Kitchen Rug Ideas

A kitchen rug can make or break your kitchen design, so it’s imperative you have a rug that takes your living space to the next level. There are so many different color schemes and home decor ideas to think about before buying the perfect rug. Will it match your cabinetry? Will it protect your hardwood floors from extra scratching? Or – think it go with your farmhouse kitchen design idea or your kitchen island? Luckily for you, we’ve got kitchen rug ideas for every color palette below!

Or, read Boho Rugs for Any Room in the House here.

Table of Contents

What kind of rug looks good in a kitchen?

Just like a rug can completely transform your living room interior design, a rug can also take over your kitchen floor. Before picking out the perfect rug, you want to make sure you have enough room in your space. If you have a small kitchen, make sure you measure so you know exactly what size rug will fit.

After that, you want to find a rug that cushions your feet and is easy to walk around on while doing all the kitchen activities – like cooking, making coffee, you name it. Personally, I prefer runner rugs in my kitchen as opposed to something like a flatweave rug, but that’s just my personal opinion.

You want to remember that the kitchen is a high-traffic area – there are going to be a lot of people stepping on this rug. That’s why I always try to find a stain-resistant washable rug – I’m sure anyone with kids can relate!

It’s also your choice if you want to have a bright color rug or something more neutral. Up to you!

Should you put a rug in your kitchen?

This is a burning question in the interior design world. Some people say a rug does not belong in the kitchen, and instead, you should incorporate something like a simple kitchen mat. I get it, I do. Kitchens are where messes happen – but by no means does that equal no kitchen rug.

I have a fairly large kitchen so I enjoy having a kitchen area rug to step on comfortably throughout my daily tasks. And – at the same time, it complements my colorful kitchen – personally I don’t think there would be as big of a pop of color if it wasn’t for that rug. However, every person is different. So, rug pad or no rug pad as an addition to your kitchen decor is completely your idea. Everyone is different – don’t judge! Some people like to place a rug under their kitchen table – it all depends on preference.

Where should a rug be placed in a kitchen?

I mentioned this earlier, but I have a kitchen runner rug that is perfect for protecting my hardwood floors from any spills or messes. God forbid I mess up my white kitchen! I would encourage most people to put their rug at the front of the sink, considering this is where the most spills are going to be.

However, if you find a machine washable rug, then it doesn’t matter if it’s up perpendicular to your shelving or contrasts your backsplash. You can put it wherever you think would be most convenient for you.