How to Choose a Rug Size for Office Room?
Adding a rug to your office room doesn’t just protect the floor from chair’s scratches, but also transforms the atmosphere of your workspace. The right rug adds warmth, defines the area and can make working from home feel more inviting and productive.
Yet, choosing the right rug for your home office isn’t only about picking a pretty pattern you like. In this guide, I walk you through what to consider and which common mistakes to avoid, so your rug not only looks great but also works perfectly for your office setup.
1. Key Considerations Before Picking a Size
Before you go into specific rug sizes, here are the key points you should consider when picking a rug:
5 Key Points To Consider Before Choosing a Rug Size
2. Standard Rug Sizes for Offices
These are the most common rug sizes for home office room. Depending on your room size, you will most likely use one of these sizes:
- 4′ × 6′ (1.2 × 1.8 m)
- 5′ × 8′ (1.5 × 2.4 m)
- 6′ × 9′ (1.8 × 2.7 m)
- 8′ × 10′ (2.4 × 3.0 m)
3. How to Size a Rug for an Office
A few rules of thumb to help you pick the right rug dimensions:
Extend the rug past the desk’s front
Extend at least 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) beyond the front of the desk so the chair wheels stay on the rug as you roll in and out.
Leave space between the rug and walls
Don’t push the rug wall-to-wall. Leave ~18 inches (~45.7 cm) between the rug edge and each wall, where possible, to give a sense of space.
Prioritize full chair coverage
The rear of the chair should remain on the rug even when pushed back. Avoid cases where half your chair is off the rug.
Photo by @imdavidkoe
Scale to room size
In a small office (e.g. 8 × 10 ft), a 5′ × 8′ or 6′ × 9′ rug may suffice. In larger rooms (12′× 14 ft or more), go for 8′ × 10′ or larger so the rug doesn’t look too small and awkward.
Furniture anchoring options
If visitor chairs or a small seating area accompany the desk, you might place all furniture legs on the rug or place the front legs on it to visually tie things together.
4. Rug Sizes by Common Office Room Dimensions
| Room Size | Recommended Rug Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8′ × 10′ | 5′ × 8′ or 6′ × 9′ | Leaves a space between the rug and walls, covers the chair area |
| 10′ × 10′ | 6′ × 9′ or 8′ × 10′ | If there’s extra space, 8×10 gives a more anchored look |
| 12′ × 14′ | 8′ × 10′ or 9′ × 12′ | Most of the walking area remains bare while the desk area feels grounded |
| 14′ × 18′ | 9′ × 12′ or 10′ × 14′ | For a large room, a larger rug helps avoid the “floating furniture” effect |
Every room has different layout and dimensions. For most common room sizes, there are several rugs sizes that I recommend using, from smaller rugs like 5′ x 8′ to bigger ones, such as 10′ x 14′. These sizes can be used as starting points and adjusted based on your specific layout, furniture, and room’s features.
Photo by Analisse Taft
What is the Best Rug Size for the 8′ x 10′ Office?
The most recommended rugs for the office room of 8′ × 10′ dimensions are 5′ × 8′ and 6′ × 9′. The rug of these sizes allows you to have space between walls and the rug, creating a cohesive look. In addition, you can use a 6′ round or square rug centered to the chair’s area.
Photo by Erika Diaz
Our Favorite 5 x 8 and 6 x 9 Area Rugs for 8 x 10 Office Space:
What Rug Size Fits the 10′ × 10′ Office the Best?
For an 10′ × 10′ office room, a 5′ x 8′, 6′ x 9′ or 8′ x 10′ rug sizes work the best. A bigger size will allow you to ground the whole desk area under the rug while smaller ones will add a comfortable functionality to your space without overwhelming it. If you pick 8 x 10 rug, make sure the rug extends beyond the desk on all sides. Moreover, a round or square rug between 7′ x 7′ and 8′ x 8′ can also be a great option.
Photo by OH HOMEE
Our Favorite 5 x 8, 6 x 9, 8 x 10 and 8 x 8 Area Rugs for 10 x 10 Office:
What is the Best Rug Size for the 12′ x 14′ Office?
Pick a big rug, like 8′ × 10′ or 9′ × 12′ for a large 12′ x 14′ office room. The room of this size will ensure that you can have a spacious desk with additional seating areas. A large rug will seamlessly connect all the furniture while still leaving comfortable walking path free and clear.
Photo by Becca Galbraith
Best 8 x 10 and 9 x 12 Area Rugs for 12 x 14 Office:
What is the Best Rug Size for the 14′ x 18′ Office?
In an 14′ x 18′ office, opt for a large rug between 9′ × 12′ and 10′ × 14′ dimensions. This will help you define the desk area within the large room, making it the focal point of the room.
Pro Tip: when selecting a rug, always test the rug layout (with either DressMyCrib rug visualizer or a painter’s tape) to see how it feels in the actual space before committing.
5. Different Rug Shapes in Home Office
A rectangular rug is most common used shape in home décor. However, if you want to experiment and try something different, there are several rug shapes that work perfectly for home office decor.
Round Rugs
Home office is a perfect place to use a round rug for those looking to create a softer look. The most important thing here is to ensure that the rug is large enough for chair to roll on it. If you pick the smaller rug – rolling the chair outside the area of rug will create a crease in rug’s corner.
Photo by @shirbean
Our Favorite Round Rugs for Office Room:
Square Rugs
Just like a round rug, square rug under your desk is another great way to add interest. This especially works well with squared-shaped rooms where you want to create a symmetry. A pro tip: Make sure the desk aligns with the rug so it doesn’t look awkward.
Photo by Carine Wakemi
Our 15 Best Square Rugs for Office Area:
Custom and Irregular Shaped Rugs
A rug doesn’t need to cover the entire area, only to define the desk area. However, when picking irregular shaped rug be careful not to create awkward “islands” or visual disconnections.
Photo by @_ashlee_white_
Favorite Irregular Rugs for Office Space:
6. Rug Placement Under the Desk
There are several ways how you can elevate your desk setup using rug placement. Below, see the best rug placement in office room ideas:
Centered with the Desk
The rug should run parallel to the desk front, aligning the edges so the chair moves straight forward and back. The rug doesn’t have to go all the way past the table, but make sure to have a bit of rug under the front side of the desk, so you can comfortably roll your chair. The centered rug under the desk will create a seamless and cohesive look.
Photo by Thomas Bille
Extend to the Guest Chairs
If you have guest chairs or a small lounge, position the rug so at least the front legs of those chairs lay on it. This will ground the area, ensuring that furniture is not floating in the room.
Photo by Amy Kim
Rug Layering under the Office Desk
If you’re using a bigger rug, a rug layering is a great way to add visual interest or add a more chair-friendly rug without getting rid of your beautiful big area rug. Use rugs that complement each other and position the desk fully on the upper rug.
Photo by Marie Flanigan Interiors
7. Office Rug Materials: What Works and What to Avoid
A rug’s material and pile length are just as important as its size. Depending on the rug material, your chair might roll well on the rug or constantly get stuck on it. In addition to that, a constant chair rolling makes the desk area traffic heavy. Thus, you need to pick a rug made of the material that is durable enough to withstand the repetitive movement.
Photo by @drellsky.home
3 Best Types of Rugs that Work with the Desk Chair
These rug types tend to be chair-friendly, durable, and suitable for daily use:
Flatweave and Low-pile - Rugs with a flat, tight weave are less likely to snag or resist chair wheels. The low-profile texture allows smooth rolling without chair wheels getting caught in the pile.
Indoor / Outdoor (polypropylene, synthetic blends) -Indoor and Outdoor rugs withstand dirt, moisture, and heavy use well. Their smoother texture often makes it easier for chairs to glide on them and require low-maintenance.
Jute (with tight weave) - Natural fiber rugs like jute offer both texture and durability, provided the weave is sufficiently tight so the chair wheels don’t catch.
3 Rugs To Avoid for Home Office
Some rug types tend to cause more trouble with rolling chairs or wear rapidly. To maintain your rug well, avoid this type of rugs for your home office:
High-pile / Shag - High pile or a shaggy rug in other words means that you will have to drag your chair more and the rug fibers will get crushed, damaged or stuck in the chair’s wheels.
Sheepskin - Sheepskin might make your office look luxurious and comfy, but these rugs are too soft and not office chair-compatible.
Tufted / raised-pattern rugs - Any rug with raised loops or tufts will likely snag under chair wheels — avoid these in your workspace.
Photo by Michael Soledad
Tips for Rug Pads in Home Office
Even the most expensive, highest quality rug can shift or slide. Choosing a proper rug pad will help you keep the rug in space. For the rug pad under home office rug, keep these things in mind:
1. Use a thin, grippy rug pad that holds the rug in place without adding too much height.
2. Avoid thick cushioning pads under the chair zone – they can interfere with rolling.
3. Some rubber or felted pads provide stability without disrupting chair motion.
4 Easy Mistakes to Avoid
Here are 4 most common mistakes that you can avoid when choosing a rug for your office room:
Mistakes to Avoid when Buying a Rug
Final Thoughts
A well-chosen office rug will transform how your workspace looks and feels. The right rug size and material both protect your floors and defines your working area, improving comfort and even boosting focus. For a small or medium sized room, consider 4x6, 5x8, 6’ round/square or 6x9 rugs. For a bigger room, define the space with 8x10, 9x12 or 10x14 rug. Take time to measure your desk area for the best fit, test chair’s movement, pick a durable low-pile rug and choose rug placement that works for your workflow the best. With a little planning, your durable and functional rug will tie the room together, making every work session more enjoyable.
Best Rugs That Will Elevate Your Office Space
