What Size Berber Rug Should You Choose? A Room-by-Room Guide

A Berber rug that is too small “floats” in the middle of the room; one that is too large overwhelms it. The good news: a few simple rules will help you find the right size the first time. Here is our room-by-room guide to choosing your Beni Ourain, Azilal or Boujaad rug, tape measure in hand.

The golden rule: measure before you fall in love

Before choosing a design, measure the area the rug should cover (not the whole room). Ideally, keep 20 to 40 cm between the edge of the rug and the walls: the visible floor all around frames the rug and shows off its patterns. A trick that always works: mark the spot on the floor with masking tape or newspaper and leave it for a day or two. You will see right away whether the size feels right.

In the living room: the rug ties the sofa and armchairs together

In the living room, the rug brings the seating area together. Three options, from the most generous to the lightest:

• All the legs on the rug (sofa, armchairs, coffee table): the most enveloping effect, ideal for a large living room. Plan for a rug of around 2.40 x 1.70 m or more.
• Only the front legs of the sofa and armchairs on the rug: the most common choice, which defines the space without crowding it. A size around 2.30 x 1.60 m suits most living rooms.
• The rug in front of the sofa, under the coffee table: perfect for a small living room. Choose it at least as wide as the coffee table, with 15 to 20 cm to spare on each side.

A simple guide: the rug should be a little wider than the sofa, or at least two-thirds of its width.

In the bedroom: softness first thing in the morning

The goal is to step onto wool when you get out of bed. Two options:

• A large rug under the bed, extending at least 50 cm on each side and at the foot of the bed. For a double bed, a rug of around 2.50 x 1.60 m placed under the lower two-thirds of the bed works very well.
• Two small rugs on either side of the bed, or one at the foot: a soft, lighter solution, with sizes around 1.50 x 1 m.

Beni Ourain rugs, with their long, thick pile in natural ivory wool, are especially lovely in a bedroom.

In the entryway or hallway: a warm welcome at the door

In a hallway, leave 10 to 15 cm of visible floor on each side of the rug. In an entryway, choose a size that doesn’t block the door (check the clearance under the door if the rug is thick). Small sizes around 1.50 x 0.90 m are often perfect.

Under the dining table: think about the chairs

The rug should extend at least 60 to 70 cm beyond the table on all sides, so the chairs stay on the rug even when pulled back. Here, choose a short-pile or flat-woven rug, which is easier to clean and steadier under chair legs.

What about shape and color?

A rectangular rug naturally follows the lines of a room. As for color, an ivory rug (like the classic Beni Ourain) visually enlarges the space, while a colorful rug (Azilal, Boujaad) adds warmth and becomes the centerpiece of your decor.

Every rug is one of a kind

Our Berber rugs are hand-woven in 100% sheep’s wool by weavers from the Atlas Mountains: each piece is unique, and its exact dimensions are shown in its name and on its product page. Handmade rugs may vary by a few centimeters from one edge to the other: that is the signature of artisan work.

Not sure about the size? Send us your room’s dimensions on WhatsApp or by email and we will gladly help. And to find the one for you, browse all our available Berber rugs.