what size area rug for 18'x17' family room?

11 years ago

I want to buy an area rug now for our new house cause I want to make sure I don't pick a paint color that clashes with it.

The room is 18x17. Unfortunately, the one request DH had when we built was to have carpet in the family room so the rug will be decorative only, but I still want one.

8x11 seems like it might be good if it was hardwood, but maybe since it's carpet I can get by with a 5x8?

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Comments (4)

lauriedeee
11 years ago
It depends. What do you want the decorative carpet for?

If you plan on putting it under a coffee table, then 5x8 is a good size.

.
peaches12345
11 years ago
If you plan on a conversation area of sofa/chairs/tables in front of a fireplace or tv, then I would draw out to scale the measurements of the area of the room where this will be and measurements of the furniture and placement within that area. Then you will hava a good idea of the size of the rug you need. 5x8 might be a bit small for an area like that in a large room.
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Thanks everyone! The mirror is actually done in a green color with some decorative painting on it in a sort of botanical design. I was *thinking* about painting the outside edges of the mirror black, the front flat part the red in the room and then having some of those vinyl "wall words" done in a custom fashion to go around the frame of the mirror in black. I was thinking "Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Deeply" in a script font. What do you think? I love the rug but just wish it was a bit bigger. It is a 9X12 and my furniture doesn't fit all the way on it. I switched the furniture to an L-shape and the back legs of the chair and sofa are off of the rug. I don't think that this one comes any larger. Hmmmnn... The mantel is really bothering me in brown. Do you guys really think it would be too much black on that wall if I painted it black? Maybe I should paint it back to the trim color. Thanks for any advice!
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I hate to have you take more pics, but what i think would be helpful is if you stand at the front door - at least I think it’s the front door between the two windows? - and take a shot toward the left wall, then take a pic toward the middle of the room, and then toward the right. Those three photos should allow us to see the whole space. We can’t see very well how the whole space lays out with the current photos. At least I can’t! ;) if you don’t want to do that, the float your couch away from the wall and angled so that it’s in front of the fireplace. Does your space allow that? The size and layout of your room may be such that the couch and chaise won’t both work. But we can give it a shot!
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Replace the torchiere with a floor light that direct some light down. Move the sectional away from the windows Do not swag your drapery panels Replace the wall art with a size more appropriate for the space Lower the TV Get a longer media cabinet or one that floats on the wall Move the orange lounge chair out from the corner Add an accent table next to the lounge chair Provide a flexible coffee table, maybe one that lifts up if necessary Select an indoor outdoor light colored rug to brighten the area that can withstand kid usage.
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Comments (2)
At least 2 feet wider than the sofa, maybe more. If a reversible chaise it is probably on legs so should go entirely on the rug. If it sits flat to to the floor, the rug should slip under the front 1/3 of the bench part and be entirely under the chaise section. Is there other seating that should be on the rug: chairs, coffee table, sofa table...
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justgotabme
11 years ago
Our Gentleman's Parlor is 18 by 18 with a walkway along one length. We have a nine by eleven area rug. I can't imagine having anything smaller.
I agree with Patty to draw up a scale floor plan with the furniture placement before you buy a rug if you really want to buy a rug now. Personally from experience of building three homes I'd wait until you were in the home. You won't really have a feel for what works until you are in the home.
Alma Ginyard
last year
Purchase an inexpensive rug pad. Arrange furniture on the rug pad. This should give you an idea of the size of rug you would need in the sitting area.
Just a thought.

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what size area rug for 18'x17' family room?

Comments (4)

lauriedeee

peaches12345

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