Dining Room Rugs: 7 Easy Ideas
Add warmth to your dining room with a few simple tips.
Make your dining room cozier with a soft, inviting rug that ties the space together. We've compiled a list of ideas to help you choose the best dining room rugs for your home with a few tips to keep the process simple. Read our guide below to find ways to make your dining room the ideal place to gather.
1. Choose Warm Tones
Dining room area rugs bring comfort to the space and anchor the dining table as the focal point of the room. Use a rug to establish the color palette with warm, welcoming tones. Add pieces that amplify that warmth, such as galvanized brass details, an aged terracotta planter, and nostalgia-inspired botanical prints. Finish with a chandelier or a set of tapered candles for a bit of cozy ambience.
Pro Tip:
We recommend choosing a rug that is large enough for the table and chairs with 24" of additional space on each side. Read our guide How to Choose the Right Rug Size for step-by-step instructions and helpful diagrams to find which size rug works best for your dining space.
2. Layer Two Rugs
Create a simple statement with layered dining room rugs. Choose a solid-colored rug as the foundational piece with a patterned rug placed on top. When layering, it's important to incorporate different textures for a bit of contrast. We love the way an earthy jute rug pairs with a traditional-style rug. We suggest choosing two low-pile rugs for the dining room to make sure chairs can be easily pushed in or out from the table. Pick two rugs with one larger than the other to create a border effect rather than two rugs overlapping.
One of our favorite dining room rug ideas is experimenting with a round or oval rug. Place a round rug beneath an oval table to match the shape or to contrast the clean lines of a square table. For longer, more rectangular tables, choose an oval rug that has enough room for the table and chairs to sit comfortably. Consider the size of the table with chairs pulled out or extendable leaves added when finding the right dining room rug size for your space.
Instead of light-colored rugs, we recommend choosing dining room area rugs with timeless patterns, such as vintage-inspired designs or floral motifs. Patterned rugs can easily hide stains and wear in high-traffic areas. Rotate rugs every six months to avoid excess wear. Tufted rugs and power-loom rugs are great, affordable options for replicating the look of vintage rugs with precise, long-lasting designs.
Pro Tip:
To learn more about rug construction and material, read our guide Find the Best Rug Style for Your Home.
5. Soften an Outdoor Dining Space
Keep floors cool for summertime lunches and bring warmth to outdoor dinners with an outdoor area rug. Polypropylene indoor/outdoor rugs are designed with comfort and livable durability that will last for years. They are stain-resistant and dry quickly, making spills easy to clean. With plenty of patterns and colors, indoor/outdoor area rugs can be a great addition to any outdoor dining room. Try placing a striped outdoor rug beneath a classic teak dining set for a familiar coastal look, or choose a neutral rug with a wicker dining set to create a serene outdoor dining space.
Complement a simple dining set with a traditional rug in a detailed Oriental-inspired design. Since wool is naturally stain-resistant and comes in a variety of classic patterns, making it a great choice for dining room area rugs. Wool is a high-performing material that wears beautifully over time. With regular vacuuming and careful cleaning, a wool rug can last a lifetime.
Pro Tip:
Look for durable materials when choosing rugs for dining room spaces. Wool, polypropylene, or polyester rugs are soft and resilient. Cotton and silk rugs are beautiful, but can quickly show wear. Place them in a dining room that's reserved for special occasions. Jute and sisal rugs are strong enough to handle high-traffic areas but aren't stain-resistant.
7. Add Neutral Stripes
Use a striped rug to make your dining room look more spacious. Horizontal stripes can make a narrow room seem wider and vertical stripes can make a room appear longer. Small stripes add a textural element to the room that can easily disguise small spots or signs of wear. Thicker stripes are ideal for creating a relaxed look that pairs well with other patterns. Use classic stripes to add a nautical touch or choose a subdued stripe for a farmhouse-style dining room.
Pro Tip:
Place a rug pad beneath to keep the rug in place, protect the floor, and add an extra layer of comfort. Rug pads come in a variety of thicknesses and can be trimmed to fit under any rug.
Ready to shop for dining room rugs?
