When it comes to creating the ideal outdoor hangout spot, adding an outdoor rug is a must. They’re perfect for bringing color and comfort to your space—and go a long way in making your outdoor areas feel just as cozy and stylish as those indoors. One of the most important things to get right when rolling out an outdoor rug is size. Just as with indoor rugs, the wrong size outdoor rug will throw the whole entire space out of whack. Here, we’ll walk you through how to pick out the perfect size for your space, whether it’s an outdoor dining area, living room, or a petite balcony.
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How to Find the Best Outdoor Rug Size
Selecting the right outdoor rug size depends on the size of your space and your furniture layout. But in general, our main tip is: When in doubt on size, always go a little bit bigger. Larger rugs typically make a space feel bigger, which is never a bad thing! You’ll also get more ground coverage in your outdoor space, which is nice if you plan on walking around barefoot or have kids running around.
In most cases, a 8’ x 10’ rug will work with most outdoor living room and dining room layouts. But we’ll get into more specifics on sizing for each space in a bit!
If you’re stuck between several sizes, grab a roll of tape and tape down the exact dimensions of a few different rug sizes. This will help you better envision what each size will actually look like in your space and under your furniture.
We also recommend using our “View this Rug in Your Room” tool, where you can upload a photo of your space and virtually preview how a specific size and style will look. You’ll find the link for this tool on each rug style’s page!
Rug Sizing for Outdoor Dining Areas
We love adding a rug under outdoor dining tables. And as we mentioned earlier, it’s a good idea to err on the bigger side of things when it comes to choosing the right outdoor rug size here. Especially because you don’t want guests getting tripped up on the rug when they scoot their chair out!
To find the right size, push all your chairs in, and measure about two feet from beyond the chairs. This will allow plenty of room for guests to get in and out of their chairs without difficulty. In general, 8’ x 10’ rugs work well underneath a standard 6-seat dining table, and 9’ x 12’ rugs work under an 8-seat table. Be sure to take removable table leaves into account for your calculations, if you have them!
We know it’s not always possible to get a rug this large for your outdoor dining space, due to space or budget constraints. So our advice is to go as big as you can, and be conscious that chairs may catch on the rug if you land on a smaller size!
Rug Sizing for Outdoor Living and Sitting Areas
When choosing the right outdoor rug size for living and sitting areas, you have three options, depending on how your furniture is laid out and how large the space is.
In large areas, such as those that can accommodate a large sectional or multiple couches with several large chairs and a coffee table, we recommend going with a 9’ x 12’ or 10’ x 14’ rug. All four feet of the furniture should rest on the rug, or at least the front two legs of each.
In medium-sized areas that have a normal-sized sofa, a pair of chairs, and a coffee table, 6’ x 9’ or 8’ x 10’ rugs are the perfect fit, and should allow enough room for the front legs of each piece of furniture to rest on the rug.
For smaller areas or those with smaller budgets, we recommend getting a rug that frames only your coffee table, and doesn’t sit underneath any of the legs of the furniture—think spaces that have a small loveseat, a pair of chairs, and a coffee table. A 4’ x 6’ rug or a 5’ x 8’ rug will do the trick perfectly!
Rug Sizing for Small Patios, Balconies, and More
And finally: Just because an outdoor area is small doesn’t mean you shouldn’t roll out a rug! In fact, a small rug can go a long way in adding polish and character to petite spaces—without taking up valuable square footage.
On small decks, patios, balconies, or spaces that can only accommodate a loveseat with a small table or pouf, try out 3’ x 5’, 4’ x 6’, or 5’ x 8’ rugs. If your area is extra narrow, like on a balcony, consider rolling out a slim outdoor runner. Like we said, no space is too small for a rug!
