Rug Placement Secrets For Maximizing Small Bedroom Style

Many of us have to make do with tight bedroom quarters. Especially in urban apartments, finding enough floor space for furniture between four walls can be a challenge. But there are ways to cheat a small bedroom into looking and feeling more expansive. Strategic rug placement is one of the best tricks for opening up a cramped room.

When chosen with the right size and position, rugs can help anchor and balance all the elements of your sleeping space. They add warmth, texture and personality underneath your feet. With some savvy styling secrets, rugs can make a tiny bedroom feel downright spacious and serene.

Measure Your Exact Bedroom Dimensions

Before shopping for a rug, it's important to take detailed measurements of your small bedroom. Note the exact length and width, including any awkward nooks or angles. This will determine the maximum rug size the space can accommodate. Be sure to measure along the entire perimeter where you plan to place the rug.

Pay special attention to the exact dimensions of your bed frame. Whether you have a twin, full, queen or king, you'll need a rug that extends at least 24 inches beyond the width and length of the mattress and box spring. This minimum coverage anchors the bed and literally grounds the entire room.

Calculate Your Bedroom's Square Footage

To find the total square footage of your bedroom space, simply multiply the length by the width. For example, an 8 foot wide by 12 foot long bedroom is 96 square feet. Knowing the total area will give you a target size to look for.

For bedrooms under 100 square feet, a 5x8 or 6x9 foot rug is a good starting point. You can then scale up or down from there as needed. Just be sure to account for any tight spaces around doors, radiators or angled walls where a rug would fit awkwardly.

Determine the Optimal Rug Size

When maximizing a small bedroom with rug placement, it's tempting to go as bold and big as possible. But you still want to exercise some restraint so things don't feel overwhelmed.

As a general rule, choose a rug size that is at least 24 inches longer and wider than your bed frame. This provides enough coverage under and around the bed to make it feel nicely anchored, while still leaving some flooring exposed.

Size Up For a Spacious Look

For small bedrooms, it's better to size up rug dimensions rather than going too petite. A rug that feels a bit overscaled will actually make the room appear larger.

Go as big as your layout allows, even if the rug has to overlap onto surrounding floor space. Layering a large, plush area rug over wall to wall carpet instantly makes a room look more expansive.

Scale Down Around Tight Spots

When dealing with narrow spaces around doors, radiators or awkward angles, feel free to scale back the rug size in these problem areas. For example, size it to allow 12 inches around a doorway or 6 inches around a radiator.

You can also consider rounding down to the next common rug size, like an 8x10 instead of 8x12, to avoid excessive tripping hazards in high traffic zones.

Pick the Right Rug Shape

Once you've settled on optimal rug dimensions, it's time to consider the shape. The most popular options for small bedrooms are rectangular, oval and round.

Rectangular Rugs

A rectangular or squared off rug is classic and versatile. This shape easily covers the main floor area alongside and underneath a bed. Larger rectangles can run nearly wall to wall in a small space.

Just be sure to position a rectangular bedroom rug with the short end at the foot of the bed. Running it the long way can make a room feel chopped up and crowded.

Oval & Round Rugs

Something about an oval or round shape warms up a room. These fluid silhouettes softly define a central lounging or sleeping area without harsh edges.

Round rugs work especially well floating in the center of a small bedroom. And oval rugs can nestle perfectly under a queen or king sized bed.

Runners

For a narrow, linear type of small bedroom, consider a rug runner placed vertically. This elongated shape can stretch from wall to wall at the foot of the bed to elongate a short room.

A rug runner placed horizontally alongside the bed essentially widens the floor space and makes it less tunnel-like. Angle a runner parallel to a sloped wall or window to soften the dynamic.

Place the Rug Vertically Under Your Bed

As mentioned above, a rug will make your small bedroom feel more expansive when placed with the short end at the foot of the bed. Even if you have a square rug, position it like a rectangle this way.

A horizontally placed rug that's longer than the width of your mattress will make a small room feel chopped up. It cuts off the visual flow rather than lengthening it.

Float Your Bed Over the Rug

Lifting your bed to float the legs atop an area rug helps create the illusion of more floor space. It builds the rug into an island that frames the mattress as the central focal point.

At minimum, float at least the two front legs onto the rug so it appears inset. For a more dramatic effect, lift all four legs. Just make sure to measure the height to ensure nightstands and existing lamps will fit underneath.

Scale Down Additional Bedroom Furniture

To keep a small bedroom from feeling cluttered, make sure any additional pieces you place on the rug are proportionate.

Select Compact Nightstands

Flanking a bed with bulky, oversized nightstands will overwhelm a petite space. Seek out night table options with smaller footprints that fit entirely atop your rug.

For very tight quarters, consider eliminating nightstands altogether and installing slim wall shelves or sconces for bedside needs.

Use a Storage Bed

In place of a room-eating dresser, opt for a space-saving storage bed with built-in drawers underneath. Some styles even allow you to lift the mattress to access storage cubbies inside the base.

For a lighter visual footprint, choose a metal platform bed with slats rather than a heavy wood frame. Add baskets or storage ottomans to stash extra clutter.

Layer Rugs for Definition

Rather than one oversized rug swallowing a room whole, layer two or more rugs for a textural treat. Mixing materials and piles adds cozy nuance in a small bedroom.

Zone Off Spaces

Use area rugs atop wall to wall carpeting to delineate zones for sleeping, dressing and lounging. For example, place a plush sheepskin rug next to your bed.

Or use a flat woven rug under an armchair tucked in the corner to create a separate reading nook.

Anchor Your Bed

Layer a boldly patterned or brightly hued area rug over plain broadloom carpeting to highlight the bed. Contrasting textures also help anchor the mattress and bedding.

For example, position a graphic print wool rug atop neutral berber carpet. The bed will really stand out atop the island of pattern.

Play With Off-Center and Angled Placement

There are no hard and fast rules stating that a rug must be perfectly centered in a bedroom. Get creative with positioning to make a room feel more dynamic.

Try Off-Center

An asymmetrically placed rug leading from the foot of the bed can instantly widen a room. Let the rug extend farther across the floor on one side.

Or float a round rug off-center between the bed and a seating nook. The uneven balance opens up more floor space visually.

Angle Narrow Rugs

In narrow galley style bedrooms, placing a runner parallel with the angled walls or windows helps soften the diagonals. Your eye naturally follows the angle of the rug.

This trick can make a room feel less boxy and elongate the space. Just be sure to allow enough clearance for opening doors and drawers.

Contrast Colors and Textures

A tiny bedroom will appear more expansive and airy with some strategic contrasts added through rugs and decor.

Use Opposite Rug & Wall Colors

Choosing rug colors that stand out against your existing wall color helps visually widen the space. For example, pair a navy blue rug with white or beige walls.

Or place a graphic black and white rug against rich brown walls. The color variance makes your eye travel.

Incorporate Natural Fiber Rugs

Natural fiber rugs like wool, cotton, jute and sisal add wonderful texture and depth to a small space. Their fleshy piles feel ultra-inviting underfoot.

Handmade rag or shag rugs are cozy options for nestling next to beds. Position them atop flatter broadloom or hardwood.

While small square footage can pose a styling challenge, you really can increase the sense of space with a few strategic rug placements. Use large rugs to frame beds and section off zones. Seek out narrow open shapes and varied textures. And don't be afraid to creatively float, layer and angle your rugs.

Even the smallest bedroom can feel peaceful with the right floor covering. Rugs bring cohesion and comfort underfoot, helping maximize feelings of intimacy. A thoughtfully outfitted rug makes your small bedroom a welcoming sanctuary.