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What Size Rug Under a King Bed? A Complete Guide

What Size Rug Under a King Bed? A Complete Guide

When considering what size rug to put under a king bed, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

You’ll want to consider whether you want your nightstands to go under the rug as well, the size of your king bed, and the layout of your room. 

What Size Rug Under a King Bed?

To illustrate what size rug you should put under a king bed, a striped horizontal pattern rug in grey and white coloring below the bed

Gamespirit/Shutterstock

A nine-by-twelve-foot rug will be the ideal option to hold the average king bed and nightstands with a bit of extra room. 

Check the Size of Your Bed

The average split king mattress has dimensions of 76 by 80 inches, but your bed isn’t necessarily this size.

For example, you may believe you have a standard king bed when you have a Texas or California King.

These beds are a little longer, with Texas at 80 by 98 inches and California at 72 by 84 inches. You also have to take the bed frame into account.

A thicker bed frame will need a larger-sized rug to hold it entirely. 

What Other Furniture Do You Want on the Rug?

When deciding how to place your rug, you generally have three options:

  • You can set the rug so that it only fits the bed but rests under all four legs. 
  • You can get a rug that’s large enough for the bed and nightstands.
  • Or, you can opt for a smaller rug that goes solely under two legs. 

If you only want the bed on top of the rug but still want the rug to fit the entire bed, then you’ll want to choose an option that’s at least large enough to hold all four legs. 

Most people would rather have enough room for their feet when they get up in the morning to make their floor seem more luxurious.

In this case, you’ll want a rug that runs one to two feet past the sides and end of the bed frame. Just remember that if the rug is too broad, you’ll either have to put your nightstands farther away or end up with the edges ending awkwardly underneath them. 

Typically, a 9 by 12 foot rug will be ideal to fit the entire bed and both nightstands. If you want to ensure that your rug fits how you want it, you can measure a few inches past each nightstand to find your ideal size.

Just remember that rugs usually come in standard sizes, so it may be more challenging to get one that fits precisely. 

Finally, if you only want the rug to fit under the front two legs of the bed, then an 8 by 10 foot selection is probably your best option. Just place the edge of the rug about two-thirds down the bed. 

Consider Room Layout 

The size of the rug you’ll need may depend on the layout of your room. Usually, it would be best if you didn’t have the rug’s edges closer than six inches to your wall except at the head of the bed frame.

If one side of your bed is against the wall, it is acceptable to have the rug against the wall on that part. But you’ll have to reconsider the width so it’s not too long on the other side of the bed. Take other furniture into account as well.

For example, keep the edge of the rug at least a few inches away from any dressers. If you have a truck or bench at the end of the bed, add a foot or two to the rug’s length. A 10 by 14-foot rug will probably be the best size for this scenario. 

Things to Consider

Bedroom with vertical slatted wainscoting and neutral light wood bed frame and side tables as night stands pictured for a piece on what size rug under king bed

Marina_D/Shutterstock

When purchasing a rug, there are other things to consider than just the general size. Think about:

  • Color: Light and dark colors will show footprints more than medium shades. 
  • Price: Rugs are expensive, but you can save money with a smaller option. Price may be the reason you’d want only to have the rug under the front legs. 
  • Durability: Rugs with close rows of stitching are more durable than other choices. 
  • Mood: Decide whether you want a rug that stands out or a plainer option. Color and texture can be a great way to add pizzazz to a space, but make sure they don’t clash with the rest of the decoration
  • Shape: Typically, if you’re placing a rug under furniture, you’ll want them both to be the same shape. In this case, rectangular carpets are best for beds. 
  • Purpose: Are you looking to add excitement to your room? A touch of softness for when you wake up in the morning? Is your primary concern keeping the floor from getting dents or scratches from the weight of the bed? Consider all these questions when looking for the perfect rug. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Blue and floral print rug bunched up on a grey wood floor

Halit Omer/Shutterstock

Keep your space looking gorgeous by taking into account the size of your bed and the placement of your furniture before purchasing a rug.

What Size Rug Looks Best Under a King Size Bed?

For a standard king-size bed, a 9 by 12 foot area rug is the ideal option. Texas kings look best with a rug with a width between 12 and 13 feet and a length of ten to eleven feet.

For California kings, a 9 by 13 will make up for that extra space.

How Many Feet Is a King-Sized Bed?

Length and width in feet of different king beds:

  • A standard king is six feet and 4 inches wide by 6 feet and 8 inches long.
  • A Texas king is 6 feet and 8 inches wide by 8 feet and 2 inches long.
  • A California king is 6 feet wide by 7 feet long.
  • What Size Is an Alaskan King Bed?

    laskan king beds are square with a length and width of 108 inches. The dimensions in feet are 9 by 9. The perfect rug for this bed is about 14 to 15 feet wide and 11 to 12 feet long.

    Since the bed is so large, it may be best to buy a smaller rug that only goes under the front two legs, so you don’t have to spend as much money.

    How Much Should a Rug Stick Out From Under a Bed?

    How much a rug should stick out from under a bed is mainly up to preference. Typically, you should have one to two feet along all three sides of the bed.

    If your room is small, you may want a slightly smaller rug so that it fits well within your space.

    So, What Size Rug Under a King Bed?

    For most king-size beds, you’ll want a 9-foot by 12-foot area rug. This size may change depending on how you want your rug to fit in your room, what furniture is next to your bed, and the type of king bed you have.

    If you aren’t entirely sure that you have a standard bed and nightstand size, you can always measure the length and width to determine your perfect rug size.