The Right Rug Can INSTANTLY Transform Your Bedroom. Designers Show Us How
Rugs: We all buy 'em, but how often does one consider criteria like placement, material, pile, and size when doing so? In bedrooms specifically, rugs are all too often treated like second thoughts—overlooked in favor of the main event (read: your actual bed), or else supporting actors like window treatments, lighting fixtures, and wall colors.
We're here to change the narrative: Rugs have immense potential for turning the place where you spend about a third of your life into a stylish slumber sanctuary. According to Mina Lisanin—founder of New York–based, award-winning interior design agency ML Interiors—rugs make bedrooms cohesive and intentional. "They add warmth, softness, and a layer of texture that instantly makes the room feel more inviting and complete," Lisanin tells ELLE DECOR. "A well-placed rug can also help define different areas within a bedroom, such as distinguishing the bed area from a sitting or reading nook."
Whether it be thick, plush rugs in neutral tones that feed into your room's overall minimalist aesthetic or multihued, low-pile creations that are not only easy to vacuum but also have spunk and whimsy in their DNA, the options really are endless. But... where to begin?
Lisanin suggests thinking about materials first. Her favorites? Natural ones like sisal and jute, which "not only look sophisticated but also provide durability and comfort underfoot, which is essential for a bedroom." Next, consider colors and patterns: Specifically, whether to go big and bold or play it safer with something more neutral and subtle.
When all's said and done, the final component of spicing up your bedroom with a rug is to decide on placement. "For bedrooms, I love placing a large rug under the bed that extends out on either side and at the foot of the bed. This placement not only makes the room feel larger but also ensures that the first thing you step on when you get out of bed is something soft and cozy," Lisanin says. "Another great option is to layer smaller rugs to define different areas within the room, like placing a runner beside the bed or a small accent rug near a reading chair."
The good news is that, if you're not satisfied with the overall look, the beauty of rugs is that you can always move them around. Don't be afraid to play around. Bedrooms, after all, are all about you.
Below, we've (or should we say weave?) rounded up some expert-approved bedroom rug ideas to get your creative gears turning. You and your bedroom deserve the very best, after all.
Rugs: We all buy ’em, but how often do we consider criteria like placement, material, pile, and size when doing so? In bedrooms specifically, rugs are all too often overlooked in favor of the main event (read: your actual bed), or they act as mere supporting actors to window treatments, lighting fixtures, and wall colors.
We’re here to change the narrative: Rugs have immense potential for turning the place where you spend about a third of your life into a stylish slumber sanctuary. According to Mina Lisanin—founder of the New York–based, award-winning interior design agency ML Interiors—rugs make bedrooms cohesive and intentional. “They add warmth, softness, and a layer of texture that instantly makes the room feel more inviting,” Lisanin tells ELLE DECOR.
Per Rebecca Ward of Rebecca Ward Design: “A bare floor feels like a room left unfinished—a rug is the final layer that completes the space. It’s the artwork for your floor!”
Whether it be a thick, plush rug in neutral tones or a multihued, low-pile creation, the options really are endless. But where to begin? Lisanin suggests thinking about materials first. She favors natural ones like sisal and jute that “not only look sophisticated but also provide durability and comfort underfoot, which is essential for a bedroom.”
Next, fix your attention on colors and patterns—specifically, on whether to go big and bold or play it safe with something more subtle. When all is said and done, the final component of spicing up your bedroom with a rug is to decide on placement. “For bedrooms, I love placing a large rug under the bed that extends out on either side and at the foot of the bed. This placement not only makes the room feel larger but also ensures that the first thing you step on when you get out of bed is something soft and cozy,” Lisanin says.
Sarah Hargrave, owner and principal designer of the interiors studio-slash-curated shop the Collective, has a slightly different take on placement. “I prefer the rug to stop right ahead of the nightstand and dresser if there is one, then have the appropriate scale away from the opposing walls,” she tells us.
The beauty of rugs is that, if you’re ever not quite satisfied with their look, you can always move them. Don’t be afraid to play around! Bedrooms, after all, are all about you. Below, we’ve (or should we say weave?) rounded up some expert-approved bedroom rug ideas to get your creative gears turning. You and your bedroom deserve the very best, after all.
Tap into Natural Materials
Rugs made out of natural materials like jute (pictured in this Sag Harbor bedroom designed by Nick Olsen), sisal, hemp, and bamboo are fool-proof accessories to bring some warmth to your sleeping space. There may be health benefits, too: "Natural materials like wool and silk are hypoallergenic and improve air quality. Wool naturally purifies air by absorbing pollutants," says Ashleigh Chalice, owner of interior design firm The Chalice.
What's more, according to Joelle Nesen, president and lead designer of Maison Inc., "wool rugs change the acoustics in a space, dampening sounds in ways that other materials just can’t." Though natural rugs are known to come predominantly in neutral shades, this bedroom vignette makes it clear that pattern play is never out of the question!
Be Eclectic with Your Bedroom Rug
The Georgian rug in this Tbilisi apartment designed by Eka Papamichael is just the pop of color and graphics needed to take the space's blue theme to new heights. All this is to say: Don't shy away from a little spunk when it comes to your rug selections. "Choosing a rug that contrasts with the surrounding decor can add a bold, unexpected pop of personality," Mina Lisanin tells us. "This approach can make the rug a statement piece that draws the eye and adds depth to the design." Our eye? Very much drawn!
Experiment with Faux Hide Rugs
Cowhide rugs, like this faux zebra one, are the ultimate showstoppers. Take a page from how Brazilian designer Sig Bergamin placed one in his Parisian pied-à-terre's bedroom—slightly off-kilter, in a way that works to elongate the space and keep all conventionality out of it.
Go Vintage
"I often find myself drawn to vintage designs because they add character and a sense of history," Lisanin says. "They tell a story." After gazing at the pure craftsmanship of this Caucasian rug in a Spanish home designed by Lorenzo Castillo, we couldn't be more in agreement. Ashleigh Chalice is also a big proponent of vintage rugs, as someone who holds sustainability at the core of her design ethos. After all, they can last for generations with proper care and cleaning—slowly but surely becoming a veritable family heirloom.
Keep a Common Color Thread
High-contrast rugs have shock appeal, sure to inspire many a "where'd you get that stunner?" question, but there's just as much value in keeping it toned-down in the color department and matching a rug's hues with your room's overall palette. In this Ken Fulk–designed bedroom, the rug integrates perfectly with the four-poster bed, limestone fireplace, and painted commodes.
"I love having something that's going to thread in and out of the space," Chalice tells us. "From the pillows to the chair to the rug, there needs to be something that's tying everything together."
Emphasize the Space's Size
To create the illusion of your bedroom having more square footage than it actually does (we won't tell a soul!), follow Chalice's simple rug placement advice. "I'm the type of designer who doesn't let the bed land on the rug completely. I pull it out about two feet from the wall," she shares.
In the case of this Lisbon bedroom, in the home of L’Objet founder Elad Yifrach, the antique kilim rug is pulled out a bit less than two feet, but the fact that it's not flush with the wall nonetheless makes the room look more spacious.
Choose a High-Pile Design
Who doesn't love taking the first step of the day and having their feet land on a rug that feels like a hybrid between clouds and cotton candy? In this kids' bedroom by ELLE DECOR A-Lister Jean-Louis Deniot, the Moroccan rug is as plush as it is visually engaging—meaning low-pile rugs aren't the only ones that offer pattern and boldness.
Layer, Layer, Layer
Fall is coming in hot, which means layering: not only "parkas over sweaters" but also "rugs over carpets." In this guest room, there is not an inch of bare floor showing—courtesy of the light brown carpet, which is saved from average Joe appearances by the brightly patterned rug over it. Considering the fact that wall-to-wall carpeting has been a hot trend for the past few years, you should keep layers top of mind when decorating your bedroom. We give you full permission to mix and match.
Think Small with Your Rug
Lisanin suggests using "smaller rugs to define different areas within the room, like placing a runner beside the bed or a small accent rug near a reading chair." This is exactly what Ralph Lauren has done in his Montauk home's primary bedroom, where the abundance of natural materials (teak bed included) practically calls for something small and organic-looking. Notice how the rug contrasts with the smooth, white linens and polished wood floors—creating an oasis we wouldn't ever want to walk out of.
Low-Pile to the Max
If you're not enthusiastic about rugs that are hard to clean, invest in a low-pile option—like this striped wool carpet by ABC Carpet & Home. "I love a low-pile rug. I think shags are cool, but they're not my thing. I don't like when things can get lost in your rug," Chalice tells us. Many low-pile options are even machine washable!
Round It Out
If you're already thinking outside the box when it comes to your bedroom rug's patterns, colors, and orientations, why not extend this attitude to its... shape? In the twins' bedroom of a Robert Couturier–designed NYC townhouse, the circular rug is not only a way to break free from the shackles of rectilinearity but also an opportunity to introduce something genuinely fun (in this case, wild cats!) into the mix.
Let Your Rug Speak Loud and Clear
Confession: This is actually a living room decked out by the design firm Redd Kahoi, but, given the fact that it quirkily features a red-leather canopy bed, we decided to make an exception for this roundup and include it. Despite this room being chock-full of objects, the antique Persian rug is arguably its pièce de résistance. If you've spotted a beautiful rug but aren't sure how it will mesh with your bedroom interiors at large, buy it anyways—and then let it guide the rest of your stylistic decisions in the space.
Embrace Peaceful Neutrals
If your biggest bedroom design wish is to create a space conducive to maximizing REM sleep, Lisanin's suggestion is to "lean towards neutral tones," like with this simple gray rug in one of her projects. Going neutral means avoiding potential clashing with your wallpaper, drapes, and other room elements, while tapping into a "less is more" philosophy. As designer Miminat Shodeinde says in our September 2024 issue, “The world is already full of so much chaos. When you come home you want to walk in and sigh and feel at peace."
Geometric Rugs FTW
If you're a fan of modern rooms, you'll be a fan of geometric, pattern-happy rugs. This one, in the primary bedroom of Alex Trebek’s former Beverly Hills home, would surely be crowned Jeopardy! champion if rugs were allowed to compete. Its angularity is replicated in the wallpaper above, which is an ideal way to ensure continuity.
Locate Your Rug Size Sweet Spot
"A rug can either make or break a space," Chalice says. "If it's too small, it'll get swallowed up by the room. And if it's too large, we don't have the parameters to walk in our space and feel like we're being grounded by it." The bedroom in this Parisian apartment seems to have achieved a Goldilocks kind of balance—in which the rug grounds only the sitting area adjacent to the bed but is still large enough to make itself known.
Pair Your Rug With Your Bedding
If you don't want your bedding and your rug to be twins, at least allow them to be cousins. In this maximalist New York jewel box, almost every room has pink motifs, and the bedroom pictured here is no exception. The rug's hue is not an exact match with the pink bedding—and is way lighter than that custom headboard—but still ensures the room is as visually integrated as it can be.
Let the Views Do the Talking
If you're lucky enough to have bedroom windows that open up to a whole forest (which is exactly the case in this Woodside, California, hilltop compound designed by ELLE DECOR A-Lister Ken Fulk), don't allow the rug steal the show. Instead, let it be graciously subdued: an addition, but never a distraction.
Have a B&W Moment
The good news about a black-and-white rug is that it will never go out of style (akin to a little black dress). Chalice is a big fan of contrast in rugs ("it makes them look very luxe"), which is quite apparent in this bedroom she designed.
Choose a More Faded Rug Look
For those who want the best of both worlds (a patterned bedroom rug but one that won't feel too flashy), the best solution is to go with a product that's distressed and thereby adds lived-in character to your homey hideout. In ELLE DECOR A-List designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard's L.A. home, the primary bedroom boasts just this kind of rug. Its faded green colorway selflessly lets the rich textures and deep colors above take center stage. The result? One dramatic primary bedroom!
When in Doubt, Go Custom
If you're impossibly hard to please (major respect) and haven't been able to find anything on the rug market that you envision being the perfect fit for your bedroom, go the custom route. This gorgeous rug by Vanessa Barragão—in a home designed by Fox Nahem—merges art and functionality, while being a testament to the powers of expert handiwork.
Another reason to choose custom? "Sizing is critical when it comes to... rugs because you are often working within spatial parameters that may not be conducive to standard rug sizes," says Cheryl Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors. "This is when it's important to have a good resource for custom rugs."
You Might Also Like
