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Design 101
Guide To Choosing the Right Rug Size for Your Bedroom
November 07, 2024
The right rug can transform your bedroom, adding color and texture to your flooring while also cushioning every step. While there’s a lot to consider when choosing a rug — color, pattern, texture, pile — there’s one factor that’s essential when it comes to bedroom decor: Rug size.
A rug in the correct size will be the foundation for your bedroom furniture and decor. But how do you go about choosing the right size? And once you do, what about placement?
In this bedroom rug size guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about selecting and positioning the right rug to balance your space.
Choosing a Rug Size: What To Consider
Choosing the right area rug size comes down to a variety of factors. The structure of the bedroom, your personal goals for the space, and your unique style and vision can all play a role in determining the perfect rug.
Here are a few things to consider as you determine your ideal rug size.
Room Size
Choosing a rug that’s too small for a large bedroom will throw the space off balance. Along the same line, a rug that's too large can overwhelm a small bedroom. The size of your rug should stay proportional to both your room size and your furniture setup.
Bed Size
As the largest piece of furniture in the bedroom, it's important to consider your bed size when shopping for rugs. Here are the most common rug sizes for different types of beds:
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Twin-sized beds: 5 feet by 8 feet
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Full-sized beds: 6 feet by 9 feet
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Queen-sized beds: 8 feet by 10 feet
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King-sized beds: 9 feet by 10 feet
Design Goals
Beyond the logistics of your room and bed size, it's important to consider your design objective in adding a rug. For example, the placement of your rug can create different visual effects. You can put a rug beneath your bed to highlight it as the room's focal point, use it to frame the bed on both sides, or sit it at the end of the bed as an accent.
The size of your rug can also have an effect on the room's overall atmosphere. An extra-large rug can make a room feel larger and cozier, while smaller rugs can break up space or separate different areas of the room.
Rug Shape
Although the most common and popular rug shape is rectangular, there’s so much more on the rug market to choose from. An oblong, and arch-shaped, or round rug can also work to frame the bed. With larger sizes, you may be able to fit the entire bed and nightstand on top.
Smaller sizes, however, may take more creativity. For example, a smaller circular rug can be placed at the foot of the bed, creating a half-moon shape.
How To Choose the Right Bedroom Rug Size
There's no one right way to style a bedroom area rug. However, there are a few guiding principles that can help you make the right choice for your space:
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A bedroom area rug should extend at least 18 to 24 inches beyond the edges of the bed
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The length of the bedroom rug should run perpendicular to the bed
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To avoid overcrowding, leave at least 10 inches between your rug and bedroom walls
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Allow for at least 3 inches of rug behind the front legs of your furniture
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Ensure plenty of clearance for doors
While it helps to understand the fundamental rules of rug styling, the process also relies on the size of your bed. Let’s break down the recommended rug placements by bed size.
Rug Size Guide for Twin and Full Beds
While a smaller bed is often suited to a smaller rug — about 5 feet by 8 feet — the size also leaves your style possibilities wide open.
Other rug sizes, like 8 feet by 10 feet, 6 feet by 9 feet, or 5 feet by 8 feet would all fit well under a twin or full bed, with plenty of room around the border. You can also place two smaller 3 feet by 5 feet rugs on either side of the bed.
For two twin beds, try placing a 3 feet by 5 feet rug between the two beds. Alternatively, you can place a larger runner rug across the middle of the two beds to tie them together.
Rug Size Guide for Queen Beds
For a queen-sized bed, the standard choice of rug size tends to be 8 feet by 10 feet. This covers the width of the queen bed, while also covering the nightstands and leaving 3 feet of rug on either side of the bed.
If you’re working with limited space, a 6 feet by 9 feet rug will still cover everything you need, leaving about an 18-inch border on either side. You can also frame the queen bed with two smaller runners.
Rug Size Guide for King Beds
With a king bed, you may need one of the largest rug size options, 9 feet by 12 feet. With this size, the rug sits almost completely under the bed and nightstands, while leaving about 2 feet of rug around the bed.
If you have a longer California king bed, you may need something even longer to accommodate it — 12 feet by 15 feet. A rug this size also works for large bedrooms, helping to balance out the space. It can also take up most of the room for anyone seeking wall-to-wall luxe rug coverage.
Styling a Bedroom Rug: Furniture Placement
When considering rug size and placement, the bed tends to take up most of the conversation — for good reason. As the focal point of the room, placing your rug fully or partially underneath the bed pulls the room design together.
But what about other bedroom furniture items? With some larger rugs, you may be able to fit nightstands, as well as benches, armchairs, and more that sit at the end of the bed.
Regardless of the size, your bedroom area rug shouldn’t push up against the edge of any other large piece of furniture, like a dresser or sofa. Choose a rug that’s large enough to fully sit beneath these furniture items, or pick a rug that leaves at least two or three inches of floor showing between the rug and furniture item.
Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Bedroom
Laying an area rug in your bedroom offers more than just a cushioned spot for your feet. It creates another layer of visual interest to your sleep sanctuary, while also framing the bed and pulling the design of your space together.
Whether you want to go big and make a statement with a full-coverage bedroom rug or keep it minimal with a small accent runner, following the right style guidelines will help you put together a setup that feels balanced, spacious, and visually appealing.
Ready to find the perfect match for your bedroom? Explore our catalog to find rugs of every size, shape, color, texture, and price.
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