Irregular Shaped & Custom Cut Rugs

A custom cut rug is a rug that is not a perfect circle, rectangle or square.

Maybe your space is asymmetrical, has inconvenient curves or heat registers in the middle of the floor, or you want that just-right cutout around the hearth of your fireplace. These are all situations when a custom cut rug is the ideal solution to your space challenges.

Residential Applications

The most common residential request we receive is a fireplace cutout. Also, L-shaped rugs for kitchens or landings are routinely requested. Sometimes, especially in older homes or upper stories, rooms and hallways have unique layouts that require custom flooring solutions.

Commercial Applications

Boutique shops, retail stores, hotel lobbies and corporate offices are just a few of the spaces where an irregular or special shape rug enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of the space.

Display: A custom cut rug highlights specific product zones or exhibition spaces, such as seasonal displays, high-end merchandise, or gallery showcases.

Desks & Tables: Custom rugs can be cut to mirror a desk's shape or fit around tables or booths, creating a upscale dining experience while defining separate seating areas.

Entrances: An entrance zone with a custom-shaped rug makes a strong first impression, drawing customers in and setting the tone for the store's style.

Looking for a logo entrance mat? Durable walk-off mats are available with custom logos and designs to make a great first impression and reinforce your brand. See our collection of walk-off mats for more info.

Find the Right Material

Consider the foot traffic in the room. Low traffic areas like living rooms or bedrooms are great candidates for natural fibers like wool or sisal. Kitchens, dining rooms and heavy traffic areas are more conducive to synthetic fibers that are super tough and easy to clean. SynSisal® or Terasa are ideal for custom shapes—these are flat woven carpets with a tight structure, strong fibers and contract grade ratings, plus they maintain their edge integrity when bound properly.

Special Note About Fireplace Cutouts: Choose the rug or carpet material carefully! Opt for materials like naturally fire-resistant wool, natural fibers that have been treated with flame retardants (like stain-resistant sisals), or synthetics that meet fire safety standards for residential or commercial spaces.

For more on material selection, check out Heavy Duty Rugs For High Traffic Areas or visit the Rug Buying Guide – Everything You Need To Know post on our blog.

Order Samples

We offer free shipping on samples, so why not see and feel the material before making your decision? Order samples today.

Finishing Options

The edges of custom cut rugs must be finished properly to prevent fraying and/or unraveling. Different binding or serging options are available depending on the weave and/or the size of the cutout. Smaller cutouts may be limited to a serged edge because properly finishing a cloth border corner is not possible within the confined space.

If you like a clean edge look with no visible border, Synthesis (a woven vinyl) or tretford® Roll are great options. Their unique construction allows clean cuts that won’t unravel, making it easier to create complex rug shapes without bindings.

Lead Time and Shipping

Custom cut rugs require longer lead times than standard options, so factor this into your planning, especially for large projects or events. Once you have narrowed down your weave and binding preferences and have a basic rug diagram, our customer service team can provide production and shipping estimates.

Additional Costs

Extra planning and skilled craftsmanship are required to make our special shape rugs and therefore additional fees or costs may be applied. For example, there may be an extra fee for each inside corner cut, for each mitered corner on a cloth border (all corners should match!), circular or oval shapes, or required rug pads (for dimensional stability).

For Commercial Settings

Be sure any irregular shaped rug—from custom cutouts to organic shapes—complies with local and ADA standards for stability and safety. Avoid slipping and tripping hazards with rugs by using durable materials, anchoring the rug with heavy furniture, and securing it with a non-slip pad or backing.

Measure Thrice & Create a Template

Precise measurements of the space are crucial. Enlist some help, get a tape measure, use graph paper if you have it or just a sheet of paper to get started. Jump below to see examples of diagrams from our clients—they range from professionally drawn diagrams to perfectly suitable sketches.

• For complex cut-outs or unique rug shapes, a template of the area with measurements is generally required. Templates for the most common shapes are above.

• Round to the nearest inch.

• If the rug needs to fit around a fireplace or irregular corners, exact dimensions must be included for every edge of the rug, including allowances for any protruding elements.

• Measure at multiple points along the wall, hearth, or protruding element for a more accurate measurement. Walls are not always perfectly straight, so measuring only at one point can lead to errors.

• Ovals: The angle or degree of the curve is needed for oval shapes. A physical template, like a large piece of butcher paper fitted to the exact shape, or a CAD drawing will suffice.

• Rounded Corners: The radius of the corner is needed. Binding options may be limited.

• For tips on rug size and furniture placement, head over to our Rug Size Guide.

How many inches do I need to leave in between the edge of my irregular shaped rug and the wall?

It depends on your personal preference. Some may choose 2-3 inches while another may go up to 12 inches. We do recommend that the "reveal" be the same throughout the room: if you choose 3 inches around a built-in bookshelf, than it should be 3 inches between the rug edge and the wall for the entire room.

How many inches do I need to leave in between the edge of my fireplace cut out rug and the hearth?

The area in front of a fireplace—the hearth—is sometimes elevated and other times is flush with the floor. A hearth is made from non-combustible materials like stone or tile. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a 3-foot buffer zone of non-flammable material around your fireplace opening. How many inches you need in between the edge of the hearth and the edge of your rug or carpet depends on the size of your hearth and personal preference.

Scale: Does my diagram need to be drawn to scale?

For common, basic custom cut rugs, creating a diagram to scale may not be necessary. The more complex the shape, the greater need for scale. Furthermore, you may want a scaled drawing for a more accurate visual representation of the final product. Below is an example of a diagram that is NOT to scale compared to a scaled drawing that more accurately depicts the rug shape.

Once you have selected your material, decided on the border type, measured the space, and created a template, you are ready to order. Our customer service team is happy to review your template and communicate with our workroom.

Please contact us at any stage if you have questions or need assistance.