How to Select a Dining Room Area Rug

Since area rugs come in many shapes and sizes, you have a little room for variance. The main deciding factor is how it will ultimately look and feel in the space.

Before settling on a dining room rug, get out the measuring tape and determine the dimensions of your dining room (or the area where your dining table and area rug will be placed).

Generally, you want the area rug to take up most of the floor space, with a 6- to 18-inch border between the rug and the wall. This border helps the room feel open and not cramped; a rug that is too small just won't look right. When guests are seated in your dining chairs, the rug should extend at least a couple of feet further, giving them enough room to easily scoot the chairs around and still be sitting on top of the rug.

One designer rule of thumb: Go with the saimilar shape of rug as your dining table for a natural fit. For example, a round or square area rug for a round table and a rectangular rug for a rectangular table will look more cohesive. Of course, this rule can sometimes be broken—especially when setting a round or oval table on top of a rectangular rug. If it looks good to you, go for it!

Rugs can instantly supply a jolt of color, pop of pattern, or hint of texture.

The color of your dining room rug can be neutral—which can easily blend into any space—but if you go with something bolder, it should complement rather than compete with the colors of your walls and flooring. You can do this by opting for colors from the same family, with one dark, one medium, and one light. Accent colors in the design of your rug should pull from the furniture and decor in your dining room, which can bring out the hues in an exciting way.

When you first get your rug, check out how it looks in natural and artificial light at all times of day. How does it look with your light fixtures? Does the room get intense sunlight at certain times of the day, and if so, can you shade it? Lighting affects the way the colors will look in your space and sun rays can cause fading, so let these factors inform your decision.

The patterns and design motifs of your dining room rug can really accentuate your design theme.

Trellis, floral, and damask designs can be formal and traditional, while rugs with bold graphics and asymmetrical designs can look modern. If your style is eclectic, feel free to mix a Persian-style rug as your pièce de résistance to juxtapose modern decor. If you have other patterns in your dining room, such as upholstered dining chairs or benches, choose one pattern to be dominant in the space for a more harmonious vibe.

The more textured the rug is, the more casual the rug looks. Sisal rugs can coordinate beautifully with a cottage, coastal, or contemporary space. An antique rug, or one with a timeworn look, can lend an old-world elegance and an added layer of coziness to your space.

Don't forget to factor in the material and what kind of cleaning is required! A shaggy rug or a rug with a thicker pile may feel soft underfoot, but it may also mean more meticulous cleaning. Rugs with low or no pile can be easier to vacuum and slide chairs over. There are other options, too, like outdoor area rugs that you can use indoors instead. Made from polypropylene, no-pile indoor/outdoor rugs are extra durable and can be easily spot treated or passed over with a vacuum.

Area rugs not only add personality to your space, but they can be the final accent that brings your design elements together. There's much to consider before you make a purchase, but with these dining room rug ideas as your guide, you can choose the one that will complete your design and look great for many shared meals to come.