Kitchen rugs are often a controversial subject. With the (very real) risk of spills, many people will shy away from them for the sake of easy cleanup after cooking. With just a few precautions, however, the right rug can be a great way to bring warmth, texture and color right into the heart of your home.
This week, we’re taking a look at the top 5 things you need to consider when choosing the right kitchen rug for your home.
1. Consider Kitchen Rug Materials and Construction Carefully
A lot of people are hesitant to pick up kitchen rugs because they’re concerned about upkeep. That’s certainly valid—in kitchens, it’s usually a question of when rather then if you will have to deal with a spill. The key to dealing with these unfortunate events is to prepare ahead of time.
Kitchen rugs should be durable and easy to clean. To this end, it’s usually recommended to pick up a low-pile, flatweave, or braided rug for your kitchen. With a low pile or no pile at all, there is nowhere for dirt and debris to hide, making clean-up much easier.
Our pro tip is to pick up an indoor/outdoor rug for your kitchen. Usually made of non-porous polypropylene, these rugs are water-resistant and extremely hard wearing. They’re perfect partners for busy kitchens.
2. Size Up Your Space
Kitchens can often be awkwardly shaped. When decorating, you’ll need to work around cabinets and islands, and consider where you’ll be standing as you move between your sink, stove, and prep stations.
Because they serve a more functional role than other rugs in your home might, kitchen rugs should use more of the available floor space. A good rule of thumb is to leave a 3 to 6-inch border of exposed floor around the edges of your rug. This should give you plenty of space to stand on the rug without crowding your cabinets.
For tricky spaces, runners and throw rugs are your best friends. Carefully consider all the spaces you stand most often in the kitchen, then use these small rugs to highlight them.
If you’re looking for a rug under your kitchen table or to use in a breakfast nook, then you’ll definitely want to check out our tips for dining room rugs as well.
3. Pick Up a Rug Pad
More than any space in your home, in the kitchen, rug pads are essential. The benefits of a good rug pad are manyfold, but in the kitchen we are most concerned with two: the anti-slip and anti-fatigue properties.
If you’re moving quickly around the kitchen, the last thing you want is for your rug to slip out from under you. Avoid this potential hazard with a good non-slip rug pad. These will not only keep your rugs locked in place but can also promote air circulation to improve their lifespan.
You might also consider a thick, felt-and-rubber pad in the kitchen. These plush pads are soft underfoot and will bring welcome relief after you’ve been working for a while!
4. Coordinate Your Kitchen Rug
Finally, carefully consider the colors and patterns of your kitchen rugs. After all, rugs play a fundamental role in how your home looks. Coordinate your rug with your kitchen décor, making sure neither overpowers the other.
A simple way to start is to just take one of the colors already present in the space and bring it out in your rug. Build contrast by pairing darker rugs with light cabinets or vice-versa. You can also inject some life into your kitchen with a bold multi-colored rug that will give you more flexibility with the rest of your décor.
One word of caution: avoid solid, light-colored rugs in the kitchen. As we mentioned before, spills in the kitchen are a question of when, not if. Dark, heavily patterned rugs will hide stains and look better for a longer time than their simpler counterparts.
Our Favorite Kitchen Rugs
With our collection of thousands of rugs in hundreds of styles, you have plenty of choices for kitchen rugs. You can start your search with one of our favorite collections.
Our chindi cotton collection is perfect for kitchens. Made with durable recycled cotton, and available in a wide variety of attractive colors, it checks all the boxes for a great kitchen rug. Natural color variations in the dye and the chunky weave adds visual texture and helps hide stains as well. Best of all, cotton rugs are machine-washable. So when the inevitable spill happens, you can just chuck it in the wash for cleaning.
The Timeless Collection is another great choice for kitchens. With bold printed patterns and a built-in non-slip backing, it’s a great choice if you want something ready to roll out as soon as it arrives.