Homespice Guide: Choosing the Perfect Rug for Your Dining Room

July 16, 2024
Homespice Guide: Choosing the Perfect Rug for Your Dining Room
black braided dining room rug

Introduction

Rugs tie everything together in your room, improving its appearance. You can buy them in different shapes, patterns, colors, and textures to fit your style. Rugs floors, offer a soft cushion beneath your feet to enhance your dining experience. They protect your floors from scratches caused by moving chairs.

In open floor plans where there are no walls dividing rooms, a rug can visually define the dining area. They improve your room's acoustics and enhance your safety by preventing slips and falls. Overall, rugs enhance your comfort, safety, and the ambiance of your dining area, making them a great addition to any dining room.

In this blog article, we help you learn how to find the perfect rug for your dining room. How big should your dining room rug be? What material should you choose? What design options do you have? We'll also give you some practical tips and recommendations from our experts.

Understanding Your Dining Room Space

  • A General Rule of Thumb: You need about an extra 24 inches on each side of the table for the size of your rug. A good way to determine this is to measure your table for length and width. Each of those measurements should be increased by 48 inches. That will give you a general idea of the rug size you need.

  • Make sure your rug's shape matches your table and fits well with your room's style:

  1. Round tables look good with round or square rugs.
  2. Rectangular or oval tables work well with rectangular rugs.
  3. Square tables match nicely with square rugs.

      Matching the rug's shape to the room's shape creates a balanced, pleasing look.

Choosing the Right Rug Size

1: Standard Rug Sizes for Dining Rooms

Standard rug sizes for dining rooms vary based on the size of your table and room. Typically, an 8x10 rug works well for most dining room tables seating 6 to 8 people. For larger tables, consider a 9x12 rug to ensure all chairs stay on the rug, even when pulled out.

2: How to Measure Your Space Accurately

To measure your space accurately, start by sitting in your dining room chairs. Stand up and push the chair back, then do the same for each chair around your table. Mark the area with painter's tape and measure the marked space. This will give you a good idea of the rug size you need.

3: Tips for Ensuring All Chairs Remain on the Rug

Ensure all chairs remain on the rug, even when pulled out, by choosing a rug that extends beyond the table and chairs. You want to avoid the rug between the chair legs; there should be enough room to push the chairs out easily. Also, avoid having the rug go under other pieces of furniture, like a buffet or china hutch, to maintain balance.

Material Matters

Our next tip and we would say the second most important to the size of your rug, is to think about the material. The material that you choose is going to depend on its use. It depends on the amount of traffic that your dining room is going to get. 

The first thing in this aspect that you need to think about is low pile versus high pile. Low pile rugs rugs generally better to use as dining room rugs for under table. because it is lower maintenance and easier to clean. A high-pile rug can trap crumbs, be difficult to clean, and be pretty hard to drag pool chairs across.

Here are some common rug materials: 

  • Cotton Rugs: You also need to consider the type of material you want in a rug for your dining room. Cotton rugs are affordable and easy to clean; most of them are low pile because they have a flat weave. However, these rugs don't wear well over time.

  • Wool Rugs: Wool rugs are good for high-traffic areas; they are also stain and water-resistant. However, they can be expensive and tend to shed at first.

  • Natural Fiber Rugs: Rugs made from natural fibers are really popular in dining rooms right now. They are durable and can handle traffic. However, the coarse fibers on these rugs can make them pretty hard to clean, especially with spills.

  • Synthetic rugs are rugs made with man-made fibers that are made to feel like natural fibers like cotton and wool. These are perfect dining rooms because they're easy to clean and family-friendly. Most of them are pretty budget-friendly as well.

Style and Design

  • It is to be served in your dining room. You can use a rug in your dining room as an accent piece or to tie the entire look together.
  • If you're looking to tie the room together with the rug, you want to pick a complementary color to the decor that you already have in the room. 

  • Oftentimes, it's nice to pick a secondary color so that it is not overwhelming and the same exact color that you have in the rest of the room. This can help bring out the secondary colors that you have in your decor.

  • When it comes to design, the choice is yours, but we highly recommend country braided rugs for their enduring appeal. They are reversible, look traditional, and never go out of fashion. Here are some other popular options:

  1. Traditional Oriental rugs 
  2. Persian rugs American rugs
  3.  Modern geometric rugs 
  4. Abstract rugs 
  5. Solid color rugs
  6. Natural fiber

Practical Considerations

  • Rugs made from stain-resistant materials absorb spills like wine and coffee without leaving stains behind. They are also easy to clean, even with thick, goofy spills like pasta sauce. You can check out our stain resistant collection on our website.

  • Get a rug pad because the pad absorbs impact and provides you extra cushioning. This can also protect your floors from damage or scratches. Especially if you have hardwood floors, and the biggest thing is that it helps keep your rug in place.

  • Budgeting for your perfect rug involves setting a budget and finding a rug that fits within it. Consider opting for rugs that are easy to maintain.

Top Rug Recommendations

With plenty of options available, it can be hard to find the perfect rug for your dining room. The following are some of our top recommendations to help you narrow down your choices:

Natural Beauty: Jute Rugs

  • Jute rugs, which are made of natural fibers, give your dining room an earthy, natural vibe. Thick brafied jute rugs are more duable then ordinary jute rugs.These neutral dining room rugs are a great option for your eco-friendly house and give your space a rustic appeal. 

Buy Jute Rugs Now

Affordable Elegance: Cotton Rugs

  • Cotton rugs are affordably priced, have a wide range of colors and patterns, and are easy to maintain. They are perfect for your relaxed dining room atmosphere because they are often low-pile. Their soft texture and versatility make them a popular choice.

Buy Cotton Rugs Now

Family-Friendly: Polypropylene Rugs

  • Polypropylene rugs are known for their stain resistance and durability, making them perfect for your household with children or pets. They are UV-treated, washable, easy to clean, and maintain, offering you peace of mind without sacrificing style. These rugs come in a range of designs to suit your decor.

Buy Polyester Rugs Now

Placement Tips and Final Touches

Best Practices for Rug Placement

  • Your dining table needs a rug that sticks out at least 24 inches on all sides. This trick lets chairs stay put on the rug even when you pull them out. 
  • Make sure your rug matches your table and room shape. Got a round table? Use a round rug under it. Rectangular table? You guessed it - rectangular rug it is.
  • Do not place the rug under heavy furniture like a buffet or hutches. Those heavyweights can mess up your rug's shape and wear it down. 

Enhancing Ambiance with Your Rug Choice

  • Rug layering brings depth and texture to dining spaces. A smaller, patterned rug atop a larger solid one creates visual interest. 
  • Placemats, curtains, and decor that match or contrast with your rug tie the room together. This approach results in a unified look. Click here to check out our dining table accessories. 
  • A centerpiece or decorative items echoing the rug's colors and patterns boost the room's vibe. These elements have an impact on the overall atmosphere.

Conclusion

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and colors to find the perfect rug that reflects your personal taste. Visit www.homespice.com for more home decor inspiration and a wide selection of rugs that cater to various styles and needs.

Rugs transform dining rooms. They boost comfort, safety, and style. Pick the right size, fabric, and pattern to create a warm chic space. Think about practical stuff too - like how easy it'll be to clean spills. You want your rug looking good for ages right?

Go wild! Play around with different looks and shades. We've got tons of rugs - something for every taste and need.