The following article was used by permission of Rug and Home.
Deciding the correct size of rug for your dining room can be tricky. Here are my tried and true tips for selecting the correct rug size.
Size of Table The most important thing to consider is the size of your table. We generally allow 18-24” around the perimeter of the table so that when you pull your chair out, your chair stays on the rug. To get a really good estimate, a great trick I have found is to step up to your table and pull out the chair like you are going to sit down. Do this for all the chairs around the table. Now take tape and tape behind the back legs of the chairs – there is your ideal minimum rug size.
Size of Room Showing off my hardwood floors but the dining room is the one room that I believe it is really important to have enough rug coverage. Ideally, you do not want your chair coming off the rug every time you sit down. That being said, balance is so important and if your dining area is very small or if you only use this space a couple times a year, then you may want to just make sure the rug looks in balance with the room. Also, consider, if you only use your leaves (extensions) a couple times a year, then you may be ok with the chairs coming off the rug on special occasions. Just things to think about – there are always exceptions. But in general, if you can, you should make sure your rug is big enough to keep the chairs on when seated.
Standard Size Rugs Now, rugs come in various standard sizes, so make sure you get your max and minimums. To give you some jumping off points, here is a guide that should help you using the tips above.
Round or Square Tables:
- 36” Round / Square table – minimum 6’ round / square / octagon – My recommendation: 7’ or larger
- 42” Round / Square table – minimum 6’6” round / square / octagon – My recommendation: 7’6” or larger
- 50” Round / Square table – minimum 7’2” round / square / octagon – My recommendation: 8’ or larger
- 60” Round / Square table – minimum 8’ round / square / octagon – My recommendation: 9’ or larger
Rectangle or Oval:
- 36 x 60” Rectangle/Oval – minimum 6’ x 8’ rectangle/oval – My recommendation: 7’ x 9’ or larger
- 42 x 72” Rectangle/Oval – minimum 6’6” x 9’ rectangle/oval – My recommendation: 7’6” x 10’ or larger
- 40 x 82” Rectangle/Oval – minimum 6’ 4” x 9’10” rectangle/oval – My recommendation: 7’ 4” x 10’10” or larger
- 42 x 118” Rectangle/Oval – minimum 6’6” x 12’10” rectangle/oval – My recommendation: 7’6” x 13’10” or larger
To over simplify – usually these sizes will suffice:
- 6 chair dining room tables need an 8×10
- 8 chair dining room tables need a 9×12
- 10 chair dining room tables need a 10×14
- Most breakfast nook tables have a 7 to 8 foot round or octagon rug
Note: 8×10 or 8×11 is probably the size that 80% of people use in their dining areas.
For a copy of the article as originally published on Rug and Home’s website, use this link.
