If you’ve been scratching your head trying to figure out what size rug works best under your kitchen table, you’re not alone. Getting the right rug dimensions for your kitchen can be tricky.
But it doesn’t have to be!
In this complete guide, as a professional custom rugs manufacturer, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing a rug for under your kitchen table.
You’ll learn:
- The ideal rug size based on your table dimensions
- Clever tips for allowing chair clearance
- How much space to allow between the rug and walls
- What material and shape rugs work best
And lots more.
So whether you already have a rug under your kitchen table that’s too small – or you’re shopping for a new one – this guide has you covered.
Let’s get started!
Why Does Rug Size Matter Under Your Kitchen Table?
Placing a rug under your kitchen table serves a few different purposes:
It defines the eating area. A properly-sized rug makes it clear “this is where we eat meals”. Without a rug, the dining area kind of bleeds into the rest of the kitchen.
Protection from chair scratches. Even if your chairs have felt or rubber feet, placing them directly on hardwood or tiles can lead to unsightly scratches over time. A rug provides a protective buffer.
Comfort underfoot. Who wants to eat dinner standing on a cold tile or wood floor? An area rug makes meals more comfortable.
But if your rug is too small, it causes some big problems:
Tripping hazard. A rug that’s too small causes the chair legs to fall halfway on the rug and halfway on the hard floor. This imbalance can lead to tipping chairs. Not to mention someone catching their toes on the rug’s edge. No fun!
Visually unappealing. A rug that’s dwarfed by the table just looks…off.
Floor damage. If the chairs aren’t fully on the rug, you lose the protective buffering for scratches and dents.
Luckily, getting the right rug size is easy if you follow the simple tips I’m about to cover.
How To Measure For a Rug Under Your Kitchen Table
When determining the right size rug for under your kitchen table, you need to consider two key dimensions:
1. The kitchen table size
Start by measuring your kitchen table.
For rectangular tables, note the length and width.
If you have a round table, measure the diameter across the widest point.
Be sure to measure any leaves or extensions if your table can expand. You want your rug size to work whether or not the leaves are in use.
Jot down the kitchen table dimensions, then move on to step two.
2. Clearance for moving chairs
Here’s a common mistake people make when choosing an area rug size:
They base the entire rug size on the table’s dimensions. So if their kitchen table is 3 feet wide and 5 feet long, they get a 3×5 area rug.
Seems logical, right?
Wrong!
If you base the rug size solely on the footprint of the table, you end up with a tripping hazard. Because there’s no room for pulling chairs out or scooting them back in.
Instead, you need to account for the clearance needed to move chairs around the table without hitting the edge of the rug.
As a general guideline, your rug should extend at least 18 inches beyond each side of the table. Some recommend going as high as 24 inches.
So for a 60-inch round table, you’d want a minimum rug size of 10 feet (120 inches) in diameter.
That allows for plenty of clearance no matter how you position the chairs around your kitchen table.
Let’s look at a few more examples so you can get a feel for the sizes:
- Small kitchen table (32” x 48”): Minimum rug size 5 feet x 7 feet
- 6 ft. round table: 8 ft. round rug
- Standard rectangular table (36”x60”): Minimum 6 ft. x 8 ft. rug
Now you have both dimensions needed to choose the right rug size. Time to go shopping!
Important Considerations For Rugs Under Kitchen Tables
Beyond just the size, there are a few other things you’ll want to keep in mind as you choose a kitchen area rug:
Account for space between walls
When placing your new rug under the kitchen table, make sure there’s ample space between the walls (at least 20 inches).
If your rug extends all the way to the walls, the chairs will constantly bump and scrape against them. Which can damage both your floors and walls.
Not to mention making it tricky for people to walk around the table perimeter.
Choose stain resistant materials
Even the tidiest families will deal with spills and stains at the kitchen table eventually.
That’s why you want to choose a rug made from materials that can withstand spots and are easy to clean.
Smart options include:
- Machine washable rugs
- Natural fiber rugs like wool or jute (spot clean)
- Low pile rugs
- Indoor/outdoor rugs
Each comes with pros and cons when it comes to cost, durability, comfort and more. I cover them in-depth here.
Avoid high pile rugs
High pile rugs (like shag) might seem nice underfoot. But all that thickness comes with practical downsides for use under a kitchen table.
Food and crumbs end up buried deep down into the fluffy fibers where they’re almost impossible to clean. High pile also “catches” and traps chair legs. Meaning someone is bound to trip eventually.
Choose thinner, low pile kitchen rugs or even flatweave styles instead.
What’s The Best Kitchen Rug Size For Different Table Types?
Now let’s get into specifics on the ideal rug sizes for different table dimensions.
Use these kitchen rug size charts as a reference:
rectangular table rug sizes
| Table Size | Minimum Rug Size | Standard Rug Size |
|---|---|---|
| 24′′ x 36′′ | 6 x 8 ft. | 8 x 10 ft. |
| 32′′ x 48′′ | 5 x 7 ft. | 7 x 9 ft. |
| 36′′ x 60′′ | 6 x 8 ft. | 8 x 10 ft. |
| 48′′ x 72′′ | 8 x 10 ft. | 10 x 12 ft. |
| 60′′ x 84′′ | 10 x 12 ft. | 12 x 14 ft. |
| 72′′ x 96′′ | 12 x 14 ft. | 14 x 16 ft. |
round table rug sizes
For round tables, choose a round rug approximately 1 yard (3 feet) wider than your table diameter:
| Table Diameter | Rug Diameter |
|---|---|
| 3 ft. | 6 ft. |
| 4 ft. | 7 ft. |
| 5 ft. | 8 ft. |
| 6 ft. | 9 ft. |
| 7 ft. | 10 ft. |
Using these size charts as a starting point takes the guesswork out of finding a well-fitting rug.
But here’s the thing:
Rugs tend to come in relatively standard sizes. So you’ll need to shop according to what’s actually available.
Rather than a made to order 12×13 rug.
Common area rug sizes include:
- 3×5 ft.
- 4×6 ft.
- 5×8 ft.
- 6×9 ft.
- 8×10 ft.
- 9×12 ft.
- 10×14 ft.
So use the minimums in my charts to avoid going too small. Then size up as needed find a rug that A) fits your space and B) comes in a size you can actually buy.
Tip: Measure your kitchen floor before heading out to the store. That way if they happen to have a rug that perfectly fits your allotted dimensions already, go for it!
What’s the Best Shape For a Kitchen Rug?
In most cases, the ideal shape for your kitchen area rug mirrors the table shape:
Rectangular rug for a rectangular table
Round rug for a round table
However, you can mix things up by layering a rectangular rug under a round table, for example.
Just be sure to center the table within the rug perimeter.
The most common rug shapes for kitchens are:
Rectangular: Works for the majority of kitchen tables
Round: Perfect complement for a circular table
Square: Another great match for round or square tables
Runners: Good “in-between” option for galley kitchens
In small eat-in kitchens, a rectangular runner can define the space while taking up minimal floor space.
Which Rug Material Works Best Under The Kitchen Table?
Kitchen area rugs take more abuse than carpets in any other room. From errant crumbs to spilled spaghetti sauce, your rug will see it all.
So choosing the right kitchen rug material is key when it comes to durability.
Generally wool and synthetic rugs are your best bet thanks durable fibers that hide stains. But even braided cotton or jute can work with a good rug pad underneath.
The main thing is that the rug fibers stand up well to foot traffic, moisture, food stains and daily use.
Undecorated flatweaves are another smart choice for kitchens since they have virtually no place for grime to hide.
Now let’s move onto everyone’s favorite topic: cleaning kitchen rugs!
How To Clean Rugs Under The Kitchen Table
With regular daily use, kitchen area rugs get dirty fast. Especially in households with kids and pets roaming around.
That’s why staying on top of kitchen rug maintenance is so important.
Here’s a 3-step process I recommend to keep them looking fresh day in and day out:
1. Shake it out daily
A quick daily shake picks up all sorts of crumbs and debris to keep them from getting trampled deeper into the rug fibers.
For smaller rugs, take them outside and give them a good shake.
For larger area rugs, stand on opposite corners and snap the rug forcefully to dislodge dirt and grime before vacuuming.
2. Vacuum 1-2 times per week
Frequent vacuuming keeps dirt from accumulating and grinding itself into the carpet fibers.
You may need to vacuum even more often if you have kids who eat and play on the kitchen rug constantly.
3. Professionally clean every 6-12 months
Over time, spills and dirt still inevitably work their way deep into the rug fibers no matter how careful you are.
That’s why periodic deep cleaning services are a must.
Most pros use industrial hot water extraction machines to give rugs a thorough scrub down.
Be sure to clean right after any major spills or pet accidents to prevent staining and odors.
Sticking to this routine makes maintaining kitchen area rugs easy. And they’ll last 5x longer as a result.
Key Takeaways: Finding The Right Kitchen Area Rug Size
Phew, we just covered a ton of ground on choosing and using area rugs under your kitchen table.
Let’s do a super quick recap:
- Measure both your table size AND the clearance needed for moving chairs back to get accurate area rug dimensions
- Look for durable, easy-to-clean rug materials like wool and synthetics
- Allow plenty of open floor space so chairs don’t hit or scrape walls
- Vacuum frequently, shake out crumbs daily, and deep clean every 6-12 months
- Consider comfort, visual appeal, traction, and padding too with the help of a nonslip rug pad
Finding that “just right” Goldilocks kitchen rug size might take some trial and error. But use my guidelines here combined with your table’s footprint and chairs.
And you’re sure to bring home an eating area rug that suits your space beautifully while standing the test of time.
Now turn your functional – yet boring – kitchen hardwood into a warm, inviting space the whole family can enjoy for years to come!