I’d always thought that rugs were solely confined to cozy spaces — the living room, bedroom, or dining room — I mean, it just makes more sense, right? But, after a little bit of soul-searching (*cough* internet shopping *cough*), I had a rug-piphany and realized that the right rug can literally go ANYWHERE. Yes, even in a kitchen. There, I said it! You might think that putting a rug in a kitchen is just asking for stains and spills, but as along as you buy the right type of rug, you'll be golden.
In my eyes, rugs in kitchens are the equivalent of pineapples on pizza. I'm actually all for them, especially if you're working with ugly rental features that you desperately want to cover. From beautiful runners to bold area rugs, I’ve seen these stylish and chic kitchen additions on countless of our favorite influencers' feeds. But I kinda just always assumed that these photos were just for the sake of the 'Gram. Boy was I wrong. I've found tons of practical and stylish kitchen rugs that are all proof that if you choose the right material, you won’t have to worry about ruining it when you accidentally drop your chai latte before you even managed one sip. Take it from me, you need one of these rugs in your life and in your kitchen.
9 kitchen rugs that will instantly elevate your space
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Practical checkerboard
Made from: Vinyl
Sizes: 14
Colors: Black and cream
I’m fully onboard the checkerboard rug trend train. In fact, I’ve bought a one-way ticket, and I don’t see myself ever coming back. But of course, I know that a shag-pile checkerboard rug isn’t exactly practical in a kitchen, which is why I can’t believe that I stumbled across this vintage vinyl alternative. It basically offers the EXACT same look without the risk of food stains! Yep, thanks to the vinyl material, this rug is as durable as they come and you can simply wipe away any spills with a cloth. It doesn’t get simpler than that.
Venomous and vibrant
Made from: Polyester
Sizes: 9
Colors: Emerald and black / sapphire and black
Thanks to those nifty algorithms, all you need to do is scroll through your FYP to come across kitchen rugs. But have you ever noticed that most of them are pretty boring? If you’re looking for something a little more hardcore, Jonathan Adler has got your back, girl. With two black and white serpents on an emerald base, this waterproof and stain-proof kitchen rug would look EPIC next to a gold kitchen trolley and your gold kitchen handles. Plus, it’s machine washable!
For the hard workers
Made from: PVC
Sizes: 1'6"x3'11'' / 1'6"x2'6"
Colors: Multi
Although I tend to avoid doing the dishes for as long as I can without my kitchen becoming a major risk to human life, I know that there are some people out there who spend loads of time in their kitchen. And that’s where this anti-fatigue mat can help! Designed to promote blood flow even when someone is standing still, this Wayfair rug can be extremely helpful for those who spend hours in their kitchen. And while these mats can be pretty ugly, this vintage-inspired anti-fatigue mat is bright and colorful and will be a fab addition to your kitchen.
A bit of sunshine
Made from: Vinyl, Latex
Sizes: 9
Colors: Yellow, beige / green, beige / beige / gray, beige / black, beige / black, yellow
If I’m being totally honest, I love a white kitchen. They’re fresh and clean, and your design aesthetic can revolve around the accessories rather than the cabinets or the appliances, which are normally pretty standard. That’s why I can’t get enough of this sunburst vinyl kitchen rug! Coupled with a white kitchen, this yellow rug will shine bright on the floor and take attention away from generic appliances. Made from non-slip vinyl, this rug will also provide a safe and clean base for all of your cooking adventures. Just remember to save me a plate.
Natural and neutral
Made from: Leather, Cotton
Sizes: 4'x6' / 7'6"x9'6" / 5'x8' / 2'6x8'
Colors: Natural, silver / silver, black
I have a TINY galley kitchen that gets on my nerves EVERY SINGLE DAY. But just because I have a small kitchen doesn’t mean that I have to scrimp on accessories, especially when kitchen rugs like this exist. Thanks to the natural and neutral feel of this rug, it’ll provide a soft and practical base underfoot without making the room feel crowded or cluttered. Although this runner works perfectly for my kitchen, this rug also comes in various different shapes and sizes to suit your needs.
It’s reversible!
Made from: Cotton
Sizes: 2'x3' / 2'x4.3' / 2'x6' / 2'x8' / 3'x5' / 4'x6'
Colors: 6 black and white patterns, 2 beige
If you don’t have a huge amount of money to spend on your kitchen revamp, let me direct you to Mr. Bezos. There are so many cheap rugs on Amazon, and this bohemian kitchen runner rug is one of them. It's one pick that'll definitely pop if you have a white kitchen, but what really sells this nifty li’l thing for me is that it's reversible! In fact, each side has a different pattern — which basically means you’re getting two black rugs for the price of one, right?
Stylish in sage
Made from: Polyester
Sizes: 2.5'x7' / 2.5'x10'
Colors: Sage, cream / orange, cream / black, cream / blue, sage
Green is my favorite color (shout out to my fellow green lovers), and I can’t get enough of adding green to a kitchen. This Bauhaus-inspired rug is pretty amazing. Different variations of sage green are curved in mirrored arches, which makes it a feast for the eyes. But that’s not all it has to offer. The rug is also water-resistant, stain-resistant, and machine-washable. Which means you don’t have to worry about making a mess in the kitchen. Go wild, chef.
Soft but sensible
Made from: Cotton, Wool
Sizes: 2'x3' / 3'x5' / 5'x7'6" / 6'x9'
Colors: Cream, black / cream, slate / cream, gray / cream, mustard / cream, taupe / cream, blue
I know, I know. Wool rugs are for the living room or bedroom, right? Well, not quite, my friends! This wool and cotton blend modern rug would actually work perfectly in a kitchen, as wool is naturally resistant to soiling and oil-based liquids. Plus, the Aztec pattern along with the neutral black and cream color means that it would work in any style kitchen, no matter whether you’ve opted for a modern or more traditional vibe.
Bright and bold
Made from: Polyester
Sizes: 6
Colors: Multi
It’s no secret that kitchens can be boring. Most of the time they’re designed for practicality rather than style, but this wavy multi-colored rug has both of those things. It’s bright, bold, and a li’l quirky. Plus, it’s made from stain-resistant polyester, so it’s perfect for a high-traffic and sometimes messy area like the kitchen. While it comes in multiple shapes and sizes, I personally just can’t get enough of this round shape! It would look lovely when matched with my amazing new pink kitchen appliances.
What type of rug is best for a kitchen?
The material of a kitchen rug is key, both in terms of cleanliness and safety. The general rule of thumb when it comes to choosing the right rug for your kitchen is that you should opt for materials that offer shorter piles, as they are easier to maintain and less likely to be worn down in such a high-traffic area. In fact, the best material options for a kitchen rug are:
Polyester: This material might not be your go-to choice for larger, more decorative rugs in the living room, but a polyester rug should be your go-to in the kitchen. Not only is this material extremely durable, strong, and resistant to fading (which is perfect if you have a light-filled kitchen), but it's also super easy to clean thanks to its stain-resistant qualities.
Wool: Although you might think that a wool rug in a kitchen is a recipe for disaster, this soft material lends itself well to sitting in a kitchen. That's because wool is normally also covered in lanolin, a wax that creates a barrier between potential stains and the natural wool fibers. This makes it naturally stain resistant!
Vinyl/PVC: If you're looking for a low-maintenance kitchen rug, then vinyl should be your material of choice. When cared for properly, a vinyl rug can last up to 20 years, but it doesn't take a lot to maintain! By simply wiping a vinyl rug down with a cloth and diluted hand soap, it can be spotless again in seconds.
Jute or sisal: Yes, natural fibers work perfectly in the kitchen. They're durable, neutral, and the perfect transitional piece that allows you to redecorate your kitchen without adding another rug purchase into the mix. They're also extremely affordable, and often much cheaper than alternatives on the market.
All in all, be sure to check if your rug is washable (or how easy it is to clean) before putting it into your kitchen as one drop of a strawberry and your shiny new rug might just be ruined for good. Either way, you'll want to keep a good upholstery cleaner in your cleaning caddy just in case. And read our how to clean a rug guide for more tips and tricks.
More things to consider when buying a rug for your kitchen
It’s also important to think about the safety aspect of a kitchen rug. Whether your dishwasher leaks or you spill your drink, you'll need to find a design that has a non-slip backing to ensure that you don’t go flying. And because constantly having to move a rug back to where it's supposed to be is just annoying. If you can't find one with a non-slip backing, you can easily buy one of these separately. They sell plenty of non-slip rug pads on Amazon in a range of sizes.
While practicality is of the utmost importance when choosing a kitchen rug, that definitely doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style or shape. From round rugs to vintage-inspired patterns, there are now so many practical yet safe kitchen rugs on the market. Just be sure to buy the right size rug for your space, and never go too big or you will risk safety.
Browse more kitchen rugs
If your search hasn't stopped yet, then see below for where we recommend continuing your hunt for a kitchen rug. These brands come highly recommended by shoppers.