Placing a rug in the dining room is a fantastic touch. A rug under the dining table brightens up the room and gives it a cozy ambiance, which is what you want in a dining room.
A rug also highlights the rug and sets it apart from the other items in the room so it feels like a special warm and inviting space on its own instead of just another piece of furniture. If you have a wood floor, a rug can also protect the floor from scuffs and scratches.
In most other rooms in your home, there is a fair amount of flexibility in terms of choosing a rug size. A lot depends on the look you are going for and the overall décor of the room. Choosing a rug size for the dining room is a slightly less flexible in that there are certain guidelines that you cannot ignore.
There’s one rule in particular that most important of all, in terms of safety and comfort. We’re going to focus on that one rule first.
The One Most Important Tip for Choosing the Right Rug Size for the Dining Room
When placing a rug in the dining room, the first and most important rule is to make sure that the front and back legs of all the dining chairs stay fully on the rug even when they are pulled back.
It’s not something that most people would automatically think about but imagine this. You buy a rug that’s just large enough for all the chairs to fit comfortably on when they are pushed in. This arrangement looks great when nobody is at the dining table but here’s why this size of rug is wrong.
When it’s time for dinner and you pull the chair back, the hind legs of the chair go off the rug. This creates a situation where the front and the back legs of the chair are at two different levels.
Sitting on a wobbly chair while eating can be painfully uncomfortable, and the thicker the pile of the rug, the more unsteady the chair will be.
Trying to push the chair back in can create another problem. The constant rubbing of the hind legs of the chair against the rug edge can cause the edges to fray, which can end up making the whole room look shabby.
Keeping that in mind, here’s the right way to measure a rug for your dining room.
How To Measure A Rug For Your Dining Room
For a rectangular dining table:
For a round dining table:
Other Dining Room Rug Size Guidelines
In addition to the dining chair leg placement, there are a few other factors that you should take into consideration when purchasing a dining room rug.
Consider the shape of your dining table. A rug that is the same shape of the dining table gives the space a more cohesive look, especially for a rectangular or square dining table. For a round dining table, you can choose either a round or square rug.
If your dining table has leaves, open up the extensions before taking the measurements.
The placement of your dining table matters too. If it is in the center of the room, the edge of the rug should be at least 4” away from the walls. Leaving some bare space between the rug edge and the wall creates a more defined dining space. A rug that fits snugly across the room from one wall to the other can tend to make the room look stuffy.
Recommended Dining Room Rug Sizes
4 Seater Round Dining Table
An 8’x8’ square rug is the perfect size for a standard sized round dining table with 4 chairs.
6 Seater Rectangular Dining Table
8 Seater Rectangular Dining Table
For a larger 8 seater rectangular dining table, look for a rug measuring not less than 9’x12’.
10 Seater Rectangular Dining Table
A Note About Best Rug Styles For The Dining Room
When you place a rug under the dining table, most of the rug will remain hidden under the table. The only part of the rug that will be visible at all times is the border.
When purchasing a dining room rug, spend more time checking out rug styles that have eye-catching borders. Don’t focus on the body of the rug.
A border with bright, bold motifs can will give your dining room a colorful, casual look while a more elaborately patterned border will give the room a more elegant, sophisticated look. Both look equally good.
The right style for you will depend on the look you wish to create in your dining room.
