farmhouse dining set with dining room rug

Decorating with rugs has plenty of benefits. Not only do they protect your floors, reduce noise, and add a fun splash of color and warmth to your space, but they can help anchor your furniture for a more impactful look. In today’s blog, the interior design experts answer a common question they’re asked: how big should a dining room rug be? 

Dining Room Rug Size Guide 

Like most interior design questions, the answer to this question depends on other factors within your home. While the size and shape of the room will obviously factor into dining room rug size, the most important thing to consider is the size of the table. 

How Big Should a Rug be Under a Dining Room Table?

Generally speaking, you want your dining room rug to be larger than your dining table by anywhere from 24-36 inches on all sides. This ensures that there’s enough space on the rug to accommodate all of your chairs even when people are sitting at the table. That said, determining the correct dining room rug size is more of an art than a science. You want the rug to be large enough to easily accommodate the table and chair settings but not so large that it overshadows the room. 

How Big Should a Dining Room Rug Be in Relation to the Room? 

While other rooms offer more flexibility in rug placement, a dining room area rug should always be placed directly underneath the table. Once you’ve determined how big the rug needs to be to accommodate your dining room table, you’ll also want to consider the size, shape, and layout of the room. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least six inches between the end of the dining room rug and any walls, cabinetry, or other furniture. 

Dining Room Rug Shape

Not sure if you should choose a round, square, or rectangular rug? Consider the shape of your dining table. While there’s always room for creativity within interior design, the shape of the rug should generally match the shape of the table. A round rug, for example, tends to work best under a round table. Now that you’ve taken a look at our dining room rug size guide, it’s time to start shopping our huge selection of area rugs, dining room sets, and other dining room furniture. In the meantime, check out our interior design blog where we cover everything from our favorite dining tables for small spaces to how to style a bar cart like a designer.