How to Properly Position a Rug Under a Bed

If you have hardwood floors in your bedroom, you know how uncomfortable it can be to get out of bed and feel a cold, hard floor as the first thing.

Luckily, a rug can provide a solution to this problem and allow you to personalize your bedroom to your taste!

To properly position a rug under a bed, you will need to decide which parts of the bed setup you want to have on the rug. Then, with the help of another person or a jack, lift the bed frame and place the rug in its place.

In the rest of this article, I will guide you through each step of placing a rug under a bed, including choosing the right rug and successfully placing it.

I will also explain some pros and cons of having a rug in your bedroom.

1. Clear the Way by Removing all Furniture

The first step in positioning your rug is to clear as much as you can out of the way, to ensure a smooth placement process. Remove your nightstands and any lamps or other furniture that might be in the way.

If you need help, I recommend removing your mattress to make it easier to lift the frame. Once you have cleared the way for the rug, it’s time to move on to the next step.

2. Clean Your Floor

Once you have the rug in place, it will likely be a while before the floor underneath gets thoroughly cleaned again. So, take the time to clean the floor before placing the rug.

Most people choose to have a rug in their bedroom because they want to add coziness to the hardwood floor. To clean a hardwood floor, you can use a broom or a mop to pick up initial dust and dirt.

I like this MR. SIGA Professional Microfiber Mop from Amazon.com because it is made of durable plastic and stainless steel, making it sturdy and long-lasting.

It is also safe to use on various surfaces, including hardwood, tile, laminate, and vinyl. Lastly, the 360-degree swivel head helps reach difficult spots and ensures thorough cleaning.

Revive your floor afterward with wood floor polish and wax. This will protect the floor from additional wear and tear. The rug, once placed, will also prevent any damage.

The best hardwood floor wax is this Amazon Commercial Multi-Purpose Enzyme Cleaner from Amazon.

This wax dries quickly and requires fewer layers than other products, so waxing your floor won’t take too long. Additionally, the wax has a resistant surface, making scratches less likely to be visible.

3. Mark where your rug should go

Use a tape measure to plan where your rug should be and where you want it to end.

Mark this point with some tape to align the rug as you position it. Make sure your tape line is straight, so you don’t have to worry about it later.

Take a final look around the room at this point to assess the proportions.

4. Prepare the Rug Pad

I highly recommend using a rug pad. Rug pads have several benefits, including:

• Preserving the rug’s pile, making it last longer
• Capturing dirt, making vacuuming easier
• Adding a protective layer to your floor
• Keeping the rug in place, so it doesn’t move or fold up as often
• Contributing to the sound insulation of the rug

You can buy a rug pad that covers the entire rug or smaller pads that you attach to the corners of your rug.

I recommend getting a full-size pad like this FestiCorp Non-Slip Rug Pad from Amazon. This extra-grip pad helps keep rugs in place, and it’s thick enough to provide additional cushioning and comfort when stepping out of bed.

I also like that the pad is made of non-toxic materials that are safe for pets.

Alternatively, you can opt for smaller pads that simply attach to the corners of the rug, like these Home Techpro Rug Pads Grippers (available on Amazon.com).

These provide not the extra comfort and protection that a full-size pad offers, but they prevent the rug from slipping.

I like these pads because they use a vacuum tech design that holds well on all types of floors. They are also thin and won’t be noticeable once you have attached them to the corners of your rug.

If you opt for the full-size pad, you will need to attach it before placing the rug.

Alternatively, you could lay it out in another location and roll it up, so you can do both at the same time when it’s time to position the rug.

5. Lift the Footboard of the Bed

Now, it’s time to bring the rug into place. I recommend starting at the foot of the bed. Lift the footboard with the help of a friend or family member. You can also use a jack.

If you don’t have a jack at home yet, I recommend this gray hydraulic jack from Pro-Lift from Amazon.

This jack is sturdy, and I like the large swivel saddle that makes positioning safe and easy. This jack is durable, so it will likely serve you for many years.

Lastly, I like the included plastic storage case that makes storing and transporting the jack easy.

Lift the footboard and place the end of the rug where you want it. If you chose option three from above and only have the end of the bedspread on the rug, you can stop here!

6. Repeat with the Headboard

Once you have the end of the rug in the desired position, you can fold down the footboard and repeat these steps with the headboard.

Place the rug as you desire. Once you have the end in place, if you measured correctly, you should be able to unroll the rest of the rug easily. Once the rug is in place, you can lower the headboard.

There you have it! If you follow these tips, your beautiful rug will be in place in no time.

Choosing the Right Rug for Under Your Bed

An essential aspect of properly positioning a rug under a bed is choosing the right rug in the first place. Your rug needs to be the right size to fit your room.

You should have at least 24 inches of space around your bed so that you can step onto the rug in the morning instead of a cold floor.

Large rugs can be expensive, so if you don’t want to pay a high price for a rug that your bed will mostly cover, you can opt for runners instead. This way, you can still have the look and feel of a rug.

If you desire a rug that fills the entire room, decorators recommend leaving at least 5 inches of space between the rugs and the walls to balance the room.

You should also consider what type of rug you want. This is entirely up to you and your preferences. Rugs come in different colors, patterns, and textures, so you should be able to find one that suits your personality.

However, you should also consider your lifestyle and the use of the space. For example, I would not recommend buying a white rug if you have many young children or pets with frequently dirty feet.

Alternatively, if you have a pet with light hair that sheds in the winter, that hair will be starkly visible on an extremely dark rug.

Placing a Rug Under a Bed

When it comes to placing a rug under a bed, you have several options for where the rug can go and what should be on it.

Ultimately, no choice is better than the other; it’s just a matter of personal preference. Let’s take a look at them.

Place the Rug Under All Furniture Near the Bed

With this option, you place all the furniture around your bed, including the bed frame, on the rug. The headboard, footboard, and any nightstands sit on the rug.

Since more area needs to be covered, this option requires a larger rug compared to the alternatives. However, most people prefer this look as it visually helps make the bed, headboard, footboard, and nightstands look like a unit.

Due to the space requirements of this rug, I recommend this option only if you have a large bedroom. In a small bedroom, a rug of this size would likely throw off the balance and make the room appear disproportionate.

Place the Rug Only Under the Bed Frame, Not Under the Headboard

Another alternative is to only place the rug under the bed frame, not under the headboard and the nightstands.

This is easier because you don’t have to lift the headboard or move the nightstands to place the rug in its place. Additionally, the rug will be visible as it extends further beyond the foot of the bed.

Place the Rug Only Under the Foot of the Bed

If you have a smaller bedroom or want to buy a small rug, you can also place it so that it only sits under the foot of the bed instead of the entire bed.

Just make sure you position it in a way that your feet land on the rug when getting up in the morning instead of the cold, hard floor!

This is a great option if you want the rug to stand out and take up additional space in the room.

Pros and Cons of Having a Rug in the Bedroom

Now that you know how to position a rug under a bed, you might be wondering if you need a rug in your bedroom at all. Let’s discuss some pros and cons of having a rug as part of your bedroom decor.

Pros

• A rug can enhance the interior of a bedroom. If you feel like your bedroom is lacking a bit of excitement, a rug can be just the thing to add visual interest.
• Rugs are comfortable to walk on.If you have an uncomfortable hardwood floor in your bedroom or your rug is not of high quality, a rug can provide much-needed comfort, warmth, and cushioning.
• You can showcase your personality and style. One of the great things about interior design is that you can use it to express yourself, and your bedroom should be a space that feels authentic to you. One way to do this is by choosing a rug that you love.
• Rugs protect the floor from damage.If you have an expensive hardwood floor in your bedroom, you might worry about damaging or scratching it. A rug can help prevent that damage.
• A rug can keep your room warmer in winter.If you live in a cold area, a rug might be just the thing to keep your room nice and warm during the colder months. Rugs retain heat better than hardwood floors and thin carpets.

Cons

• Rugs attract dirt and dust. The threads and fibers of a rug can attract dirt, which is unhygienic and can cause significant issues if you suffer from allergies. Additionally, rugs are four times dirtier than toilet seats due to the skin particles contained in them. Furthermore, they are harder to clean than smooth hardwood floors.
• Rugs trap odors. If you are a messy person or you smoke in your bedroom, I do not recommend having a rug. Rugs absorb odors, so if you spill pungent food or drinks on them or frequently smoke, the rugs will retain all those smells and make your bedroom unpleasant.

A rug in a bedroom can make the room cozier and aesthetically pleasing, but it’s not for everyone.

Conclusion

A rug is a great way to personalize your bedroom and make it cozier, especially during the winter. While it’s not easy to get a rug under a bed, if you take the time to find the right rug, take the proper measurements, and enlist help to position the rug, you can enjoy the benefits in no time!