It sounds as though it would be too small. With an area rug, it should be large enough so that all the furniture that's positioned with the rug can either have all legs resting on the rug, or at least the front legs of larger pieces, like a couch, resting on the rug's surface.

I think it depends on the look you want. What size is your family room? I am also looking for a new area rug for my family room. I want the front legs of the furniture to be on the rug. My room is 18x15, I am looking for a 9x12.

hope you dont mind me piggy backing on your thread, hate to start a new one when people will be coming here already to answer this similar question.

I now have a 5x8 rug that I have always felt was too small, but I made it work. I am picking up a second hand rug and it is 12x9 which will be MUCH better as far as I'm concerned (we have wood laminate floors that I hate because they show every water smudge and pet hair, even 5 minutes after cleaning it, so needless to say I'll be thrilled to cover them up as much as possible)

The room is 13.5 across and 15 ft long.