With returning loanee Gary Gardner making his second Nottingham Forest debut, the Reds were looking to continue their unbeaten run of recent weeks against their fellow Championship side, still searching for a first victory under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Jamie Ward had looked lively in the early exchanges and the Northern Ireland international broke the deadlock midway through the first half after excellent work on the counter-attack by Oliver Burke.
The home side remained on top throughout the remainder of the opening 45 minutes without creating too much in the way of further chances but equally with little threat to their lead.
QPR, with former Forest man Jamie Mackie in their ranks until his substitution in the 61st minute, showed more attacking intent after the break but the Reds have shown themselves to be adept at protecting leads in recent weeks.
Chris Cohen played his part, with 70 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Eric Lichaj, while Dorus de Vries was his usual reliable self in goal.
Forest were, however, forced into an unwanted change when Henri Lansbury had to be replaced just 17 minutes after entering the fray himself as a substitute. His departure meant a City Ground debut for Bojan Jokic, signed this week from Villareal.