In many homes wall-to-wall carpet is a thing of the past, especially in the bedroom. From a decor standpoint it is usually a big upgrade, both in terms of aesthetics and maintenance, but it can be very jarring to get out of bed and step onto a cold hard floor first thing in the morning. The right rug under the bed can solve that problem. But what size rug do you need for a king-size bed?
The answer to this question varies, but the one thing you will need to ensure that it is large enough to both fit under your king-size bed and extend as much as you would like to best suit your needs.
This opens up several standard rug size options, something we are going to examine in greater detail here now.
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What Size Rug Under King Bed?
When choosing an area rug to go under your king-size bed there are lots of considerations to make, but size should be the first.
A standard king-size bed – with a standard frame – measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long.
But that is not the only consideration. Do you want the rug to go under other bedroom furniture such as bedside nightstands, or an extended bed platform or headboard? If you do you will need a rug that accommodates it. How far do you want the rug to extend out from the side of the bed? The answer to this question may change the size of the rug you buy to go under your king-size bed too.
With all this in mind let’s take a closer look at some rug sizes people opt for most often and why:
8′ x 10′ or 9′ x 12′ Rug Under King Bed
An 8′ x 10′ or 9′ x 12′ rug size is best suited under a King bed for medium sized to larger sized bedrooms.
Rugs like these are some of the most inexpensive options you will likely encounter when shopping for a rug to go under your king-size bed, but they will only fit under the bottom two thirds of it. However, if all you want to do is prevent that cold shock to your feet when you first get up rugs of this size may be fine for your needs.
The rug you choose is a very personal choice, but for a great 8 ’x 10’ option we love this delicate gray offering, as it has just the right amount of subtle patterning and texture to add visual interest without overpowering the space.
Check out this grey area rug on Amazon
For a great 9 ’x 12’ bedroom rug it’s hard to go wrong, not matter what the rest of your bedroom looks like with a plush modern shag like this one, especially as it is available in over a dozen different colors!
Check out this shag area rug on Amazon
12′ x 15′ Rug Under King Bed
This is a great size if you have nightstands sitting either side of your bed as they will fit on the rug too, and this is a long enough size to even accommodate the larger California King bed options some people prefer. We love this vintage inspired bogo rug, as it would add an extra colorful twist to the kind of sleek, modern bedroom a California King is usually found in.
Check out this vintage boho rug on Amazon
10′ x 14′ Rug Under King Bed
This size rug is an appropriate choice if you need to accommodate nightstands, a larger platform bed or just want a little extra coverage on either side of your king-size bed’s width. A thicker, plush modern shag – like this fashionable shag rug from Safavieh– is a great choice as it will not only stand up better to having furniture placed on it but also feel great on your feet!
Check out this plush area rug on Amazon
How to Place an Area Rug Under a King Bed?
As a general rule of thumb many interior designers and home decor experts usually advise that whatever size rug you choose to go under your king-size bed it should not touch peripheral furniture – things like dressers or wardrobes!
Both because it does not look as pleasing aesthetically and because it may rub against the furniture, bunch up and become a tripping hazard!
Placement Tip: No matter what size bed you choose to have in your bedroom, your rug should stick out around the bed about 3 feet or so.
Ways to Place a Rug Under a King Size Bed
Technically, you can place your rug however you choose, but there are some placement options that are more effective – and practical – than others:
OPTION 1: JUST THE BED ON THE RUG
To have the perfect balance between comfort and aesthetics, you can place the rug partially under the bed approximately up to where you fold down your sheets near the nightstands (8′ x 10 ‘ rug).
OPTION 2: ALL FURNITURE ON RUG
This option is ideal for larger sized rooms. The whole bed and nightstands atop the rug with an inch or two of extra clearance all the way around (9′ x 12′ rug or 10′ x 14′ rug).
OPTION 3: FOOT OF THE BED ON THE RUG
Only the lower third of the king-size bed, plus a bench at its foot, sitting on a rug, with most of the bed set on the smooth surface flooring (6′ x 9′ rug).
What Rug Size For A Cal King Bed?
A California king, often the choice of those with larger, more contemporary bedrooms who prefer a little extra length available to them as they sleep, measures 72 inches wide and 84 inches in length – or 6′ x 7′. In order for a rug to fit underneath a California King completely you will need a longer rug, with a 12′ by 15′ rug being an ideal choice and one that will still accommodate nightstands if you have them, and even a narrow bench at the foot of the bed.
12’ x 15’ is considered a large rug and as such you can expect to pay more for it, but there are some excellent choices out there that will not break the bank. We especially like this Safavieh Adirondack Collection Ombre rug, as it is very neutral in hue, but has a soft, deep texture that will feel great on your feet first thing in the morning.
Check out this master bedroom rug on Amazon
Will an 8′ x 10′ Rug Fit Under a King Size Bed?
Yes. An 8′ x 10′ rug is is perfectly proportioned for a king size bed. For the best layout idea place the rug underneath the bed allowing for an 18” gap between the top of the rug and the start of the nightstands.
Will A 5′ x 7′ Rug Fit Under A King Bed?
It will certainly fit under it – given that the standard king-size bed measures 6’6″ wide by 6’8″ long, but with under it being the operative word. Very little if any of the rug would show beyond the bed and as this is a rug size smaller than a king bed itself then trying to place yours on it will almost certainly make it uneven, creating both a possible tipping hazard and a lopsided sleep space.
5′ x 7′ rugs are considered accent rugs. They would be an excellent choice perhaps for elsewhere in the bedroom, especially if you prefer not to put a rug under your king bed at all, but to put beneath it, you need something larger.
How To Slide Rug Under A Heavy Bed
You have chosen your rug, but now you have to place it, and the fact is your king-size bed is far from easy to move and it is also pretty heavy. So how are you supposed to place your rug under the bed without hurting yourself, damaging your bed or ending up with the rug bunched up and uneven in certain places, all of which are possibilities?
How best to do this depends on your bed, as the safe and effective method for doing so if your bed has feet or is raised off the ground in another way is a little different than if it is a bed that sits flush to the floor, as is the case for most platform beds. With this in mind here is a look at the best way to execute both ways to slide a rug under a heavy king bed:
For a Raised King-Sized Bed:
If there is some clearance underneath your bed you have something of an advantage. And as you will need the rug to be rolled up if it is brand new and still rolled up in the same way it came from the factory, you will have an even easier time getting it under the bed!
To get your rug in the right spot without hurting yourself or your furniture, follow these steps:
- Slide the rolled rug under the bed against the head of the bed.
- Center the bed over the rug so you have fewer adjustments to make later.
- Lift the head of the bed and slide the open end of the rolled-up rug under the legs/feet.
- Now that the rug is secured by the top feet, unroll it until it reaches the foot of the bed and the bottom legs/feet.
- Lift the foot of the bed to place the rug underneath them as well.
To do this safely it is best to enlist the help of someone else, as lifting a heavy bed by yourself is never easy and could cause injury to your lower back!
For a King Size Bed on the Floor
If your bed is too heavy to simply lift, even with the help of a partner, then you will have to break it down, at least a little. Removing the mattress is usually the easiest option. If the frame is also heavy – a wooden platform perhaps – you may have to break that down too.
Once your bed is a more acceptable weight, you can lift it to place the rug underneath similarly as described above. This is NOT a one-person job though; you will need at least one more helper and a few extra hands will make things even easier!
Caring for the Rug Under Your Bed
Even if most of your new rug is hidden away under your bed it will still need care and maintenance at least occasionally. This is especially important if your bed is raised off the ground. Whether you can see it or not, dust and debris will collect on the rug, and may leave you sneezing at night rather than sleeping!
Vacuuming a rug beneath a raised king-size bed is simple and straightforward, just make use of your vacuum’s upholstery tool. If your bed is on the ground then you will need to enlist those helpers again, so that they can lift the corners of the bed while you vacuum the rug underneath.
For more bedroom decor inspiration, also see these related posts: