Bedroom rug ideas: How to find the perfect fit for your space

6 min read

Last Modified 2 October 2025 First Added 2 October 2025

Rugs can bring so much warmth, cosiness and texture to your bedroom.

Not only that, but they can also help make your room more soundproof, dulling any annoying echoes, and they’re great for creating different zones in your space, ideal for larger, open-plan bedrooms. 

Whether you’re working with a modern bedroom aesthetic, love vintage influences or prefer something a little more preppy, there’s a huge variety of different shapes, sizes, colours and patterns of rugs that can work for your space.

In this styling guide, we’ll walk you through how to confidently choose the perfect bedroom rug for your space, along with tips on different placements and styling options to elevate your comfort and your bedroom design.

What type of rug is best for a bedroom?

The best bedroom rugs are ones that achieve a balance between comfort and style. They need to look good and fit in with your wider bedroom design scheme but also feel lovely and soft underfoot for when you climb out of bed in the morning. There are plenty of different materials that work well for your bedroom rug – but we’ll get onto that later.

Woodstock Wooden Low Rise Bed Frame
Woodstock Wooden Low Rise Bed Frame

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Woodstock Wooden Low Rise Bed Frame

Where should a rug be placed in a bedroom?

Placement is everything when it comes to rugs. For a classic look, place your rug in the centre of your room, under the bed. Make sure to choose a large rug that peeks out at the side and foot of the bed to really anchor the space and add some symmetry.  

If you’re working with a smaller room, a runner rug works well for adding some softness to your space, without overwhelming the room. Place it at the end of your bed or at the side, so you have something soft to step onto when you get out of bed on those cold winter mornings!  

Alternatively, if you’re lucky enough to have a spacious master bedroom, experiment with using small round or rectangular rugs to create different ‘zones’ in your room; from outlining cosy reading nooks to luxurious dressing areas.

Layering techniques for creating depth and dimension

Layering rugs is a smart way to bring some extra depth, texture and intrigue to your bedroom. Here are some tried-and-tested formulas: 

  • Neutral base and maximalist accents: Start with a large neutral rug, such as a jute rug, then layer a smaller patterned or plush rug on top to create some playful contrast. Think neutral, earthy tones as your base, and bold and bright above. 
  • Textures on textures: If you’re using multiple rugs in one room, it’s a good idea to experiment with different materials, from flatweave piles to tufted wool numbers. The more textures, the merrier! 
  • Introduce new shapes: Gone are the days of only having rectangular rugs to choose from! Now there are round rugs, asymmetrical rugs, rugs with scalloped edges, fringes and tassels – all of which are great for layering and opening up your four walls.  

Our favourite bedroom rug ideas

Need some more inspiration? We’re rolling out our favourite bedroom rug ideas to give your floor some serious flair…

Natural materials: bringing the outdoors in

There are so many rugs made from natural materials, such as cotton, wool, and seagrass, all of which are great for adding rustic elegance to your bedroom. Our favourite natural material is a jute rug. This beautifully woven fabric brings an abundance of raw texture to your space, and its earthy, golden tones are perfect for grounding and bringing the outside in. Plus, it pretty much goes with everything, which is always a bonus! 

Vintage rugs: timeless elegance

UGC by 14onthepark featuring worthington bed frame
Worthington Metal Bed Frame

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Worthington Metal Bed Frame

Credit: @14onthepark

 For a classic look that never goes out of style, you can’t go wrong with an oversized vintage Persian rug. They’re elegant, luxurious and bring a homey feel to any space, making them ideal for a bedroom. To keep things looking fresh, we love contrasting vintage rugs with contemporary furniture, such as our black Worthington Metal Bed Frame, as seen in the image above.  

Faux hide rugs: bold and unique

Looking for a statement rug that adds character whilst remaining effortlessly cool? Look no further than the iconic faux cowhide rug. Bold, chic, and luxurious, a hide rug ticks all the boxes. 

To style, keep the attention on your rug by decorating with natural colours, such as a wooden bed frame and crisp white sheets. Lean into the Country Western edge that the cowhide brings and add some silver metal accessories. This look works particularly well for boy-girl apartments, as it’s not too girly and not too masculine. 

Geometric patterns: modern sophistication

If you like a contemporary aesthetic in your bedroom, then a bold pattern such as a checkerboard design or geometric shapes should suit your space well. The strong shapes and clean lines add instant character and structure to your room. Particularly when used in high-contrast shades like black and white, a checkerboard rug is a perfect base for a modern bedroom with plenty of pops of colour. A dopamine dream!

Playful shapes: rounding out the design

Sutton bed frame in navy with navy and dark charcoal grey decor
Sutton Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

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Sutton Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

Remember those different shapes we mentioned earlier? Round rugs are ideal for softening the harsh, boxy lines of bulky furniture in your bedroom, especially if you’re working with a smaller space. Plus, they’re playful and add an unexpected twist. Try opting for a plush, high-pile round rug, or something with a funky pattern, to dial up the drama – and cosiness!

High-pile comfort: plush and luxurious

Beige buttoned bed frame, styled with a festive Christmas decorations including a fluffy rug and decorative tree

Credit: @thelawrenceshome

High pile or sheepskin style rugs are absolutely perfect for bedside cosiness. They’re fluffy, sumptuous and oh-so soft on the feet. Plus, they make for a great accessory in almost any bedroom design. We love how @thelawrenceshome has styled their Deacon bed for the festive season with neutral grey and white bedding, cushions, and a cosy sheepskin rug on the floor next to their bed – you can just imagine hopping out of bed and onto this plush sheepskin to get your bedtime hot choc. 

Get the look:

Chloe Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame in beige
Chloe Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

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Chloe Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

P.s. Want more festive design inspiration? Check out our winter wonderland bedroom ideas

Berber rugs: traditional meets contemporary

Sleepeezee Regency Kennington 4200 Pocket Sprung Mattress
Sleepeezee Contemporary Ottoman Divan Bed Base

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Sleepeezee Contemporary Ottoman Divan Bed Base

It’s not a bedroom rug guide without mentioning Berber rugs. These beautifully crafted, often handwoven Moroccan rugs are the epitome of fancy flooring – bringing a soulful feel to any modern bedroom, thanks to their signature loop pile. Whether you choose a traditionally colourful one or a minimalist version in neutral colours, a Berber rug is the perfect piece for your sleep space.

Small accent rugs: defining spaces

Don’t underestimate the power of an accent rug. Petite rugs can be used to divide up areas of your bedroom, creating purposeful little zones. Whether that’s a runner at the bottom of your bed, a round fluffy one in your reading corner, or a cool, statement rug next to your dresser and wardrobe, ideal for Pinterest-worthy mirror selfies.

Bedroom rug FAQs:

There’s no right or wrong as to whether your rug should be lighter or darker than the floor. Your choice should depend on the overall design look you want to create. A lighter shade rug will lift your space, making the room feel bright and airy, whereas a darker shade rug will bring depth and drama to your room. Think about what kind of mood you want first, then choose your colours.

To create the illusion of a bigger room, we’d recommend picking a rug in a lighter shade, such as cream, beige, light grey or a pastel tone. This is because lighter colours can reflect more light than darker shades, making your space appear brighter and bigger.

Yes, you can absolutely place a rug over a carpet. Our best advice is to choose a rug with a different material and/or colour to your carpet, so you’re bringing in extra texture and visual interest. Make sure to use an anti-slip rug pad to keep your rug in place and avoid it becoming a tripping hazard!

Of course you can use two rugs in a bedroom! This is particularly useful in large, open-plan spaces, as you can use rugs to create separate zones, like dressing areas or multifunctional workspaces. We’d advise varying the size and texture to keep things interesting but stick to the same colour palette, to ensure everything looks cohesive.

From plush piles to rugged textures, now you’ve got all the top tips to confidently select the right type of rug and position for maximum impact and comfort. Whether you’re layering for luxury or grounding with texture, the right rug can transform your bedroom from the ground up – and now you’re ready to roll out your new style.