In short. A bedroom rug should stick out at least 45 to 60 cm on each side of the bed and at the foot, so that your feet land on it when you get up. Laid crosswise under the lower two thirds of the bed, that gives a 160 x 230 cm rug for a 90 cm bed, 200 x 290 cm for a 140 or 160 cm bed, and 200 x 290 to 240 x 340 cm for a 180 cm bed.
Rules taken from the bedroom rug guides of Rugs.ie, Rugs.com and Well Woven (links at the end). Prices and stock of our rugs checked on 4 November 2026.
The rule: 45 to 60 cm on each side
Most guides ask for 18 to 24 inches, so 45 to 60 cm, of rug beyond the sides and the foot of the bed. Rugs.com and Rugs.ie go up to 60 to 90 cm when the whole bed stands on the rug. To check before buying, mark the outline of the rug on the floor with masking tape.
Three ways to place it
- under the lower two thirds of the bed, laid crosswise: the rug starts 40 to 60 cm below the headboard, just in front of the bedside tables, which stay off it. This is the most common layout and the one used in the table below
- under the whole bed, bedside tables included: the most enveloping, it needs a large rug, from 240 x 340 cm for a 140 to 180 cm bed, and a room that can take it
- one runner on each side: two rugs about 60 to 80 cm wide along the bed, a good option for a small room or a bed pushed against a wall
Which rug for which bed
| Bed (cm) | Rug laid crosswise (cm) | Rug beyond each side |
|---|---|---|
| 90 x 190 | 160 x 230 | 70 cm |
| 140 x 190 | 160 x 230 (minimum) 200 x 290 (comfortable) |
45 cm 75 cm |
| 160 x 200 | 200 x 290 | 65 cm |
| 180 x 200 | 200 x 290 (minimum) 240 x 340 (comfortable) |
55 cm 80 cm |
The overhang is calculated with the rug crosswise, its long side across the bed. A 160 x 230 cm rug laid lengthwise under a 140 cm bed only sticks out 10 cm on each side.
Our rugs in stock for the bedroom
| Rug | Size | For which bed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor, short pile, fringed | 160 x 230 cm | 90 cm bed crosswise, or 140 cm bed as a minimum | 144.90 EUR |
| Giral, short pile, beige | 200 x 290 cm | 140, 160 or 180 cm bed crosswise | 174.90 EUR |
| Prosper, short pile, beige | 240 x 340 cm | 180 cm bed crosswise, or the whole bed of a 140 or 160 | 836.90 EUR |
All three were in stock on 4 November 2026 (see our shipping policy).
4 common mistakes
- a rug too small for the bed: a 160 x 230 cm crosswise under a 180 cm bed only leaves 25 cm on each side
- laying the rug lengthwise when it is narrow: it disappears under the bed
- bedside tables with two feet on the rug and two off: they wobble. Either fully on or fully off
- a rug that blocks a door or a wardrobe: check the opening of the doors before ordering
Related guides
- kids room rug
- living room rug size
- where to put a round rug
- bedside table height
- standard furniture dimensions
Frequently asked questions
What size rug for a 140 cm bed?
200 x 290 cm laid crosswise, which leaves 75 cm on each side. A 160 x 230 cm is the minimum, with 45 cm on each side.
What size rug for a 160 cm bed?
200 x 290 cm laid crosswise, which leaves 65 cm on each side.
What size rug for a 180 cm bed?
200 x 290 cm crosswise at the minimum, with 55 cm on each side, or 240 x 340 cm for 80 cm on each side.
What size rug for a 90 cm bed?
160 x 230 cm laid crosswise, which leaves 70 cm on each side, or a runner about 60 to 80 cm wide along the bed.
Where should a bedroom rug go?
Under the lower two thirds of the bed, starting 40 to 60 cm below the headboard, and sticking out 45 to 60 cm on the sides and at the foot.
Sources
Written by Dorian, product manager at Deko District.
