Our Ultimate Guide To Living Room Rug Placement

At Koala Living, we know that when it comes to designing a beautiful living room, most people focus on the sofa, the lighting, or the coffee table. But what if we told you the true secret to a well-balanced, effortlessly stylish space isn’t just what’s in front of you — but what’s beneath you, starting with thoughtful rug placement.

The rug is the unsung hero of interior design. Quietly powerful, it anchors your layout, defines your space, and pulls every piece together with intention. In this guide, we’ll show you how to unlock the full potential of your living room through smart, stylish rug placement. Join us as we provide expert tips, design inspiration, and curated picks from our rug collection and living room furniture range.

Why Rug Placement Matters In Your Living Room

Knowing how to lay a rug properly can make all the difference in how your living room feels and functions. Rug placement does more than complete a look. It brings structure to your space, balances your layout, and helps furniture feel thoughtfully connected. A well-placed rug defines zones, guides the eye, and adds comfort underfoot. It’s a subtle but essential design decision, proving that the quietest elements in a room often do the most work.

How To Choose The Right Rug For Your Living Room

Consider The Size Of The Rug & Your Space

Consider The Size Of The Rug & Your Space Before anything else, take a moment to measure. The size of your rug should suit not just your room, but the role you want it to play. A rug that’s too small can feel like an afterthought, while one that’s too large might overwhelm the space. Start by mapping out your layout and furniture footprint, then decide what size will best ground the setting. Whether you're styling a compact nook or a grand lounge, there's a rug that fits just right. Explore extra small rugs to extra-large rugs from our collection.

Don’t Forget the Size of Your Sofa Too

When choosing a rug, it’s not just about the rug size, it’s also about how it interacts with your sofa. The shape and scale of your seating set the tone for rug placement. A compact 2-seater sofa might suit a smaller rug where only the front legs rest on the rug, helping define a cosy sitting area without overwhelming the space.

For corner or chaise sofas, a rug that tucks beneath the entire frame or runs parallel to the longer side enhances flow and anchors the layout. With modular sofas, opt for a larger rug that sits fully underneath all sections, unifying the configuration and creating a cohesive island of comfort.

Whether you’re styling a symmetrical living room with twin armchairs or a free-flowing open-plan zone, aligning your rug with your sofa’s shape brings balance and harmony. Visual guides like the one shown can take the guesswork out of styling.

Preference Of Rug Shape

Rugs come in all shapes, but not all shapes suit every living room. Circular rugs can add softness to smaller or asymmetrical spaces, while square rugs work best in perfectly square rooms. However, for most living spaces, the rectangular rug reigns supreme. Its shape naturally aligns with standard furniture layouts, making it ideal for framing a seating area, defining zones, and creating balance in the room. 

At Koala Living, our handpicked range of rectangular rugs is designed to suit every layout, from compact apartments to spacious lounges, offering the most versatile and timeless option for your living space.

Furniture Placement Tips For Your Rug

Once you've chosen the right rug, the real magic lies in how you place your furniture around it. This is where your rug quietly earns its title as the unsung hero — grounding your layout, guiding the eye, and shaping how your space feels. Here are three tried-and-true placement styles to bring out its full potential.

Front Legs Only

Let your rug peek out just enough to make a statement. Tucking only the front legs of your sofa and armchairs onto the rug creates a gentle connection between pieces, while still giving the room plenty of breathing space. This works beautifully with our Medium rugs (200 x 300 cm) and Large rugs (250 x 350 cm) rugs — the perfect balance of coverage and openness for most living rooms.

All Furniture On The Rug

If your rug is big enough to hold it all, let it. Placing every piece — from the sofa to the side tables — fully on the rug creates a rich, luxurious feel. It defines the living area beautifully, like a curated canvas that brings the whole room together with intention. Our Extra Large rugs (300 x 400 cm) rug is ideal for this layout, especially in open-plan spaces or larger rooms.

All Furniture Off The Rug

Sometimes, your rug deserves the spotlight. Leaving all furniture off the rug allows it to shine as a visual accent, a bold centrepiece that adds colour, texture or warmth right where it's needed. Try this approach with our Extra Small rugs (100 x 150 cm) or Small rugs (160 x 230 cm) rugs — perfect for layering, zoning, or adding charm beneath a coffee table.

The Bottom Line: Transform Your Living Room with the Perfect Rug Placement

It’s easy to overlook the rug, but as we’ve seen, it’s the quiet foundation of great design. From defining space and balancing furniture to adding warmth and intention, rug placement plays a key role in shaping a living room that truly feels like home. At Koala Living, we believe every space deserves that sense of harmony.

Whether you’re styling a small retreat or a grand entertaining zone, our curated rug collection and designer living room range are here to help you build your vision from the rug up.