Rug Too Small For Room. Place the large rug within 12 inches of the walls on all sides, or place it in the middle where it stops several inches away from all the furniture. But really, if a rug doesn't fit under the front legs of your main seating pieces in a living room, then it really doesn't fit. If you use a cowhide.

The rug should be the largest element in the room. Make sure your rug is at least 6″ wider (8″ is ideal) than your sofa on both sides. In the old living room our 6 x 9 area rug was just the right size.
Gallery of Rug Too Small For Room
In the old living room our 6 x 9 area rug was just the right size. The rug should be the largest element in the room. Generally, bigger is always better; But really, if a rug doesn't fit under the front legs of your main seating pieces in a living room, then it really doesn't fit.