Friday, November 19, 2010

A Rug in the Dining Room?

It's easy to assume that any area where food is consumed should have utilitarian, easy-to-clean flooring. However, an area rug in a dining room is one of the best ways to improve the look of an eating area. Whether the flooring is hardwood or wall to wall carpet, topping the existing floor with an area rug creates a warm and inviting space, in which eating is a pleasure.

Speaking practically, if a dining room has hardwood floors, a rug under the seating area will help protect the wood from the constant movement of dining chairs. Even with felt pads on the chair legs, the finish will become scuffed and eventually break down from the wear. If a dining room has wall to wall carpet, an area rug can help protect that investment from stains and wear as well; it's a great deal easier to replace a rug than to re-finish a hardwood floor or rip up wall-to-wall carpeting.

From an aesthetic view, an area rug is a wonderful way to anchor the seating area. If the dining room furniture is the centerpiece of the room, an area rug can act as a frame that pulls the eye in towards those pieces. Choosing a neutral rug with a border will help feature the dining furniture to best advantage. On the other hand, while a bold pattern can distract from the furnishings themselves, oftentimes, an eye-catching pattern can help give a sense of vitality to the room overall and become an excellent foundation for stunning decorating options.

Regardless of the style and features of the rug, it is essential to measure carefully - this is particularly true in the dining room. It is very important that the rug is large enough to allow each chair to be pulled fully from the table. If a dining area is meant to be a comfortable and welcoming place to gather and eat, the last thing a host or hostess wants is for guests to worry about snagging their chair on the rug! In most cases, a rug should extend at least 18 inches on all sides of the table; so, add three feet to the length and width of a dining room table to find the minimum dimensions of a dining room rug. If the dining table is round, add at least three feet to the diameter of the table.

After determining the minimum area rug size, home decorators may want to consider the maximum preferable size for their space. If a room is blessed with hardwood floors, choosing a smaller rug will allow more of the wood floor to shine. However, if the dining area has wall to wall carpeting, an area rug can be extended almost to the walls, depending on personal preference and the condition of the carpeting. Due to these particular considerations, custom-sized area rugs can be a convenient option when decorating a dining room. It is important that home decorators get what they want in the size they want!

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