A dining room rug is a must-have, and these 9 will help you host in style

These are *chef's kiss*

Two types of dining room rugs in two different spaces, one yellow plaid one in a bright room with a wooden table on metal legs and cane chairs, the other a mulitcolored rug in a mid-century modern style dinign room with a round wooden tables and wooden chairs
(Image credit: Schoolhouse/Amazon)

I know that I’m lucky to have a dining room in my house, but it’s fair to say that it doesn’t get much use. Instead, I plonk myself on the couch and eat my tater tots and nuggets (yes, I eat like a 12-year-old child, don’t @ me) while Jim pranks Dwight on the TV in front of me. But as a large portion of my home’s footprint is largely ignored, I’ve made it my mission this year to zhuzh up my dining room. And what’s the best way to style up a dining room? A trendy rug, duh! 

Finding the right rug for each room in the house isn’t easy though. It needs to be proportionate to the dimensions of the room, it needs to match your aesthetic, and it needs to mesh with the other furniture you've chosen. It's a whole ordeal, but a fun one no matter your budget. 

During my own quest to find the best dining room rug, I’ve come across A BUNCH. And luckily for you, I’m feeling pretty generous, so I’ve gathered together the most delicious and delectable dining room rugs out there. From boho jute rugs to groovy plaid picks, I’ve featured them all. And yes, you’re so welcome. 

The most stylish dining room rugs you need to buy ASAP

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.


What kind of rug do you put underneath a dining table?

It’s best to mimic the shape of your dining room table with the rug you choose. So, if you have a round dining room table, buy a round rug. If you have a rectangular dining room table, buy a rectangular rug. You get the gist. 

The same idea can be applied when choosing the size of your dining room rug. The general rule of thumb is that your rug should be large enough to accommodate your dining room table and chairs when they are pulled out. This normally means adding an extra 30 inches from the edge of the table when measuring your rug size. If you buy one that’s too big, you might be able to get away with it. Too small and your rug will just look silly in the room!

Finally, you also need to think about how often you use your dining room, and what the rug's main purpose will be. Do you use your dining room every day? Or will the rug be purely for aesthetic purposes while you continue to eat your dinner on the couch? If the rug is going to be used every day, opt for a lower pile rug of around ½” high or less. This way, it’ll be less likely to trap crumbs and be much easier to vacuum.

Up next: 6 expensive-looking rugs you'd never believe are from Wayfair

Lauren Bradbury
Freelancer

Hey there! I'm Lauren, and I've been a writer now for over seven years (wow, that makes me feel old). During that time I've written about everything from celebrities to casino content, but nothing has made me "zing" quite as much as home and lifestyle pieces. I live in a beautiful Victorian terrace house in Kent with my husband and my naughty cocker spaniel puppy, and despite the leaking roof that we can't quite seem to fix, I've loved turning my house into a home. Sure, my eclectic mix of boho chic and maximalism sounds like a clashing nightmare, but it's MY clashing nightmare. 

SPONSORS