Rug Size Under Queen Bed
Updated 2/3/23
What rug size should go under a queen bed? A rug may seem like a mere finishing accessory, but—just like the perfect shoe—it’s one that can elevate an ensemble to “wow” status. The first thing you’ll need to decide is which size rug to use with your queen bed, and then how to place it with your bed. We’ve got some ideas to inspire the finishing touch to your wow-worthy bedroom.
In this guide on queen bed rug placement, we'll show you the fundamentals of how to place a rug under a bed, based on rug size for queen beds. After looking at the fundamentals of bedroom rug placement, we apply these concepts specifically to all the rug sizes you can place under a queen bed.
How to Place A Rug Under A Bed
Before you decide on a rug size for your queen bed, you should first determine some key characteristics of your room, which will include taking some measurements. Below are some of the key factors:
Room size: You don't want to choose a rug that doesn't fit the size of your room, especially if you have a smaller room. You can check out our tips for arranging a small bedroom here. For larger rooms, you will have more options for larger rug sizes.
Number of nightstands: If you have a smaller room and decide to remove one or two nightstands, you can generally use a more narrow rug that doesn't have to be symmetrical with the nightstands.
Type of bed: You should determine whether your bed has standard or non-standard dimensions. Beds with non-standard dimensions are typically either longer or wider than the standard size, which can affect the size of the rug that fits best.
Rug Placement: Rugs are generally placed perpendicular to the bed, meaning the length of the rug is measured against the width of your bed. The longer rug you have, the more room you will have at the sides of your beds to comfortably put your feet down on.
Conversely, with this perpendicular placement, the width of your rug is measured against the length of your bed. Wider rugs will allow you to place the rug underneath your bed and your nightstands.
3 Ways to Place a Rug
Based on the general guidelines we've discussed, these are the three ways you can place a rug underneath a bed:
1. Anchor nightstand and bed: If you have large room and a rug that is wide enough, you can place your area rug so that it is underneath your nightstands and bed, running from the foot of your bed to the wall behind your bedside tables.
2. Place rug in front of nightstands: If your rug is not wide enough to cover the distance from the foot of your bed to the wall behind your nightstands, you can place your area rug in front of your nightstands, making sure that your rug runs at least to the foot of your bed and leaves some space in front of your nightstands.
3. Start rug in the middle of the bed: In cases where you have a bench or ottoman at the foot of your bed, you may want your area rug to go a few feet beyond the foot of your bed. With this placement, start your rug at the middle of your bed and make sure that it runs far enough beyond your bed that you have room for foot placement while sitting on your ottoman or bench.
Bonus A: Using a round rug under a queen bed
For a more eclectic look, you could try putting a round area rug under a queen bed. To place a round rug, start the placement at the middle of your bed and let it run several feet past the foot of your bed. This can be great for narrow rooms, as a round rug any wider than a foot longer than your bed may look out of place.
Bonus B: Using a runner
Small space? Tight budget? Try this: place a runner alongside either or both sides of your bed (but never under it).
Queen Bed Rug Placement
Here are the specifics for how to place an area rug under a queen bed:
Rug Length
First, your rug should extend at least 18 inches beyond the sides of a queen-sized bed. You can opt for more, and preferably not less, as long as you have enough space.
Since standard queen beds are 60 inches wide by 80 inches long, your rug should be at least 8 feet long. If you have an Olympic queen bed, which is a non-standard queen bed that is 66 inches wide, your rug should be at least 9 feet long.
For more on queen bed dimensions, you can check out our complete guide on the subject here.
Rug Width
If you are using a single rug, your rug should be at least 5 feet wide. Area rugs that are between 5 feet wide and 8 feet wide will have to be placed in front of your nightstands, starting at the middle of your bed if you want extra room past the foot of your bed. To be able to anchor your area rug under your nightstands and queen bed, your rug should be at least 9 feet wide.
Rug Sizes Under Queen Bed
Below are the different sizes of area rugs you can use for placement underneath a queen bed, including which sizes work best in various situations and the different placement types you can use for each area rug size. The size you choose will depend on your furniture, room size, queen dimensions (standard vs. non-standard), and placement type.
4x6 Rug Under Queen Bed:
Generally, an area rug that is 4 feet wide by 6 feet long is too small to place under a queen bed. If you find a pair of rugs you like in this size, you can place two 4x6 rugs under a queen bed. This configuration would take up more space than a single 9x12 rug, which could be useful in some circumstances (see below).
5x7 Rug Under Queen Bed:
Although not optimal, an area rug that is 5 feet wide by 7 feet long is the smallest rug you could place under a queen bed alone. This could be a viable option when arranging a small bedroom, especially if you decide to remove one (or both) of your nightstands. The length of a 5x7 rug would in many cases look better without nightstands due to its shorter length.
5x8 Rug Under Queen Bed:
If you have a smaller room and are keeping both nightstands, an area rug that is 5 feet wide by 8 feet long could be a good choice because the length of the 5x8 rug will be more symmetrical when placed in front of your nightstands. A 5x8 rug will have to be placed in front of your nightstands.
6x9 Rug Under Queen bed:
If you have a standard-sized room, a 6x9 rug may be a good rug size to use with a queen bed. It allows for a soft-carpeted landing on both sides of your bed, but it still doesn’t lie underneath the bedside tables.
An area rug that measures 6 feet wide by 9 feet long may also be the best option if you go with a wider non-standard queen size bed like an Olympic queen.
7x10 Rug Under Queen Bed:
A rug that is 7 feet wide by 10 feet long may be the largest rug you will want to place under a queen-sized bed in a standard room. The 10 feet of length afforded by the 7x10 rug will give you plenty of room next to your bed for added comfort. This can also be a good option for bedrooms with a large
8x10 Rug Under Queen Bed:
For larger spaces, consider a slightly larger rug under your bed. You’ll have two options for placement: you can either to lay the rug under both nightstands and the bed or position the rug about a quarter the way down from the head of the bed. The latter placement works well if you have a longer California queen bed or have furniture at the foot of your bed.
9x12 Rug Under Queen Bed:
If you prefer a larger rug, a rug that is 9 feet wide by 12 feet long will allow you to create an anchor for your bed and nightstands. A 9x12 area rug offers more coverage at the sides and end of the bed (and is especially handy if you’d like to hide flooring that you dislike).
Area Rugs Larger Than 9x12?
If you have a larger non-standard bed like a California queen or an Olympic queen, as well as a large bedroom, you can try to place a larger rug underneath a queen bed, although you shouldn't need to. In this case, you could try for more length at the end of your bed, opting for a rug that is still no longer than 12 feet but has 10+ feet of width to provide more rug room past the foot of your bed.
Queen Bed Rug Dimensions
For quick reference, the table below provides all of the rug sizes and placements for a queen bed:
*Note: Refers to rug placement relative to nightstand or bedside table (in-front or underneath nightstands).
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