Within your home, the dining room stands as one of the most meaningful gathering spaces. Creating an elegant and welcoming dining area involves making design choices that establish the room's atmosphere and significance. As you navigate the design process, pay particular attention to a pivotal element: luxury dining room rugs.
As you explore the best rugs for the dining room, discover how to harmonize beauty with utility with these helpful dos and don’ts.
Dos: Choosing the Perfect Luxury Dining Room Rug
Dining room rug ideas span a wide spectrum of styles and preferences, but a few important points hold true regardless of the aesthetics. With proper care in the exploration process, the right rug can last a lifetime: you never have to settle or choose form over function. Following essential principles can help you know what to look for and steer you in the best direction.
Do: Measure Your Dining Area
One of the first steps in choosing the ideal rug for your dining room is obtaining an accurate measurement of the space. Your dining room rug size significantly impacts the overall look and functionality of the dining space. The goal is to balance the size of the rug with the rest of the room and furniture for a well-proportioned space.
How Big Should a Dining Room Rug Be?
The right dining room rug size is 24” to 36” larger than your dining room table to allow for chairs to move away from the table without moving off of the rug, and is crucial to creating a balance in the space. A rug that is too small will be dwarfed by your dining table and chairs, while a rug that is too large can overwhelm the space. After measuring, the best way to get the dining room rug size right is to take a rug for a test-drive in your own space and judge for yourself.
8x10
9x12
Do: Opt for High-Quality Materials
Because of the nature of the room, the quality of the rug’s materials is paramount. Opt for premium materials, such as 100% wool and natural fiber blends, which not only exude luxury but also offer durability, comfort, and an appealing aesthetic. Investing in quality fibers ensures that your dining room rug withstands the test of time. For example, 100% wool rugs are naturally stain resistant.
What Are the Best Materials for Dining Room Rugs?
The best materials for a dining room rug offer a blend of durability, maintenance, and aesthetics. Wool is an ideal choice for its natural stain resistance and soft texture, while silk rugs feel luxurious, making them an excellent choice in formal dining areas with lower foot traffic.
Whatever the material, low pile and flatweave rugs are ideal options in dining rooms for their practicality and functionality. The surface makes it easier to move chairs while reducing the likelihood of trips or falls.
Do: Prioritize Easy Maintenance
In your dining room, spills are inevitable. It’s wise to prioritize rugs with easier maintenance. Look for options with stain-resistant properties, woven from materials that are easy to clean regularly without losing their charm. This way, your dining room rug remains in exceptional condition through typical use.
Is It Okay to Put a Rug Under the Dining Table?
Yes, placing a rug under the dining table is an excellent way to enhance the overall look and feel of the dining area while offering practical benefits. A well-selected rug offers elevated aesthetics, additional comfort, floor protection, and a visual anchor point for the room as a whole.
Do: Consider the Rug’s Thickness
The rug’s thickness contributes both to its comfort and functionality. You want to strike a balance between these elements. Aim for a thickness or pile height that offers a comfortable feeling underfoot while remaining practical for dining activities such as moving chairs around the table, carrying dishes back and forth, and cleaning up drops or spills.
What Type of Carpet Is Ideal for the Dining Room?
When choosing a rug for the dining room, consider materials that suit the aesthetic and stand up to the requirements of the space, such as 100% wool or silk blend. Generally, rugs with a tighter, flatter construction are better for the dining room. These rugs are more stable, easier to maintain, and allow easier movement in the area.
Dont's: Common Mistakes When Choosing Dining Room Rugs
Avoiding common pitfalls can make all the difference in creating an inviting place to sit down and eat in the company of loved ones. It’s wise to follow your intuition, but expert insights and thoughtful suggestions can help you make a truly informed choice for your dining room. It’s best to keep these crucial tips in mind during your decision-making process.
Don’t: Choose a Rug That’s Too Small
One of the most prevalent errors is opting for a rug that is underwhelming or too small for the dining area. Your dining room rug should comfortably accommodate your dining table and chairs and anchor the elements together. By contrast, a small rug creates an awkward visual disconnect and disrupts the room’s cohesiveness.
What Rug Size Should I Choose for My Dining Room?
As a rule, choose a rug size and shape that is at least two feet longer and wider than your table to provide breathing room on the sides and ends of the rug while leaving space against the walls to avoid overwhelming the room. Both rectangular and round dining room rugs work well in these spaces.
Don’t: Neglect Proper Rug Padding
Rug pads are too often an afterthought, but neglecting proper padding can result in floor damage, unnecessary wear and tear, compromised comfort, and even safety concerns. Rug pads provide a protective barrier between the rug and floor, preventing scratches and preserving the floor quality, but they also help to prevent slipping, sliding, wrinkling, and buckling.
Can I Place a Luxury Rug on Top of Carpeting?
Yes, you can place a luxury rug on top of carpeting, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Make sure the underlying layer is stable and in good condition. A rug pad designed for this purpose can help keep the rug in place and offer extra cushion while aiding in maintenance by preventing dust and debris accumulation between the layers.
Don’t: Ignore Cleaning and Maintenance Considerations
It’s easy to be swayed by the allure of certain rug materials or a lush pile height without considering the maintenance requirements. Some materials are more challenging to clean or require special intervention to maintain, which can lead to headaches down the line.
Avoid high-maintenance rugs that may not align with your lifestyle or the demands of your dining area. Instead, opt for materials that offer both elegance and practicality in terms of upkeep.
How Do I Clean a Luxury Rug Properly?
Cleaning a luxury rug requires careful consideration, especially in the dining room, to preserve its beauty and quality. To clean a luxury rug properly, heed these tips:
- Vacuum your rug regularly to prevent dust and dirt.
- Rotate the rug occasionally to ensure even wear.
- Address spills promptly by blotting, not rubbing, the area with a clean towel.
- Invest in professional cleaning every one to three years.
- Avoid harsh cleaning solutions that can damage the fibers and colors.
Don’t: Sacrifice Quality for Price
While budget considerations are important, sacrificing quality for a more modest price tag is not always the wisest choice. Luxury designer rugs are not just decorative elements; they are investments that contribute to the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of the space. A well-made rug offers longevity and durability in a dining space.
Are Luxury and Vintage Rugs a Good Option for a Luxury Dining Room?
Well-made luxury and vintage rugs can be a wonderful and unique option for a dining room. Opting for a low-quality, inexpensive rug may seem practical, but it will wear out quickly and lack the durability and timeless appeal of higher-quality construction. Remember that long-term value and aesthetics should outweigh immediate cost savings when it comes to choosing the perfect dining room rug.
Discover the Perfect Dining Room Rug
The right dining room rug can transform and revitalize your dining room space. These guidelines can act as a roadmap to help you choose the perfect rug to elevate your dining room.
Explore Tufenkian’s curated selection of high-quality handmade rugs to find an option that complements your style and suits your needs. Browse our rugs online or in a showroom and test drive one today!
