Selecting a dining room rug is a big decision, but can be hard to know where to start. Before you jump in and make a purchase, consider the following:
- What’s the size of your space and the dimensions of your table and chairs?
- How are you planning to use the room?
- And of course, what’s your style?
Step one: Measure for good measure
Let’s begin at the beginning. Determining the size you need is arguably the most important part of dining room rug shopping. Start by defining your space. How big is your dining table? How many chairs does it have? How much of your floor do you want exposed?
Based on the size of your table, here are some general size guidelines from our experts:
- Table with 6 chairs? An 8x10 rug is probably your best choice.
- Table with 8 chairs? A 9x12 rug is likely your best fit.
- Table with 10 chairs? A 10x14 rug is probably ideal.
Hint: See how the width increases by one foot, and the length by two feet, each time you go up a dining table size? So, for a 12-chair dining table, you’ll want to look for an 11x16 rug.
Use these guidelines as a starting point — you may need to add a few inches to the width or height to make your rug the perfect size. Luckily for you, The Perfect Rug offers customizable area rug sizes for your unique space
Pro Tips:
To visualize how the rug will look in your room, map it out with removable painters tape on your dining room floor. Use a measuring tape to plot out the sides of your rug and mark with tape. Connect the marks with more tape and voilà, it’s time to experiment! Use the tape to try different sizes and determine what’s best for your space.
If you have a round table (usually 8 feet round or larger), follow the same rules for sizing your rug.
You’ll want 18-24 inches of carpet around the perimeter of your table, on all sides, to accommodate your chairs when pushed out. For smaller rooms, the front legs of your chairs should stay on the rug 6 inches when pushed out.
For more info on rug sizes for different rooms, check out our rug sizing by room guide.
Step two: Who’s dining? And how often?
Once you have your rug size in mind, think about the vibe you’re trying to cultivate. Will you be using the room for daily dining or special occasions? Do you have kids and/or pets? Whatever your needs, we’ve got expert suggestions and solutions. Consider a low profile material so your chairs move in and out from under the table smoothly — a pure wool flatweave is a designer go-to. If you know your dining room will be bustling and busy, especially with kids and pets, choose a material that’s easy-to-clean, like polypropylene, nylon, or poly silk. For more about rug materials and care, check out our in-depth rug buying guide.
Step 3: Start styling
Now for the fun part. Explore rug color combinations, borders, and patterns to elevate your dining space and make it your own. Identify existing colors and patterns in your dining room décor and use those as inspiration in your search. Need help? Set up a free design consultation. Happy designing!
Note: Keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Custom sizing allows for more precision. Contact [email protected] with any questions.