Christmas Hosting 101: The Best Rugs for Your Dining Area

The tree is up, the fairy lights are on… and then you look at the dining area.
Bare floor. Echoey room. Chairs that screech every time someone sits down.

If you’re hosting Christmas in London this year, a good rug under the dining table is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. It softens noise, makes the room feel warmer and more inviting, and visually “frames” your festive table setting – without you touching the walls or buying a new table.

Here’s how to choose the right rug for Christmas hosting, featuring two options from Atmacha’s rug collection.

Why a Rug Under the Dining Table Matters at Christmas

• Comfort: Guests will sit longer, talk more and actually enjoy dessert when the room feels cosy and not cold underfoot.

• Acoustics: A rug absorbs sound, which is a lifesaver when you’ve got laughter, music and kids all in one space.

• Visual focus: It pulls table, chairs and sideboard into one “zone” instead of looking like random pieces scattered in the room.

• Post-Christmas bonus: A good rug works just as well for everyday dinners in January as it does for Christmas lunch.

Option 1: Aurora AU13 Mica Modern Rug – For a Contemporary Festive Look

If your dining area leans modern – sleek table, simple chairs, maybe a pendant light – Aurora AU13 Mica Modern Rug is a strong Christmas hero piece.

Why it works for Christmas:

• The rug has an abstract, metallic-inspired pattern with a subtle shine, which pairs beautifully with candlelight, glassware and Christmas table decor.

• Its yellow/gold colour group adds warmth without needing to go full red-and-green; think champagne tones, brass candlesticks and warm fairy lights. 

• It’s low pile and easy to clean, made from a durable blend of polyester and polypropylene – ideal for crumbs, chairs being moved and the occasional gravy incident. 

Size tips for hosting:

Aurora AU13 Mica is available in several sizes, from 80×150 cm up to 240×340 cm. 

• For a 4-seater table, 120×170 cm generally works well.

• For 6–8 seats, 160×230 cm or 200×290 cm helps keep all chair legs on the rug even when people pull them back.

• For a larger family table, 240×340 cm gives a properly luxurious hotel-restaurant feel.

How to style it:

• Keep the table setting fairly clean – white or cream tablecloth, gold cutlery, glass candle holders – and let the rug do the visual “decorating”.

• Add a few gold or amber-toned baubles in a bowl or along the centre of the table to echo the rug’s warm metallic feel.

• If your dining room is open-plan with the living area, this rug helps visually separate “dining zone” from “sofa zone” without any partitions.

Option 2: Nova NV10 Antique Grey Classic Rug – For Timeless, Elegant Dinners

If your style is more classic – maybe a wooden table, upholstered chairs, or a more traditional home – Nova NV10 Antique Grey Classic Rug gives you that “grown-up” Christmas look. 

Why it works for Christmas:

• The design is a classic Persian-style pattern in an antique grey/silver palette – elegant, calming and easy to match with almost any Christmas colour theme. 

• It’s densely woven from 100% polypropylene, with a soft yet hard-wearing pile that stands up well to heavy footfall and chair movement.

• The pattern helps to disguise crumbs, minor spills and chair marks, which is exactly what you want mid-feast.

Size tips for Christmas hosting:

Nova NV10 comes in multiple sizes (120×170, 160×230, 200×290, 240×340 cm). 

• A 4-seater rectangular table usually sits nicely on 120×170 cm.

• For 6 seats, 160×230 cm tends to be the sweet spot.

• If you host big family gatherings (8+), 200×290 cm or 240×340 cm allows all chairs to stay on the rug even when pushed back – more comfort, fewer trip hazards.

How to style it:

• Combine with deep green, burgundy or navy napkins and a simple white or linen tablecloth – the grey base keeps everything calm and chic.

• Add a green garland with candles down the centre of the table; the pattern underneath stops things looking too plain in photos.

• If you have a sideboard or console nearby, repeat the rug’s cool grey tones in candles, vases or picture frames to tie the whole room together.

How to Choose Between Them

Both rugs are great for Christmas dining – the choice comes down to mood:

• Choose Aurora AU13 Mica Modern Rug if you want:

  • A more contemporary look

  • Warm metallic vibes that feel instantly festive

  • A statement piece that catches the light and feels a bit “party-ready”

• Choose Nova NV10 Antique Grey Classic Rug if you prefer:

  • A timeless, classic dining room

  • A calm, elegant base you can reuse for every season

  • A pattern that quietly hides the realities of big family meals

You can even mix the mood across your home – for example Nova in the dining area and a bolder or warmer rug in the living space.

Quick Christmas Dining Room Checklist

Before guests arrive, run through this in your dining area:

• ✔ Rug is the right size – chairs sit fully on the rug even when pulled back

• ✔ No corners curling up (use an anti-slip underlay if needed) 

• ✔ Soft lighting: pendant on dimmer, candles, maybe a small lamp on the sideboard

• ✔ Table set the night before – so on the day you only worry about food and music

• ✔ A small decoration (mini tree, garland, or bowl of baubles) that echoes the rug’s colours

With the Aurora AU13 Mica Modern Rug or Nova NV10 Antique Grey Classic Rug under your table, your Christmas dining area instantly feels more intentional, welcoming and “finished” – and once the holidays are over, you’ll still have a dining room that looks put-together every day of the year.