
Pair Rich Colors with Rich Colors

Paired with the dark brown walls and ceiling along along with the antique wood spindle bed, the rich colors in this traditional Persian-style rug make this small attic bedroom extra cozy.
Tip: Make sure you have at least 18 to 24 inches of rug on both the left and right sides of the bed so you have a soft spot to land your feet when you get out of bed.
Layer Rug Patterns and Sizes

Layered atop honey-colored wood floors, a grouping of rugs not only adds color, but it’s also a budget-friendly alternative to a large, expensive rug. The wood nightstand, antique armoire, and hefty exposed rafters also bring a lovely rustic warmth to this otherwise white bedroom.
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Try a Small Accent Rug

Coordinate Tone-on-Tone Colors

Don’t be afraid to coordinate your rug color with your wall paint and bedding. To create a calming surround, homeowner Victoria Ford layered the light blue walls with a tone-on-tone approach using darker blues on a patchwork quilt and a Kazak-style rug. A woven window shade balances it all.
Tip: Generally, you want at least part of your bed to cover the rug. You can choose whether you want bedside tables and/or a dresser to sit on or off of a rug.
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Think in Stripes

Add a Runner to the Mix

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Layer in Earthy Tones

The earthy tones of this sisal runner are the final touches of this guest bedroom, where the moss green walls were inspired by the pretty landscape outside the windows. The twin poster beds are dressed in ivory coverlets and crisp floral and gingham linens in coordinating green tones.
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Play with Patterns

For a bedroom that really pops, like this Texas guest room, start by bring in graphic patterns with a rug, and maybe even an upholstered headboard too. Topping the bed with all white bedding and painting the walls helps the patterns pop even more.
Tip: Choose patterns that include like colors to keep the look tailored, sophisticated, and intentional.
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Go Neutral

You can’t go wrong with the laid-back vibes a neutral wool or natural fiber rug brings to a bedroom. This light-colored version pairs well with a green clean-lined four-poster bed and mismatched vintage bedside tables topped with matching lamps.
Tip: No matter how large your rug is, be sure to leave at least 6 inches between it and the wall.
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Top It Off with Texture

A fluffy sheepskin rug adds a layer of softness to this hard-edge cabin bedroom and the traditional rug pattern beneath it. A hand-stitched quilt and cashmere buffalo check blanket add to the softness in the rustic space.
Tip: For a queen size bed, either a 6- by 9-foot or 8- by 10-foot rug is a good choice.
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Coordinate Rug Colors with Wall Color

An antique oushak rug coordinates nicely with the pale shade of blush in this nursery. A floral painting by South Carolina artist Lulie Wallace hangs above the Jenny Lind crib.
Tip: You want your rug to cover high traffic spaces in any bedroom.
Embrace Natural Elements

Natural material rugs complement most any color scheme in a bedroom, especially one with mostly neutral colors, so consider grounding your bedroom design with a sisal or jute rug. A few simple stripes on the curtains and an indigo pillow add color to the bed and surrounding area in this bedroom, along with a shapely block-print upholstered headboard.
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Choose High Pile for Comfort

Bring on the Color for Kids

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Layer in Vintage Vibes

Vintage rugs add extra layers of design depth to a space. Here, a 100-year-old Mahal rug (a type of hardworking Persian carpet known for its looser weave and casual style) purchased at a flea market gives this guest bedroom a subtle patriotic palette. The antique headboards were originally part of one bed that was separated and hung on French cleats, making more room for house guests.
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Add in Multiple Rugs

Why lay down one rug when you can have two or three? In this cabin’s bunk room, a row of patterned rugs add rich red and blue colors next to built-in twin beds, and an additional hide rug brings in more texture and shape variety to the sleeping space. The industrial sconces make reference to the cabin’s farmland locale and play off the red stripes of the wool throws and vintage grain sack pillows.
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Show Off a Rug Adjacent to a Bed

Think Big and Bold

A rug can be as large as will fit in a bedroom if you like, no matter the bed size. It can also bring its own bold color scheme to the room, distinct from an accent wall like this rich green one or neutral bedding on dark wood furniture.
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Welcome Color & Pattern to Neutral Spaces

Bring Back Black

A black-and-white striped rug anchors the dark hues in the lower half of this boy’s room, where most of its traffic happens, while the top half of the room is an airy white.
Tip: Your rug doesn’t have to extend all the way under the bed. Place it where the most action (or play) happens in the room.
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Madoline Markham is the assistant managing editor for Country Living, where she covers shopping, home decor, news, and culture.
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