Measure the living room first
Leave 12 to 18 inches of bare floor around the rug edges
Choose a rug large enough for at least the front legs of all major seating pieces to sit on it
Use an 8×10 rug for most standard living rooms
Use a 9×12 rug for larger living rooms
Use a 5×8 rug only for small seating areas or accent placement
Keep the rug proportional to the sofa and room size
Center the rug with the main seating arrangement
Make sure the rug extends beyond the coffee table on all sides
For open floor plans, use a rug that defines the seating zone
For sectional sofas, select a rug that fits under the front legs of the sectional
Avoid rugs that are too small and float in the middle of the room
Mark rug dimensions on the floor with tape before buying
Match the rug size to the layout, not just the furniture count