I like the darker one. It won't show as much dirt but it also defines the area better than the light one. The light one looks too much like your carpeting.

When it comes to aesthetics, anyone on this forum is more talented than I am, so I won't offer any advice in that area. However, practically speaking, I would be very hesitant to use a rug as light as the one on the left under a dining room table. The 1st time someone spills food or drink on it, you may wish you had chosen something else.

The bordered one, definitely. It defines the space better and picks up on the black elsewhere in the room.

Yep - the darker one is the best.

Definitely the darker one.

Another vote for the darker one.

Another vote for the darker/one with border. It grounds the room. The other is too light for the space and it looks more like a bedroom rug, imo.

I like the darker one, too, but in a larger size for that space.

The darker one, but is it big enough? And, what material is it? If it's sisal, I actual would suggest seagrass. I've had both, and find seagrass or mountain grass a lot more stain resistant.
There was a recent thread about sisal and cats, I believe, with some links.

Adding another voice to the choir -- the darker one!

Another vote for the darker one - to me it grounds the room. Any chance you can get the next size up to allow for the chairs to still be on the carpet when people push back from the table?

Another vote for the darker one, but also wonder if it's large enough as shown.

Also like the darker one best, but I prefer no rugs under tables, in kitchens, breakfast rooms or dining rooms. It's not very sanitary.

My comments are on practicality. If the darker rug is sisal, the natural wovens do not work well with food, especially if you have children. A white rug under a dining table also isn't a practical choice.

So I will ask, do you really need a rug?

You did a great job of posting pictures and you have a very pretty home! I especially love the wood flooring and kitchen cabinetry.

I, too, vote for the darker rug and possibly in the next size up.

I like the dark better, I would suggest you spray it with scotch guard after you lay it out, it saves a lot of scrubbing. Are you going to turn the table in the other direction? You have a lovely home, post more often please.

Thank you all. The darker rug is actually an indoor/outdoor rug made of polypropolene (both are from World Market). It has a sisal look to it, but I could take it in the back yard and hose it down. It actually isn't too bad underfoot. Not as rough as some of the sisal ones I looked at. Our kids are grown, so its just the two of us and we actually use the table very seldom -- actually just when the kids come home or when we entertain.

I like the rug under the table to help protect the floor. We just had the floor refinished and I'm a little protective of it.

Not to confuse the issue, but do you think I should look for a seagrass rug (would be a bit lighter in color) with a dark border?

I bought my mountain grass rug here on sale, about 1 year ago. It's under the table where we eat daily, and so far it has held up very well.

Here is a link that might be useful: sea grass

Yes, the bordered one, but yours is too small.

You should be able to pull your chairs back far enough to sit down without the chair leaving the rug - the rule of thumb is, 2-1/2 feet from the edge of the table for each chair - so your rug should be 5' wider and longer than your table.

So for a 3' x 6 ' table, you need an 8 x 11 rug. You can get by with an 8 x 10, but no smaller. The difference in comfort and appearance between one that's too small and one that's the right size is dramatic.

And I agree that your house is very pretty!