The Ultimate Guide to Bedroom Rug Placement and Layering

When I set out to design my son’s room, I knew I wanted it to be something special—bold, fun, and a bit different. After two failed attempts at sanding the floor, I decided to go all-in and paint them with a unique pattern. The result? Floors that were totally one-of-a-kind! But here’s the catch: while painted wood floors look amazing, they’re not exactly the coziest option.

I didn’t want to hide my hard work under a big rug, but at the same time, my son needed something soft and comfortable for hanging out and playing. I started with a smaller 5×7 rug, thinking it would do the trick. Spoiler alert—it didn’t.

It just wasn’t enough coverage or comfort. A larger patterned rug felt like overkill with the bold floor, and a solid one seemed too bland. That’s when the idea of layering rugs came to me—the perfect way to get style and comfort without compromising on either!

To help you find that perfect balance, I’ve put together a guide on choosing bedroom rugs—from selecting the right styles and sizes to figuring out the best placement. Let’s dive in!

Picking the Right Bedroom Rug

After going back and forth on rug options, I finally landed on a Hook & Loom rug for my son’s room—and let me tell you, it was the best decision! This rug checked all the boxes: style, comfort, and sustainability.

First, I loved that Hook & Loom prioritizes eco-friendliness, never using any chemicals or dyes of any kind during the production of any of their rugs which was a big plus for me. Knowing I was choosing something that’s both soft and safe for my son to hang out on made it an easy choice.

Another big win was the texture! I opted for the Chunky Organic Cotton rug, which is soft, durable, and made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton—perfect for a pre-teen boy’s room.

It provides a cozy spot for him to sit while building his Legos or tackling homework, yet it’s sturdy enough to withstand all the foot traffic and, let’s be real, the roughhousing that happens in his space. Plus, the natural cotton weave adds a subtle pattern that complements the painted floors beautifully. I wanted to ensure the rug enhanced the room’s overall design without overpowering it, and this choice hit the mark perfectly!

The neutral color fit perfectly with the bold painted floors and the room’s black, white, and red color scheme. It blended in beautifully without being boring, allowing the painted floor to shine while giving the room the warmth and softness it needed.

This Hook & Loom rug is truly the perfect balance of style, comfort, and practicality for my son’s space. But here’s the thing—I didn’t stop at just the base rug. To add some personality and tie in the room’s color scheme, I layered an accent rug on top.

I chose a Dave and Jenny Marrs black-and-white geometric rug in a 5×7 size. The contrast between the soft neutral base and the geometric pattern created a fun and stylish look that added depth to the space without feeling too busy. This layered rug brought in just the right amount of modern flair that my son loved while still keeping the room cozy and functional.

The layered look was the perfect balance—Hook & Loom’s neutral rug served as the solid foundation, while the Dave and Jenny Marrs geometric rug added just the right pop of contrast. This combination tied in beautifully with the mix of patterns I used on the bed, making the space feel cohesive. The layered rugs really anchored the room, bringing everything together and making the pattern-mixing feel intentional and fun.

Picking the Right Size Rug

I knew I didn’t want a massive rug since, let’s be real, the painted floors were the star of the show. But at the same time, I needed enough coverage to keep the room cozy. After going back and forth, I landed on an 8×10 base rug and a 5×7 layered rug.

This was the perfect compromise—plenty of rug for warmth and comfort, with just enough pattern to add a fun, playful touch. It balanced the space without overwhelming the bold floor design.

Here’s a quick guide I found helpful while figuring out the best rug size for my son’s bedroom:

King or full-queen-sized bed: An 8×10 rug works best. You’ll want enough rug to peek out on all sides, creating a cozy, grounded look.
Twin-sized bed: A 5×7 rug is your go-to, offering just the right amount of coverage without being too overwhelming for the size of the bed.

Under the Bed Rug Placement

The next challenge was figuring out exactly where to put the rug. At first, I tried placing the entire bed on the rug, but that left no room for the nightstands—they ended up half on, half off the rug, and my OCD just couldn’t handle that!

So, I turned the rug, letting it run longer on the sides with only the bottom third of the bed on it. This setup worked perfectly—it anchored the bed while leaving plenty of space for the nightstands to sit fully on the floor, which just felt more balanced to me.

Plus, it gave my son a soft landing when he rolls out of bed or sits on the floor to hang out. This placement felt like the best of both worlds—balanced design without sacrificing function.

Here are some other bedroom rug placement options:

Under the bed: The classic look. Place the rug so the bottom two-thirds of your bed sits on it. This anchors your bed and gives you a soft landing when you hop out.
Under the whole bed: If you’ve got the space, placing the entire bed on the rug feels extra luxurious. Just make sure there’s at least 18 inches of rug peeking out on each side for that cozy, balanced look.
At the foot of the bed: If you love your flooring or have a smaller rug, placing it just at the foot of the bed adds a touch of style without overwhelming the space.
Side runners: Tight on space or just prefer something simple? Adding runners on either side of the bed gives you that soft step in the morning without needing a big rug.

Step 4: Layering for Texture and Warmth

I chose a design with black accents to seamlessly tie in the other black details throughout the room. The pattern is subtle enough not to compete with the painted floors, yet it adds just the right amount of texture and dimension to create a cohesive look that truly anchors the space. This layered approach really brought everything together, making the room feel both stylish and inviting.

The layered rugs created this super cozy zone around his bed, which is perfect for reading or chilling out. Plus, it added warmth without taking away from the cool design we’d worked so hard on.

Here are some additional tips for layering a bedroom rug:

Start with a neutral base: A large cotton, wool, jute or sisal rug work great as your base. It’s durable, neutral, and adds texture without stealing the show.
Add a smaller, patterned rug on top: This is your chance to bring in color and pattern. Think a fun Moroccan rug, a bold stripe, or whatever matches your vibe. Make sure it’s smaller than the base rug so that both layers stand out.

Ultimately, I feel like I achieved that ideal harmony between comfort and style. The painted floors truly have their moment to shine, while the layered rugs anchor the room and bring in just the right touch of warmth to create an inviting atmosphere.

I can’t express how much I love my Hook & Loom organic cotton rug—it feels incredibly soft and cushioned! My son is a huge fan of his room too, and I’m certain the cozy vibe of the rug plays a big role in that. Adding these layered rugs was the perfect finishing touch this space needed!

If you’re looking for ideas on how to add a rug under your bed, I hope this gives you some inspiration! Remember, it’s all about striking that balance between functionality and design. Don’t be afraid to play around with rug placement or layering; I tried a few different setups before landing on this look. Just dive in, and you’ll find what works best for your space and style.

And with that, this bed room makeover is complete! I can’t wait to show you how it all turned out. Stay tuned for the big reveal next week, and make sure to follow me on Instagram for exclusive sneak peeks and updates—you won’t want to miss a thing!