Choosing The Right Rug For A King Size Bed

Pairing your king-size bed with the right area rug gives your entire bedroom a harmonious look with your bed as the centerpiece. It also gives your feet a warm, comfortable landing every time you get into or out of bed. However, creating that cohesive effect for your bedroom depends on choosing the right rug size to suit your bed.

How do you select the right rug for your king-size bed? Explore the best sizing ranges below to help you make your decision.

Sizing Rugs for King-Size Beds

To find the ideal rug size for your bed, start with your mattress's dimensions. The typical king-size bed is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. If your bed is a little longer and narrower than that, you likely have a California king bed, which is only 72 inches wide but 84 inches long. Differentiating between the two is necessary for finding a rug size that looks great in your space, so be sure you know which mattress type you have.

When sizing your rug in relation to your bed, you also want to note any inches your bed frame adds. Wooden or platform frames can add bulk to beds, whereas a sleek frame with an upholstered headboard has no impact on sizing.

Next, think about your bedroom size. You can use a larger rug to create the impression of space in a smaller room, but the rug needs to be small enough to leave some open space near the walls. If your bedroom is smaller than 10 feet wide by 12 feet long, consider it small. If it's larger than 14 feet by 14 feet, consider it large.

Whatever size bedroom you have, these tips will help you choose the right rug to go with your king-size bed:

• Extend your rug 18-24 inches past your bed's sides.
• Leave 10-20 inches of space between your rug's edges and your walls.
• Keep at least 2-3 inches between your rug and any furniture that touches a wall.
• Nightstands and benches should be entirely on or entirely off the rug.
• Ensure your rug is out of the way of any doors as you open and close them.

These tips suggest at least an 8-foot by 10-foot rug for your king-size bed. You could go a little smaller if you prefer to have the rug beneath just the bottom of your bed. The right rug size for you depends on your room size, the effect you want to create and how you want to place your rug in relation to your bed and furniture.

King-Size Bed Rug Placement Ideas

Following the guidelines above, you have four main rug placement options, and which one you prefer could impact your rug sizing preference:

• Frame the entire bed only: This is a modest option that allows you to display more of your bedroom's flooring while giving your feet a softer landing. The rug sits beneath the entire bed frame, but none of the nightstands' legs are on it. This is a popular choice for bedrooms with hardwood floors or other attractive flooring designs.
• Frame the entire bed, nightstands and bench: This is a cohesive option for a larger bedroom and requires at least a 10-foot by 14-foot rug. The rug sits beneath the entire bed frame, all four legs of each nightstand and any other bed-adjacent furniture.
• Frame the bed's bottom third: If you have a larger room to fill or want to show off as much of the rug's design as possible, you can place it beneath the bed's bottom third only, letting it extend beneath and beyond any foot-of-the-bed furniture to accentuate your bedroom space with a stunning design.
• Frame the bed's bottom two-thirds: This is a classic bedroom design choice. The rug sits beneath the bed's bottom two-thirds, also extending beneath and slightly beyond any furniture piece you have at the foot of the bed. The bed's two upper legs and the nightstands stay off the rug.

Best Rug Sizes for King Beds

Here are five rug size options to go with your king-size bed: 

• 5 feet wide by 8 feet long: This is a modest option that can work in any room, but is especially practical for small and medium rooms. Position the rug under the bottom of your bed with 2 inches extending past the footboard to display its design.
• 8 feet wide by 10 feet long: This option works well for a small-to-medium bedroom. The rug will sit beneath the entire bed frame, with the nightstands beside it. You could also experiment with orienting the rug horizontally to go under the bed frame's bottom two-thirds.
• 9 feet wide by 12 feet long: These proportions are similar to the previous option but will work better in a larger room. You could also use it to create the impression of more space in a medium room, provided you leave enough open space between the rug and the walls. The rug will be large enough to accommodate nightstands and a bench at the foot of the bed. The result is a generous, spacious look.
• 10 feet wide by 14 feet long: If you have a large bedroom, you could opt for this luxurious size. An area rug of this size anchors the bed, nightstands and bench while spreading out far enough to display its design. Even in a large bedroom, this size rug creates an expansive feel for your sleeping space.
• 12 feet wide by 15 feet long: This option is ideal for a California king in a larger room. All your bedside furniture can fit on this rug, accentuating your bedroom's space and harmony.

If you're in between rug sizes, it may help to see the rug in person before buying. Otherwise, order a smaller rug initially and see how it looks in your space — you can try several arrangements to see whether it fits properly. If you think a larger size would look better and match your vision, you can always upgrade to the next size.

Shop Area Rugs for Your King-Size Bed From Carpet & Tile Mart

If you want an area rug for your king-size bed, you'll find it at Carpet & Tile Mart. With a selection of over 12,000 rugs in dozens of sizes and various shapes, textures and designs, we can help you choose the ideal rug for your bedroom. With Carpet & Tile Mart, you get your perfect rug at the best price and create your dream bedroom for less. We commit to giving you the best value for money with a 150% price match guarantee.

Browse our catalog to order your area rug online and get free shipping. If you prefer to see and touch your rug in person before you buy, visit one of our 14 locations throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.