Building Bedroom Area Rugs: A Step-By-Step Guide

Adding an area rug to your bedroom can be a great way to showcase your personal style and add a homely, cosy feel to the room. There are several factors to consider when choosing a bedroom rug, including size, shape, placement, and colour.

The size of the rug will depend on the size of your bed and the room. A good rule of thumb is to choose a rug that extends at least 18 inches beyond the sides of your bed. For a queen-sized bed, a 6-by-9-foot rug is a standard choice, while a 9-by-12-foot rug will accommodate a king-sized bed. If you're placing the rug at the foot of the bed, a 4-by-2-foot runner is a good option.

The shape of the rug is also important. Round rugs can complement any bedroom layout, while rectangular rugs offer a more sophisticated, straight-laced look. Square rugs may require more thought as they don't typically complement the shape of beds.

When it comes to placement, the most common spots for a bedroom rug are under the bed or at the foot of the bed. Placing the rug under the bed creates a cosy feeling, especially if it extends beyond the sides of the bed, providing a soft surface to step onto when you get out of bed. At the foot of the bed, a rug can help establish a larger walking area and a soft surface, making the bed area feel more inviting.

Don't be afraid to add a pop of colour or a playful pattern to your bedroom with the rug. It's a great way to experiment with the colour palette and layout of the space without being too overbearing.

Remember, the right rug can add a touch of luxury and comfort to your bedroom, so take the time to consider the size, shape, placement, and colour to find the perfect fit for your space.

Choosing the right size

Consider the Size of Your Bed

The size of your bed is a key factor in determining the right rug size. Most people place area rugs under their beds, and you'll want to ensure there is ample rug space on either side of the bed for a comfortable step in the morning. Aim for at least 18 inches of rug extending beyond each side of your bed. For queen-sized beds, a 5-by-8-foot or 6-by-9-foot rug is suitable, while a 9-by-12-foot or 12-by-15-foot rug can provide a more dramatic look for king-sized beds.

Placement Options

The placement of your rug will influence the size you choose. If you plan to place the rug under the bed, consider whether you want it to go all the way to the headboard or stop before the nightstands. You can also place the rug perpendicular to the bed frame, ensuring it extends at least two-thirds of the bed's length. Alternatively, you may opt for runners or smaller rugs on either side of the bed, which should be wider than your nightstands.

Room Size and Layout

Take into account the size and layout of your bedroom. If you have a large bedroom, you may want a rug that covers a significant portion of the floor space. In smaller rooms, a rug in the middle of the room can create a focal point and make the space appear larger. Ensure there is a balanced distance of around 6 to 24 inches between the rug and the walls to avoid a cluttered look.

High-Traffic Areas

Identify the high-traffic areas in your bedroom, such as next to your bed, dresser, or closet entrance. Placing a rug in these areas adds comfort and protects your flooring. If you have a seating area, you can use a rug to define the space, either with a separate rug or as part of an oversized rug that encompasses the bed and seating.

Customisation

If you're struggling to find a rug that perfectly fits your space, consider custom-length runners. These can be tailored to fit the dimensions of your room precisely, providing a natural and cohesive look.

Placement under the bed

Placing an area rug under your bed is a great way to add a pop of colour, texture, and warmth to your bedroom. It's also a good way to protect your floor from scratches and scuffs. Here are some tips for placing an area rug under your bed:

Size of the Rug

The size of the rug you choose will depend on the size of your bed and the amount of floor space you want to cover. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 18 inches of rug extending beyond the sides and end of your bed. For a queen-sized bed, this would typically be a 5-foot by 8-foot or a 6-foot by 9-foot rug. For a king-sized bed, an 8-foot by 10-foot rug is standard, but you can go up to 9-foot by 12-foot or 12-foot by 15-foot for a larger coverage area.

Placement of the Rug

When placing the rug under your bed, you have a few options:

• You can centre the rug all the way under the bed, so that it extends evenly on all three sides.
• You can place the rug under the bottom two-thirds of the bed, leaving the head of the bed on the bare floor or carpet.
• You can position the rug closer to the foot of the bed, so that only the lower third of the bed is on the rug.
• If you have nightstands, you can choose to place the rug either underneath them or in front of them, stopping before their front legs. Placing the rug all the way to the headboard creates a sense of coziness, while stopping short of the nightstands adds a soft, layered look.

Other Considerations

• If you have a bench at the foot of your bed, you may want to slide the rug down so that all four legs of the bench are resting on it.
• If your rug is too small to fit all the furniture, consider layering a larger, neutral-toned rug underneath.
• Avoid having half of your furniture on the rug, as this can look lopsided and unbalanced.
• If your bedroom is small, opt for a larger rug that nearly fills up the entire space to visually enlarge the room.
• If you have a dresser in your bedroom, choose a rug that is either large enough to fit under the entire dresser or small enough to leave a few inches of floor showing between the edge of the rug and the dresser.

Placement at the foot of the bed

Placing an area rug at the foot of your bed is a great way to establish a larger walking area and a soft, comfortable surface that makes the bed area feel inviting. The placement of the rug depends on its size in relation to the width of your bed.

If your rug is smaller than or equal to the width of your bed, leave 12 to 18 inches of space around all sides of the rug for maximum impact. This will create a comfortable surface that protects your feet from cold flooring in the morning and protects the flooring itself. If you have a bench at the foot of your bed, ensure the rug is placed so that all four legs of the bench rest on it. A runner that is a little shorter in length, such as a 4-by-2-foot runner, is perfect for this.

If your rug is larger than the width of your bed, place the top of the rug just under the footboard, leaving the rest of the rug extending beyond it into the room. This will help you achieve maximum impact and make the room appear visually interesting.

If you want to place the rug underneath the bed, there are a few options. For a symmetrical look, place only the top few inches (around 6 to 18 inches) of the rug underneath, ensuring you also have 12 to 24 inches of the rug on either side of the bed. Alternatively, slide the rug completely under the nightstands or start the rug an inch before them, ensuring at least 2.5 to 3 feet of the rug peeks out from under the footboard. This option works best for larger area rugs in spacious bedrooms.

Placement at the side of the bed

Placing a rug at the side of your bed is a great way to add a comfortable surface to step onto when you get out of bed in the morning. The side of your bed is the perfect spot for a long and narrow rug, like a sheepskin rug or a vintage Persian runner. You can place it on the side you usually get into bed or put one on each side. Most runners are two to three feet wide, which is ideal for most bedrooms. As for length, try to find a runner that is almost as long as your bed itself. A five-foot or six-foot-long runner should be suitable.

If you have nightstands flanking your bed, you can choose whether you want the rug to go underneath them, all the way to the headboard, or stop before the front legs of the nightstands. Running the rug to the end of the headboard allows for a cosy feeling when you get out of bed, as you will be stepping onto the rug. On the other hand, stopping short of the bedside tables adds soft layering to the space. With this layout, it is best to display the rug perpendicular to the bed frame so there is plenty of comfort on each side and at the foot of the bed.

If you don't want to invest in a large rug, you can opt for two smaller-sized rugs on either side of the bed. This way, you can still enjoy their beauty and have a soft surface to step onto when getting out of bed.

Layering rugs

To start, choose a good base rug. This should be a neutral colour, such as a jute, sisal, stripe, or black-and-white pattern. This base rug should work on its own, but can be transformed by layering another rug over the top.

When choosing the rug to layer on top, it's best to go for a patterned piece, especially if you have young children as stains are less likely to be noticed. You can either opt for a vintage patterned rug, such as Persian, or go for a pattern-on-pattern look. If you choose the latter, be sure to choose rugs that have different-sized patterns and that complement each other in terms of colour.

When layering rugs, it's important to consider the size of the rug in relation to the furniture in your room. For example, if you're layering rugs under your bed, it's ideal to have a rug that extends a few feet beyond the bed on all sides to create a visible border. If you're layering rugs next to your bed, you can be more flexible with size, but consider a rug that stretches the length of the bed frame and is at least 30" wide.

You can also layer rugs over carpet, which can help to define areas in your space, add comfort, and protect the carpet. Just be sure to use a rug pad to prevent slipping and add comfort.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to layering rugs, so get creative and have fun with it!

Frequently asked questions