Which bedroom rug size should I choose?

It depends on where the rug is going – under the bed calls for something larger than beside it.Small: Best as a bedside piece rather than under the bed. Place a small bedroom rug on each side of a double or king bed, or a single rug at the foot end, so your feet land on something soft.Medium: Works well beside or at the foot of a double bed, medium-sized bedroom rugs give a soft landing spot without covering the whole floor.Large: The size to choose if you want the rug under the bed itself. Large bedroom rugs work well under a standard double bed, with the edges of the rug extending past the sides and foot.Extra large: Worth considering for a king or super king bed, an extra large bedroom rug offers even coverage on all sides.

Bedroom rugs and bedside rugs

Bedroom rugs do more than finish the look. A rug by the bed takes the chill off a wooden or tiled floor the moment you step out from under the duvet, and helps deaden footsteps if you’re above another room. Our bedroom rugs come in sizes from small bedside rugs to large designs for underneath a double or king bed, in colours from soft neutrals to bold brights. Explore our collection of bedroom rugs below to find the perfect fit for your space.

Rugs for bedrooms: What to look for

A bedroom rug earns its place for practical reasons as much as looks. It gives you something soft underfoot first thing in the morning, adds a layer of insulation that keeps the room warmer in winter, and helps absorb sound if you’re on an upper floor or share a wall. It’s also one of the easiest ways to update a room without redecorating – swap it for a new colour or pattern whenever you fancy a change. Try placing a large bedroom rug centred under the bed so it extends past the sides and foot, or two smaller bedside rugs either side so your feet land on something soft whichever way you get up.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on where the rug is going – under the bed calls for something larger than beside it.

Small: Best as a bedside piece rather than under the bed. Place a small bedroom rug on each side of a double or king bed, or a single rug at the foot end, so your feet land on something soft.
Medium: Works well beside or at the foot of a double bed, medium-sized bedroom rugs give a soft landing spot without covering the whole floor.
Large: The size to choose if you want the rug under the bed itself. Large bedroom rugs work well under a standard double bed, with the edges of the rug extending past the sides and foot.
Extra large: Worth considering for a king or super king bed, an extra large bedroom rug offers even coverage on all sides.

Two options work well: one large bedroom rug positioned so it runs under the bed and extends past the sides and foot, or two bedroom runners placed on each side so your feet land on something soft first thing in the morning. A round bedroom rug by the wardrobe or a reading chair is a nice finishing touch too, and doesn’t need to match the main rug exactly.

Wool bedroom rugs are a popular choice because they’re warm, durable and naturally stain- and dust-resistant. Cotton and washable rugs for the bedroom are worth choosing if the rug is likely to see spills, pet hair, or heavy foot traffic.

Yes – layering a rug over fitted carpet is a simple way to add colour, pattern or softness without replacing the flooring. Choose a bedroom rug with a distinct colour or texture from the carpet so it stands out, and go for a thinner, low-pile design so it doesn’t feel unstable underfoot.

To clean your rug, hoover it regularly on a setting suited to the pile height, and take it outside every so often to shake out dust that’s settled deep in the fibres. Blot spills straight away rather than rubbing, and check the care label before treating any stain, since delicate materials like silk or viscose are best left to a professional cleaner.

The best bedroom rug is the one that fits your space and how you use the room, rather than one single design. For most bedrooms, that means a rug sized to sit under or beside the bed without crowding the rest of the floor, in a hard-wearing material such as wool for everyday warmth, or a washable weave if the room sees children, pets or breakfast in bed. Deeper pile feels softer underfoot first thing in the morning, while a flatter weave is easier to keep clean.