The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and by adding a stylish rug you can instantly make the space more inviting.
Many people may not think to add a rug to the kitchen, but it has become an increasingly popular trend over recent years, adding style and comfort to what can sometimes be a fairly basic space.
Choosing the right kind of rug for your kitchen will enhance the space without adding too much maintenance. The kitchen is a room where you spend a lot of time on your feet, so why not make yourself more comfortable by adding a cushy surface to stand on?
Kitchen rug material
While there is often nothing better than the feel of a plush rug under your feet, it may be best to avoid anything too fluffy for the kitchen. You can still have a soft and cosy rug, but longer fibres will just make it harder to clean. Low pile rugs are generally best for the kitchen, as they will add warmth and style, while still being practical.
Rugs that are best suited for the kitchen should be made from durable materials, and able to withstand heavy foot traffic, and ideally, you may want a water-resistant one.
Flatweave rugs tend to be durable and low maintenance, making them a good option for the kitchen. They can also tend to be easier to clean if you look for fibres that won’t absorb spills, materials that can be put in the washing machine, or spot cleaned. Read the care instructions before buying a rug for the kitchen so you know how much care and cleaning it will require.
Some good materials for a kitchen rug include wool, cotton, natural fibres (such as jute, bamboo, and sisal), polyester and polypropylene. Wool in general is a very durable material and holds up well against wear and tear, though they generally don’t do well if constantly damp. If you love the feel of a wool rug underfoot, look for water-resistant wool rugs.
Consider colours and patterns
Imagine a pristine white rug, it’s sophisticated and classic and is sure to make your home feel more elegant. Now picture dropping a jar of pasta sauce.
The kitchen is not the kindest environment for rugs, so you need to think more carefully about colours and patterns. Darker colours and busy patterns can be great for hiding marks, and will still look good between cleans.
You want to create a cohesive look throughout your home, and there’s no reason your kitchen shouldn’t be both stylish and functional. Look at the decorations already in your kitchen and the colours and patterns already in use, but always remember that a rug lives on the floor and will be susceptible to spills and stains. Persian rugs can look great in the kitchen, as their mix of colour and pattern will help hide all manner of sin.
If your kitchen is already bold and colourful, you may want to choose a neutral-toned rug to add balance, or if you have a plain kitchen without much decor, a colourful, patterned rug is the perfect way to inject instant fun and personality into the room.
Buy the right size rug for your kitchen
Rugs can come in many shapes and sizes, and buying the right size will impact how the rug looks within the space. Too big and it may start creeping up the walls, too small and it can seem like it’s floating in the room.
Size requirements can vary from a spacious open plan to a small, cosy kitchen, and depending on the layout of your kitchen, a small runner may work best, or you may need a larger rug that will sit under a kitchen table.
Rugs can be used in multiple ways in the kitchen, such as between the cabinets and kitchen island, or front of the sink, so you may also want to use more than one rug to sit in different spots within the kitchen.
Don’t skip the rug mat!
If you add a rug in the kitchen, a rug mat is crucial. You’ll be handling hot food, and pots and pans, and a rug mat will stop your rug from slipping, which could result in nasty accidents
You don’t want a rug that slides around or curls at the edges, so make sure to choose a rug with non-slip backing, or buy a rug mat to sit under it and hold the rug in place.
A rug mat will help minimise the wear and tear of your rug, improving its longevity, while also adding a layer of cushioning underfoot.
A colourful rug is a perfect way to brighten up your kitchen while adding warmth and also protecting your floors. With an extensive collection ranging from Persian rugs to more modern designs, if you’re after rugs for your kitchen, Hali is the place to go.