How to Place a Rug in a Bedroom: No Fail Steps and Tips

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

When it’s time to lay out the room, it can be hard to figure out how a rug fits into your bedroom design. A rug can add depth, color, and pattern, but how do you figure out if the room will accommodate a rug? Here are our no-fail steps on rug placement in the bedroom. 

rug under the bed in bedroom

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The Advantages & Disadvantages of a Rug in The Bedroom

Advantages of a Rug in the Bedroom

  • Comfortable
    A rug in the bedroom adds warmth and softness to a chilly room. It is perfect for bare feet in the morning. A rug in the bedroom provides a nice place for bare feet to rest and is especially nice in the winter time. Also, if you have wood floors, a small rug gives your toes traction.

  • Defines Space
    A rug in the bedroom defines space, creating a “living room-like” atmosphere. Often, people choose a color scheme that complements the room’s existing elements.

    You can define the area just by using a small rug in the middle of the room or you can do it by using a large one that covers everything but the bed. You can even use a rug to define the area where you put the bed in the room.

  • Cheaper Than Carpet
    Some people think that rugs are more expensive than carpet. This is often not the case. You can purchase a beautiful, traditional, or contemporary rug that perfectly fits your bedroom at less than half the price carpet.

    If you have hardwood floors, lay down a thick area rug for a soft plush feel.

  • Protects Floors
    If you have a rug under your bed, it protects your floors from scratches and indentations. The rug also prevents the floor from getting damaged by any liquids that may spill, such as when you’re taking a shower or you spill water on the floor.

    It’s also great to place under a desk or other furniture that would be on the floor. It will keep your floors clean and avoid scratches on your wood, tile, or carpet.

Disadvantages of a Rug in the Bedroom

  • Dust
    Dust is a primary concern when choosing a rug for your bedroom.

    Dust mites and other tiny dirt particles can gather in your rug, which you can then breathe in when you sleep. Some rugs are better at repelling dust than others. Jute and Sisal rugs are great dust repelling rugs.

    Vacuuming the rug regularly can keep the dust levels to a minimum and will also help to get rid of the stains that have been deposited on the rug.

  • Difficulty Cleaning
    One of the major disadvantages of using a rug in the bedroom is the fact that you cannot easily clean it.

    This is especially true if the rug is placed under the bed. Having to lift the bed to clean the rugs can become a challenge. 

Options For Bedroom Rug Placement

Rug placement in your bedroom can add some personality and flair to the room. Deciding how to place a bedroom rug is part of the overall design. You can go with a theme and place the rug in front of a focal point such as a headboard, bed, or nightstand. You can also go with a bold statement and place the rug in a corner or in front of the window.

The options are endless. Here we highlight some of the more common areas to place a run in the bedroom.

Next to The Bed

bedroom rug next to bed

If you have a small bedroom, you can place the rug next to the bed. If you put your bed on the left side of the room, it will be a good idea to position the rug on the right side of the room. This will create a nice visual separation between the bed and the rest of the room.

Under The Bed

Just as a bed skirt can add a finished look to a bed, a rug under the bed can give your room a finished look and make it feel comfortable for your feet when you get up in the morning. Adding an area rug under the bed will give your room a sense of depth and make your bed appear smaller.

Use an area rug under the bed with a skirt to add a complete look and a cozy feel.

Foot of The Bed

rug at foot of bed in bedroom

Bedroom rugs placed at the foot of the bed create a focal point as you walk into the room, and define the foot of the bed area. It is also a good place to put a rug that coordinates with the bedroom furniture.

Choosing a Bedroom Rug

You don’t need to be an interior designer to pick out the perfect bedroom rug. The right rug will be personal to you, just like your choice of décor.

If you’re looking for something to anchor and anchor your room, think about the right size and how much you want it to stand out. For example, a beige or white shag rug will make a room feel larger, while a small rug or a rug with a pattern that matches or complements the room’s color scheme will add definition and interest to your space.

There are numerous options to choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular options. 

Runner Bedroom Rug

runner rug in bedroom

Runner bedroom rugs are a popular choice for most people who have limited space as they can mask a lot of the clutter in your bedroom. This type of rug is also practical since it can help keep your feet warm and reduce wear and tear on your flooring. You can choose from a number of runner rugs in a wide range of colors, styles, and materials.

Area Rug

area rug in bedroom

A lot of people think that area rugs are only for the common areas of a house, such as the living room. But they can be used in all rooms of the house. In the bedroom, an area rug can be used in a variety of ways, such as:

  • To cover the cold floor under the bed
  • Under dressers or other furniture
  • To cover a drafty area near the door
  • To make a seating area near the fireplace or window
  • To soften the look of a hardwood floor
  • To add color to an all-white room

Round Rug for the Bedroom

This is an easy one. In order to make your room look bigger and brighter, you want to get rid of all the clutter and dark colors. Why not add a round rug! A round rug can be placed in the middle of the floor to give the appearance of a bigger room.

Square Rug for the Bedroom

square rug in bedroom

There is a rising trend of using square rugs in the bedroom. If you’re looking to redo your bedroom, you may want to consider using a square rug instead of the typical rectangular shape. Square rugs are a great way to spice up a room and can help give a room a more modern feel.

Often, interior designers will use a square rug in a room that also uses modern furniture, such as a platform bed or a contemporary armchair.

Other Things to Consider

Size of the Bedroom

The size of a rug should complement the size of the bedroom. In other words, the rug should not be overpowering or look out of place.

If the size of the rug is not right, you will have a hard time creating a consistent, complete look in the room.

In a small bedroom, a larger rug that takes up all the floor space may overwhelm the room and make the room feel smaller.

In a large bedroom, a large rug may make the room feel too small.

The best way to determine the size of a rug for a room is to measure the dimensions of the room and then use a calculator to determine the dimensions of the rug you need. The dimensions of a rug are typically referred to as the area or the square footage.

Size of the Bed

Queen Sized Bed: 

The size of your room will dictate what size rug looks best. An 8×10 rug is a good place to start, but if you want more of the rug to show, go with a 9×12.

An 8×10 rug is a common size that is often quite affordable and easily accessible. It will allow approximately two feet of the rug to show on either side of your queen bed. However, keep in mind that much of the rug’s design will be covered by the bed.

King Size Bed: 

A 9×12 area rug is a perfect size to place under a king bed, leaving plenty of space around the edges of the bed.

A larger size rug may be desired if you wish to place a bench or stool at the end of your bed.

Helpful Tips

  • Try to allow at least 2′ to 3’ of rug to show on each side of the bed, no matter the size of your room.

  • If placing the rug under the bed, make sure your bedroom rug is placed under your bed, not extending to the nightstands.

  • One way to arrange your bedroom furniture is to put the rug with its length running along the width of the bed, underneath the front two-thirds of the bed.

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