What size rug for a sectional?
Most L-shaped sectionals take an 8x10 rug. Under a 9 ft 4 in sectional with a 7 ft return in a 13 x 16 ft room, an 8x10 runs 14 in past the open end, sits under the front legs of both the long side and the return, and reaches 46 in beyond the coffee table. Go up to a 9x12 when chairs face a 10 ft or longer sectional, and down to a 6x9 in a room 12 ft wide or for a sectional with a chaise.
- Rule 01Rug past the open end of the sectional6-24 in past the open end
- Rule 02Rug under the sectional's front legsfront legs on the rug
- Rule 03Rug under the front legs of the returnfront legs of the return on the rug, the rug no further than its back
- Rule 04Rug along the returnto the end of the return, or no more than 24 in short of it
- Rule 05Rug beyond the coffee tablethe whole table on the rug, 12 in or more beyond it
- Rule 06Floor showing at the side walls8-18 in
Try it with your room
Recommended sizeliving room, 13 x 16 ft
8 × 10ft
An 8 x 10 ft rug runs 14 in past the open end of a 9 ft 4 in sectional, sits under the front legs of both pieces and reaches past the end of the return, leaving 8 in of floor at the side walls.
Drawn to scale, 1 ft grid. Drag the sofa, table or chairs to move the seating group. Drag the rug to move it, drag its corner to snap to another standard size, or rotate it.
An 8 x 10 ft rug runs 14 in past the open end of a 9 ft 4 in sectional, sits under the front legs of both pieces and reaches past the end of the return, leaving 8 in of floor at the side walls.
| Rule | 8x10 |
|---|---|
| Rug past the open end of the sectional6-24 in past the open end | 14 in |
| Rug under the sectional's front legsfront legs on the rug | 6 in |
| Rug under the front legs of the returnfront legs of the return on the rug, the rug no further than its back | 26 in |
| Rug along the returnto the end of the return, or no more than 24 in short of it | 42 in |
| Rug beyond the coffee tablethe whole table on the rug, 12 in or more beyond it | 46 in |
| Floor showing at the side walls8-18 in | 8 in |
| Verdict | ideal |
5x8, 6x9, 8x10 and 9x12 rugs under a sectional
Each plan is drawn to the same scale, under a 9 ft 4 in sectional with a 7 ft return in a 13 x 16 ft room. The 1 ft grid shows how much floor each size covers.
Front legs of both pieces on the rug
A sectional is two sofas joined at the corner, and the rug has to hold both. Tuck it under the front legs of the long side and of the return, so the whole L and the coffee table read as one seating group.
The rug can go well under the return, as long as it stops before the back of it: under the 9 ft 4 in sectional above, the 8x10 runs 26 in in from the return's front legs. On the open end, let it run 6-24 in past the arm. A rug that stops inside the L, short of that arm, makes the sectional look like it is pushing the rug into the corner.
Is a 5x8 big enough for a sectional?
Only just. Under a 9 ft 4 in sectional a 5x8 is the smallest size that works: it reaches 12 in past the open end and 10 in beyond the coffee table, so the rug barely shows past the furniture. An 8x10 gives 14 in past the open end and 46 in beyond the table, enough to frame the group.
Sectional with a chaise
A chaise is a short return, about 5-6 ft from the back of the sectional to its end, so the rug does not need to be as deep. An 8 ft 8 in sectional with a chaise in a 12 x 14 ft room takes a 6x9. The rug can stop up to 24 in short of the end of the chaise, as long as the chaise's front legs nearest the corner are on it.
When the room is narrow
With the sectional centered on its wall, the rug has to keep 8 in of floor at the side walls without running out behind the return. A 13 ft wide room fits an 8x10 under a 9 ft 4 in sectional; in a 12 ft wide room the same sectional takes a 6x9, which still runs 8 in past the open end. Sliding the sectional into a corner changes this, so try your layout in the calculator above.
For a straight sofa, with or without chairs, see the living room rug size guide.
Rug size for a sectional by length and room
The calculator's pick for common sectionals. Every row keeps the front legs of both pieces, and of any chairs, on the rug.
| Setup | Best size | Smallest that works |
|---|---|---|
| 8 ft sectional with a chaise, 11 x 13 ft room | 5x8 | 5x7 |
| 8 ft 8 in sectional with a chaise, 12 x 14 ft room | 6x9 | 5x7 |
| 9 ft 4 in L-shaped sectional, 12 x 15 ft room | 6x9 | 5x8 |
| 9 ft 4 in L-shaped sectional, 13 x 16 ft room | 8x10 | 5x8 |
| 9 ft 4 in L-shaped sectional + 2 chairs, 13 x 18 ft room | 8x10 | 6x9 |
| 10 ft 4 in L-shaped sectional, 15 x 18 ft room | 8x10 | 6x9 |
| 10 ft 4 in L-shaped sectional + 2 chairs, 16 x 20 ft room | 9x12 | 6x9 |
Every standard size under a 9 ft 4 in sectional
| Rug size | Rug past the open end of the sectional | Rug under the front legs of the return | Rug beyond the coffee table | Floor showing at the side walls | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4x648 x 72 in | -10 in | 2 in | -2 in | 32 in | Too small |
| 5x760 x 84 in | 2 in | 2 in | 10 in | 20 in | Too small |
| 5x860 x 96 in | 12 in | 4 in | 10 in | 10 in | Works |
| 6x972 x 108 in | 14 in | 14 in | 22 in | 8 in | Ideal |
| 8x1096 x 120 in | 14 in | 26 in | 46 in | 8 in | Best fit |
| 9x12108 x 144 in | 14 in | 14 in | 94 in | 8 in | Works |
| 10x14120 x 168 in | 14 in | 26 in | 118 in | 8 in | Too big for the room |
| 12x15144 x 180 in | 36 in | 28 in | 130 in | -14 in | Too big for the room |
Questions people ask
What size rug for a sectional?
An 8x10 for most L-shaped sectionals of 9-10 ft. It runs 14 in past the open end of a 9 ft 4 in sectional and sits under the front legs of both pieces. With chairs facing a 10 ft or longer sectional, take a 9x12.
Should a rug go under a sectional?
Under the front legs of every piece, yes. It can run further under the return, but should stop before the back of it, so no rug shows behind the sectional.
Is an 8x10 rug big enough for a sectional?
Yes for L-shaped sectionals up to about 11 ft with nothing facing them. When chairs face a 10 ft 4 in sectional across the coffee table, an 8x10 catches only 26 in of their front legs; a 9x12 catches 38 in and runs 24 in past the open end.
Can the rug stop short of the chaise?
Yes, by up to 24 in, as long as the chaise's front legs nearest the corner sit on the rug. Running past the end of the chaise works too, if the room leaves 8 in of floor at the walls.