The family room: It’s where all the action happens! And thus, it’s important to roll out the right rug for your space. We know some people call the family room the living room, and vice-versa. But for this article’s purpose, we’re considering the family room to be a living-type area where you hang out, relax, play, or watch TV with your family. Maybe you have just one living space in your home, or maybe you also have a more formal living room as well. Either way, we’re here to help you find the best rug for the family room.
The Best Family Room Rug Size and Placement
You want your space to feel homey and comfy, so we recommend picking out as big of a rug as your budget allows. If you have kids that will be playing on the floor, you’ll especially want to make sure they have a plush rug underneath to ensure maximum comfort—and to help cushion your knees if you’ll be joining them at playtime, too!
But if your budget is smaller, or you simply want to do an easy, affordable refresh, nearly any size rug will work. Here’s what you need to know about picking the perfect size!
Small Rugs: 4’ x 6’ and 5’ x 8’
These sizes will work in smaller family rooms, or if you’re carving a family room out of a larger, open-floor plan space. As far as placement goes, we recommend putting these sizes of rugs under the coffee table if you have one, and centering the table on top so the rug frames it and establishes the room layout.
Medium Rugs: 6’ x 9’ and 8’ x 10’
These sizes of rugs are best for—you guessed it—medium-sized family rooms and furniture layouts (for example, those with a sofa, coffee table, and chairs). Play around with placement on these—you’ll be able to place the front legs of all furniture on the rug, and maybe even all legs depending on the sizing and layout of the space.
Large Rugs: 9’ x 12’, 10’ x 14’, and Up
Larger rugs will likely span the entirety of your family room and have enough space for all furniture (legs and all!) to rest comfortably on top. While we recommend these sizes for large living rooms, don’t be afraid to roll them out in smaller spaces as well. Typically, a large rug will make the room it’s in feel larger, too. Just be sure to leave 12”-18” of space between the edge of the rug and the walls!
The Best Family Room Rug Materials
Because you’ll be spending a lot of time in your family room, and likely with kids, you want to choose a rug that’s both durable and soft. And luckily, we have tons of options that cover these bases.
Washable Rugs
Washable rugs check so many boxes, making them the perfect pick for a family room. They’re washable in a washing machine, they come in beautiful patterns and an array of sizes, they’re durable, and they’re soft. We consider them a must in spaces where kids do art projects or play with putty and other messy toys! Learn more about our washable rug collection here.
Synthetic Rugs
Rugs made of synthetic materials, like nylon, polypropylene, and polyester, live at the perfect intersection of quality, durability, softness, and price. They’re also clean and hold onto color extremely well, meaning they’ll look great in your space for years!
Wool Rugs
If you’re looking for a high-quality piece that combines softness with durability, wool is one of our top picks. Wool’s strong fibers make it a no-brainer for high-traffic areas, and its naturally soft feel means it’s amazing under bare feet. Wool rugs tend to be a little pricier, but if you take care of them properly (read all about that here!), they can hold up for years and years to come.
Jute and Natural Fiber Rugs
We absolutely love rugs made of jute and other natural plant fibers. They offer incredible durability and a unique woven texture that simply can’t be beat. That being said, because they’re made of plant fibers, they tend to be less soft than their wool and synthetic counterparts (but do still feel great underfoot!). For added softness, look for jute styles that are woven with wool or cotton, too.
Shag Rugs
Shag rugs can be made out of any number of materials (most often wool or synthetics), but what they all have in common is their high pile. This pile makes them a soft and smart choice in homes with little kids. However, if you’re planning on playing with trucks or Legos or doing a puzzle on the floor, then a thick shag rug may not be the best option.
How to Choose Color and Pattern for a Family Room Rug
Aside from choosing the right material for your space, it’s important to consider colors and patterns when picking out a rug for the family room. Generally, a busy pattern in a mix of or darker colors will help conceal spills, muddy footsteps, and any other “oops” moments better than those that are lighter in hue or have solid patterns.
This doesn’t mean that the latter can’t work! Just think about how you and your family use the space (i.e. will you be eating and drinking in there? Will the kids do arts and crafts at the coffee table?) and where it lies in your home (i.e. how much foot traffic will be going through).
A Few Bonus Tips
Section off a play area with a rug. Family rooms often double as playrooms, and we love the idea of making your child’s area feel more special by carving out a special space with a rug. Our 3’ x 5’ sizes are perfect for this—and if you need more inspo for designing the perfect spot to play, check out all our tips here!
Roll out a sheepskin for extra softness. Try adding a faux sheepskin rug—small or large, ours go up to 7’!—to add coziness and bring extra comfort to time spent on the floor.
If you already have carpet, try a rug on top. Have wall-to-wall carpeting in your family room? Not a problem! You can absolutely place a rug on top to cover up unsightly stains or give the space a fresh new look. Learn all about how here!
Lay down a rug pad. We’re huge proponents of using a rug pad with every rug in your space to add extra cushioning and to prevent slippage and accidents. This is even more essential in a space like the living room, where kids will be running around and where there will likely be extra foot traffic!
