Welcome to our Q&A with Rugs USA column, where we answer your burning questions about rugs and all things interiors! This week, we’re talking about the best rugs for the dining room, homes with pets, kids’ playrooms, and more!
Have a question you want answered? Follow Rugs USA on Instagram and drop us a comment or DM any time—then watch this space for the next round of Q&As!
Q: How do I choose a rug for under the dining room table? What size? What material?
A: We love putting rugs in the dining room—they protect your floors, eliminate echoing, and generally make your space look better!
When choosing a size for your dining room table, look to your chairs to guide you. You’ll want your rug to extend about two feet behind your dining chairs when they’re pushed in. This is so dinner guests don’t get tripped up on the rug when they push the chair out to stand up or sit down. If your dining table has a leaf insert, be sure to factor that in so your rug is still the right size when your table is extended to its full length.
As far as materials, you have a ton of options—though durability and ease of cleaning is the name of the game here, since chairs will be sliding about on top of the rug and spills are likely to happen at mealtime. If you have kids or messy eaters, try out a rug from our washable rugs collection, which can simply be thrown in the washing machine to clean every time a mess is made. We also like wool and synthetic rugs in the dining room, which are similarly durable and easy to clean. Just be sure to choose one with a low pile so food is easier to get up!
Learn more about rugs for dining rooms here!
Q: What are some soft but durable rugs for dogs?
A: We love our pets, but they really know how to make a mess! Luckily, we have a ton of rugs that are perfect for homes with pets—and easy to clean too. Here are some styles of rugs we recommend:
Washable rugs: Our washables collection is a must for pet owners—especially for those who have dogs that like to go out and play in the mud. Whenever they track in a mess, simply throw your washable rug in the washer and dryer, and it’s clean!
Wool rugs: Though they often come with a higher price point, wool rugs are a durable, wonderfully soft option for households with pets. They’re naturally water resistant, easy to clean, and if properly cared for can last for years and years to come.
Synthetic rugs: Made of materials like polypropylene or polyester, synthetic rugs exist at that perfect intersection of durability, style, and ease of cleaning. Even better? They’re often more affordable than most styles. That’s a win-win-win-win!
Outdoor rugs: Outdoor rugs are designed to withstand the elements outside, so it’s safe to say they can weather any messes or damage that come about with pets. And while they can stand up to the outdoors, they’ll still offer that soft feeling underfoot (or paw!) that you’re used to indoor rugs having.
Read more about the best rugs for households with pets here!
Q: I need a rug suggestion for under my queen size bed with white bedding. Please help!
A: White bedding means you have a ton of choices when it comes to finding a rug for under your bed. Love a neutral look? Check out our Veronica Wool Braided rug, Floral Ornament rug, and Super Soft Luxury Shag with Carved Trellis rug. A fan of traditional styles with some color? Take a look at our Native Collage rug, Tasseled Medallion rug, and Clover Medallion rug. Or love a boho look? We think our Diamond Pinstripes Tassel rug, Vibrant Moroccan Diamond Shag rug, and Moroccan Tasseled rug would look great!
When picking out a size, we recommend picking out as big of a size as your budget allows. After all, it is the bedroom—and you want it to feel as warm and cozy as possible! If you need a starting point, 8’ x 10’ rugs are always a good pick for queen beds, and should allow for the majority of the bed plus the side tables to rest on top of it.
Check our the rest of our bedroom rug tips here!
Q: How do I find the right size rug for a living room?
A: Finding the right size rug for your living room is important for making your space feel cozy, cohesive, and proportional.
If you have a large living room, take a look at rugs that are 9’ x 12’, 10’ x 14’, and up. Depending on how big your furniture is, you should be able to rest all four legs of your furniture on the rug, which will create a spacious, comfy feel.
For medium-sized living rooms, try a 6’ x 9’ or 8’ x 10’ rug. You’ll be able to place the front legs of all furniture on the rug, and maybe even all legs depending on the sizing and layout of the space.
And for smaller living rooms, check out our 4’ x 6’ and 5’ x 8’ rugs. For placement, we recommend putting these sizes of rugs under the coffee table if you have one, and centering the table on top so the rug frames it and establishes the room layout.
Read up on more living room rug tips here!
Q: What’s the best pile rug for the playroom?
A: Rugs are an essential part of every playroom, offering a soft spot for play and bringing tons of style into the space. And when it comes to piles, you have a ton of options and really can’t go wrong!
One of our favorite styles of rugs for playrooms is shag rugs, or rugs that have an extra long, fluffy pile. Their soft pile makes them safe and comfy for kids who like to play on the floor, and we can’t help but love the cozy effect it adds to the space.
If shags aren’t for you, rugs with more conventional pile heights are still a great option, such as those made out of wool and synthetic fibers.
Though if you’re looking for something that’s easy to clean, we recommend taking a look at our washable rugs, which come in flat piles, higher wool piles, and even higher shag piles. Life is messy, and kids are definitely messy, so it’s nice to have the option of just tossing the rug in the washer to clean when any spots appear.
