A rug under the dining table is an element that brings a new life to your dining room, making this dining space look and feel even more special. It may not always be the most trafficked area, but it is an important and sacred place where family, friends, and special guests gather to dine and celebrate something special and create unforgettable moments.

You may have already grasped the core of your dining room aesthetic, but you may not have found the perfect rug to add more visual appeal to the area. A rug that is the wrong size can upset the balance of the entire space and make your original design look weird.

To that end, we'll show you how to choose the right size rug for your dining room, taking into account the size and shape of the room and dining table to ensure you choose the perfect rug.

Does Your Rug Have to be Larger than The Dining Table?

In short, yes. The first rule of thumb for choosing a dining room rug is to choose a large one rather than a small one.

A rug that is too small will undoubtedly affect people's dining experience.

Therefore, the rug size must exceed the range of people sitting down to eat, which is not only beautiful but also prevents the chairs from being pulled around to damage the rug.

lahome dining room rug

How to balance the size of a rug and dining table?

So how big should the dining room rug be than the dining table?

As a general rule, the rug should be 18 inches - 24 inches larger than your dining table. Your chair should always have the back and front legs on the rug so that it drags horizontally and doesn't easily scratch the floor.

Of course, you can adjust it according to the actual situation of the dining room, but it is best not to be less than 18 inches, to be comfortable and beautiful.
It is also important that the general dining room rug is not too close to the wall, and the rug is at least 8 inches away from the wall.

If your dining room is small, it's best to leave a distance of 16 inches to 20 inches between the rug and the wall to make the space less crowded.

What Shape Rugs Work Best Under The Dining Table?

The shape of the dining room rug can be chosen according to the shape of the dining room or the shape of the dining table. If you pursue the sense of order in the entire space of the restaurant, then choose according to the shape of the restaurant.

If you don't want to overcomplicate things, the easiest way is to match the shape of the dining table.

It is a rectangular table to choose a rectangular rug. Likewise, if you have a round table, choose a round rug.

If you want to look a little chicer, you can experiment with special shapes.

However, you still have to pay attention to maintaining proper spacing so that the entire space is balanced.

Rug size guide for different size dining table

Rug Size for Dining Room Table With 2 Chairs

When your dining table space is limited, you can still lay a rug under the small dining table to divide the area and play a decorative role. For a 2-seater dining table, a dining table rug about 4'x6' would be just right.

Rug Size for Dining Room Table With 4 Chairs

A dining table for 4 tends to be about 3'x3' or 3' in diameter for a round table, and in this size, it is generally recommended to choose an 8'x8' square rug or 8' round rug.

Alternatively, centering the rug on a 5'x7', 6'x9' or 8'x10' rug is also a good option.

Rug Size for Dining Room Table With 6 Chairs

The size of a six-seater dining room table is at least 5'x3', in this size, it is recommended that you use a 6'x9' or 8'x10' rectangular rug. That way, you're guaranteed to have enough space so that the dining chair can be moved back, but still, stay on the rug.

Rug Size for Dining Room Table With 8 chairs  

The dining table for 8 measures approximately 3'x6' or 4'x6', which is the most common dining table in the home. Taking these dimensions into consideration, it is recommended that you choose a rug of 8'x10' or 9'x12'.

lahome dining room rug

Rug Sizes for Round Dining Tables

For the selection of round dining table sizes, the basic rules for measuring rugs and tables still apply. That said, you still need to make sure you leave 18-24 inches of space between the chair and the edge of the rug.

The most common round dining tables are 4 and 6 seats. If it is a 4-seat round dining table, then it is recommended that you choose a 6' round dining table rug. If it is a 6-seater round dining table, you will need to pair it with an 8' round rug.

Tips for Choosing The Best Dining Room Rug

You have a few more things to consider when it comes to dining room rug ideas.

When you've settled on the size of your dining room rug, it's time to think about style and practicality. You need to find a balance between the look and durability of the rug, making it functional enough while expressing aesthetics and matching your design style.

  1. Harmony with restaurant decoration. Regarding the choice of rug pattern and texture, you need to consider other elements in the space and try to find something with enough contrast to give your dining room focus.

Darker rugs can help camouflage stains, allowing you to last longer.

  1. Wear-resistant and non-slip. Your table rug will need to withstand a lot of foot traffic, so being able to withstand a lot of wear and tear is a must.
  2. Low pile and easy care. Make sure your rugs are easy to clean, as spills are always unavoidable in a dining room.
  3. Machine washable. In any case, machine washable is always the better option.

Conclusion

When you've found the perfect fit, it can make your entire dining room more complete and chic, creating a comfortable and sophisticated experience for your dining guests.

Find rugs of any shape or size on our rug collections page.