How to Choose a Dining Room Rug

A rug that’s improperly sized can throw off the whole look of your dining room, but a rug that’s just right will make the space a destination. Learn how to choose the right rug for your space.

If you’re going for a spare, minimalist look, you may prefer to forego a rug in your dining room, but we must say there’s nothing like a rug under your dining table to pull the whole space together. It’s a great way to add a little pattern and color to the room, not to mention, it feels nice underfoot. Read on for a few tips on choosing the right rug and rug size for your space.

What to Look For in a Dining Room Rug

We recommend choosing patterned rug, as it will help conceal any spills and crumbs, which are inevitable in a dining room. A darker rug, for the same reason, will also do you well. You should look for a rug that’s durable, as your dining room rug will endure lots of wear and tear from both foot traffic and chairs going in and out. Indoor/outdoor rugs are great for the dining room, as well kilims and hide rugs. We also recommend a low-pile rug, which will help to soften the sound of clinking plates and dinner conversation while making it easy to slide chairs.

How to Layer a Rug Under a Dining Table

Before you purchase a rug for your dining room, there are a few size guidelines you should follow. First, measure the length and width of your dining table, then add two feet in each direction to determine the best rug size. With standard sized dining tables, a 6”x9” rug should allow the table and the front feet of the chairs to comfortably rest on the rug when pulled out. If you want the entire chair to remain on the rug when pulled out, go for an 8”x10” rug. It’s okay if the sizing is not exact, but two feet (24 inches) should be your general guideline. Anything much more and the dining table will look like it’s swimming, and anything less will look like a mistake. In rooms where you are using large rugs, always keep 18 inches of the floor exposed from the rug to avoid the look of wall-to-wall carpeting. But remember—the size of the room will determine the size rug that works best.

If you’re purchasing a rug for your dining room, don’t forget to purchase a rug pad as well. These will increase the life of the rug and protect the floor underneath, and they make the rug more comfortable to walk on, not to mention keep you from slipping.