Choosing the right rug size for your room is essential to ensure the space feels balanced and cozy. This guide will help you understand how to calculate the ideal rug size, determine the uncovered floor area around the rug, and estimate the total cost based on the rug’s price per unit area.

How to Calculate the Rug Size for Your Room

To calculate the rug size, we take the room’s dimensions (length and width) and account for a bare floor perimeter, which is the uncovered area around the edges of the room. Typically, a bare floor perimeter of 18 inches is common, but you can adjust it based on your preferences.

Let’s break down the formula for determining the rug size.

Formula to Calculate Rug Length and Width

Rug Length

The length of the rug is calculated by subtracting the bare floor perimeter from the room’s length. We subtract the perimeter from just one side of the room's length, as the uncovered area applies only to the rug’s position relative to the wall or the edges of the room.

$\text{Rug Length}=\text{Room Length}-\text{Bare Floor Perimeter}$

Rug Width

Similarly, the width of the rug is calculated by subtracting the bare floor perimeter from the room’s width.

$\text{Rug Width}=\text{Room Width}-\text{Bare Floor Perimeter}$

By applying these formulas, you can find the rug dimensions that will leave the desired uncovered floor space.

Calculating the Total Rug Area

Once you’ve determined the rug’s length and width, the total area of the rug can be calculated using the formula for the area of a rectangle:

$\text{Rug Area}=\text{Rug Length}\times \text{Rug Width}$

How to Calculate Rug Cost

To estimate the cost of the rug, we use the following formula. The cost depends on the price per square unit area (e.g., square feet or square meters) and the rug area:

$\text{Rug Cost}=\text{Rug Area}\times \text{Cost per Unit Area}$

Example Calculation

Let’s consider a room that is 12 feet in length and 10 feet in width, with a default 18-inch bare floor perimeter (1.5 feet). The cost of the rug is $15 per square foot.

$\text{Rug Length}=12-1.5=10.5\text{ feet}$

$\text{Rug Width}=10-1.5=8.5\text{ feet}$

$\text{Rug Area}=10.5\times 8.5=89.25\text{ square feet}$

$\text{Rug Cost}=89.25\times 15=1,338.75\text{ dollars}$

Conclusion

With these simple formulas, you can calculate the perfect rug size for any room, leaving just enough floor exposed for a balanced and functional look. The calculator also helps you estimate the total cost of the rug based on the price per unit area, making it easier to plan your budget.

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