Which rug under your dining table?

Why a rug under the table

A rug marks out the dining area, especially in an open space where kitchen, dining and living blend into one another. It softens the sound of chairs and voices, and it makes a hard floor warmer underfoot.

It does call for a careful choice. Chairs must slide over it easily, crumbs must come out easily, and no chair leg should catch on the edge. That starts with the size.

The rule of thumb: 60 to 75 cm larger all round

When you stand up, you push your chair back 50 to 60 cm. If the back legs are still on the rug, nothing catches. That is why the rug extends 60 to 75 cm beyond the table top on every side.

If your room is too small for a rug that size, it is better to go without. A table on a bare floor looks calmer than a table on a rug that is just too small.

Which shape?

Under a round table, a round rug looks best: the shapes echo each other and the distance to the edge is the same all round. Under an oval or Danish oval table, a rectangular rug works well, or an oval one if you want to continue the soft line.

An organic table is forgiving. A simple rectangle brings calm, a rug with a free, irregular edge makes it playful. Just make sure the table sits clearly in the middle, even when the shapes differ.

Line up table, rug and pendant: the centre of the table over the centre of the rug, the light straight above. The dining area then reads as one whole, even in a large open space. If the rug drifts towards a wall or a cabinet, the whole area looks off balance.

Which material?

Under a dining table you want a rug that lies flat and firm. A flatweave or low-pile wool rug works well, as does a synthetic outdoor rug if you have children or entertain often. High-pile or shaggy rugs are best avoided: chairs catch and crumbs disappear into them.

A non-slip underlay keeps the rug in place. And no table stands as steadily on a thick, soft rug as on a flat surface. If there will be a rug, put it in place before delivery. We then level your table on it straight away.

Colour and rhythm

Mortex is matt with subtle nuances. A rug in a calm tone, slightly lighter or darker than your table, lets those nuances speak. A rug with a fine pattern, on the other hand, hides daily life, like a stain or a few crumbs.

The photo shows a Finnish oval table in BM13 Brick Intense: a warm earth tone that goes well with natural, sand and terracotta. Unsure about the colour of your table? Order colour samples at home first and lay them on your rug. For the free space around the table, read How much space do you need around a dining table?, for the light above it How high should a pendant hang over the dining table?