What Size Area Rug For Queen Bed

Have you ever walked barefoot across the cold, hard floors of your bedroom and thought, “I really need an area rug in here!”? If so, you’re not alone. Area rugs are the perfect way to add comfort, style, and coziness to any bedroom.

But choosing the right size rug for your queen bed can be tricky. Get it wrong, and your rug will be either too small (practically useless) or too big (awkward and space-eating). To help you pick the perfect area rug for your queen bed, we’ve created this comprehensive guide with tips, recommendations, and expert advice.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how big of a rug you need, how to place it properly in your bedroom, and how to choose a style that brings the whole room together. Let’s get started!

Queen Bed Dimensions

Before picking an area rug size, it’s important to understand the dimensions of a standard queen bed.

A queen size mattress measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. That’s five feet wide by just under seven feet long. The standard thickness for a queen mattress is between 9 and 16 inches tall.

Knowing the footprint of your queen mattress will allow you to visualize how much floor space you need to cover with an area rug. It also helps you understand how much additional area you’ll want the rug to extend beyond the bed.

Keeping those queen bed dimensions in mind, let’s look at the general guidelines for choosing an area rug size.

General Guideline for Rug Size

The basic rule of thumb is that an area rug under a bed should extend 18 to 24 inches beyond the bed on all sides. This not only makes the bed feel anchored on the rug, but also creates enough space around the bed so you’re not tripping over the rug’s edges.

For a queen bed, that means your rug should measure:

• At least 96 inches wide (60 inches mattress width + 18 inches extension on both sides)
• And at least 102 inches long (80 inches mattress length + 18 inches extension at foot).

That gives you a minimum rug size of roughly 8 x 9 feet (or 96 x 102 inches).

However, a rug that only extends the bare minimum 18 inches beyond the bed often feels a little small and constrained. That’s why many design experts recommend extending your rug 24 inches beyond the bed instead.

With 24 inches of extension space, the ideal rug size for a queen bed is:

• 108 inches wide (60 mattress width + 24 inches on both sides)
• And 104 inches long (80 mattress length + 24 inches at foot).

So for a more spacious, inviting look, choose an area rug that’s 9 x 9 feet (or 108 x 104 inches) or larger.

Let’s look at some specific size options and see how they work with a queen bed.

Rug Size Options

5′ x 8′ Rugs

A 5′ x 8′ area rug is about the smallest size that can work for a queen bed. With just 12 inches of extension space on the sides and zero at the foot, it will feel quite snug under the bed.

The benefit of a 5′ x 8′ rug is that it can fit into a smaller bedroom. It’s also the most budget-friendly option for queen beds.

The downside is that it leaves little wiggle room. You won’t be able to fit nightstands or other furniture on it.

Overall, a 5′ x 8′ rug can get the job done, but we only recommend it for small rooms where a larger rug won’t fit.

6′ x 9′ Rugs

Stepping up to a 6′ x 9′ rug gives you a bit more breathing room around a queen bed. With 18 inches of extension on the sides and zero at the foot, this size begins to feel more spacious.

The pros of a 6′ x 9′ rug are that it starts to anchor the bed while allowing space for nightstands or other small furnishings beside the bed. It also costs minimally more than a 5′ x 8′.

The only con is that it still doesn’t extend beyond the foot of the bed, which some people prefer visually.

A 6′ x 9′ is a good medium choice if you want a little more space than a 5′ x 8′ provides.

8′ x 10′ Rugs

An 8′ x 10′ area rug is considered the ideal size for most queen beds. With 24 inches of extension on all three sides, an 8′ x 10′ rug creates a cozy space around the bed.

Key benefits of an 8′ x 10′ rug:

• Provides ample extension beyond the bed on all sides
• Leaves space for nightstands while anchoring the bed
• Visually pleasing proportions in most bedrooms
• Allows you to place furniture like benches at foot of bed

The only potential downside is that an 8′ x 10′ rug takes up a significant portion of floor space. But for most bedrooms, it’s 100% worth it!

Larger Size Rugs

If you have an especially spacious master bedroom, larger rug sizes can work beautifully.

For example, a 9′ x 12′ rug leaves over 3 feet of space on the sides and over 2 feet at the foot of a queen bed. This ultra-luxe extension allows you to furnish the area lavishly.

Larger rugs also make a bigger visual statement and feel more glamorous. They provide an extra thick cushion underfoot. And in a large room, they don’t overwhelm the remaining floor space.

Just keep in mind that rugs over 9′ x 12′ usually get impractical and dominant visually, unless your bedroom is palatial.

Round and Oval Rugs

While not as common for bedrooms, round and oval rugs can also work well with queen beds.

The key is to choose a large enough size so there’s adequate “extension” space all around. An 8′ or 9′ diameter round rug is a great fit.

With oval rugs, placing them lengthwise parallel to the bed usually provides the best proportions on all sides.

Bedroom Size and Layout Factors

Beyond just the size of your queen mattress, there are other bedroom factors that come into play when picking an area rug. Let’s look at how room size, layout, and furnishings impact your rug size needs.

Room Dimensions

Obviously your rug needs to fit within the physical space of your bedroom. So the first thing to check is your room’s length and width to ensure your desired rug size will work.

As a general guideline, area rugs look best when they are 12-18 inches from the wall on all sides. This prevents your rug from feeling crammed against the walls.

With those recommended margins, a rug 8′ x 10′ or larger starts to require a room at least 11′ x 13′ to accommodate it. Any smaller, and your rug options shrink quickly.

If your bedroom measures 10′ x 10′ or less, a 5′ x 8′ rug or layering a few smaller rugs will probably be your best bet.

Furniture Layout

Take into account what furniture you want to place around or on top of the rug, especially nightstands.

For most queen beds, you’ll want to accommodate nightstands about 24-30 inches wide on both sides.

A rug size 8′ x 10′ or larger will give you flexibility to place nightstands on or off the rug as desired.

With narrower rugs like 6′ x 9′, you’ll need to keep nightstands on the floor instead of on the rug.

Options for Small Bedrooms

Don’t despair if your bedroom is on the smaller side. You have a few options to maximize an area rug around a queen bed in tight quarters:

• Size down to a 5′ x 8′ rug under just the bed.
• Layer two smaller rugs, like runners, on each side.
• Place a rug at the foot of the bed only.
• Use small sheepskin rugs on each side of the bed.
• Get a custom-sized rug made to fit your exact space.

Getting creative with rug sizes and placements can help make even a modest bedroom feel cozy.

Rug Placement Tips

Once you’ve settled on the perfect area rug size for your queen bed, it’s time to figure out exactly how you want to position it.

Here are some rug placement tips to create the layout you desire:

Alignment with Bed

The standard placement is having the rug centered under the bed horizontally. This provides even extension beyond the sides.

However, you can also shift the rug off-center if desired. For example, placing the rug more towards the head of the bed allows more rug space at foot of bed for a bench.

Another option is placing the rug vertically, perpendicular to the bed. This can be useful in narrow bedrooms.

Exposure at Sides and Foot

As discussed earlier, extending your rug 18-24 inches beyond the bed on all sides is recommended. This creates a nice anchor without excessive exposure.

However, you may want to shift the rug to have more or less exposure in certain areas. More exposure at foot of bed accommodates more furnishings like benches. Less exposure on sides brings focus to the bed itself.

Putting Under Bed vs. Nightstands

Standard placement puts the entire rug under bed and nightstands. But you can optionally place only the bed on the rug, leaving nightstands to sit on floor instead.

This works well if you want nightstands outside the main “cozy zone” created by the rug.

Centering in Room

For a balanced look, center the rug (with bed on top) within the overall bedroom space. Split the distance evenly between rug edges and walls.

If your room is narrow, consider placing the rug so it runs lengthwise wall-to-wall. This extends the cozy feeling throughout room.

Layering Rugs

In small rooms, you can layer two smaller rugs to flank the bed instead of one large rug. Common combinations are twin runners or a larger rug with two sheepskins.

Get creative with shapes and placements to define the bed as a focal point.

Style and Design Considerations

Beyond just size and placement, choosing an area rug for a queen bed involves picking an appealing style. Here are some tips for selecting a rug design that enhances your bedroom.

Color and Pattern

Search for a rug color and pattern that complements your existing bedding and furniture. Accent colors from pillows or paintings are great inspiration.

Solid neutral rugs are easy to match, while bold graphic prints make exciting style statements.

Material and Quality

Wool and cotton area rugs are cozy, durable options. Hand knotted rugs are an investment with timeless longevity. Or try synthetic rugs for budget friendliness.

Higher quality rugs feel heavenly underfoot but cost more. Find the right balance for your budget.

Matching Room Decor

Look at the overall style of your bedroom for a rug that fits the aesthetic. Boho chic rooms want free-spirited shag rugs. Traditional bedrooms need ornate floral styles.

Make sure any patterns or colors in the rug harmonize with the room’s palette for a cohesive look.

Coordinating With Bedding

Your bedding and rug should feel like they belong together. Accent colors from the duvet can guide rug choices.

For a foolproof designer look, purchase a whole bedroom collection with coordinating bedding and rugs.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has given you all the tools, tips, and insights you need to find the perfect area rug for your queen size bed.

The most important first step is measuring your actual room size and bed footprint. From there, you can zero in on a recommended rug dimension that leaves ample decorative space around your bed.

Rug placement, style coordination, and custom sizing tweaks can help tailor your rug to work beautifully in your distinct bedroom layout and decor.

With your new knowledge, you can confidently shop for that plush area rug you’ve been dreaming about. No more cold bare floors—just welcoming, cozy softness each time your feet hit the floor. Happy rug hunting!