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Published: 26 Oct 2020
How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Your Dining Room Space
What to consider when choosing a dining room rug
A rug can transform your dining space, adding warmth, texture, and luxury that completes the room’s look. Whether you’re furnishing a breakfast nook or a grand dining hall, selecting the right rug is key to creating an inviting atmosphere you’ll want to be in time after time.
At The Rug Company, we’ll guide you through everything you need to consider — from size and placement to materials and style — as well as expert advice from Emma Elles-Hill, Managing Director of Sales, UK, to find the perfect rug for your dining space.
At The Rug Company, we’ll guide you through everything you need to consider — from size and placement to materials and style — as well as expert advice from Emma Elles-Hill, Managing Director of Sales, UK, to find the perfect rug for your dining space.
“Dining rooms are wonderful spaces to bring friends and family together over a meal. A rug is not only a very important style element but also balances the blend with practicality in that it can soften acoustics and is a lovely soft base on which everyone gathers" - Emma Elles-Hill
Choosing a dining room rug involves more than picking your favourite colour or pattern. The ideal one balances practical needs with aesthetic appeal, creating a welcoming space that can withstand everyday use. You’ll want to consider factors like durability, ease of cleaning, comfort underfoot, and how the rug will complement your dining room’s design.
Key factors to keep in mind
1. Durability and stain resistance
Dining rooms are high-traffic areas where spills and stains are inevitable. Opt for rugs made from durable fibres that resist wear and tear without compromising on softness or appearance. Known for our Nepalese wool, which is a popular dining room choice due to its resilience and natural stain resistance, we also have a library of the world’s finest sustainably sourced fibres that can offer additional durability and ease of maintenance.
2. Ease of cleaning and upkeep
A dining rug should be easy to maintain, especially in busy households or homes that love to host. Choose rugs that can be regularly cleaned and handle frequent spot treatment. For materials that require specialist cleaning, our team of rug experts can recommend local services that they know and trust.
3. Rug thickness and comfort
Thickness affects both comfort and practicality. A low-to-medium-pile rug provides a stable surface for dining chairs, preventing them from catching on long fibres, while still offering a cushioned feel underfoot. Plush, high-pile rugs may be luxurious but can be trickier to keep tidy in dining areas.
4. How to Place Your Rug
Consider how people move around your dining room. The rug should accommodate natural pathways, allowing chairs to be pulled out without catching the edges or slipping. Proper placement also protects flooring and defines the dining area visually within an open-plan space.
Matching rug style to dining room décor
A dining room rug should do more than just cover the floor — it needs to complement and enhance your existing décor, helping to create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Whether your style leads to timeless traditionalism or bold contemporary, the right rug will act as a design anchor for your dining space.
1. Traditional Elegance
Rugs with a defined border or classic motifs work beautifully in traditional dining rooms. They frame the furniture neatly, adding a sense of formality and refinement without overpowering the space. Rich colours and intricate patterns can evoke a sense of heritage and craftsmanship that complement wooden furnishings and ornate details.
2. Modern Flair
For contemporary interiors, abstract or geometric patterns bring dynamic energy and personality. Bold designs can visually enlarge the room and inject vibrancy, making the dining area feel fresh and engaging. Colour blocking or subtle gradients also work well in minimalist spaces, adding texture without clutter.
3. Eclectic Mix
If your dining space blends styles or colours, don’t shy away from mixing patterns and textures. Layering a patterned rug with contrasting furniture fabrics or accessories can create a rich, tactile environment that feels personal and welcoming. Natural fibre rugs paired with velvet chairs or metallic accents offer an inviting balance between softness and edge.
How to measure your dining room for the perfect rug
Ensuring your rug fits perfectly is essential, not just for aesthetics, but also for practical use. A well-measured rug enhances your dining room’s flow and comfort while protecting the floor underneath. Here’s how to get it right:
1. Measure your dining table and chairs
“Begin with the dimensions of your dining table,” explains Emma Elles-Hill. “Measure the length and width accurately, then consider the space taken up by chairs, especially when pulled out during use. As a rule of thumb, we recommend 1-1.5m (depending on the size of the chairs) added to the length and width of the table.” Chairs can add around 60cm to each side, so factor this in when planning your rug size.
2. Allow space for chair movement
It’s vital to allow sufficient clearance so chairs can be moved in and out without catching the edges of the rug or slipping off its surface. The general rule is to add at least 1-1.5m (depending on the size of the chairs) to each side of the table's length and width. This ensures comfort and prevents wear on the rug’s edges.
3. Choose the right-sized rug based on room dimensions
Emma Elles-Hill explains, “A dining rug should comfortably accommodate both table and chairs while allowing free movement around the dining space. Too small a rug will create awkward transitions.”
4. Use tape to visualise the right size
Before committing to ‘the one’, try using masking tape to outline the rug’s potential footprint on your floor. This visual guide helps you assess how the rug size interacts with your furniture and room layout, ensuring it feels balanced and practical.
5. Use our rug visualiser tool
To help you decide which rug is best for your needs, try out our rug visualiser tool. It’s never been easier to visualise one of our luxury rugs in your space at the click of a button. Simply find your favorite design and select the ‘View Rug In Your Room’ button, and experiment with as many styles as you like.
6. Account for room shape and dimensions
Remember to consider your dining room’s overall shape. A rectangular rug suits elongated spaces, creating a natural flow, while square or round rugs are perfect for compact rooms or circular dining tables.
What material is best for a dining room rug?
Choosing the right material is essential to ensure your dining room rug combines durability with style and comfort. Different fibres offer unique benefits, so it’s important to understand their characteristics before making a decision.
Abaca — Renowned as one of the world’s strongest natural fibres, abaca is celebrated for its exceptional durability. Handwoven using traditional techniques, our Abaca rugs provide rich texture and organic charm for relaxed dining spaces. However, abaca rugs require careful cleaning, as natural fibres can absorb spills if not treated immediately.
Wool — A classic favourite for dining rooms, wool rugs are prized for their resilience and natural stain resistance. Our wool is sustainably sourced from the fleeces of sheep living on the Himalayan plateau, whose wool is exceptionally rich in lanolin, a natural stain barrier. It also offers warmth and comfort underfoot, making it ideal for creating a cosy dining atmosphere.
Mohair — Known for its silky sheen and luxurious feel, mohair adds an elegant touch to any dining space. While more delicate than wool, mohair is durable when blended with other fibres and brings a beautiful luster to your rugs' appearance.
Silk — Known for its texture and radiant sheen, silk is the epitome of luxury. This natural fibre offers an incredibly soft, smooth feel underfoot, making it an exquisite choice for dining rooms where comfort and style are equally important. Silk rugs have a remarkable ability to showcase vibrant colours and intricate patterns.
Blends — Many dining rugs combine fibres such as wool and mohair to balance durability with a refined aesthetic. Blends offer the best of both worlds: the practicality of wool and the luxurious texture of mohair.
Emma Elles-Hill advises, “For dining rooms, we often recommend wool or high-quality blends. These materials provide longevity and stain resistance while maintaining the softness and beauty you’d expect from a luxury rug. We can also arrange stain barrier treatments on request for added peace of mind.”
Wool — A classic favourite for dining rooms, wool rugs are prized for their resilience and natural stain resistance. Our wool is sustainably sourced from the fleeces of sheep living on the Himalayan plateau, whose wool is exceptionally rich in lanolin, a natural stain barrier. It also offers warmth and comfort underfoot, making it ideal for creating a cosy dining atmosphere.
Mohair — Known for its silky sheen and luxurious feel, mohair adds an elegant touch to any dining space. While more delicate than wool, mohair is durable when blended with other fibres and brings a beautiful luster to your rugs' appearance.
Silk — Known for its texture and radiant sheen, silk is the epitome of luxury. This natural fibre offers an incredibly soft, smooth feel underfoot, making it an exquisite choice for dining rooms where comfort and style are equally important. Silk rugs have a remarkable ability to showcase vibrant colours and intricate patterns.
Blends — Many dining rugs combine fibres such as wool and mohair to balance durability with a refined aesthetic. Blends offer the best of both worlds: the practicality of wool and the luxurious texture of mohair.
Emma Elles-Hill advises, “For dining rooms, we often recommend wool or high-quality blends. These materials provide longevity and stain resistance while maintaining the softness and beauty you’d expect from a luxury rug. We can also arrange stain barrier treatments on request for added peace of mind.”
What is the best texture for a dining room rug?
Choosing the right texture impacts both the style and the practicality in your dining area, and the ideal one balances comfort, easy maintenance and durability.
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Flatweave — Smooth, firm, and highly durable, flatweave rugs are an excellent choice for dining rooms. They allow chairs to move freely without snagging fibres, are easy to clean, and work well in busy dining spaces.
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Low Pile — Rugs with short, compact fibres provide comfort without hindering chair movement or collecting crumbs easily. They strike the perfect balance between softness and practicality.
How to choose a rug that complements your dining room colors
Colour plays a crucial role in tying your dining room together. Thoughtful colour selection can enhance your space’s mood and create harmony or dynamic contrast.
The best rug shape for dining rooms
The best rug shape for your dining room will depend on a wide variety of factors.
1. Rectangle rugs for traditional tables
Rectangular rugs are the most common choice for dining rooms, perfectly mirroring the shape of most dining tables. This symmetry creates a harmonious and balanced look, giving your dining area a sense of structure and cohesion. Emma says, “A well-sized rug provides ample coverage for both the table and chairs, ensuring that chairs remain comfortably on the rug when pulled out, which protects your flooring and prevents slips. Rectangular rugs work especially well in elongated rooms or open-plan spaces, where they help to anchor the dining zone while maintaining clear traffic flow.”
2. Round rugs for round tables
Round rugs are ideal for round dining tables or smaller dining spaces where you want to promote a feeling of intimacy and flow. “Round rugs under circular tables naturally follow the shape of the table and create a seamless visual connection that makes the area feel cohesive and thoughtfully designed. In tight spaces, a round rug can also help to visually open the room, encouraging movement around the seating area,” explains Emma Elles-Hill.
3. Using rug shapes to define open spaces
"In open-plan spaces, where dining, living, and kitchen areas often blend seamlessly, rugs play a vital role in defining different areas. Size also matters: larger rugs can make a statement and unify the dining space,” discusses Emma Elles-Hill.
4. Square rugs for smaller spaces
“Square rugs are a great choice for compact dining rooms or breakfast nooks, particularly when paired with square tables. Their neat proportions frame the furniture, helping to define the dining area without overwhelming the space. Square rugs offer a strong geometric presence that suits contemporary or minimalist interiors, creating a tidy, organised look,” says Emma Elles-Hill. They’re also versatile in open-plan layouts, where their designed shape can carve out a distinct dining zone amidst living or kitchen areas.
How to clean a dining room rug
Maintaining the beauty and longevity of your dining room rug requires a combination of regular care and mindful cleaning practices. Given that rugs are often exposed to spills, food crumbs, and foot traffic, a well-planned cleaning routine is essential to keeping them looking pristine and inviting.
1. Regular vacuuming
“Frequent vacuuming is the first line of defence against dirt and debris,” says Emma Elles-Hill. “Use a vacuum with adjustable suction settings and opt for gentle suction to avoid pulling or damaging the rug fibers, especially on delicate or hand-knotted rugs.” Vacuum both sides of the rug where possible, and pay particular attention to the edges and underneath furniture, where dust tends to accumulate unnoticed. Avoid using rotating brushes on high-pile rugs as these can cause fibre breakages.
2. Immediate spill treatment
“Accidents happen — especially around dining tables — but prompt action can prevent permanent stains,” explains Emma Elles-Hill. “When a spill occurs, gently blot the area with a clean, white cloth or paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing, which can spread the stain and damage fibres. For most spills, mild soap mixed with warm water for wool rugs (silk or silk blend rugs should be treated with cool water) can be used for spot cleaning; however, always test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure the stain fades.”
3. Avoid harsh chemicals
Many household cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can degrade natural fibres or alter rug dyes. Instead, use specialist rug shampoos or mild, pH-neutral soaps recommended by cleaning professionals. These products can be used while preserving the texture and vibrancy of luxury materials. For persistent stains such as wine, coffee, or oily residues, seek advice from our expert team before attempting treatment at home.
4. Opt for a professional clean
Even with diligent home care, luxury rugs benefit from professional cleaning at least once a year. Expert rug cleaners use specialised techniques tailored to fibre type and construction, ensuring deep cleansing without damage. Professional maintenance helps prolong your rug’s life and restores its original texture and colour brilliance.
How do you protect rugs with furniture on them?
Furniture legs resting on a rug can protect it by reducing foot traffic in those areas, but they can also cause concentrated pressure that may crush or indent the fibres, leading to uneven wear and permanent marks. Here are some tips to make sure you protect your rugs:
FAQs
- What is the ideal dimension for a dining room rug? Ideally, your rug should extend at least 60cm beyond the dining table on all sides to accommodate chairs when pulled out.
- How do I prevent my dining rug from slipping? Use an anti-slip rug pad beneath your rug to keep it securely in place and protect your floor.
- How often should I clean my dining room rug? Vacuum weekly and make sure to address spills immediately. Professional cleaning is recommended yearly or as needed based on use.
- Are natural fibre rugs like jute or sisal suitable for dining rooms? Natural fibres add texture but are generally less stain-resistant and harder to clean, so they’re better suited for low-traffic or informal dining areas.
- How do I choose a rug if my dining room has lots of natural light? Rooms with abundant natural light can support darker or richer rug colours without feeling cramped.
- How often should I rotate my dining rug? Rotate your rug every 6-12 months to ensure even wear and maintain its appearance.
- Should you beat your rug? Carpet beating can cause harm to rugs, especially those made from delicate or hand-woven materials. While it is a traditional method of removing debris and dirt, beating a rug can loosen the fibres and lead to shedding.
Find your perfect rug with The Rug Company
Choosing the perfect rug for your dining space involves balancing style, comfort and practicality. By considering size, material, colour, and placement carefully, you can create a dining room that is both beautiful and functional.
Explore our curated collection of rugs for all areas of the home to find your ideal match. Or, discover all the must-have inspiration and advice over on The Thread.