How Big Should A Bedroom Rug Be?

There's nothing like the feeling of getting out of bed and being greeted to a plush, stylish area rug. If you are in the market for an area rug for your bedroom, you may have questions about determining the right size for your bed and space. We researched what experts had to suggest regarding the perfect size bedroom rug and why specific choices work best. Learn what factors should be considered when selecting a bedroom rug and create a space you'll love for lounging and sleeping alike.

The size of a bedroom rug should be chosen based on its relationship to the bed's dimensions, and how it takes up space. Choose a rug that is too small and end up with an underwhelming look. Opt for a rug that is too large and it appears that the bed is being swallowed. It is acceptable to choose a smaller or odd-shaped area rug that is positioned on a prominent side of a bed, at a corner, or at the center of the foot. Most area rugs should sit under a bed between 12 to 18 inches from the sides and the foot.

Be inspired by different layout options for a bedroom rug that matches your personality, budget, and aesthetic sensibilities.

Sizing Up A Bedroom Rug

A good rule to follow is that a bedroom rug should be large enough to allow all of the legs of a bed frame to sit on top of the floor covering. A minimum of 18 inches of space should be between the edges of an area rug and the nearest wall. Of course, you can make adjustments depending on how much of the bed, and any accompanying accent furniture can sit on the rug.

If you feel a bedroom rug has come up a bit short for your bed's dimensions, change its position to visually correct this matter. It is acceptable for a rug to lay under 2/3 of the lowermost part of your bed. If you have a larger queen or king-sized bed, an area rug should extend between 18 to 24 inches from the sides. Ideally, area rugs should not be touching the legs of nearby dressers, nightstands, or floor lamps. If you cannot fit these types of furnishings in a bedroom on top of an area rug, go up a size, or keep them off completely.

How Big Should Bedside Rug Be?

The size of your bedside rug should be large enough to tie-together the bed and nightstand without being visually off-putting. You don't necessarily won't your nightstand sitting on top of the area rug, nor your headboard. A good size to work with in the bedroom is an area rug that is between 5 to 8 feet wide. Any area rug under 9 feet should be placed in front of a nightstand. If you wish to place furniture in addition to the bed on top of a rug, opt for 9 feet or wider in size.

A popular choice for bedroom rugs is to place an 8 x 10 foot floor covering down. Using this size gives enough room to anchor nightstands, floor lamps, and the bed. Smaller bedrooms do well with a 6 x 9 foot area rug. Do embrace being creative with proportions of the rug, bed, and any accent furniture for the most balanced and harmonious look.

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How Far Should Rug Extend Beyond A Bed?

If you have a twin size bed, a rug shouldn't extend more than 12 inches beyond the edges. Larger queen-sized beds look best when a rug extends 18 inches past the sides. Keep a minimum of 1 foot of space around the sides of a king-sized bed, where the edges of a rug will extend itself. Do make allowances if your bed is placed in a corner, is a day bed, or if you have a decorative rug that is smaller than your bed. It is okay to have a rug solely at the foot of the bed, or positioned on only one side or a corner of the bed too.

When calculating what size rug to choose for your bed so it will extend enough past the sides and head, consider the following. How will your bed be positioned in the room and its dimensions in relation to accompanying furnishings?

Mostly the foot of the bed, plus a bench or storage ottoman will sit atop the area rug.
Only 2/3 of the bed will sit atop the rug, excluding the head of the bed, but making the foot and sides prominent.
The entire bed frame needs to be atop the area rug, with enough space for the rug to extend itself all around.
The entire bed and nightstands will be placed on the top of the area rug.

Do keep in mind, you will want to encourage visual breathing room and have a minimum of 8 inches of space between nightstands and where the rug starts. If a bedroom rug is too small to accommodate all furniture, place nightstands and the head of the bed so the legs are off of the rug. With nightstands, you don't want only one pair of legs atop the area rug, creating a unstable surface.

Does A Rug Have To Be Centered Under A bed?

Where you place a bedroom rug is mostly a matter of personal preference. However, most interior designers suggest that it should be centered so the edges extend between 12 to 18 inches past the sides and foot of the bed. A minimum of 12 inches is ideal for a twin bed, while a queen should have 18 inches of rug surrounding. Go bold, and opt for a rug that is off-center, especially if a bed is tucked in a corner, or on a diagonal orientation. When an area rug is smaller than typical or has an odd-size, it doesn't make sense to have it centered under a bed. Do what works best visually.

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What Pile Rug is Best For Bedrooms?

A thick, plush rug with a medium to high pile is best for bedrooms. Usually, a rug with a higher pile has a shaggy texture which feels lovely underfoot. Check that your bedroom rug has a pile ranging between 3/4 of an inch to a half-inch. Since bedrooms don't usually get as much foot traffic as a living room or hallway, you can even install a velvet pile rug for a vibe and feel of luxury. Wool rugs are a popular choice in bedrooms because of the comfortable material, longevity, and texture provided by the pile.

You don't want to choose a low-pile rug for a bedroom because those are better suited for a high traffic area. A low-pile rug may feel a bit lackluster, and lack the richness and warmth desired for a bedroom. High-pile and medium-pile area rugs feel best on your feet and chase away chilly floors. Don't forget to regularly maintain and clean your bedroom rug so it lasts longer and enjoys better performance. Over time, the weight of a bed can wear down on rug fibers when in the same place for too long.

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Conclusion

We hope you feel more confident about placing a fantastic area rug in your bedroom that complements your furniture and is practical. A well-chosen area rug in the bedroom makes the space look and feel more complete and visually balanced. Plus, if you have cold hardwood or tile floors, a warm rug with a thick pile feels nice on your feet. Choose a bedroom rug that fits your sense of style, budget, and is durable and high-quality.

The most important thing is to select a rug that has enough room to extend past the sides and foot of the bed at the very least. If you wish, there is nothing wrong with choosing an 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 area rug that is large enough to handle placing an entire bed frame, dresser, and nightstands on top of the surface. Otherwise, keep only the bed on top of a rug, and don't allow the edges of the floor covering to touch the edges of adjacent furniture.

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