That's a lovely room! It would look better with a rug, more warm looking since you have tile floors, but if I used it everyday and had 5 children I wouldnt put one there.

Put a big one in the center of the room instead.

I wouldn't with five kids. I would try to add color and pattern in other ways since there is a sameness to the room that makes it look a little austere. You might add patterned chair pads for instance.

Give yourself a break and don't put a rug in there just yet. You don't mention the ages of the 5 children - maybe if you have one or 2 heading off to college soon you might not find it difficult to care for but honestly, even with older kids the messes are still there. And if your kids are all still young there is no way I'd put a rug there!! I agree - colorful chair pads, a rug or runner (can't tell what the space in the left of the picture is or what kind of rug would work) away from the table are just 2 ways to add color. It's a lovely space.

I agree with the others... no rug at this point for all the reasons already stated.

However, you can add a tall plant in the corner between the two windows and perhaps a bowl of oranges or other season fruit on top of the table for added interest.

You could try an inexpensive indoor/outdoor rug from Target, etc and see how it goes. You won't have invested a lot if it doesn't work now and can tuck it away for later or use on a deck or patio.

A tall palm or other plant in a nice pot in the corner by the window would add some color as would a colorful bowl on the table and patterened chair pads as mentioned.

While the easy answer with 5 kids is no rug, I think there are other considerations. I think it would look great to have a large enough rug so that chairs moving in and out would still be on the rug. An inexpensive rug (in/out) as Joanie suggests would mean not a huge expense.

I really think it would look better with a rug. Also, with the tile floor, stone wall, high ceilings PLUS 5 kids, a rug would definitely help lessen the sound. Recently I removed the rug under my dining table to see how I liked it. It's a smaller space and it just looked all hard. And even though I live alone, it was noticeably noisier.

Very pretty room. I would get a rug. I raised three kids, DH, two dogs and five cats with a flatweave jute rug (printed with design) in our breakfast room. Very easy to keep clean.

Now I have Soumak rugs in the breakfast room, DR and other rooms. Spilled liquids literally bead up on them and wipe up easily. Most are by Kalaty. None are sprayed with anything. Two grandchildren, DH, two dogs and two cats.

no, just no.

No rugs under tables....we don't even have a rug under our dining table. It's a lot easier to clean up travertine than a rug and I dislike how busy rugs under tables are.

Very pretty room. I think it would look nice to add one or leave it as is. Agree you could add color maybe with the chair fabric. We have a rug under our table and I honestly prefer to clean up crumbs, etc. there vs. the floor. I really haven't found the rug to be a pain to keep clean with adults, small child, and pets.

I guess I am a rug lover! I always think rugs add warmth and color and ground spaces. I would definitely get one. I think the idea of an innexpensive one to try out first is a great suggestion.

I'd get a rug too. As others have said, they just really warm up a space and help to ground it. You can find styles that are very easy to clean - certainly no more trouble than cleaning a hard surface. Pretty room!

Rug. And dog, who will take care of a lot of dropped food.

Gosh, just realized I didn't tell you how much I love your space. The stone wall, the beams and the molding. Plus I adore your table and chairs.

Came back to add - the main color of my rug under the table is black and there were three cats (now two :( ) and all the fur that goes along. Cleaning the rug really hasn't been a big deal for me.

Rugs do look nice. But if I had five children, I don't think I would use one! Or at least not until they get older -- like when the youngest is in middle school.

Thanks all! I went ahead and ordered one. We'll see how it looks and hopefully it will work. It is pretty cold in here already and winter hasn't started. Kids are ages 15 down to 3. And we do have three small dogs! With all that, I clean floors each day so probably no different with a rug. Those chair pads do seem to collect most of the food drops :( They were what Restoration Hardware had on them in the store so I went with it.

UPDATE: Rug is here and we are enjoying :) So much better in the cold mornings. I'm glad I asked for opinions because I was leaning towards no rug in this room.

That looks really nice! Finishes off your space perfectly.

I would want a rug there also. With kids and pets etc, you'll have to vacuum it every day. A braided rug might be best, because it might not stain as easily. I had one from Walmart under our kitchen table for yrs and it held up very well. We now have it under our dining room table.

That's very pretty, okla! Nice choice and I'm glad that you're enjoying it.

It's quite amazing what a difference this rug makes. Perfect for cold winter mornings.

I'm split when it comes to rugs under tables ESPECIALLY WITH THAT GORGEOUS FLOOR!!! I prefer NOT to have them but realize they often do make a positive impact. It looks good there....it looks good without it too :) Suddenly, I'm not happy with my dining room floor that I've loved for 8 years. I want YOUR floor :D I'm glad you're happy with the decision you made.

Yes to a rug! So, what different does it make if you have kids are not. I've had children and rugs under dining room table and breakfast table it doesn't matter...

Glad you decided to try the rug. We didn't have one when the boys were very small, but had one from the time my youngest was early elementary school and really didn't have any problems with it. Ours had a block pattern within it and warm colors -- nothing that ever hit it (kid, adult, dog or cat) left a mark and I don't think you would have noticed it anyway. It did make the floor warmer and the room quieter. Speaking past tense because that rug has moved on with our son and we are putting down a new one for the new table we are expecting this week. Still going with a rug.