[Grammar] verbals to OR ing

[atabitaraf]

A quilt that looks ordinary ______ may become a work of abstract art when it is hung on a white wall.
(A) lying on a bed
(B) lies on a bed
(C) to be lying on a bed
(D) to lie on a bed

The answer is A, but I couldn't reject C and D because we can use the infinitive form (to + verb) after adjectives.
I thought there might be a rule that may help me about using infinitives after adjectives. I would be grateful if you said.

 

[emsr2d2]

Only A is correct because the (unrequired) full form would be "A quilt that looks ordinary when it is lying on a bed ...".

 

[atabitaraf]

Only A is correct because the (unrequired) full form would be "A quilt that looks ordinary when it is lying on a bed ...".

Is it because quilt is an object and not a human? So the infinitive form cannot go with it.
I think that C and D can be correct for human subjects. Is it right?

 

[emsr2d2]

No, it has nothing to do with being an object as opposed to a human. The same would apply if it said "A person who looks ugly lying on a bed may turn out to be really pretty when standing up" (please ignore the lack of logic in that statement).