A good rug can bring colour, texture, warmth and style to the dining room. But choosing one that is both practical and stylish is no easy feat. Especially since there are multiple factors to consider, like the dimensions of the room, the size and shape of the dining table; the frequency with which the room is used; the colour palette of the overall room; as well as the age group of diners. There are financial factors too that must be taken into account: how expensive should the rug be, and what sort of maintenance will it require. Whatever the answers, logic must trump personal preferences: a fluffy pile not only looks ludicrous in our hot climate; it also traps crumbs and is difficult to clean; light coloured rugs don’t work with small children; teeny-tiny carpets tend to trip up diners pulling back their chairs. Here are some tips for choosing the just-right rug for the room that sees constant traffic.