Small Rug Sizes Explained: 20x30, 2x3 and 3x5 for Kitchens, Entries and Bedside
Use a 20 by 30 inch rug as a doormat or in front of a sink, a 2 by 3 foot rug for an entry, bedside or landing, and a 3 by 5 foot rug for a playroom, a nursery or a small seating spot. A 2 by 4 foot runner fits a galley kitchen or short hall. Most of the braided rugs Super Area Rugs lists are in these accent sizes, so this is the range the shop serves best.
20 by 30 inches: doormats and sink mats
This is the doormat size, and it is the most common size in the braided range. In front of a door it catches grit; in front of a sink it catches drips and gives you something soft to stand on. Pick a washable or indoor-outdoor braid here because the spot gets wet. The Farmhouse Rug line in Blue, Red, Beige, Brown, Gray and Green is listed as washable and reversible, and the Gemstone Braided Kitchen Rug family, with colors such as Earthy Emerald, Earthy Bronze, Sapphire Blue and Port Red, is pitched at exactly this use. The solid Braided Wool Rug line is also available in this size for a bedroom or hall spot that stays dry.
2 by 3 feet: entries, bedside and landings
A 2 by 3 foot rug is large enough to take a full stride and to sit beside a single or double bed. It is the size to choose for an entry with room to step inside, for the foot of a staircase, and for a laundry or mudroom. The Sanibel Tweed Braided Rugs in Beige, Blue, Burgundy and Beige, Green and Beige and Gray and Black, and the Portsmouth Braided Indoor Outdoor Traditional Rugs, are all listed in a 2 by 3 oval. The Hartford Braided Rug in Blue Lake and the Roxbury Braided Rug in Blue are washable choices; the Pura Solid Soft Wool Braided Rug in Moss Green and the Santa Maria Traditional Braided Rug in Brown Fudge suit a bedside where softness matters more than washability. If the space is squared-off, the Sanford Rustic Braided Rug and Woolmade Rounded Rectangle Braided Rug come in a 2 by 3 rectangle.
3 by 5 feet: kids' rooms and small seating
At 3 by 5 feet a rug stops being a mat and becomes the floor of a small zone. It is the standard size for a play corner or nursery, and the range reflects that: the Lullaby Childrens Solid Braided Rug and Juvi Playroom Braided Rug in Aqua Blue and the Hipster Kids and Playroom Braided Rug in Aqua Blue Multi are all 3 by 5 ovals. The Homespun Kitchen Easy Clean Braided Rug in Black Satin is the same size for a larger kitchen. Under a play table or in front of a small sofa, a 3 by 5 should have the front legs of the furniture on it so the rug reads as part of the seating.
Runners, half circles and the matching pieces
The one runner in the range is the Cherry Hill Premium Braided Wool Rug in Mocha Brown at 2 by 4 feet, a length that suits a galley kitchen or a short hall rather than a long corridor. The Blue White Hand Spun Cotton Braided Rug is a half circle at 20 by 40 inches, a shape made for the foot of a door or the front of a sink. Whatever size you choose, add a non-slip pad on hard floors; a small braided rug moves more than a large one. If you want the room to match, the same braid families come as chair pads, storage baskets and stair treads, so a Cherry Hill or Sanibel scheme can run from the stairs to the kitchen chairs.
FAQ
What size rug goes in front of a kitchen sink?
A 20 by 30 inch mat covers the standing spot in front of a sink. Go to 2 by 3 feet if the sink run is wider or you want to cover the dishwasher too.
What size rug for beside a bed?
A 2 by 3 foot rug beside a single or double bed gives a soft landing; a 2 by 4 runner covers more of the bed's length.
Is a 3 by 5 rug big enough for a living room?
Not as the main rug. It works as a zone rug in front of a loveseat or under a play table, with the front legs of the furniture on it.
More guides
- Braided Rug Buyer's Guide: Wool, Washable, Jute and Indoor-Outdoor
- Do You Need a Rug Pad? When It Matters and Which Type to Buy
- Stair Treads Buyer's Guide: Sizes, Sets, Wool vs Washable and Installation
- Sheepskin Rug Guide: Single vs Double Pelt, Colors and Care