Amy and I get asked a lot about rugs in a dining area–Should I use one? If I do, what kind should I use? People like the look and feel of a rug under their feet, but struggle with the practicality of it…especially people with kids! Nothing worse than spending a few hundred (or thousand!) dollars on a nice rug and someone drops cranberry sauce on it. So frustrating, right??
The key to easy entertaining and enjoying a meal without freaking out about spills is picking the right rug. My tip is to use an indoor/outdoor rug. Yes, seriously. They’ve come a LONG way in their looks over the last few years and can look really good under foot. Plus, they’re super easy to wash–pick it up, take it outside and hose it down with soap and water.
Love the look of sisal like this room…
…but know it’s not easy to wash after a spill–use a rug like this one instead
We decided on a sisal-influenced indoor/outdoor from Crate & Barrel for Amy’s eating area. (Last year at her son’s birthday party, a child dumped a full piece of camp, blue icing side down on this rug and Amy didn’t even bat an eyelash…)
Ballard Designs is one of my favorite resources for indoor/outdoor rugs–these two are great examples of rugs you’d find in wool
The rug in the dining room below is from Jonathan Adler so you’re looking at a beautiful, but expensive option!
Go for a similar, but more low-maintenace look with this indoor/outdoor rug from Rugs USA
Maybe your preference is a little animal print…
…still possible in an indoor/outdoor version…
So no worries this holiday season that one of your guests drops that glass of red wine!
i was already eyeing the charcoal zigzag from ballard for the kitchen, to replace the red kilim i have in there now. what do you think?