Your bedroom is missing something. It has your bed and dressers. It has lights and pillows and maybe even some art and decor. But you might be overlooking an area rug in the bedroom.
Choosing an area rug isn’t just about whether you like the pattern or if the colors match the rest of your decor. There are more considerations to make before purchasing an area rug.
Once you do, you also have to consider where to put it and how to arrange it with your furniture. Here’s a guide on how to position an area rug in a bedroom.
Why Should You Add an Area Rug?
Does your bedroom need an area rug? Technically, no. But the room would feel empty without it. An area rug might not be your first thought when decorating a room, but you won’t regret putting some extra thought into this accent piece.
Adds Texture
A room that uses a lot of the same materials is boring. You have to mix textures so that the room doesn’t look monotonous. You can do that with pillows, blankets, and the furniture you choose. But area rugs are also a great way to add texture to a space.
No matter what kind of materials they are or what features they may have, area rugs help break up what could be an unvaried design. Area rugs contrast in texture with most floor materials, so your bedroom won’t look like a sea of hardwood flooring.
Visual Interest
Area rugs make the room more interesting. Since they can come in a variety of colors and styles, they can be a great detail that adds something special to a room.
Think of an area rug as art for your floor. It can match any kind of style the rest of the room has. Art might not be necessary for the function of the room, but it creates something cool to look at, something that gives a space personality. Area rugs can do the same thing.
Define a Space
Because they only take up a limited amount of floor space, area rugs can define different sections of a room. This is especially helpful if you have a large bedroom that could feature different spaces.
An area rug can set apart your sleeping area from a sitting area. You could also have multiple area rugs within one room if you have the space for them. But if you’re going to have one rug, it can act as a way to feature a part of your bedroom.
Increase Coziness
No one likes stepping out of their warm bed and onto a cold floor. That’s where an area rug can come in. They can make your room feel cozy by stepping on something that’s soft and warm before you start your day.
Rugs also have a visible coziness thanks to the texture they provide. They make you want to curl up and be warm, aiding in a feeling of relaxation.
Factors When Choosing an Area Rug
You should do more when selecting an area rug than choosing one that has the right colors and looks about big enough. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing an area rug for your bedroom.
Material
The material will contribute to how the rug feels underfoot or when you walk on it. Bedrooms are low-traffic and private, which means you can choose a rug that’s plush to help add to the coziness of the space.
Wool is an incredible soft rug material that’s also durable, so it will last for years. Cotton is another great option to add some plushness. For synthetic materials, olefin, polyester, and polypropylene all make great area rugs for the bedroom.
Of course, you can look for rugs that have a combination of these materials.
Pile Height
Pile height is a reference to the rug’s density, which impacts the thickness of the carpet. Think of it as how long the rug fibers are. In high-traffic areas, lower pile heights are better, because they’re more practical.
But since the bedroom doesn’t see as much traffic as the rest of the home, you can opt for higher pile heights. You can look for a medium pile height, which has fibers that are 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long. Or opt for something crushing with a high pile height that is 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch long.
Size
Size is a huge consideration when it comes to choosing the best area rug. And it can be tricky to know exactly what the best size is. You don’t want the rug to be too small and look dinky in the room. But you also don’t want it to be too large and drown out the rest of the space.
What size area rug to choose has a lot to do with where you place it, how large the room is, and the size of your other furniture. However, it’s better to go slightly too big than slightly too small.
Shape
Most rugs come in a rectangular shape, and since this is the standard, they’ll look great in every room and with nearly every design. But rectangles aren’t the only shape available. There are rugs that are square, circular, oval, half-moon, and even abstractly shaped.
The size of the room and where you place the rug may inform which shape is best for your space. It may also depend on your interior style and the overall look you want to go for.
Color and Pattern
These are probably the first factors when people begin considering a rug. Of course, you want the area rug style to fit in with the rest of the design in your bedroom. Thinking about colors and patterns is a great way to start.
Since your area rug is like art, you want it to stand out without taking all the attention in the room. Consider using a contrasting color as an accent so it doesn’t blend in.
The pattern can speak to the interior style. An area rug design can ground the room in its traditional, glamorous, Bohemian, modern, or any style of your choice.
Price
For many, the price can be a deciding factor between one rug or another. Price isn’t always an indication of a good rug. Consider material rather than price for durability and how long it will last. There are plenty of mid-range rugs that will look great and last long.
However, the material does impact the price. Natural materials like wool, cotton, and silk tend to be on the higher end, while synthetic materials will have lower price points. Larger rugs will also cost more because of the use of more materials.
And, of course, brand and designer can affect the price. High-end brands or rugs sold by high-end retailers will cost a pretty penny compared to the rugs sold at big box stores or even online retailers.
Where to Place an Area Rug in the Bedroom
With an idea of what kind of area rug you’re going to buy, you also have to consider where you’re going to place it in the room. You have a few options, so consider what works best for your lifestyle and the design in your mind.
Under the Bed
This is the most common place for a bedroom rug. Positioning an area rug under the bed helps anchor the larger pieces of furniture and also creates a focal point in the room.
As a general rule, if you want to place an area rug under the bed, have it be large enough that it rugs all the way to the headboard or have it stop before the front of the nightstands.
Next to the Bed
Or you can place a rug next to the bed. This is a great option if you don’t want to invest in a larger, often more expensive, rug, but still want the feeling of stepping on something soft in the morning.
You can use runners, half moons, or square rugs on either side of the bed. Choose a runner size that is at least the length of your bed to balance out the design. With this position, the rug can sit under the bed a little to give the illusion of a large rug.
Take Over the Room
If you have the room for it, you might opt for a massive rug that takes over the majority of the floor space. This can also be accomplished if you have a smaller room.
A rug that takes over the room will be reminiscent of wall-to-wall carpet, but with a more modern twist. However, this isn’t always recommended by designers because while it may loom impressive, if not done right, it can drown the space.
Other Areas
You don’t only need to place the rug under the bed. An area rug can highlight other spaces in the bedroom as well. You may have a bedroom that’s large enough to have multiple rugs to help define the space.
Consider a rug in front of your dresser or vanity for a plush setting while getting ready. If you have a nook in your bedroom or a small reading area, you can place an area rug to define that space.
What Size Should an Area Rug Be?
This is one of the most asked questions when people begin selecting area rugs. Interior designers and decorators have a few rules they follow, so the area rug doesn’t look too big or too small for the space.
What Sits on an Area Rug?
The first questions when deciding size are where you’re going to place it and what will sit on the rug. Under the bed is the most common placement, so, of course, the bed will sit on the rug.
But do you want the rug to be big enough that the nightstands also have a foot on the rug? Will only the front legs of the bed sit on the rug or will it extend to the wall so the back legs will sit on it? Will it be large enough for a bench at the foot of the bed?
These are aesthetic questions that will guide you to the right size. A good general rule, though, is that you want to leave about 2 to 5 inches of floor between the edge of the rug and the walls.
Best Size for Small Bedrooms
With a small bedroom, an area rug can quickly take over the room. Consider an area rug that’s 4×6 or 5×8, which will fit the bottom two-thirds of the bed. A 6×0 rug will include the nightstands and leave space at the foot of the bed.
Best Size for Large Bedrooms
You have more room to work within a larger bedroom, but you don’t want too small of a rug that will throw off the proportions. An 8×10 or 9×12 rug will fit the bottom two-thirds of a bed. A 12×15 rug will include the nightstands and room by the foot of the bed.
Best Size Depending on Bed Size
Bed size, not only room size, should inform the size of the rug. Experts recommend leaving 2 to 3 feet on the sides and bottom of the bed.
For a twin bed, 4×6 and 5×8 are the best options. A full bed looks best with a 6×9 or an 8×10. Queen beds can also work with an 8×10. Look for 9×12 or 12×15 for a king bed.
A Definitive Guide on How to Position an Area Rug in a Bedroom
Your bedroom is meant to be a cozy place to relax and unwind. An area rug can certainly help with that. The right rug will add texture and warmth as well as pull the room’s design together.
But choosing an area rug isn’t always a straightforward task. Not only do you have to select the color, material, and pattern that works best for you, but you have to consider where to place it. This guide on how to position an area rug in a bedroom will help you do it like an interior designer.
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