I would get one that accommodated the dining set when it was extended. When it wasn't, then I would enjoy seeing more of the pattern. I love rugs!

I have a 9'6" x 13' in my dining room which accommodates chairs with all extensions in the table. I definitely would get that size if I were you. As alex9179 said you will see more pattern which is great and there is nothing more annoying than when the rug is too small when you are moving chairs in and out to sit down no matter how many times a year you do it.

I vote for the bigger one.

Thanks for the help! :-)

I was all set to buy the larger one, and then the salesman mentioned that sometimes people buy the rug that fits how the table is set up for 90-95% of the time. After he told me that, I just couldn't decide which one to do!

I also would get the larger size if you room can accomodate it. I hate a rug that your chair slides off of when you sit.

Hmmm. I'm just going to have to disagree with your salesman then. Whether you use the table without extensions 9% or 99% of the time doesn't make any difference. When you do have the table at full length with the larger rug you will not have the problem of the darn chairs catching on the rug edges when pulling them in and out to sit down and being off the rug when sat in. Plus you get the additional benefit of seeing more of the beautiful rug when the table is smaller without extensions in. It doesn't look odd at all with the larger rug and I for one have never regretted having the 9'6" x 13' rug. It never even occurred to me to get a rug smaller than what I needed for the chairs with the table at full length. JMHO and experience in my dining room.

In addition to helping the chairs move easier, a larger rug just looks nicer. If you were doing a jute or seagrass one, I can see weighing the pros and cons.

A rug has the potential to be an art piece, though. If you think it's gorgeous, why would you choose to see less of it?

i have a large DR rug that fits the table when the leaves are all in... but, i definitely prefer the way it looks on the large rug when the table is extended... so i generally leave all of the leaves in... (that way i don't have to store the leaves either!)

Thanks for all of the help! Very good points from everyone!! I will definitely get the larger rug!