists stains naturally thanks to its lanolin. A hand-knotted or hand-tufted wool rug lasts twenty years. See the wool rugs.

Jute

A woven plant fibre with a drier feel than wool, in natural tones from beige to brown. Jute is suitable for hallways, dining rooms and living rooms with little exposure to water: it is sensitive to moisture and should be dry-cleaned. See the jute rugs.

Cotton and machine-washable rugs

Soft, lightweight and often reversible, cotton is machine-washable in sizes up to 170 x 240 cm (Lorena Canals): it's the choice for children's bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. See the cotton rugs and the machine-washable rugs.

Berber rugs

Woven from long-pile sheep's wool with geometric patterns on an off-white background, the Berber brings warmth to the living room and bedroom. It requires a vacuum cleaner without a rotating brush and hand washing. See the Berber rugs.

Kilim

Flat weave without pile, most often in wool, lightweight and reversible: it's the ideal rug under a dining table, in a hallway or on period flooring that you want to leave visible. It slips more than a pile rug: a non-slip underlay is essential. See the kilim rugs.

Outdoor rugs

Woven from polyester or recycled polypropylene, it withstands rain and UV rays and can be hosed down. Same sizing rules as indoors: the front feet of the garden lounge on the rug, or the garden table plus 60 cm on each side. See the outdoor rugs.

Nanimarquina (Barcelona) publishes hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs in Afghan wool or jute, designed by designers, as well as an outdoor range in recycled PET: the Tones and Ceras kilims are available in 170 x 240, 200 x 300 and 250 x 350 cm. See the Nanimarquina rugs.

Ferm Living (Denmark) covers all materials, Athens jute, Kompliment wool and cotton, Stille tufted cotton, in consistent formats from 140 x 200 to 200 x 300 cm and round from 120 to 240 cm. See the Ferm Living rugs.

Edito (France) offers rugs in New Zealand wool labelled Care and Fair, jutes and vinyls for the kitchen; formats 120 x 170, 160 x 230 and 200 x 290 cm. See the Edito rugs.

Layered (Sweden) focuses on large rugs in tufted or woven wool in muted colours, in 180 x 270, 200 x 300 and 250 x 350 cm. See the Layered rugs.

Lorena Canals (Spain) is the reference for machine-washable cotton and wool rugs, from 120 x 180 to 200 x 300 cm, for children's bedrooms and living areas. See the brand Lorena Canals.

Around them, HAY and Muuto for graphic kilims, Them for Berber rugs, Woud and Design House Stockholm for Scandinavian wool, Bolia for outdoor.

An 18 m² living room with a 225 cm three-seater sofa and two armchairs

The sofa is against the wall, the armchairs opposite at 2.20 m. A 200 x 300 cm rug laid with the long side parallel to the sofa: the front feet of the sofa and those of the armchairs are on the rug, the coffee table in the centre, 40 cm of flooring remain visible along the walls. In short-pile wool so that the coffee table is stable: the Kompliment by Ferm Living or the grey mottled Berber by Them.

A dining room with a 180 x 90 cm table

Six chairs that move back 60 cm: the rug must be at least 300 x 210 cm. A 200 x 300 cm is tight on the width; a 250 x 350 cm leaves margin. Flat weave essential: the Tones kilim by Nanimarquina or the Athens in jute by Ferm Living, with a non-slip underlay.

A 12 m² bedroom with a 160 x 200 cm bed

The bed is centred on the back wall, with two bedside tables. A 200 x 300 cm slipped crossways under the bed, with 200 cm under the bed base and 100 cm extending beyond the foot, leaves 70 cm on each side to place your feet. If the bedroom is for a child, the washable cotton Air Natural by Lorena Canals in 170 x 240 cm is more practical.

A rug lasts twenty years with four simple steps. Hoover once a week without a rotating brush on wool, Berber and long pile, which pull out. Rotate the rug 180° every six months to distribute wear and sun exposure evenly. Blot a fresh stain without rubbing, using a clean cloth, then lukewarm water and a little neutral soap; on wool, never use hot water or alkaline detergent. Place a non-slip underlay beneath kilims, jute rugs and all rugs less than 1 cm thick: it prevents slipping and protects the floor.

Cotton can be machine-washed at 30 °C according to the label, laid flat to dry. Wool and jute should be entrusted to a professional every three to five years. An outdoor rug can be hosed down and dried upright.

What orders placed on The Cool Republic between January and September 2026 show in the Rugs collection. Shares are counted by number of orders, not quantities, so that a large purchase doesn't weigh more than another.

What's ordered most in 2026

• Colours: beige (27%), brown (14%), blue (10%).
• Materials: wool (57%), jute (14%), cotton (12%).
• Shapes: rectangular (71%), round (14%), organic (8%).

Most requested brands

Share of orders: Edito (25%), Ferm Living (25%), HKliving (16%).

Most ordered models since January

• Beige vinyl rug 70x140 cm Tomettes, Edito
• Rectangular wool rug in white, khaki and black 290x200 cm Strada, Edito
• Printed cotton rug 250x250 cm, HKliving
• Round tufted gradient rug (150X150), HKliving
• Asymmetric wool hallway rug in charcoal and off-white 80x200 cm Counter, Ferm Living

• Placing a 120 x 170 cm rug in front of a 3-seater sofa: the rug floats and the room looks smaller.
• Choosing a 160 x 230 cm rug under a 6-seater dining table: pulled-out chairs catch the edge at every meal.
• Placing a long-pile rug under a three-legged coffee table or under a dining table: instability and crumbs.
• Forgetting the anti-slip underlay beneath a kilim or jute rug laid on parquet flooring.
• Placing the rug parallel to the wall rather than to the sofa when the two are not aligned.
• Buying the rug before the sofa: it's the width of the sofa, plus 20 to 30 cm on each side, that determines the size.
• Using the vacuum cleaner's rotating brush on a Berber or long-pile wool rug.