How and Where to Place an Area Rug in Your Bedroom
TABLE OF CONTENTS
On This Page
Under the Bed
Next to the Bed
Under Furnishings
Adding an area rug to your bedroom can distinguish one part of the space from another—but figuring out where to place these textiles can be tricky. Ultimately, it's important to get it right: Proper rug placement can enhance the room's coziness and add an element of interest to an otherwise subdued color palette.
Deciding how to place an area rug in your bedroom depends largely upon finding the appropriate sized option for your space. "The 'right' sized rug for your bedroom can really make or break the room, but there are no fixed rules when it comes to rug selection," says interior designer Kati Curtis of Kati Curtis Design. "Think of your rugs as a functional piece of art—something that you want to enjoy, but that also is comfortable and useful—and you can't go wrong."
Consider the size and layout of the rest of your room to narrow down the rug dimensions that will have the biggest impact. From there, you'll be able to figure out the best placement option for your piece.
Related: How to Choose the Right Rug Size for Your Living Room, According to Interior Designers
Julie Soefer
How to Place an Area Rug Under the Bed
The most common spot for an area rug in the bedroom is under the bed, where it anchors the room's largest piece of furniture. If you have nightstands flanking the bed, decide whether you want the rug to go underneath them—all the way to the headboard—or stop before the nightstands' front legs.
"Running the rug to the end of your headboard allows for the rug to be underfoot when you get out of bed, instantly creating a sense of coziness," says James Seuss, CEO of The Rug Company. On the other hand, stopping short of your bedside tables adds soft layering to any space. "With this layout, it's best to display the rug perpendicular to the bed frame so there is plenty of comfort on each side and foot of your bed," Seuss says.
Sizing a Rug for Under the Bed
For a king-size bed, your rug should be larger than 9 x 12 feet—anything smaller will be too narrow. "For under a queen-sized bed, I'd look for at least 9- to 10-feet wide so you have plenty of rug to step out of the bed onto," Curtis says.
How to Place an Area Rug Next to the Bed
If you don't want to invest in a rug that will be almost entirely hidden by your bed, choose runners, instead. "If you can't [buy] the right sized rug for your room, then opt for two smaller sized rugs on either side of the bed," says Curtis. "You'll get to enjoy [their beauty], and they will also be soft on your feet when you get out of bed."
Sizing a Rug for Next to the Bed
The length and width of the rugs depend on how much space you have; opt for longer runners that line the full length of your bed, or smaller accent rugs that offer a warm landing spot for cold feet in the morning. "Often, it's best to order a custom-length runner so that it fits the space precisely and has natural starting and finishing points," says Seuss. "A bigger rug is always better!"
How to Place an Area Rug Under Furnishings
The other furniture in your room—including dressers and seating areas—can also influence the size and placement of your rug. As a general rule, any seating arrangement, such as a reading nook or desk, needs a rug to make it feel complete.
Sizing a Rug for Under Furnishings
There are fewer hard and fast rules for the correct size rug to place under furnishings. "If the rug goes halfway under your dresser, that's ideal—if it clears it all the way, it might be too small for the room," says Curtis. Rugs that are too small will appear lost in your space rather than serve as a focal point. Instead, opt for a bigger size and let your rug flow beyond the measurements of your furniture.
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