As well as having practical benefits, rugs and runners are a brilliant way to inject personality into an interior. As personal and private spaces, it’s important our bedrooms reflect our tastes and are places we love to be – adding a rug is a great way of achieving this as they are available in an infinite array of colors, weaves, materials and patterns. We’ve rounded up a selection of beautiful rugs to add to your list of bedroom ideas to help you get inspired, along with some tips from interior experts.
Bedroom rug ideas – what to consider when decorating with rugs
Choosing bedroom rug ideas is an enjoyable part of any bedroom as there are so many designs available. Laying small, deep pile rugs by the side of the bed is brilliant bedroom flooring idea for bringing warmth underfoot, alternatively a larger feature rug can instantly change the look and feel of a room. Depending on size and positioning they can be used to unify or zone a space in place of bedroom carpet idea and can be a great starting point for a room design. ‘One of the best places to start when inviting color and pattern into the home is to sett the tone and anchor the rest of the space,’ says designer Matthew Williamson (opens in new tab). ‘A beautiful bedroom rug can give you a palette or a sounding board for the rest of the room. You could pick out specific colors from the weave and take them onto the walls, into the soft furnishings and even up onto the ceiling for a dramatic look.’
1. Make a feature of the floor
Introducing a patterned rug is a brilliant way to add instant color and personality to a main bedroom, especially where wallpapers aren’t suitable. In this bedroom with painted wall paneling, the floor is the perfect surface for adding a touch of pattern. Featuring a bold geometric pattern, this flatweave rug from Robert Stephenson perfect fits the olive and ochre color scheme and echoes the strong angular shapes of the four-poster bed and paneling.
2. Create calm with a simple white rug
If you’re looking to create an oasis of calm to retreat to after a busy day then you can’t go wrong with classic white bedroom ideas. Positioned underneath the bed, this white rug has a fairly thick pile bringing luxurious softness underfoot as you get up in the morning, plus it contrasts beautifully with the dark bedspread.
3. Add a playful color addition
If you love hot color and pattern but are cautious about using them wall-to wall, then introducing them through fabrics, soft furnishing and rugs can be a great alternative. Adding in a vibrant geometric rug is an easy colorful bedroom idea which can instantly liven up a neutral scheme as this interior proves. Handcrafted from cotton in Jaipur, India, this Chunky rug from Molly Mahon (opens in new tab) pairs beautifully with a hot pink upholstered headboard and striped drapes.
4. Embrace on-trend scallops
If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful solid wood floor you’ll want to make the most of it, so why not add a rug made from woven natural materials like Jute which will introduce subtle texture and warmth whilst complementing the beautiful grain of the wood floor? For a little decorative flair, consider a scallop-edged design such as this pink version from Vanrenen GW Designs (opens in new tab).
5. Create calm with a neutral design
Hard floors of stone and wood are popular country bedroom ideas, but they can make spaces feeling cold and echoey – laying a beautiful rug will instantly warm up the space helping it feel more cosy and welcoming. Perfect for a classic country feel, this large rug in a natural, oaty shade is made from natural materials to complement the rest of the interior scheme.
6. Liven up a contemporary bedroom
As well as bringing decorative interest and softness, rugs can play an important role in zoning a space, too. In this contemporary bedroom a large, dynamic geometric helps create a separate seating area away from the bed. With an emphasis on strong architectural lines and sleek furniture, modern bedroom ideas can sometimes run the risk of feeling cold, but introducing a lively patterned rug reminiscent of tribal designs adds a layer of decorative interest which can help liven the space, as this stylish scheme proves.
7. Choose a timeless stripe
Offering a decorative touch without over-powering a space, rugs with simple stripes make great choice for a bedroom where creating a restful environment is key, Stripes bring order and structure to a space and have the ability to redirect the eye. When incorporated into an interior design scheme, they inject a dose of understated elegance and sophistication, especially within traditional bedroom ideas. ‘Stripes add visual interest to the floor and for those tight on space, it is worth remembering that linear stripes can help to enlarge the appearance of a room,’ says Jon Flannigan, product manager, Kersaint Cobb (opens in new tab).
8. Turn heads with a bold floral design
Looking to add drama and glamor into a bedroom? You can’t go wrong with bold floral room ideas. If you love florals but want something a little easier to live with, then try a repeat design and pairing it with a soft pastel shade as pictured.
9. Co-ordinate your rug with the upholstery
Choosing a rug in a pattern that balances other patterns in the room can be an effective way of creating balance and harmony within a bedroom, as proven by this beautiful interior by Nicola Harding (opens in new tab). With this in mind, if choosing bedroom rugs to complements your headboard ideas, feel free to take inspiration from the upholstery print, but do not replicate it. Instead, opt for something with a slightly different pattern, scale or tone as has been done to great effect here with harmonizing geometric prints. While ‘using the same pattern on two items in a room creates cohesion,’ explains Ella Richards, head of design at Linwood (opens in new tab), ‘don’t make it to matchy-matchy,’ she warns. ‘You need to add elements of surprize.’
10. Choose a faux sheepskin for added warmth
If you want a soft, warm surface to sink your feet into as you step out of bed then you can’t go wrong with a faux sheepskin rug. Small and easy to move around, they add instant coziness to hard floors, particularly if you are looking for small bedroom ideas. Bringing softness and subtle texture they are perfect for those looking for a calm, neutral scheme. ‘I love natural materials and finishes such as timber and stone or softer elements such as sisal, sheepskin and wool – pieces that will add character and gentle texture,’ advises Mark Winstanley of The White Company (opens in new tab) when buying a rug for a bedroom.
What kind of rug is good for a bedroom?
When it comes to bedrooms comfort is key – ‘you can afford to be indulgent in a bedroom to comfort and cocoon, soft textures are a luxury when you first step out of bed,’ says Andy Guard, creative director at Roger Oates Design (opens in new tab). So, perhaps the most important thing to consider when it comes to choosing a rug for a bedroom is the thickness – this is usually determined by the ‘pile’ which is the word used to describe the density of fibres or loops of yarn in the rug. A rug or carpet with a high pile is a great bedroom carpet idea as it has longer fibres or loops, making it thicker and cozier under foot. Alternatively, a bedroom rug with a short pile is less thick and may be a more practical solution for areas with high footfall. In terms of design, ‘consider the existing colors in the bedroom and source a rug that pulls the scheme together,’ says Sabina Miller, head buyer at Heal’s (opens in new tab). ‘Green, blue and neutral hues always create a sense of calm so are perfect for the bedroom.’
Can you put a rug in front of a bed?
Yes, if space allows, rugs are perfect for positioning at the end of the bed. If positioning a rug in this way then consider laying the rug length-ways and choosing a rug that is greater in length then the width of the bed-frame as this will help frame the bed and create visual harmony. Where you want to position a rug and the function you want it to fulfil will have an impact on the size and design you choose so it’s important to establish this. A large rug at the end of the bed is a brilliant way to create a feature in a bedroom, especially if you’re looking to keep your bedroom walls neutral to create a calm atmosphere conducive to sleep. Alternatively, you may want something soft and cozy to sink your feet into when you get out of bed in the morning – in this case, laying a deep pile, shaggy or fluffy rug by the side of the bed might be suitable. ‘Use a larger rug placed at the foot of a bed for a luxurious feel. Alternatively, two smaller rugs can be placed either side of the bed,’ advises Nani Marquina, founder and designer at Nanimarquina (opens in new tab).
