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When you’re looking for design advice, it’s a safe bet to lean on the wisdom of Martha Stewart—even when she has a particularly hot take. In a recent episode of In Bed with Paige DeSorbo, the influencer and podcaster’s Amazon live show, Stewart made a remark that may seem controversial. While flipping through photos of different bedroom designs, Stewart paused and claimed, “I like the floors without rugs, it’s nice.” The comment even took DeSorbo back for a second. “Floors without rugs? In bedrooms?” the host clarified. “Ok, I’ll remember that.”
Because we often consider an area rug as essential as, say, a headboard or a nightstand when decorating a bedroom, Stewart’s suggestion took us by surprise. But as it turns out, a rug isn’t always a necessity.
“I agree with Martha,” says Calgary-based designer Cathryn Royer. “A bedroom without a rug can absolutely work, but only when the rest of the space feels complete.” An area rug provides texture and softness, so Royer notes that other components would have to fill that gap, like billowy window treatments, layered bedding, detailed moldings, or walls clad in limewash or plaster. It also helps if the floors are hardwood—not carpet.
Besides aesthetics, you might want to forego a rug under a bed for upkeep reasons, too. “Rugs are ideally rotated every once in a while to maintain consistent wear, and for some, completely removing the rug and rotating it 90 degrees just isn’t in the cards,” says Hannah Go, founder of Studio Hanego. If you’re interested in going against the grain—or you simply want to follow Stewart’s lead—read on to see how to make a rug-free bedroom work.
Showcase a Unique Flooring Material
Artist and creative director Maps Rasmussen’s bare bedroom floors add to their L.A. home’s industrial vibe. Plus, with all the lush greenery visible from the large window over the bed, the surface doesn’t read as chilly.
Paint the Floor
There are striped bathroom tiles and orange-print wallpaper in other spaces of this Rhode Island cottage, so it makes sense that designer Maggie Getz wanted the primary bedroom to be more serene. A coat of white paint on the floors accomplishes just that, and provides enough visual warmth underfoot that an area rug isn’t needed.
Let Your Bedspread Get Attention
It’s no surprise that designer Christian Siriano’s Tribeca apartment features a bed that’s all dressed up. A colorful, geometric blanket sits below a canopy that’s layered with a single draping fabric, creating drama and playfulness in one swoop. Adding an area rug would likely feel like one too many textiles.