How to Measure an Area Rug for a Living Room
Adding an area rug to your living room or family room will add comfort underfoot and protect hardwood or tile floors. Area rugs also serve to pull your room's decor together or inspire it, whether over a hard surfaced floor or wall-to-wall carpeting. Area rugs also help to clearly identify or separate your rooms or furniture groupings. Measure the room before you begin searching for your new rug to avoid disappointment and wasting money. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Decide on the purpose of the rug before you measure so you can take the proper measurements. Do you want all of your furniture to be on the rug, or would you prefer the front legs of your furniture and chairs to be on the rug only?
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2
Measure the perimeter of your furniture grouping if you'd like all furniture on the rug. This is the best method if you are trying to create two distinct groupings or visually separate two rooms. The rug should extend about six to twelve inches past each piece of furniture, but no more than two feet.
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Use the same perimeter measurements from step two, only deduct 24 inches from the length and width to determine the proper area rug size if you'd like only the front legs of the furniture to go on the rug. This allows an outer area of the room's flooring to be visible while defining the area where the furniture sits.
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Measure your coffee table, and add two feet to the width and length if you'd like the area rug to serve as an accent only. The rug will be visible; however, no furniture will sit on it besides the coffee table.
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Tips & Warnings
Round up to the next size rug if you're having a difficult time finding the size of your actual measurements.
Order or purchase a pad for under the rug (to prevent slipping or skidding) at the same time as you order or purchase the rug. You'll save time, be able to set up your rug immediately and possibly save on shipping if ordering it.
