How to Choose a Dining Room Rug
By Jane T ~ July 6th, 2009. Filed under: Passion for Rugs.
How to select the correct rug for a dining room is a frequent question I receive here at Atticmag. There are a few factors to keep in mind, but first let’s address the issue of size.
Most important is having a rug that is large enough to allow the chairs to be pulled out from the table without hitting or extending beyond the edge of the carpet. A general rule is to allow 18-24 inches from the back of the chair to the carpet’s edge. This will eliminate the chair legs from getting caught on the rug when scooting the chair in towards the table. If possible, leaving 2 feet of floor space visible between the edge of the carpet and the wall will provide a more balanced appearance as seen in the diagram above.
Pay close attention to the design, color and details on a rug. The photo above is an excellent example of a rug with an allover pattern framed by a narrow solid colored border that extends beyond the backs of the chairs. The outermost neutral patterned band is again framed in the same color as the first creating a feeling of depth and spaciousness. (Photo: Vallencierre rug via Nourison)
The image above, while correct in size has a definite drawback to my eye. The rich blue colored center field is surrounded by a lighter colored and very wide outer border. A block of color underneath the table with only a very thin outer colored border looks uneven and creates an illusion of a cramped space, not to mention the fact that most of the color in this rug is covered up with the table and chairs. (Photo via Sotheby’s International Realty).
This photo shows a similar block of color underneath the table, but the rug is balanced by the outer blue and gold border followed by a large cream colored edge. The result is a carpet that has an illusion of being roomy by keeping the eye extending outwards. (Photo: Sultanabad rug via Sara Hopkins Interiors).
Here we have a Serouk carpet which again displays a mass of color underneath the table, but it works because of two things. The outer border has a repeating floral design utilizing the same rich wine colors of the field then framed by an outer border in the same color. Notice too, the style of chairs with their open backs and low profile, allowing the rug to be seen as opposed to being swallowed up by heavy solid upholstered seating. (Photo via Bridget Beari Designs).
Helpful tips:
Carpets with an allover pattern work better than those with a center medallion which will become obscured underneath your table.
Darker toned and thicker piled carpets are best at hiding spills.
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July 6th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Great illustrations, Jane, and of course your information and advice is spot-on, as usual. I especially like your attention to the design and border color details.
We do a lot of work in historic/older houses, and sometimes the ideal of 1-2 ft. of floor space and 18″-24″ from chair backs simply doesn’t work in smaller rooms. Of course they often have smaller tables, and smaller-footprint chairs, which can help.
We often advise people to use masking tape on the floor to mark out the dimensions that “feel” right for the room size and furniture scale, with the caveat that the sides and ends of the rugs are most vulnerable to wear, and one should avoid scraping over them with chair legs whenever possible. The masking-tape approach usually helps the homeowner get close to the appropriate dimensions.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Wonderful advice, JaneT. The illustration and photographs are so helpful.
July 24th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
That was great. Thanks for your tips. Cheers!!