The two clearances that decide every rug size are 60 cm from the edge of a bed and 70 cm behind a dining chair. Beyond that, leave 30 to 45 cm of bare floor between the rug edge and the wall.
Rug sizing comes down to two practical clearances that anchor every decision. First, furniture clearance: you need 60 cm of rug extending from a bed edge, and 70 cm behind a dining chair, so the rug reads as intentional rather than cramped. Second, wall clearance: the rug should sit 30 to 45 cm away from the wall on all sides, creating a frame of bare floor that signals a finished room rather than wall-to-wall carpet. Once you know these two distances, you measure the room itself, then use the calculator to find the standard size that fits.
| Where the rug goes | What you measure | Size that fits |
|---|---|---|
| Under a single bed | 90 x 190 cm | 120 x 170 cm |
| Under a double bed | 135 x 190 cm | 160 x 230 cm |
| Under a king bed | 150 x 200 cm | 160 x 230 cm |
| Under a super king bed | 180 x 200 cm | 200 x 290 cm |
| Under a 4-seater table | 120 x 80 cm | 240 x 330 cm |
| Under a 6-seater table | 180 x 90 cm | 240 x 330 cm |
| Under a 8-seater table | 220 x 100 cm | 300 x 400 cm |
The rule behind the table
A rug is sized by what has to stay on it, not by the room. Around a bed you want about 60 cm of rug showing on each side, so your feet land on wool and not on cold floor. Around a dining table you need about 70 cm past every edge, because that is how far a chair travels when someone stands up. A chair with its back legs off the rug is the single most common sizing mistake.
The other rule worth knowing is the one about legs. In a living room, all legs on is the fullest look and needs the largest rug; front legs on is the usual compromise and keeps the seating group tied together; no legs on leaves the rug floating and is the version that makes a room look unfinished.
What changes the number
Doors are the constraint people forget. A rug that clears the bed perfectly can still stop a wardrobe door from opening, so check the swing before you buy. Radiators, floor vents and the line of a threshold strip all matter for the same reason. If the room is tight in one direction only, a runner on each side of the bed does the job a single large rug would have done, usually for less.
Work out your own
The table covers the usual cases. For your exact measurements, the rug size calculator does the same arithmetic in the browser and gives you a size to shop for.
Related guides
- Jute Rug Living Room Ideas: Natural Texture Done Right
- Standard Rug Sizes UK: What Each Size Actually Fits
- What Size Rug Under a Dining Table? (Chair Clearance Rule)
Common questions
What if my bed is in a corner?
Measure from the visible edges. If a bed is against two walls, you only need the 60 cm clearance on the foot and the one long side that shows. A corner bed often needs a smaller rug than a floating one, so measure the actual floor you want to cover.
Should the rug go completely under the bed or just partway?
Partway is standard: the rug should extend at least 60 cm from the foot rail. A full-underbed rug risks looking like fitted carpet and is harder to clean. Partial placement gives a layered, intentional look.
Can I reduce the wall clearance if my room is small?
Not below 30 cm. Smaller gaps make the rug blend into the walls and lose visual weight. If your room is tight, choose a smaller rug rather than shrink the clearance; the gap itself defines the rug’s presence.
How do I measure an awkward-shaped room?
Measure from furniture inward, not from walls. Start at the bed or dining table, add the required clearance, then see what standard size fits. Use the calculator to test options; an L-shaped room often works better with one rug per zone rather than one oversized piece.
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