Dining Room Series: Rug or No Rug?

 

    A rug or no rug under a dining table is a highly debated topic. And there are excellent arguments that can be made on both sides. Adding a rug gives the space another decor element that softens an otherwise cold space since there are not many options to add fabric. A rug can help with acoustics in the room. Area rugs are known to anchor furniture that is placed in the center of the room like a dining table. On the other hand, a rug under a table isn't seen very much since it is mostly covered by furniture. Food can fall from the table and stain the rug, so who wants to deal with the maintenance of a rug. I am not here to settle the debate of whether you should or shouldn't use an area rug, because ultimately it is just personal preference. 

    What I am here to do, however, is to help with some insider tips and tricks on how to select the right size of rug for your table. In general, it is safe to say, you can add 2' to all sides of your dining table to get an optimal-size rug for your space. The shape will depend on your room shape and table shape of course, but again there is no rule just preference. Kathy Kuo does a great job with an infographic to illustrate the scale between room size, table size, and rug size. I have included it below. So whether you are team rug or team no rug, there are pros and cons to both sides but ultimately it is personal preference and there is no wrong or right answer. In my professional opinion, the addition of an area rug in a dining space can really enhance the overall look and feel of the space, I am team rug!