What Size Rug Should You Use for a Queen Bed?

If your bedroom doesn't have wall-to-wall carpeting—or you just want to add a pop of color on top of your existing carpeting—a bedroom rug is a must-have. Not only can the right rug add comfort and coziness to your bedroom floor, but it can add warmth, color, texture and pattern, too.

Area rugs—especially large area rugs to place under a queen-sized bed—can be a major financial investment. Plus, if you order a rug online, return shipping can be super expensive. That's why it's so important to choose the right size and style for your space before you buy. Not sure where to begin? Check out these simple decorating tips to choose the perfect rug to place under your queen bed.

Comparing Queen Bed Size to Rug Sizes

As a general rule of thumb, a rug placed under a bed should extend 18 to 24 inches beyond the edges of the bed. A typical queen-size mattress is 60 x 80 inches, which means the extension of the rug from under the edges of the bed will vary depending on its size.

Assuming the rug is positioned horizontally, perpendicular to the orientation of the bed, and assuming the rug is being laid 6 inches from the wall, here's what you can expect for exposure of the rug along the sides and the foot of the bed:

It is also possible to vary the position of the rug beneath the bed to allow for different degrees of exposure (see below).

How to Choose the Right Size

In order to fit a queen bed into a bedroom with plenty of walking space around all three sides of the bed, your bedroom should measure at least 10 feet by 10 feet. Your room size and orientation will also inform the size of the area rug that's placed underneath your bed. Typically, beds are placed perpendicular to area rugs, meaning the rug should be placed horizontally across your room. You'll also want to place your rug at least 6 inches, but no more than 2 feet, away from your bedroom walls.

There are variations of course—some bedrooms are smaller and some rooms are larger—but this breakdown of rug sizes should help:

• Area rugs measuring 4 by 6 feet are generally considered too small for a queen bed. If you have two smaller rugs you love, however, consider layering them or put one rug on each side of the bed.
• If you have a small bedroom, a 5- by 7-foot rug or a 5- by 8-foot rug could work under a queen bed. Keep in mind, this is the smallest size you'll want to place under a queen-sized bed and you probably won't be able to place your nightstands on the rug.
• In a normal-sized bedroom, a 6- by 9-foot rug is a good size to place under a queen bed. You'll have about 24 inches of rug underfoot on each side of the bed.
• A rug measuring 7 by 10 feet is likely the largest rug you'll use under a queen bed in an average size bedroom. This will give you 30 inches of cushion underfoot on each side (assuming the rug is being laid perpendicular to the length of the bed).
• If your bedroom is larger, consider placing rugs measuring 8 by 10 feet or 9 by 12 feet under your bed. Both of these configurations allow you to place your nightstands on the rug, as well as a bench or chair at the foot of the bed. Rugs of this size will also allow some extension of the rug at the foot of the bed.
• If your bedroom is very small, consider placing runners or sheepskins on either side of the bed, or at the foot of your bed. They'll add coziness and warmth without taking up too much floor space.
• Round or elliptical rugs are not a common choice for placing beneath a queen bed, but if you choose to use one, be aware that the portion of exposed rug will be curved. It's best to use the largest round or elliptical rug that will fit the room. And with elliptical rugs, you may want to position it lengthwise, with the same orientation as the bed.

Where to Place a Rug in a Bedroom

Once you've determined the correct-sized rug for your bedroom, the next step is to figure out your furniture placement.

Here are some simple variations for bed placement on an area rug:

• If you opt for a smaller area rug measuring 5 by 7 or 5 by 8 feet, consider placing the rug under the bottom two-thirds of your queen bed. That way, you'll have a few inches of rug exposed on all three sides of the bed.
• An area rug measuring 7 by 10 feet can be placed under the bottom two-thirds of the bed or closer to the headboard, so your nightstands can be placed on the rug, too.
• Larger area rugs measuring 8 by 10 feet, or 9 by 12 feet can accommodate your queen bed and nightstands. If you prefer to keep your nightstands off of the rug, place it under the bottom three-quarters of your queen bed.
• Very small rugs, like runners or sheepskins, should be placed on the sides or at the foot of the bed. No furniture should be placed on top.

It may seem like a decorating afterthought, but the right or wrong area rug can make or break a bedroom. But it's important to remember that every space is different, so you might need to bend a few decorating rules to create a cozy, comfortable bedroom that works for you.