A rug in the master bedroom creates warmth and adds a layered, finished look. Whether you prefer a solid color or a patterned rug, there are a few practical tips to consider when choosing a rug to place under your bed.
You might recall my only gripe about our new luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors: they amplify footsteps. The finish makes a shuffling sound when anything moves across it—especially feet. In short, it’s hard not to make noise on these floors.
Over time I adjusted to the new sound, but in our master bedroom it remained a problem. If my husband gets up in the middle of the night or leaves before I do, I hear every step. Finally, I gave in and decided a bedroom rug was necessary to quiet the floor and add comfort—especially on cool mornings.
Thankfully I’m the only light sleeper in the house (kids and all), so this was mostly a personal comfort decision rather than a household emergency.
I’d been planning a bedroom refresh this fall—the room was decorated when we moved in 7.5 years ago and hadn’t been updated since—so adding a rug fit perfectly with a small makeover. I originally planned the rug as part of a larger update, but the noisy floors pushed the rug to the top of the list.
Pssst… we’ve moved since these photos were taken, and I finally learned how to make a bed like a pro! The rug we chose still works beautifully with the new bedding and layout.
After a week of searching, I found a rug I loved—an “ivory” antique-style piece that actually leans toward warm beige and brown tones. It pairs nicely with our duvet, which contains gold and brown hues, so it felt like the right choice for the space.
I absolutely love the rug in person. It reads neutral against the floor while adding texture and warmth. The pattern could compete with the duvet, so to keep the overall look calm I’ll stick to solid pillows and neutral accents. A solid quilt folded at the foot of the bed would be an easy way to break up the pattern while keeping the duvet I love.
For scale, I chose the 9×12 size because our bed is king size and I wanted to cover as much floor as practical. If you’re wondering what rug size to buy for a bedroom, read on for my tried-and-true guidelines.
Tips for Buying a Rug for Under Your Bed
- What size rug to buy? The most common question is “What size area rug should I use?” It depends on bed size and how much floor you want covered. A good rule of thumb is to choose as large a rug as your room allows while keeping at least 18 inches of floor between the rug and the perimeter walls. That balance keeps the room feeling anchored without the rug overwhelming the space.
- Rug size for a queen or full bed – For full or queen beds, common choices are 5×8, 6×9, or 8×10. If you can, opt for an 8×10 to provide ample coverage and comfortable space to step onto when getting out of bed.
- Rug size for a king bed – For a king bed choose an 8×10 or 9×12 rug. I chose a 9×12 because I wanted the widest coverage and to include the bench area at the foot of the bed. Go larger when you have extra seating or furniture at the bed’s end.
- How to position the rug under the bed – Ideally, run the longer dimension of the rug from nightstand to nightstand. The rug should extend past the bedside tables and tuck slightly beyond the foot of the bed. The bed’s feet and the lower two-thirds of the mattress should rest on the rug while the nightstands remain on the floor.
- Other placement options – You can place all bedroom furniture on the rug for a cohesive look, or use two runners on either side of the bed. If you choose runners, make sure they’re substantial and not too narrow to avoid looking like bath mats.
- Rug edge and wall spacing – Keep at least 18 inches between the rug edge and the wall to maintain visual balance and prevent the rug from appearing cramped.
My Bedroom Sources:
- Rug
- Nightstands {DIY tutorial}
- Headboard {DIY tutorial}
- Striped pillows
- Solid pillows (with inserts)
- Duvet cover {older Pottery Barn style}
- Floors
- Lamps {from HomeGoods; similar styles available elsewhere}
- Art (vintage/old)
- Round mirrors
- Lenda curtains from IKEA
Looking for a Vintage Blue Rug?
I also have the same rug in a blue colorway in my living room. If you’re drawn to distressed blue vintage rugs, I’ve rounded up several budget-friendly favorites that offer the same worn, layered look without the high price tag.
More posts you may enjoy:
- My honest Ruggable rug review
- Best places to buy rugs + shopping tips
- What rug sizes should you use in your home?