How to Find the Perfect Rug Size for Your King-Size Bed

If you’re enjoying the comfort of a king-size bed, then you already know just how much visual real estate a bed this size commands. And a larger-than-life bed deserves a gorgeous area rug to match. The right area rug can take your interior design to the next level and keep your feet warm during cold mornings while minimizing noise for anyone on the next floor.

Despite king-size beds being roughly the same size, different area rug sizes work best for different style preferences and room dimensions. Here, we share everything you need to know to find the right rug size for your unique space and style.

The Best Rug Size for a King-Size Bed in a Small Room

If you’re working with a king-size bed in a small bedroom, it’s helpful to consider functionality in addition to aesthetics.

Amber Lewis suggests that you, “outline the area where you want your rug, and consider the location of doors and how they will open.” In other words, make sure that if you add a rug to your space it won’t cause the doors to stick. This is an especially important consideration if you’re in the market for a large rug — especially of it’s a fluffy, high-pile rug.

The rug’s design can also affect the right size area rug for your space. If you opt for a bold color or pattern, you might want to stick to a smaller rug so the design doesn’t overwhelm your space. Meanwhile, soft, neutral colors make it easier to get away with larger rugs since these hues are on the quieter side.

White Rug with zigzag patterns in Small Bedroom

Finally, take a moment to consider how much floor space you have. Covering the entire room with an area rug can make a small bedroom feel even smaller. Amber Lewis recommends keeping, “at least 18 inches of bare floor space exposed by the rug’s edges. I’m not the biggest rule follower, but this is a classic rule that works for almost all rooms.”

While the right area rug size will heavily depend on the exact dimensions of your space, Amy Hoban recommends a 5’x8’ area rug for small bedrooms. But of course you can go bigger or smaller depending on your needs and preferences.

The Best Rug Size for a King Size Bed in a Large Room

Larger bedrooms have more floor space to fill, so they can easily rock some of the largest area rugs available.

According to Megan Hersch, “For a king-size bed, you will likely want a 9’x12’ or 10’x14’ area rug, depending on the size of your room. My absolute rule of thumb is that the rug width must be at least as wide as the distance from edge to edge of the bedside tables on either side of the bed.” Maria DeCotiis agrees, “if space allows a 9x12 would be the minimum,” explains the Vancouver-based interior designer.

“For a king-size bed, you will likely want a 9’x12’ or 10’x14’ area rug, depending on the size of your room."

Modern minimalist bedroom with a white rugh with blue patterns, a white bed and minimalist nightstan

Credit: State and Season Home Supply & Design

Large bedrooms also lend themselves well to multiple rugs or rug layering. For instance, If you have room to spare for a sitting area and coffee table, you could add a 9’x12’ rug under your king-sized bed frame and a smaller area rug under your coffee table to help define the two separate living spaces.

You can also layer one small area rug on top of a larger area rug. This is an easy way to add more texture to your design while increasing the coziness factor of your bedroom. This approach is a great fit for hardwood floors in apartment complexes since it can make your steps much quieter for your neighbors below.

How to Position a Rug Under a King-Size Bed Frame

You can use nearly infinite rug placements around a king bed, but some are better for enhancing a design than others. According to Amy Hoban, “A classic placement in a bedroom is under the bed, about three-quarters of the way down from the headboard, so the rug comes out from the sides and the end of the bed.”

But if you want a little more usable rug space around your bed, Amber Lewis recommends that you “lay the rug perpendicular to the bed and pull it halfway under the bed frame, stopping before your side tables. This maximizes the amount of usable rug space and gives you a soft surface to step onto when getting out of bed.”

Bright bedroom with a bed, a white rug, a white accent chair and wooden nightstands

If you’re not sure where to begin, consider practicing this advice from Megan Hersch: “I like to start the edge of the rug at the front of the nightstands so you can see some of the floor space behind them and so a smaller area rug will cover more ground when it rolls out past the foot of the bed.”

However, these are only guidelines, not rules. “Starting the rug at the wall that the bed is up against is also 100% ok and can create a cozier vibe in your space,” says Hersch. “As I always say, there isn’t a wrong or a right way. There is the best way for you.”

An Alternative: Use Runners on Either Side

Standard area rugs aren’t the only way to elevate a king-size bed. You can also use runners on one side or both sides of the bed to get a similar effect. According to Lucy Small, “You can forego extending past the bed and invest in a long runner that's slightly shorter in length than your king-size bed”

Runners are also a simple and stylish way to add definition to certain areas. For instance, if you have a bench or a trunk at the foot of your bed, you could place a runner beneath it to help define the space while enhancing it with texture and color.

Designer-Curated Rugs for a King-Size Bed

The perfect rug size heavily depends on your room’s dimensions, but the rest of your home decor can also affect the right area rug size for your space. “The best rug for your space enhances and complements the entire look of your room,” says Amber Lewis.

So, if you have a larger room and your furniture and home decor are lean boho-chic, then a large area rug rocking with lots of texture or a bold pattern is likely a great fit. However, if the same-style room is smaller, you might want a smaller rug with a more subdued color or pattern not to overwhelm your design.

Below, we rounded up some designer-approved area rugs from popular rug brands to help you choose the best new rug for your space, style, and budget.

Braided and Textured Wool Rugs

Detail of a braided and textured wool rug

Capel's Braided Wool Rug

‎Whether you have a boho master bedroom or simply want to make your space feel more cozy, braided and textured rugs are a no-brainer. Capel's Harborview Braided Wool Rug is an excellent example of it. This piece brings a traditional look to any room. It's made from braided wool and durable nylon that can handle tough use in different parts of your house. Including this pieces is a great way to add a uniquely textural take to your interior design.

Textured Wool Rug in a bedroom with a bed covered with a white duvet and cozy pillows

Parachute Textured Wool Rug

But if you want a heavier dose of texture, you might love Parachute’s Textured Wool Rug, which, according to Amy Hoban, “has a tighter weave with more of a texture. This rug is a bit more durable and good for higher traffic areas, and the neutral ivory color works with most home decor.”

Amber Lewis x Loloi

Sophisticated braided rug in a elegant bedroom with a grey bedframe with white and beige pillows

OJA-01 Rug from the Ojai Collection

If elegant, neutral, and sophisticated are in your interior design lookbook, then you’ll love the Amber Lewis x Loloi rug line. According to Amber Lewis herself, “The Ojai or Gwyneth collections, for instance, offer a series of understated neutrals in a soft pile that feels at once refined and relaxed.”

If you’re worried about stains, you might consider the Zuma collection, “which is available in a soft blue, gray, and ivory palette and offers a stain- and fade-resistant solution,” advises Lewis. Meanwhile, “The Billie and Georgie collections capture the look of well-worn antique rugs at an amazing value.”

Malta Blue Woven Wool Rug

Blue Woven Wool Rug under a bed with a light blue duvet and matching cozy pillows

Malta Blue Woven Wool Rug

“Annie Selke has a huge selection of all sorts of rugs in so many colors, styles, and prices!” raves Megan Hersch. And she’s a particularly big fan of the Malta Blue Woven Wool Rug, which combines subtle, dreamy stripes with lots of texture and a variety of neutral hues that would lend themselves well to all sorts of bedroom designs.

This beautiful rug also comes in virtually any size you can imagine, so you should have little trouble finding just the right fit for your king-size bed and overall aesthetic.

Tufted Maribelle Rug

Tufted Rug with turquoise yellow blue and white designs under a wooden nightstand

Tufted Maribelle Rug

Anyone who likes playful textures, patterns, and colors in a bedroom rug will love Anthropologie’s offerings. The retailer offers a variety of bold, textural area rugs that will make a statement anywhere they’re put.

And while there are many options to choose from, Megan Hersch particularly loves the Tufted Maribelle Rug: “My current favorite rug is this one because I’m feeling more maximalist on my return from Paris.” It also comes in three rich patterns and multiple sizes, so it can fit another place in your home, like the living room.

Loren Collection

Large grey rug under a white upholsterd bedframe in a cozy and bright bedroom

Loren Rug (Credit: Clipper City House)

Suppose you’re anything like us and love to look at interior design inspiration on social media. In that case, there’s a good chance you already have your eye on this popular mid-century modern-inspired rug from Lololi.

Equal parts chic and neutral, it’s tough to find a space this rug won’t look amazing in. One of our experts has it in her own master bedroom. Kim Emery said, “I have the Silver / Slate area rug from the Loren Collection by Lololi in my bedroom. It’s extremely popular across my social channels.”