Choosing The Right Rug Size for a King Bed

Before you make a significant investment in an area rug, you want to ensure that you have the right rug size for your king bed. Rugs under king beds are also an important part of the room’s focal point. Be sure to get the look right by choosing the right size rug.

Rug Size for a King Bed

You should not determine your bedroom rug size by just the bed size. Instead, consider the dimensions of your room, the room style you want to portray, your budget, your bedroom floor type, and the other furniture in the room.


Steps for Choosing a Rug Size for a King Bed

  1. Measure your bedroom – Measure the dimensions of your room to determine the best king bed rug size and the room. An area rug should be 1-2 feet away from the wall. In general, a large room will require a large rug, and a small room will look fine with a smaller rug.
  2. Measure your bed – A standard king-size bed is 76” wide and 80” long. Another common king size bed, the California King, measures 72” wide and 84” long. Measure your bed to determine if it fits these measures, as non-standard beds sometimes vary.
  3. Nightstands – Nightstands are the other most essential consideration in determining king bed size rug size. Some designers suggest that an area rug’s width should be as wide as the bed and the nightstands combined. Though this is not a hard and fast rule, it is a good rule of thumb when considering the rug’s width.
  4. Other furniture – Consider other furniture in the room like dressers and floor mirrors. Also, think about the seating in the room. Benches at the end of the bed are common. It is helpful to include a bench in the rug size determination.
  5. Budget – Large area rugs for king size beds are expensive. Consider using small rugs on either side of your king bed if budget is a major consideration.
  6. Style – Large area rugs present a collected and unified bedroom. This type of rug under king beds works best to create a serene and elegant bedroom style. Small rugs, like irregular animal skin rugs, work well beside the bed. These present a more eclectic and bohemian style.
  7. Floor Type – Different types of floors make rugs necessary or just a nicety. Cold and hard floors like stone or wood make greater rug coverage a higher priority.

Rug Placement for a King Bed

In most cases, it is best to place a rug perpendicular to the orientation of the king bed. This orientation works best for area rugs with just enough space to project on either side. This is not a useful guideline for small rugs beside the bed or for very large area rugs that you can position either way according to the layout of your room.

  • Placement including the bed and nightstands – For the most cohesive bedroom focal point, choose a large area rug and position the king bed and the nightstands on top of it.
  • Placement from the middle of the bed – Consider a smaller area rug if you have strict budget requirements or a small room. In this case, position your rug from the middle of the bed, projecting out from the foot of the bed. This positioning also works well if you have a bench at the end of the bed that you want to include on the rug.
  • Placement on each side of the bed – Use two small rugs on either side of the bed if your budget does not stretch to a large area rug. This works well with irregular animal skin rugs or small size rectangular rugs.
  • Placement along the foot of the bed – Runners at the bottom of the bed or an irregular animal skin rug placed under the foot of the bed gives your room a pop of color and style.

King Size Bed Rug Size

One common rule when considering a rug for a king size bed is to have at least 18-24 inches projecting from the sides and foot of the bed. This rule is not unbreakable, but it does provide plenty of room to keep your feet cozy and provide enough clearance on the rug around the bed.

Irregular Small Rugs

Irregular shaped rugs work well with beds of all sizes. You can use large irregular rugs positioned at angles from the foot of the bed. You can also place two irregular rugs on either side of the bed to provide the perfect landing spot for your feet.

6’x 9’ Rug

A 6’x 9’ rug is the smallest area rug size that you can use with a king sized bed. This is a good budget option for a bedroom with a king bed. A 6’x 9’ rug also works well in a small bedroom. Position this rug at the foot of the bed. Pull it up toward the middle of the bed until you have 18”-24” at the bottom. Leave more if you have a bench at the end of the bed that you want to keep on the rug.

7-8’x 10’ Rug

A 7-8’x 10’ rug is the minimum area rug size for a king bed if you want to include small nightstands on the bed too. Pull the 7-8’x 10’ rug down toward the foot and away from the nightstand if you want more rug area at the foot of the bed.

9’x 12’ Rug

With a 9’x 12’ rug, you can include a king size bed, nightstands, and a bench on the rug. This size rug and king bed give you plenty of clearance around the bed. An area rug this large will not fit in every bedroom. Make sure there is still 1-2 feet of wall space after adding a 9’x 12’ rug.

10’x 14’ Rug and Larger

A 10’x 14’ rug for a king bed works well if you are trying to fill a large room. This large rug size can help you define the bed area and make the room more cohesive. Position either perpendicular or parallel to the bed as the room dimensions require.

Runner Rugs

Runners are less expensive than large area rugs and work well for a tight budget. Place runners on either side of a king bed.


Chart for Rug Size Under a King Bed

Rug SizeNumber of RugsRoom SizeRug Placement
Irregular Small Rugs2 or moreSmallEither side of bed
6’x 9’ Rug1AveragePosition from the middle to the foot of the bed
7-8’x 10’ Rug1AveragePosition under the nightstands or in the middle of the bed, depending on layout of room
9’x 12’ Rug1LargePosition under the nightstands
10’x 14’ Rug1LargePosition under nightstands either perpendicular or parallel to the bed frame
Runner Rug2AveragePosition on either side of the bed