I really don't think there is any standard, I've seen all sizes of rugs in a bedroom. We didn't have any rugs for many years, only hardwood, but just recently added oriental runners to the foot and sides of the bed. Or bedroom is small too, about 12 x 12, and these seem sufficient, but a bigger rug would look nice as well.

I've never liked the idea of using a rug under the bed because it's too difficult to vacuum.

I have small rugs on either side of the bed, a larger one at the foot of the bed, and another one in the entrance to the bedroom.

Really it depends on the size of the room and personal preferences, I don't think there is any 'standard' other than using the size that looks best to you.

Rugs usually look better when grounded to the room (with some furniture on top). Here's a link to a good article with photos:

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Choose a Bedroom Rug

The two main reasons I was considering one larger rug under the bed are 1) because we keep rolling storage containers underneath the bed with shoes and such. I figured the rugs would help protect the floor. 2) A bunch of small rugs could move around easier.

I'll check out my options and see what we like. If we end up just using a couple smaller rugs, what can I put under the bed to protect the floor from those rollers? Its a small house, so I try to use all the storage space I can find.

Also, I see in the photos that the rug doesn't have to start right up at the headboard, which hadn't occured to me. So I imagine a 5x7 would probably fit ok.

I like a large rug that goes under the bed and extends out on both sides and the end (don't mind if the headboard is not over the rug). If you get a size that leaves the floor showing around the perimeter a bit, you will still enjoy those refinished floors. Now, after putting an antique family bed in the room, I have removed rugs completely. I like the way it looks and it certainly is easy to clean. At some point, I may go back to a rug, but for now, I have the bare floors.

Great Article Allison!

It's a big waste of rug and money to have so much UNDER a king size bed, but...that's the look I like best. I want the rug edge to go up to the fronts of the bedside tables so that when I get out of bed I'm stepping on rug, not the bare wood. I've also used a piece of bound carpeting.

Thanks, Boop. Janie does a great job explaining rug selection and placement.

Thanks everyone. We have a queen sized bed. I believe a 5x7 area rug would not be large enough to be under the bed and still create a walkway on all sides. That said, since the room is only 10x12, a rug that is 8x10 would likely cover up the entire floor once other furniture like dressers are in.

If anyone has a small bedroom like me with the rug underneath, what size rug did you use? I could probably get away with a 5x7 and create a walkway on both sides, but not the end of the bed. Not sure how good that would look though. We may end up just doing runners.

First of all, you're right that a 5 x 7 wouldn't be big enough to put under the bed. You'd barely see the rug.

We have a medium/small size bedroom with hardwood floors, and I just have a 3.5' x 5.5' rug on either side of the bed, so when we get out of bed, we each have a "landing." We also have a small sitting area off our room, and we have the same rug in front of the loveseat there. The rugs are very neutral so they'll match with any bedding if I decide to change.

I was just in the market for a living room area rug with a similar predicament. 5x8 was not big enough and 8x10 was too big (because I didn't want to cover 80-90% of my new wood floor). I found that 6x9 and 6.5 x 9.5 was out there. Not as big a selection, but it is do-able.

Also, it will help if you put down some blue painters tape along the perimiter of a potential size to help visualize.

For my bedroom, I have a 5x8 in front of the footboard and a 2x4 on each side of the bed. I would have preferred a larger one under the bed, but never got around to doing that.