The 18-inch rule for rugs says to leave roughly 18 inches (about 45 centimeters) of bare floor between the rug edge and the walls, so the rug reads as a framed element rather than wall-to-wall carpeting. In compact rooms the practical margin narrows to 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters).
The sizing rules designers actually use
- Living room: at least the front legs of all seating on the rug; all legs on the rug for large rooms.
- Dining room: rug extends 60 to 75 centimeters beyond the table edge, so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.
- Bedroom: the rug extends 45 to 60 centimeters beyond the bed sides, or two runners flank the bed.
- Hallways: 10 to 15 centimeters of floor visible on each side of a runner.
When standard sizes do not fit
Open-plan zones, curved walls and oversized seating groups regularly break standard-size logic. Sarelli Interiors Textiles produces rugs to exact dimensions and irregular shapes, from templates or AutoCAD files, through the custom rugs service, with available sizes discussed in what sizes can I order. Standard-format designs are in the luxury rugs collection.
