Kitchen Area Rugs: What to Know Before You Buy

Arsh's Rug Library · Room Guides

Beige and pink Kashan runner by a sunny window — Shown: Kashan Hester Runner, 2'7" x 11'1"

A rug in the kitchen gives you something softer to stand on while you cook and adds color to a room full of hard surfaces. The right rug handles spills and foot traffic without fuss.

Is wool a good choice for a kitchen?

Yes. Wool has natural lanolin that helps it resist liquid for a short time, which gives you a moment to blot a spill before it soaks in. It also hides crumbs and everyday dirt better than synthetic fibers, and it does not melt or flatten the way some synthetic rugs do near heat.

Best rug types for kitchens

Flat-woven kilims: thin, easy to shake out and vacuum, and they never catch on cabinet doors or the dishwasher. Our kilim collection includes many runners.
Low-pile hand-knotted rugs: durable and easy to sweep. Busy geometric or all-over patterns hide marks best.
Avoid: deep shag, silk and bamboo silk, which mark easily with water and grease.

Red and blue Baluchi runner — Busy geometric patterns and tight flat weaves hide everyday marks.

Close-up of a tightly woven kilim — Busy geometric patterns and tight flat weaves hide everyday marks.

Sizes that work

A runner along the counters or an island is the most useful kitchen rug. Aim for a runner that covers the main work area and leaves 6 inches of floor at each end. For a galley kitchen, a 2.5x8 or 2.5x10 runner usually fits. In front of a sink, a small 2x3 or 3x5 accent rug is enough. Browse runners and small rugs.

Keeping it clean

Blot spills right away with a clean white cloth and cold water; don't rub. Vacuum or shake the rug weekly. A non-slip pad is a must in a kitchen, both for safety and to keep the rug from bunching. When it needs a deep clean, our hand-washing service removes grease and grit without harsh chemicals.

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