Home » How To Place a Rug Under a King Bed

How To Place a Rug Under a King Bed

Update On

When it comes time to buy a rug for your bedroom, the possibilities and calculations can be dizzying, to say the least. And, we’re not just talking about the price of the rugs. In addition, you have to get the right rug measurements for your king bed and make sure you place the rug the right way to make the bedroom more stylish. 

King bed with rug underneath where all four legs are on the rug

Figuring out how to place a rug under a king bed is a simple matter. All you have to do is make sure that all four legs of the king bed are firmly placed on the rug. If you have a bench at the end of your bed, make sure the rug extends well under the bench as well. The rule of thumb is to have at least 10 inches of rug from the edge of the bed on both sides, as well as at the foot of the bed.

But, that’s the general rule. As we all know, not all bedrooms come in the same size and shape. There are always variations and different measurements that can create problems with your calculations. Read on to find out how best to position the rug under your king bed and get it right every time.

How To Place a Rug Under a King Bed

Decorative rug in a bedroom

There’s no denying the decorative value of a rug in your bedroom. It can hide a worn-out carpet or hardwood floor, while anchoring the king bed and tying the bedroom together. But, the position of the rug is even more important than the color, patterns, and thickness of the rug itself when it comes to making the room look stylish. If you get it wrong, the bedroom won’t look its best.

So, before you buy the rug, make sure you get the measurements of the king bed as well as the measurements of the room. Make sure the rug is larger than the bed by at least 10 inches on all sides. Also, factor any other furniture that sits close to the bed, such as a bench, into your calculations. 

Rug that extends at least 10 inches outwards on all three sides of the bed

Then, slide the rug under the bed, making sure that all legs stand firmly on the rug. Since the headboard is against the wall, you don’t have to worry about that side. Turn your attention to the other three sides. The rug should cover at least 10 inches on either side of the bed from the edge of the base. These same guidelines apply to the bench and nightstands. 

What Sizes Rugs Work Best Under a King Bed?

Since you need to have at least 10 inches of rug extending beyond the three sides of the king bed, a 9’ x 12’ rug is the minimum recommended rug size for a king bed. This rug would go under the bed without a problem. And, it would also reach the bench and nightstands if you want to include them with the bed in a cohesive and stylish unit. 

A king bed with a rug underneath it with measurements showing it is 12 feet x 15 feet

The larger the rug the better. So, a 10’ x 14’ or even a 12’ x 15’ rug would be more adequate for large bedrooms. The rug becomes a unifying element in the room that creates a single focal point. As long as the rug creates a border around the bed, you’re doing it right.

A king bed with a rug under that might be around 8' x 10'

Unfortunately, a rug this size can be quite costly. So, if you only have the budget for an 8’ x 10’ rug, you can also place it under a king bed and make it work. However, you’ll need to get a little creative with this size rug. Place it under the lower part of the king bed so that it extends out from under the foot of the bed.

What Rug Styles and Colors Work Best Under a King Bed?

A king bed with a rug that takes the focus off the bed

The mistake many people make when choosing a rug for their king bed is they choose a rug that upstages the bed and becomes the center of attention. However, the opposite should be true. The bed should be the focal point in the room. The rug’s job is to accent the elegance of the bed and add ornamental value to the room in a subtle way.

King bed with an expensive looking rug

Bedroom rugs are different from rugs in other rooms in the house. The bedroom gets less traffic, so you can buy plush, high-pile rugs for it. If you can afford shag rugs, that would be even better. They can turn your bedroom into a sanctuary of calmness and luxury. We also recommend wool or polypropylene if you want a more durable bedroom rug.

Patterned rug in a room that has mostly solid colors

As for styles and colors, the bedroom rug should contrast the rest of the decor in the room. So, for patterned bedding, choose a solid rug. Or, use a patterned rug in a bedroom with mostly solid colors. Keep in mind that the rug’s main role is to make the bed stand out. The rug should fade into the background and play an assisting role. 

What Ways Can You Orient a Rug Under a King Bed?

A king bed with a small rug beside it

Placing the rug under the king bed is just one way to orient it. There are always other options that allow you to get the most out of your rug without hiding it under the bed. For example, you can place the rug beside the bed. This works best if the rug itself is too small to create a border around the bed if you tuck it underneath.

King bed with runners around the bed

You can also create runners around the bed. This is another option for small to medium rooms that don’t have a lot of space. 

Can You Layer Rugs Under a King Bed?

We don’t recommend layering rugs under a king bed unless you don’t have much furniture in the bedroom. Layering rugs under the bed would break the hard rule of not letting your rug steal the limelight from the bed. But, since your bedroom is your sanctuary, you can style it any way you like— including layering rugs under the king bed.

King size bed with layers of rugs

When layering rugs, follow the other guidelines for styling the rugs. They should contrast with the rest of the furniture and bedding styles. Use solid color rugs in a patterned room and vice versa. Ideally, the rugs should coordinate together but contrast with the rest of the room.

Conclusion

When placing a rug under a king bed, always remember to keep the bed as the focal point in the room. The rug should just be an accent piece. A 9’ x 12’ rug is the ideal rug size to tuck under the king bed. 

In addition, you’ll want to make sure that the four feet of the bed are all on the rug, along with those of the bench and nightstands. Contrast the rug with the style and theme of the furniture in the bedroom to create a harmonious effect.

Leave a Comment