What Size Rug To Use For Dining Room

See Our Ultimate Rug Size Guides Below:

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Choosing a 100% hand-knotted rug offers practical benefits due to its materials. Wool rugs are highly durable, with a thick and strong pile that can resist spills, stains, and dirt in the dining room. They can also withstand heavy foot traffic in busy living rooms, kitchens, foyers, hallways, and entranceways.

Why Size Matters When Choosing Rugs for Under The Dining Table

If you choose a rug that is too small and places it under the dining table, nobody is going to be able to see it and that is such a waste of a beautiful oriental rug.

To get the correct size rug, measure the area occupied by the table and the chairs when the chairs are pulled out. To this measurement add a few inches more and you will get the correct dimensions required for this rug.

The important thing here is that the rug should be large enough so that there is enough space to pull out the chairs comfortably with the front and hind legs of the chair still on the rug.

If the hind legs go off the wool rug while pulling out the chair, it will rub against the edge of the rug when pushing it back in. This will eventually fray the edges and cause the rug to look damaged and worn prematurely.

Dining table Without Rug
Dining table Without Rug
Right Rug Size For Dining Table
Right Rug Size For A Dining Table

How to Determine the Size of the Rug You Need

Using the right size of rug under your dining table is crucial, both in terms of effect as well as practicality.

You want to choose a rug that is large enough to accommodate the hind legs of all the dining chairs when they are pulled out. This is super important.

If the chair legs don’t fit properly on the rug, they will be unbalanced and wobbly, creating a distinctly uncomfortable dining experience. Also, if the rug is too small, its edges are more likely to get frayed prematurely as the hind legs of the chair will keep rubbing against it every time the diner pulls the chair in.

Fortunately, determining the size of rug you need for your dining table is not too difficult.

Here’s what you need to do.

If you have a rectangular dining table, measure its length and width. Add the width of two dining chairs to the length of the table to determine the correct rug length that’s fit perfectly. Then add the width of two dining chairs to determine the correct rug width. This will give you the ideal dimensions when buying a rug for your rectangular dining table.

If you have a round dining table, measure its diameter and add the width of two dining chairs to this measurement. This will give you the ideal dimensions when buying a rug for your round dining table.

Can You Put an Oversized Rug Under a Dining Table

Yes, you definitely can put an oversized rug under a dining table. In fact, it is much better to go with an oversized rug rather than a rug that’s even a little smaller.

You know for sure that all the dining chairs will fit comfortably on an oversized rug with room to spare, which is the number one rule when placing a Persian rug under a dining table. Moreover, with an oversized rug, you’ll be able to see even more of design and colors of the rug, which is always a good thing.

Don’t be afraid to use a rug that’s larger than the ideal dimensions that you’ve calculated. You can’t go wrong with a larger rug but definitely do not place a rug that’s smaller than the recommended dimension.

 

Oversized Rug in Dining
You May Put Oversized Rugs Under Dining Table As Long As Your Space Permits.

The 24” Rule: Dining Chairs Should Always be "Fully on the Rug"

When in doubt, there’s a very useful 24” rule that you can use to figure out the correct size of rug to place under your dining table. Essentially, the rule states that your dining room rug should extend beyond the dining table edges on all four sides by a minimum of 24”.

This 24” ensures that there is enough space on the rug to fit all the dining chairs comfortably. You can pull all dining chairs back without worrying that they will feel wobbly and unbalanced because the front legs are on the rug while the hind legs are on the floor. With a rug that extends 24” beyond the table edge, the dining chairs will be properly balanced because all four legs will be at the same level – on the rug.

If you ever find yourself debating about whether or not a rug is large enough or whether you should look for something smaller, just follow the 24” rule and you’ll be okay.

Dining Room And Kitchen
The 24" Rule States That Your Dining Room Rug Should Extend Beyond The Dining Table Edges On All Four Sides By A Minimum Of 24”.

The 18” To 24” Gap Between the Edges of the Rug and the Room Walls

While the dimensions of your dining table and the dimensions of the dining chairs are the most important factors to consider when choosing a rug size, they are not the only ones. There is one other thing you want to keep in mind and that is the dimensions of your dining room.

Ideally, you want to leave a gap of bare flooring between the edge of the dining room rug and the walls of the room. This gives the room a more defined and uncluttered look and also creates an illusion that it is much bigger than it actually is. It also allows the beauty of the flooring to shine through.

A rug that fits from wall to wall without any space between the wall and the edge tends to close up the space, making it look cluttered and smaller than it really is.

Choosing the Right Rug Size for your Dining Table

The right choice of an oriental rug can be a fantastic jumping off point for your dining room. The right style, color, and size can play off each other and the style of the room for a stunning overall look.

In addition to adding both comfort and style to the dining room, the rug defines the room itself.

While all of these three factors style, color and size are equally important to take into consideration when looking for rugs in any room, the size of the rug takes on even more important when you are choosing one for the dining room.  This is because in no other room do you move the furniture around as much.

Whether it is the bedroom or the living room, when you wish to sit down, you simply choose a chair or sofa and you sit down.

However, with a dining room, every time you want to sit down, you have to first pull the chair out enough so you can swing yourself into the chair and then you have to pull the chair back in again so that you can sit closer to the table. When you are done dining, you have to push your chair back out again.

Rug Size Recommendation for Square or Rectangular Table

Below are general rug size recommendations for different square and rectangular dining tables. Keep in mind that dimensions of your dining table could be slightly different from the norm so you may need to adjust accordingly.

2-Seater Dining Table

A 4’x6′ rug will add a cozy ambience to a 2-seater dining table in a small dining area.

4-Seater Dining Table

Square 4-seater dining tables typically measure about 3’x3′. An 8′ round rug or 8’x8′ square rug would fit beautifully under a table of these dimensions.

6-Seater Dining Table

A 6-seater dining table will need a rectangular rug with minimum dimensions of 8′x10′.

8 x 11 Persian Rug Under The Dining Table
8 x 11 Persian Rug Under The Dining Table

8-Seater Dining Table

A large rectangular rug measuring a minimum 9′x12′ would be the perfect fit for an 8-seater rectangular dining table.

10-Seater Dining Table

A rug with minimum dimensions of 10′x13′ or 10′x14′ will act as a majestic backdrop to your 10 seater rectangular dining table.

Rug Size Recommendation for Round Dining Table

4-Seater Round Dining Table

Small dining areas tend to have limited space. A 6′ round rug would be best for a 4 seater round dining table.

6-Seater Round Dining Table

A round rug with a diameter of 10′ will provide enough space to comfortably accommodate the dining table and all six chairs.

8Seater Round Dining Table

An average 8-seater round dining table measures about 72′ in diameter. For this size dining table, you need a rug that’s at least 12′ so you can fit the legs of all 8 chairs on the rug while sitting at the table.

As we said earlier, these are average sizes. If your dining table has different dimensions, use the 24” rule to find a rug with the perfect dimensions.

Because dining tables vary widely in shape and size, there is no one perfect size of rug for all dining rooms. The correct size for you will depend on the dimensions of your dining table.

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