2' x 8' Zermatt Shag Runner Rug

The Rug Sizing Guide

A difficulty our customers often face is choosing the right rug for their space. Rugs add cozy warmth, texture, and color to any room. But how do you know that a rug "fits" in a room until you see it in action? And what if you invest in an expensive rug only to find that it doesn't work in the room you bought it for?

We understand how challenging it can be to choose a rug for your home. That’s why our website is designed to be the most customer-friendly online! First, we have customer service agents available 24/7 to help you choose the right rug. Then, we offer a "view in my room" option for many of our rugs so you can visualize them in any space.

Now, to help our customers even further, we present the following sizing guide to achieve rug-buying perfection.

How Should a Rug Fit in a Room?

The answer is easier than you might think. Start by measuring the area where you want your rug. This measurement will give you a rough idea of the size you need. As we tell all our customers: Your house, your rules. Ultimately, you are the final judge of what looks good in your home. The following are suggestions from experts on how rugs should fit.

Dining Room Rugs

A good rule of thumb is to choose a rug that complements the shape of your dining table—the centerpiece of the room. To determine the right size, pull out the dining chairs so they are the same distance from the table as if someone were about to sit down. This ensures each chair remains on the rug when in use, preventing them from catching on the rug when moved.

Entryway Rugs

Entryway rugs should welcome your guests with a "wow!" without completely covering your floor. Measure your entryway and decide how much floor you want to leave exposed—typically between 18" and 24". This measurement will help you choose the ideal rug size for your entryway.

Living Room Rugs

Living rooms vary from traditional to eclectic. The goal of a living room rug is to anchor the designated seating area. Choose a rug that can accommodate the front legs of all the furniture in that area to create a cohesive look.

Kitchen Rugs

Kitchens often have limited space. For a breakfast nook, use the same guidelines as for dining room rugs. If you’re considering a runner rug between the island and the sink, leave a few inches of floor exposed between the spaces. It’s also important to choose a washable rug due to inevitable spills, and definitely invest in a good rug pad to prevent slipping.

Bedroom Rugs

Bedroom rugs can enlarge the appearance of your room while providing comfort for your feet. When choosing a bedroom rug, consider including all the furniture in the space—covering the head and foot of the bed and the nightstands on either side. Alternatively, you may place the rug beside the bed as a comfortable landing area.

Outdoor Rugs

Your patio is your outdoor living room. Outdoor rugs function similarly to indoor area rugs. For an expansive look, choose an outdoor rug that supports only two legs of your patio furniture. To anchor your space, select a rug size that covers all four legs of your furniture.

"View in My Room" Feature

One of our coolest features is the "View in My Room" option, which lets you see our rugs in action. After selecting a rug that interests you, click the "see this in my room" button. You can then upload a picture of your room or view the rug in similar settings. This feature allows you to move the rug anywhere in the room and rotate it 360 degrees. Let your imagination run wild with different colors, styles, shapes, and brands. And when you find the perfect rug, enjoy free one-day shipping!

How do I clean a shag rug?

Cleaning shag rugs the same way you clean shorter pile rugs can damage them. Methods you would usually use—such as an upright vacuum cleaner—can lead to shedding, deterioration, and even shape distortion.

Shake & Beat!

Our smaller shag rugs can be energetically shaken outside to remove dust and dirt. Hang them outside for an hour or so to let the sun deodorize them. The sun is a natural deodorizer that kills both bacteria and dust mites. Only leave a rug out for an hour or two to avoid fading its color. Make sure to shake or beat out the padding, too.

Vacuum

If you use an upright on a shag rug, the long fibers can get caught and pulled, causing damage. To use an upright safely, turn off the brush (or set it to its highest setting) and consider vacuuming the back side. This helps prevent fibers from catching. It’s best not to use shag rugs in high-traffic areas, so vacuum or shake them regularly.

Dry Shampoo

Using a dry shampoo designed for rugs can help deodorize and neutralize odors from pets and smoke. Always follow the product’s directions.

Rake

If you’ve never used a rubber rake, you’re missing a great cleaning tool. Besides cleaning, the rake fluffs up long, loose fibers and aligns them in the same direction.

Steam Cleaners and Professionals

If your shag rug is extremely dirty and the above methods aren’t effective, try a steam cleaner following directions for long-fibered carpets. Alternatively, hire a professional rug cleaner experienced in shag rug care.