This post walks through what size rug to use in a dining room and general guidelines for rug size per number of chairs.
Wondering what size rug to use in your dining room? Then this is the post for you!
After I shared what size rug to use in your living room, I got questions on the dining room so thought I’d put this post together, too.
I’ll run through specifics on rug size below plus some affordable rug options in various sizes if you’re looking to shop.
But one thing is almost always true with rugs: go bigger. Odds are, if you’re debating between two sized rugs, the larger is better.
This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click the link and buy something, I may receive a small percentage of sales at no extra cost to you.
The biggest mistake people make with rug size in dining rooms is going too small. Your rug can end up mostly hidden under your table, your chairs will get stuck as you push them in and out, it’s just a bummer all around.
If you’re debating between two sizes, use painter’s tape to draw out the two rug sizes in your dining room. Then you can see how each would look in your room.
What size rug for a dining room:
In a dining room, the table shape (rectangle, square or round) plays a big factor in what shape and size your dining room rug should be. Generally speaking, your rug shape should match your table shape.
It’s best to have all table and chair legs (even when pushed back) on the rug. If your chair legs are constantly getting stuck on the rug as you push in and out of the table, it gets old really fast.
RUG SIZE / FURNITURE LAYOUT OPTIONS:
Rug should go beyond your dining room table by 24–36” so that all chairs / benches will stay on the rug even when they’re pulled away from the table as someone sits down.
I realize 24–36″ is quite the range. I’d recommend pulling your chairs/benches out as you / your family normally use them and seeing what distance is best for your family.
I always say decorating rules are great, but at the end of the day, it’s your house, so do what’s best for you. This is supposed to be fun and definitely not an exact science.
But since numbers are a helpful place to start, here are some general guidelines:
1. 6 dining room chairs, use an 8’x10’ rug
Here are some pretty, affordable 8’x10′ rug options: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven
2. 8 dining room chairs, use a 9’x12’ rug
Here are some pretty, affordable 9’x12′ rug options: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven
3. 10 dining room chairs, use a 10’x14’ rug
Here are some pretty, affordable 10’x14′ rug options: one | two | three | four | five
Tables with leaves:
If your table has leaves you use sometimes, it’s something to think about.
Ideally, you’ll have all chair legs on the rug, but if your table is only extended a few times a year for holidays, I definitely wouldn’t plan my whole room around it.
If you use your table leaves every Sunday though, I definitely would … and maybe leave the table leaves in permanently! Taking them in/out every weeks sounds like a lot of work, ha.
Dining room rugs with kids:
I know that rugs in a dining room can be controversial since kids are MESSY.
I still like the look of a rug, so for us I think it’s worth it to buy an affordable rug that we don’t mind will probably end up trashed at some point.
We also have this high chair mat we use under the high chair that contains most of the mess. It’s easy to toss in the washer to keep it clean.
Another great option is to use an indoor/outdoor rug. They’re easy to spot clean with water, and if an indoor/outdoor rug gets really dirty, you can always take it outside and hose it down.
Here are some pretty, affordable indoor/outdoor rug options: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven
Hopefully all of this is helpful in terms of what size rug to use in a dining room.
GET THE LOOK:
Since a popular question I get is “Where’d you get that?!,” here are links to the same or similar sources:
- Wall color: Camelback by Sherwin Williams
- Trim color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore
- Wood bead chandelier
- Swag hook (to hang chandelier)
- Table: How to build a farmhouse table or similar tables here or here
- Benches: How to build a bench
- Chairs
- Rug
- Boat artwork
- Light blue boat artwork from TJ Maxx
- Seagrass wall baskets are sold out, but similar options here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here or here
- Table runner here or here
- Bread bowl
- Moss balls
- Seagrass chargers
- DIY window valance
- Curtain rod
- Curtain clips
- DIY cork chalkboard
You can see more of our boho coastal dining room here.
Have any other rug size tips to share?
If you want more decorating tips, check these out:
Remember to bookmark or pin this post if you want to save it for later!
Pin it!
Want to read more posts like this?
Follow along: Get my emails | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram
Leave a Reply