How to Position an Area Rug in a Bedroom

Sides of the Bed

Placing rugs on one or both sides of the bed can provide those comfortable, warm surfaces to step on. This layout is ideal for rooms where your bed may be off to one side or you simply do not want one large area rug to dominate the space. Popular sizes include 3x5 or 2x6, and they may sit in front of the nightstands or under them to create your ideal aesthetic. Even with this layout, you have ample opportunity to show off a unique pattern, color palette, and style.

At the Foot of the Bed

A rug at the foot of the bed can help establish a larger walking area and soft, comfortable surface to make the bed area feel approachable. In these cases, a rug may lay partway beneath the foot of the bed, along the foot of the bed, or foot or two away from the foot of the bed. The size and layout of the rug are dependent upon the size of the room itself, but runner rugs that span across the foot of the bed are popular options, as are larger rectangular and round rugs.

Middle of the Room

If your bed is off to one side of the room, you can center a rug in the middle of the room to establish a comfortable surface and thematically tie multiple spaces together. The rug may layer with nearby furniture like the bed, or it can simply fill out the middle of the room. In any case, rectangular, round, square, and uniquely shaped rugs are ideally suited for this situation since there are so many possibilities with room sizes and layouts.

Under Furnishings

You may choose to have a smaller area rug and layer it with nearby furniture. This is a common layout in rooms with separate sitting areas, play corners for kids, or a desk space. Using a rug to set these spaces apart is an ideal way to create a designated corner that has its own tone but still fits within the room’s layout. Round rugs are especially common in these situations, but uniquely shaped rugs and rectangular rugs work as well depending on what furniture the rug is paired with.

How to Place a Rug in a Small Bedroom

An important part of adding a rug to a small bedroom is making sure that it balances with the size of the furniture, the size of the room, and the layout. Intentionally using rugs in small bedrooms can help create a cozy, comfortable space, and the proper placement of a rug will not make the room feel smaller at all. All of the layouts listed above are feasible for small bedrooms except for setting apart a separate area with a small rug, since small bedrooms likely do not have enough space for these designated spaces. Although the potential layouts are endless even in small bedrooms, the rug likely will layer with the rug at least a little, whether that be under the whole bed, under the foot of the bed, or along the side of the bed.

Additional Considerations

Since the rug is less likely to slide under movement, it is far easier to clean and vacuum. However, it is also easier to clean because the rug pad promotes air circulation under the rug. With the proper airflow, odors are less likely to manifest themselves and mold is less likely to develop in high humidity spaces. These benefits are rarely discussed with rug pads, but they are yet another key benefit of incorporating a rug pad and ensuring that the rug is not a source of allergens in your home.

Foot Traffic Areas

• Having a rug in spaces that are commonly walked on can help establish those natural walkways and make them extra comfortable. Even in layouts where the rug is under the bed, the rug can still cover high foot traffic areas as it extends about two feet past the sides and ends of the bed. 

Rug Shape

• The rug’s shape impacts the room’s tone and how the rug layers with furniture. For example, rounded rugs or animal hide rugs can convey a softer tone than rectangular rugs due to their lack of rigid corners. When choosing a rug and its position in your bedroom, carefully consider how the shape impacts its tone and ideal layout. 

Rug Colors

• Your rug’s color palette should reinforce the bedroom’s color scheme and help cement the room’s tone. No matter what the bedroom size is, you must carefully choose a color palette that does not over-saturate the space or underwhelm it; instead, look for a rug that balances the room’s color palette and tone with its color scheme.

Is My Rug Too Big?

• Rugs are not typically pressed all the way up against the wall unless it is under the bed’s headboard. There should still be at least 6 inches of space between the rug and wall in most cases to ensure the room does not feel cluttered. Another benchmark to consider is that if all the furniture is completely on top of the rug, the rug may be too large for the space.