Rugs by Size
Vintage Rugs by Size
Size is where most rug purchases go wrong, and almost always in the same direction — too small. Here's how to get it right the first time.
From bedside accents to 9×12 and beyond
- Accent & SmallRoughly 2×3 to 4×6. Bedsides, entries, layering.
- RunnersLong and narrow, for halls, kitchens and bedsides.
- Area RugsThe everyday middle ground — 5×8 through 8×10.
- Oversized9×12 and up, for large or open-plan rooms.
Getting the size right the first time
Size is where most rug purchases go wrong, and it is almost always in the same direction — too small. A rug that is one size up from what you think you need will nearly always look better in the room than the one you were picturing.
Tape it out first
Before you buy anything, mark the footprint on your floor with painter's tape. Live with it for a day. It takes ten minutes and it is the single most reliable way to avoid an expensive mistake, because a rectangle on your own floor tells you something no photograph can.
Leave a border of floor
Aim for a consistent margin of bare floor between the rug and the walls — roughly 30–45cm (12–18in) in a normal room. Wall-to-wall coverage makes a rug read as carpet and throws away the frame that makes a good rug look intentional.
Hand-knotted rugs are not perfect rectangles
Expect small variation between the two ends, a slight waist, or a corner marginally out of square. This is normal in a piece made by hand on a village loom and is not treated as a defect. Every listing gives the actual measured dimensions of that specific rug.
Rough guide by room
Bedside or entry: 2×3 to 3×5. Hallway or galley kitchen: a runner, sized to leave about 10cm (4in) of floor each side. Small living room or under a queen bed: 5×8 to 6×9. Standard living or dining room: 8×10. Large or open-plan room: 9×12 and up.
These are starting points, not rules. If you are between sizes and the room can take it, go larger — and if you would like a second opinion on a specific room, send us the dimensions and we will tell you honestly what we would put in it.
Browse the wider collection
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