Answering All Your Questions About Bedroom Rugs

Your bedroom stands as the haven of your home. More than any other room, the environment needs to foster a comfortable, restorative space. The right bedroom rug nurtures that ambiance and articulates your individuality in a space distinctly your own.

Here is a comprehensive guide to help you explore bedroom rug ideas, find the optimal size, and choose a style for your space.

What Is the Purpose of a Rug Under a Bed?

If your bedroom features hardwood or tile floors, having a rug under your bed offers more than just aesthetic value. A soft bedroom rug offers a more inviting transition between getting out of bed and beginning the rest of your day. 

Having a rug under your bed can visually anchor the entire room and define the focal point. It fosters a welcoming atmosphere that elevates both its visual appeal and its functional aspects.

From a practical standpoint, a rug protects the floor underneath from potential damage, particularly if your bed is supported on hard legs or wheels.

Does a Bedroom Rug Have to Go Under the Bed?

Not necessarily. Factors like bed and room size determine your ideal rug placement. Some opt for runners on the side of their bed instead of a rug underneath. You may also choose to forgo a rug under the bed, instead using it to highlight a different part of your bedroom, like a sitting area. 

What Kind of Rug Do You Put Under a Bed?

The type of rug you should put under a bed is largely a matter of personal preference, but factors such as bed size, material, and the overall style of the room are crucial considerations. 

While a bedroom environment often allows you to incorporate a rug made with materials less practical for high-traffic areas, including silk and silk blends, durable materials like wool can better absorb the compression of heavy furniture on the surface. 

Ultimately, the bedroom rug you choose should enhance the room and align with your needs. Choose a material that feels rich and comfortable underfoot. You may want to also consider other lifestyle aspects. For example, if you have young children or pets, you may lean toward options that offer convenience in terms of cleaning. Many modern wool rugs and low pile options work well in these cases. 

What Size Rug Is Best for a Bed?

Ideally, a rug should extend at least 18 inches from the edge of your bed. If you have a nightstand next to your bed, a rug should extend at least 6 inches from its edge.

However, the rug size you choose depends on the size of your bed and of your room. Ideally, the right rug carefully balances both aspects. No matter the placement or size of your room, make sure the rug is large enough to provide abundant space for a gentle touchdown as you get out of bed. 

Rug Sizes for King Beds

The best rug sizes for king beds are determined by the layout and design scheme of your room. A large rug that extends beyond the sides and foot of the bed creates a luxurious and comfortable border around the bed. A rug placed under the lower two-thirds of the bed can also define the space. 

Still have questions? Use this guide to help you find the right size.

Should I Put an 8’ x 10’ Rug or a 9’ x 12’ Rug Under a King Bed?

A 9x12 rug is considered the standard rug size for king bedrooms because it has enough space to frame the bed without overtaking the space. 

But, when placed beneath a king bed, an 8x10 rug is just large enough to remain visible around the bed frame when arranged vertically. When placed horizontally, it’s best to place the rug so it extends beyond the foot of the bed. 

Is a 10’ x 14’ Rug Too Big for a King Bed?

Not if your bedroom is big enough to accommodate it! A 10’ x 14’ rug extends well beyond the perimeter of a king bed, creating a defined space with plenty of room and visibility on all sides. 

Rug Sizes for Queen Beds

With more compact dimensions, rug sizes for queen beds have slightly different considerations, yet follow the same design principles as with king beds. This guidance can help when placing a rug around or underneath a queen bed.

Will an 8’ x 10’ Rug Fit Under a Queen Bed?

Yes, an 8x10 rug can fit beautifully under a queen bed. This size offers generous space around the frame and highlights the design work of the rug. It can be placed either horizontally or vertically depending on your preferences. 

Can I Use a 5’ x 8’ Rug Under a Queen Bed?

Yes, a 5x8 rug can be placed under a queen bed, although this arrangement requires some creativity with its position due to its smaller area. To achieve design cohesion with its placement, it’s best to position it two-thirds down or at the foot of the bed.

How Should I Position a Small Rug in My Bedroom?

When positioning a small rug in your bedroom, there are several potential approaches. Under the bed, a small rug works best in the lower two-thirds near the foot of your bed. This creates a dynamic look while still spotlighting the rug’s design. You can also use a small rug to highlight other features within your room, such as a seating area, a vanity or dresser, a desk, or atop a larger rug for a layered look.

Can a Bedroom Rug Be Too Big?

A bedroom rug can indeed be too large for the space—select the right size for design harmony and functionality in the room. A wall-to-wall rug is often considered too big, overwhelming the space and detracting from the visual balance. Consider the dimensions of your room, the proportions of the rug, and the placement of your furniture. Of course, it all depends on your personal style. A rug that appears—or even feels—overwhelming is too big, regardless of size. 

What Rugs Are Good for Bedrooms?

Any rug can be an ideal bedroom rug as long as you love the way it feels, the way it looks, and its compatibility with your lifestyle. Several types of rugs are well-suited for bedrooms for their style, comfort, material, and functionality. In addition to the size guidance above, keep these considerations in mind as you explore your options. 

Rug Material

There is no substitute for fine artisanship and high-quality rug materials, including wool, silk, and bamboo silk; all perform well in bedroom settings: 

• Hand knotted wool rugs are naturally durable, yet soft to the touch. They offer warmth, cushion, and longevity, and are extremely easy to clean. 
• Silk rugs offer a smoother, more elegant finish. Silk rugs are perfect for more formal bedrooms, or can be used to add a luxe feel to any space
• Bamboo silk rugs have a lightweight, silky feel and finish. They feature rich colors and shine with opulence. 

Rug Style

Area rugs are available in various colors, patterns, and pile options for your bedroom. Consider these elements when looking at styles: 

• Pile height matters. Most Persian, Oriental, and Tibetan rugs feature a lower pile, which tends to be more durable and often easier to maintain. High pile rugs feature a more visible tuft on the rug’s surface and offer a softer feeling underfoot. These work well in low-traffic areas, including the bedroom. 
• Rug color schemes add layers of dimension to the room. Neutral rugs in shades of beige, cream, and gray can easily complement a variety of color schemes and styles, while brighter colors infuse unmistakable personality and visual interest. 
• Different rug shapes give you the freedom to choose. Beyond rectangular options, consider square, circular, and custom shapes for a touch of uniqueness. The shape you choose can powerfully accentuate the layout and visual appeal of the room.
• Bold patterns that include geometric, tribal, or floral motifs can powerfully elevate the room’s aesthetics and anchor the surrounding decor. These can suit a variety of design styles, and work well with contemporary, eclectic, bohemian, and traditional decor.

How Do I Match an Area Rug to My Bedroom?

There are many ways to achieve balance between your bedroom rug of choice and the rest of your room. It works well to initiate your bedroom’s design with the rug’s style and color as a starting point. 

Rather than pursuing perfect uniformity with your bedroom, it’s more effective to focus on harmony and coherence between elements such as curtains, bedding, and upholstery against the rug’s aesthetic. Even if you have existing furniture and decor, when the rug takes the lead in your design, you have a foundation that can naturally guide your other design decisions for the room. 

Consider these popular rug styles and themes that work effortlessly in bedroom settings, with complementary textile elements that only further enhance cohesion: 

Here are some other factors to help you find a rug that perfectly matches with your overall style.

Color Story

The colors you incorporate into your bedroom act as visual cues that unify the elements in the space. The interplay of different tones can evoke a particular mood or atmosphere, and, when used with intention, create a visually harmonious environment—from walls and furniture to bedding and decor. Select a rug design with colors that create cohesion and enhance the energy of your bedroom.

Patterns

Utilizing patterns, in the rug and elsewhere, is another way to establish a focal point within your room. The right bedroom rug pattern can harmonize with existing decor or serve as a bold statement piece, from intricate tribal motifs to subtle, monochromatic designs. Keep in mind that mixing patterns is very much an art, where one strikes a balance of scale, color, and coordination between components of the room.

Texture

The texture of your rug is very much a sensory experience, but it can also affect the mood of the room. Materials like wool can create a natural and welcoming feeling, while rugs woven from silk convey elegance and a sense of luxury. When considering a rug’s texture, also consider how it will interact with other elements of the room, and the dimension and depth it can build within the space.

Recommended Bedroom Rugs

Need bedroom rug ideas and inspiration? These stunning, high-quality recommendations can align with, or even help to define your taste.

Traditional Area Rugs

Ideal for their timeless charm and versatility, traditional style rugs bring a sense of warmth and comfort that conforms to a bedroom’s purpose. Traditional patterns add elegance and sophistication, while the often muted color palettes commonly seen in traditional rugs work well with a range of bedroom decor styles.

Tufenkian Traditional Design: Tigranakert Ivory

A beautiful example of traditional design and aesthetics, Tigranakert Ivory functions both as a focal point and a subtle connection tying a room together. Made of 100% wool, the ivory background and earth-toned details help create a beautiful, natural palette for the bedroom. 

Modern Area Rugs

Modern and contemporary rugs are well-suited for bedrooms because of their sleek, fresh designs and versatile design styles. These rugs often feature geometric patterns, abstract motifs, clean lines, and bold color choices. From minimalist to urban chic, modern wool rugs and luxurious silk options contribute to many different bedroom aesthetics.

Tufenkian Modern Design: Clyfford Copper

Beautifully handmade, with an organic, yet polished spill of color, Clyfford Copper is woven from bamboo silk with an animated mix of copper and blue blending into each other. Its modern design adds a bold, edgy aesthetic to a bedroom, and features a luxurious sheen and feel underfoot. 

Neutral Area Rugs

Neutral area rugs are classic choices in bedroom design for their ability to create a serene, versatile foundation for the rest of the room. They seamlessly blend with many decor styles while providing a calming backdrop to promote a restful aesthetic in the room. Their understated elegance adds sophistication that can adapt to evolving design preferences.

Tufenkian Neutral Design: Streets of Paris Macadamia

The understated pattern of Streets of Paris Macadamia rug is modern and luxurious, with an organic yet graceful design reminiscent of raindrops on a window. Its silk fibers bring a sense of elegance that is particularly well-suited for bedroom settings, and a subtle texture in shades of beige will add interest without overpowering other design elements.

Can I mix different rug patterns in my bedroom, or should I stick to one pattern?

You can mix different rug patterns in a bedroom if you keep in mind these suggestions:

• Make sure the rugs share the same color family. For instance, blue and red traditional rugs work well with other classic rugs that have a lot of red in them or a lot of blue in them. They don’t need to be the same intensity, but they should be close. Alternatively, a very contemporary hand-knotted rug with a soft, water-color palette could be mixed with a hand-knotted rug that is a textural solid in one of the watercolors. Beautiful neutral-colored hand-knotted rugs work with others of a similar palette.

• Make sure that the styles of the rugs are similar. Traditional rugs work best with other classic-style rugs. Geometric rug patterns mix best with others that have simple graphic patterns. Contemporary hand-knotted rugs can be very bold or softly colored, so when choosing a second rug to go with the first, look for a solid or a textural pattern in one of the colors from the first rug.

• Don’t take this process too seriously. Have fun with your rugs and try a few different ones to see which really look best together. 

How can I use a rug or rugs to visually divide different areas of my bedroom?

Rugs are natural room dividers. A large, room-sized rug under the bed feels cozy underfoot when getting out of bed. If your room is large enough, a second rug can define the sitting area. A pair of chairs with a table between them means you could use a smaller rug here—5’ x 8’ or 6’ x 9.’ Be sure that the two rugs work well together.

Elevate Your Space with Tufenkian Bedroom Rugs

With the right rug, an everyday bedroom can become a luxury sanctuary. Opting for a high-quality, handmade rug is a testament to your distinct personal style as well as an investment with long-term value.

Quality artisanship is irreplaceable as both an art form and a traditional practice. Discover how Tufenkianbedroom rugs both imbue a sense of luxury in your home and enhance the lives of our artisan weavers and their families.

Speak to a rug expert and test drive an extremely handmade Tufenkian rug in your bedroom.