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What kind of rug / runner / mat do you use in kitchen?

3 years ago

finishing up a kitchen remodel, including new hardwoods throughout the first floor. i want to protect the area in front of sink + range from constant water and oil splatters.

what do you like to use here?


would love a persian wool runner but worried about the constant oil from range… ruggable or tumble washable rugs? flat weave cotton washable?

Comments (16)

  • 3 years ago

    I have a high quality black kitchen mat the length of my island. It covers stove, prep, and sink areas and is very comfortable. I just steam mop it. You can order any size from American Mats.



  • 3 years ago

    I have a high quality wool runner. Wool is easy to spot clean and releases stains, unlike a lot of syntheics. I previously tried a Ruggable. It lasted on my floor 10 minutes before I shipped it back. They are not rugs, but cheap looking drop-cloth like canvasses in an awkward two piece system. Hated it.

  • 3 years ago

    Inexpensive non-skid rugs. They last a few years, then replace. Occasional trip through washer on cold or hose off over patio chair in warm weather.

  • 3 years ago

    I have an antique runner in my kitchen. It's a darker color so very forgiving with spills.

  • 3 years ago

    Ruggable, absolutely love them. Can cook without worrying because everything washes right out.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    I also have a ruggable. I’d give it about a 2 on a scale to 10 (with 10 as the best). Way overpriced, I hate the color I ordered (the website said off-white but it’s definitely gray), and worst of all, the removable cover is bigger than its mat which leads to the edges rolling up and a tripping hazard.

    Yes, it’s real easy to wash and dry. But I could have gotten that with a cheap rug from JCPenney or Kohls.

  • 3 years ago

    The only rug has been in three homes and on its way to its fourth kitchen: a thin rubber backed red, gold, green striped rug. I love it so much because it's washable. I wish I bought two.


    For me I'm starting to see some challenges with balance so anything that has height on it or an edge will cause an accident. I've worked in many Air Force kitchens and we never had rugs - they're dangerous. We've only had rubberized mats that never moved and had no edge to trip on.

  • 3 years ago

    Old Persian runners. I have some old ones (50 yrs+) that are almost threadbare in some spots, and they work well, can be spot cleaned, and are not particularly precious.

  • 3 years ago

    We just have a comfort mat in front of the sink and leave the rest of our floor clear. Honestly, if your floor was well sealed, it shouldn't have problems in traffic or cooking/washing areas.

  • 3 years ago

    I had an old flat weave all-wool rug over most of the floor (it's wood) when we still had the dog and 3 cats. As someone mentioned, easy to spot clean, and since it covered the only pathway to the back yard, it needed to be and was also easy to haul outside, drape over a couple of patio chairs, soap up with the sprayer - a soft brush on any sticky spots - and rinse with the hose a couple of times a year. On a sunny day, in the driveway, it would be dry in one day.

    I think some of the new combo vac/floor cleaners might have extended the time between those thorough washings.

  • 3 years ago

    Nothing. I have wood floors. I prefer being able to see the food, drops, etc. and clean them up immediately. While I have used rugs in the past, I don’t like the look OR the need to clean them. Wood is durable and if finished properly, easy to clean. And…easy on the feet and knees.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    FLOR tiles: you can pick them up and wash them in the sink. Non-skid backing.

  • 3 years ago

    I have 2 large black wellness mats. Easy to clean and great for feet and back when doing a lot of standing for prep work.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    I like whimsical Jellybean rugs. In general, I prefer kitchens that are a bit playful. Jellybean rugs are so easy to care for, just throw them in the washer and they last a very long time. The company says not to put in drier, but I do. They do slide around a lot, so I am constantly sliding it back into place, but I don't consider that to be a big issue for me. I've tried to go rug-less in my wood floor kitchen and it just felt so unwelcoming, I guess I just prefer to having something under my feet when I am working at the sink. https://www.jellybeandirect.com

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    None IMO tripping hazards are never a good plan in a kitchen, wipe up spills when they happen and for god's sake no rug that needs to be dry cleaned and I can sure think of another space for an actual persian rug. I tried one of the anti fatique mats and all it did was act like a hair magnet for my dogs since I guess they are some kind of synthetic material